Petition on masks for Canada

We received the following message from Dr. Jennifer Kwan, a family physician, inviting health providers to add their signature to a petition calling on mandatory masks in Canada in three high-risk settings: all indoor spaces outside the home, crowds, and public transit. We support this request wholeheartedly and I already signed and urge you to do the same! And – as important – let’s start to personally abide by this call.

Masking is an important public health prevention tool we should utilize as we restart the economy. It is simple, cheap and effective. Masks, in addition to – not instead of – other public health measures, can add an additional layer of protection and contribute to reduce the risk of spread.

Message from Dr. Kwan: I'm working with a group of colleagues to recommend mandatory masking policies for high-risk settings in Ontario (such as indoor spaces, crowds, and public transportation). We recommend minimizing fines and penalties, focus on public education (when/how to wear), and distribute masks for the most vulnerable. Many studies, and most recently the WHO, have concluded that universal masking in these settings is key to getting the pandemic under control and reducing community transmission. Masks will help save both lives and the economy! 

You can view the open letter to our Public Health and political leadership here: http://bit.ly/masks4canada 

We would greatly appreciate if you, a medical and/or scientific professional, can lend your voice to this important cause and sign at this link: http://bit.ly/masks4canadaMedFormON

Please forward this message to your contacts, including nurses, physicians, scientists, researchers, dentists, dental hygienists, optometrists, nurses, PTs, OTs, MLTs, pharmacists, all health professionals, and concerned citizens, and help Ontario reopen safely!