Town of Mono's COVID-19 Message Centre

Face Masks MUST Catch Small Droplets

This message from the Town of Mono was posted on 
November 10, 2020

We know that COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.  What we are still learning is how this virus behaves.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Public Health believed that this virus was transmitted mainly by large droplets expressed from the mouth and nose during loud talking, sneezing and coughing, as well as by contact with infected surfaces.

To prevent large droplet spread, almost anything including a t-shirt over the mouth and nose was thought to provide some significant protection.  Further, these droplets, being somewhat heavy, rapidly fall to the ground a few metres from the infected person.

Two key facts have emerged that have changed our thinking about mask wearing:

  1. It is now clear that in the 2–3 days preceding a symptomatic infection, a person is usually highly contagious.  This implies each of us must consider that any apparently well person that we meet  may be in the silent stage of the infection and might transmit the virus to us.
  2. Small droplets are now recognized as an important means of disease transmission. These droplets (aerosols) are produced not only by forceful expiration of air from the mouth or nose but also by simple breathing.  They can remain suspended in the air for hours. Unfortunately, small droplets pass through cloth masks with ease.  

These facts have led to new mask recommendations by Dr. Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer.  She recently announced that Covid-19, face masks for non-health care workers should be three layered with a middle layer of a blown material such as polypropylene.  Two layered cloth masks are not adequate for personal protection and for protection of your contacts.  The issue is the small respiratory droplets that carry the virus are not effectively trapped by just layers of fine cotton cloth.  A middle layer of nonwoven material placed between the mask’s inner and outer layers is effective at catching most of these Covid-19 bearing droplets.

This small droplet concept makes good sense as we know that there is increased chance of virus transmission in indoor spaces especially with poor ventilation. The fine droplets do not fall to the ground but continue to circulate in the air for hours.  Likely the concentration of them increases the longer an infected person is in the enclosed space.  This fact helps to explain the Covid-19 outbreaks that occur in indoor places where people congregate - including places of worship, bars, restaurants, cruise ships, and small social groups.

Example of an acceptable 3-layer face mask
Example of an acceptable three-layered face mask
Face mask taken apart to show 3 layers
Demonstration of the three layers of the mask
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Previous Messages

The Second Wave

To beat this second wave, we need the same old prescription — social distancing, wearing a mask when indoors in public places, hand cleaning and not meeting in groups. These practices are our best strategy to prevent the next wave from coming to Dufferin.
Date Posted: 
October 5, 2020

Face Masks and the Second Wave

Let's continue social distancing, wearing masks, and doing what we can to keep others safe. Together we can prevent a second wave of COVID-19.
Date Posted: 
August 14, 2020

High Speed Fallout from COVID-19

Date Posted: 
June 10, 2020

In the last 6 weeks the global number of confirmed Covid-19 cases had doubled to 20 million.
World wide, the control of the pandemic is incredibly bad. Just terrible!
In Canada however, our new case numbers are far down the slope - at 1/10 of their peak,
and new case numbers have levelled out,
In Dufferin we have had less than one new case every few days for the last month.

Recently, wearing a face mask has become the new normal.
The timing could not be better.
We now know that taking a “covid history” of a recent cough or fever will not identify the majority of new infections.
The majority of infected persons do not have symptoms!
This knowledge makes social distancing and the wearing of a face mask
of critical importance in controlling this pandemic.
Let's keep up the pressure.
We can prevent a second wave!

Dog showing proper and improper ways to don a face mask

Waterway Signing Survey

Please view the pictures & map below and use the intersections, roads, etc. for geographical context. There is a spot to fill in any alternative current, historical, or colloquial names of the rivers/streams/creeks/etc.

Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and will be used for the purposes of collecting alternative names for waterways for potential inclusion in signage. Questions about this collection should be directed to the Clerk’s Office: ClerksOffice@townofmono.com, 347209 Mono Centre Road, Mono ON L9W 6S3, 519.941.3599.

Please fill out your contact your preferences: phone and/or email

Get in Contact with Us (other ways to provide signage feedback

Reference Map for All Waterways

29 Road Crossings Selected for Signage

Please provide a list of name corrections or alternatives in the fields. Please separate each name with a comma (,).

Map: (3) South Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 3
Map: McMaster Creek (or Stream)
Enlarge Waterway 4
Map: South Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 5
Map: North Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 6
Map: Humber River Tributary
Enlarge Waterway 7
Map: North Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 8
Map: North Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 9
Map: South Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 10
Map: South Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 11
Map: South Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 12
Map: South Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 13
Map: North Branch Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 14
Map: Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 15
Map: Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 16
Map: Nottawasaga River
Enlarge Waterway 17
Map: Mono Centre Creek
Enlarge Waterway 18
Map: Humber River Tributary
Enlarge Waterway 19
Map: North Branch Nottawasaga River Known locally as Elba Creek
Enlarge Waterway 20
Map: South Branch Nottawasaga River Known locally as Young Drain
Enlarge Waterway 21
Map: Humber River Tributary
Enlarge Waterway 24
Map: Nottawasaga River Tributary Known locally as Penelton’s Creek
Enlarge Waterway 26
Map: Sheldon Creek
Enlarge Waterway 27
Map: Sheldon Creek
Enlarge Waterway 29
Map: North Branch Nottawasaga River Known locally as Elba Creek
Enlarge Waterway 30
Map: Boyne River Tributary Known locally as Primrose Creek at Blind Line
Enlarge Waterway 31
Map: Boyne River Tributary Known locally as  Primrose Creek at 30 Sideroad
Enlarge Waterway 33
Map: Sheldon Creek, at 25 Sideroad
Enlarge Waterway 34
Map: McMaster Creek at Blind Line
Enlarge Waterway 37
Map: Sheldon Creek Tributary at Blue Heron Drive
Enlarge Waterway 39
Graphic representation of a stream

10 Other Road Crossings Not Selected

Please provide a list of name corrections or alternatives in the fields. Please separate each name with a comma (,).

↑ Go Back to Reference Map
Map: McMaster Stream at Mono-Amaranth Townline
Enlarge Waterway 1
Map: Waterway on Campbell Road with no known name
Enlarge Waterway 2
Map: (22) No Known Name
Enlarge Waterway 22
Map: (23) No Known Name
Enlarge Waterway 23
Map: (25) No Known Name, part of Penelton's Creek
Enlarge Waterway 25
Map: (28) No Known Name
Enlarge Waterway 28
Map: (32) No Known Name
Enlarge Waterway 32
Map: (35) No Known Name, part of Elder Creek
Enlarge Waterway 35
Map: (36) No Known Name, part of Penelton's Creek
Enlarge Waterway 36
Map: (40) No Known Name, waterway located on Blue Heron Drive
Enlarge Waterway 40

Are there any of the above "10 Other Road Crossings Not Selected", that you feel should be selected for signage. Please reference the stream number from the previous section. Provide one waterway per line and include the reason why you feel the additional waterways should be signed.

From what resources did you obtain the information? Please let us know if there would be an opportunity for the Town to examine the resources. If you are listing multiple resources, please list one resource per line.

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An Informational Guide to Town of Mono's New Plastic Bag Bylaw

Please select whether you are a Resident / Member of the General Public or a Business

Information for Residents

On January 1, 2021, you should no longer receive plastic checkout bags from stores in Mono. You may only receive a bag if:

  • You are first asked whether you need a bag and you respond that you require one
  • The bag you receive is a paper bag that can be recycled
  • You must pay for the bag

Businesses must allow you to use any reusable bag that you may already have, including bags from competitors.

Woman receiving purchased products in reusable bag

Are There Any Exceptions? 

You may still receive bags in situations when the bag is being used to do any of the following:

  • Package loose bulk items, such as fruit / vegetables, nuts, grains, or candy;
  • Package loose small hardware items such as nails and bolts;
  • Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, poultry or fish;
  • Wrap flowers or potted plants;
  • Protect prepared foods or bakery goods that are not already packaged;
  • Contain prescription drugs received from a pharmacy;
  • Transport live fish;
  • Protect linens, bedding, or other similar large items that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
  • Protect newspapers or other printed material that may be left outside;
  • Protect clothes after laundering or dry cleaning;
  • Protect tires that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
  • Collect and dispose of animal waste

You may also receive small paper bags at no charge for smaller purchases.

For more information, view the Plastic Bag Bylaw.

Remember Your Bags Graphic

Information for Businesses

On January 1, 2021, you should no longer provide bags to customers. You may only supply a bag if:

  • You first ask customers whether they need a bag and they respond that they require one
  • The bag you provide to customers is a paper bag that can be recycled
  • Customers must pay for the bag. Businesses can set whatever price they feel is appropriate for these bags.

Customers should be allowed to use any reusable bag that they may already have, including bags from competitors.

Customer receiving purchases in a reusable bag

Are There Any Exceptions? 

You may still provide bags in the following situations if the bags do any of the following:

  • Package loose bulk items, such as fruit / vegetables, nuts, grains, or candy;
  • Package loose small hardware items such as nails and bolts;
  • Contain or wrap frozen foods, meat, poultry or fish;
  • Wrap flowers or potted plants;
  • Protect prepared foods or bakery goods that are not already packaged;
  • Contain prescription drugs received from a pharmacy;
  • Transport live fish;
  • Protect linens, bedding, or other similar large items that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
  • Protect newspapers or other printed material that may be left outside;
  • Protect clothes after laundering or dry cleaning;
  • Protect tires that cannot easily fit in a reusable bag;
  • Collect and dispose of animal waste

You may also provide a small paper bag at no charge for small purchases.

Penalties

Contravening the new Plastic Bag Bylaw will result in a fine of $150. Any person who is charged with multiple or repeat offences under this Bylaw is liable to the following fines if found guilty under Part 3 of the Provincial Offences Act:

  • $500 for each day or part day that the offence continues, limited to $10,000
  • $500 for each offence in a case of multiple offences and the total of all fines for each included offence is limited to $10,000

For more information, view the Plastic Bag Bylaw.

We're Listening

We are interested to hear about what the switch away from plastic will mean for you at checkouts. What changes will you as a customer or a business need to take? What supports may be helpful? Let us know in the comments. We are ready for your feedback and we are listening.

Comments & Feedback

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