THUNDER BAY – Mayor Bill Mauro’s push to make masks mandatory indoors and on public transit seems to be finding a warm reception with municipal leaders.
At least three other city councillors plan to support the mayor’s motion, which would call on the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to consider issuing a mandatory masks order.
That includes two councillors who voted against a previous motion from Coun. Aldo Ruberto, which would have seen the city ask the province to mandate mask-wearing.
The mayor’s motion will be debated at city council on July 20.
Coun. Kristen Oliver said the evidence around masks was less clear in early May, when she voted against Ruberto’s motion. She’s now ready to vote in favour of Mauro’s proposal (councillors Shelby Ch’ng and Aldo Ruberto also indicated they plan to support it).
“I think we’re starting to see there’s a lot of validity in wearing a mask and the protection it gives to people around you, [and] yourself,” she said. “I know it’s going to be a challenging discussion, because there are a lot of people who don’t want to wear a mask, and I can appreciate that… I think what’s really changed for me is when I look at what’s happening in the United States.”
Oliver said normalizing mask wearing would be key not only to reducing COVID-19’s spread, but also to the city’s economic recovery.
For his part, Mauro said the consensus among health experts now seems strong enough to warrant the step – as long as Thunder Bay’s medical officer of health, Dr. Janet DeMille, is on board.
Thunder Bay’s “very good” COVID-19 numbers have left some feeling more relaxed about the virus, he believes. However, he worries that fall could bring a second wave of infections along with the usual flu season.
Even with the number of infections low, the mayor said city leaders also have a responsibility to protect those most vulnerable to the virus.
“It’s easy to forget about people who are diabetic, who have cardiac issues [or] cancer, who are immuno-compromised, seniors,” he said. “All of these people’s voices need to be reflected in the work we do as well. It’s not a simple decision, but at the end of the day, the health piece is the imperative.”
While she supports the move, Oliver feared an order could lead to harassment for those with valid reasons not to wear a mask.
“There are people in this community who will be unable to wear masks, and I really hope we don’t see community vigilante activity, where people are accosting others [for] not wearing a mask,” she said. “We need to remember to be kind and respectful.”
While the details of any order would be left up to the health unit, Mauro sees it as a given there would be exceptions for those with accessibility or medical issues that make mask-wearing a challenge.
Enforcement of a mandatory masks order will prove thorny, leaders acknowledged. It would likely fall to the health unit to take the lead on enforcement, though city bylaw officers could support that work, said Mauro. He expected a significant period of time for public education before instituting such an order.
“We’re not looking to make money or fine people,” he said. “This is about health, this is about a potential second wave and just trying to be as proactive as we can.”
Ruberto agreed, adding he believes public willingness to wear a mask is increasing.
“I’d rather see nobody enforcing it – I’d rather see people enforcing it themselves,” he said. “I’d like to see people just use common sense. If there’s a tool out there you can use, why wouldn’t you use it?”
