Local top doc supports ending mandatory masking by end of March

By Casey Taylor

Ontario's mask mandate appears to be next on the pandemic policy chopping block, the main question is when does the axe fall.

There does seem to be a difference of opinion between the Premier and the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health, one suggesting the mask mandate could lift by the time kids return to school following the March break, the latter saying it's likely to happen closer to the end of the month.

Our top doctor here in Waterloo Region says she's aligned with her provincial counterpart.

“I think that is a reasonable time-frame,” said Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang during the region's weekly pandemic update on Friday. “As we're leaving March and heading into April we're also heading into a season that normally respiratory viruses do not circulate as much.”

She says, assuming something unexpected doesn't happen, that means the risk associated with COVID-19 should be lower, even despite other key pandemic indicators also continuing to decline.

That said, Dr. Wang is clear getting rid of one of the last remaining pandemic public health policies does not mean risk is gone entirely, saying as long as the virus is around there will always be at least some level of risk.

She says we can also expect to see periods where the risk is elevated again, especially when cold and flu season makes a comeback.

“So masking may no longer be required, but it may continue to be recommended in periods of higher risk,” Dr. Wang said.

Meantime, as the premier and top doctor continue to eyeball the calendar, local officials both from Waterloo Region Public Health and the region itself continue to urge people to be kind and considerate as some may be more or less hesitant than others.

“I would be naive to think there won't be some people that may make fun of people that may continue to wear their masks,” Dr. Wang said. “Masks are a way to help protect yourself and help protect others, and for people who would prefer to keep their masks on until they feel more comfortable not wearing them anymore — I would wholly support that.”

Dr. Wang also suggested she will be among that group, saying she will continue to mask-up whenever she feels risk is higher like, again, during future respiratory seasons.

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