Town of Mono's COVID-19 Message Centre

Third Vaccination Message: Local Update & FAQs

This message from the Town of Mono was posted on 
March 19, 2021

Local Update

First, since the “low-water” mark of February 18th , there has been a 30% increase in the 7-day rolling average of reported new cases in Ontario. This suggests that a third wave is occurring, at least in the Greater Toronto, Ottawa and Thunder Bay areas. New case numbers in Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health area have not yet seen an uptick.

Second, the Ontario Science Advisory Table estimates that variants of concern (VOCs) make up more than half of all new cases province wide.  The Advisory Table is particularly concerned about the COVID UK variant — referred to as B.117.  These more easily transmissible VOCs are likely to drive the third wave, and this is worrisome.

FAQs

1. How can I get an appointment for my vaccine shot?

  • Check the WDG Public Health website frequently and you will find when it is your turn to register.  The website is:  https://www.wdgpublichealth.ca/
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  • Currently, residents 60 years and over, persons with other diseases and all persons involved in health care and long-term care are eligible.
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  • The first step (for those who are eligible) is to pre-register online at https://register.wdgpublichealth.ca/. Next, you will be contacted and given a unique code so that you can schedule a date, time and location.
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  • Or you can register by phone: 844-780-0202 (although it may take time to get through)

2. I am hesitant to get the vaccine.  What is your advice?

  • People have different reasons for “vaccine hesitancy”.  Despite knowing that many diseases, such as smallpox and polio, have been eradicated or controlled by vaccines, the speed of development and political pressure to get a COVID-19 vaccine has created some scepticism.  However, a lack of understanding of the science is less likely the driver of hesitancy, than is the lack of trust in public institutions.
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  • One vaccine – the AstraZeneca/Oxford (AZ) - has had a problematic rollout with a dosing error in the phase three trial and subsequent poor communications.  Recently it has been suggested that AZ vaccine has caused blood clotting in leg veins and lungs.  This has resulted in seven or more European countries suspending its use. However, there is no hard evidence that AZ does cause blood clotting.  Although this issue, and others, are disturbing, the openness of information should contribute to public trust.
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  • A good way to help decide about vaccination is to educate yourself by getting as much vaccine information as you can, and by speaking with trusted acquaintances — family, friends, a family doctor or a religious leader.

3. How can I know that the vaccines are safe?

  • Before acceptance, each vaccine approved for use in Canada underwent three clinical trials.  The final and largest was a phase three trial that involved  two large groups of people.  One group was given the vaccine, the other was given a placebo - a “pretend” vaccine.  The effectiveness at preventing COVID-19 was compared between the two groups.  Side effects or adverse events were also identified.  These groups are large, often having 10,000 people in each group, in order that the trial results can be considered significant.  
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  • Once a vaccine is approved and vaccination starts, the vaccine continues to be studied.  This is a phase four trial (a “real-life” trial), and these trials are massive.  The Israeli phase four trial, which has recently been published, had about 600,000 vaccinated people compared to a similar group of 600,000 non-vaccinated persons.  A huge study like this will provide further information about possible rare side effects, confirm the degree of efficacy, and identify other benefits such as the prevention of death.

4. What are the differences between the Canadian approved vaccines?

  • There are four approved vaccines: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen (or Johnson & Johnson). Based on the phase 3 trials, each vaccine resulted in a number that indicates the effectiveness (the efficacy). Largely these reported efficacy numbers only relate to the original COVID virus, although the J&J vaccine also provided evidence on some of the VOCs. The efficacy ratings are:
    • Pfizer BioNTech(Pf)
      95%
    • Moderna (Mod)
      94%
    • AstraZeneca (AZ) (two studies)
      62% and 79%
    • Janssen (two studies)
      66% and 85%

  • The Janssen vaccine is a single-dose vaccine. It is also effective in protecting against some of the VOCs – 82% efficacy with the South African variant and 88% with the Brazilian variant.

  • There are other differences. The four vaccines are produced by two quite different biological processes. And they also have quite different pricing – Pf.$20, Mod $37, AZ $4, J&J $10. (These are the approximate costs in $US per dose.)

5. Can you explain “efficacy” in real numbers?

  • For example, Pfizer’s efficacy is 95%. This means the vaccinated group tested positive and experienced some symptoms for COVID-19. 5/100 as often as the unvaccinated group. This was 1/20th as often as people in the unvaccinated group.

  • The AZ efficacy is 62% — meaning that people in the vaccinated group were experiencing symptoms and testing positive for COVID-19 38/100 as often as the unvaccinated group. This was a little more than 1/3rd as often as the unvaccinated group.

  • It is notable that the modest drop from 95% to 62% has a large implication in the degree of protection of the vaccine.

6. Currently in WDG the Pfizer vaccine is being given with an interval of 4 months between the first and second doses.  How effective is this vaccine after a single dose?

  • In the Israel study, the largest study yet reported, efficacy was 90% by day 21 after the first jab with the Pfizer vaccine.  So, you do have some very good protection even after the first dose.

7. Are the vaccines effective against the new variants?

  • The vaccines provide significant protection from the dominant VOC now in Ontario (the UK variant), however the effectiveness against the South African and Brazilian variants is not generally as high.  However, the vaccine manufacturers say that they can readily adapt their vaccines and create booster doses to manage variants.

8. What other factors are important in addition to quoted efficacy numbers?

  • The vaccines are very effective not only for increasing your resistance to developing symptoms or carrying (without symptoms) the COVID-19 virus, but importantly, if you are infected, all vaccines are very effective at reducing the likelihood of severe disease or death.

9. Do I have a choice of which vaccine I will receive?

  • At this time, WDG Public Health is only giving the Pfizer vaccine.  It is expected that all four vaccines will be available some day in the future.  There has been no mention about the option of personal selection of a vaccine.

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Previous Messages

With the lockdown brought on by COVID-19 more and more people are reliant on internet access and its speed and quality.

Tenuous at best in many parts of Mono and Dufferin during normal times, internet bandwidth is now stretched.  According to a CBC report, Bell is experiencing a 60% growth in daytime usage while nighttime usage is up by 30% and that was almost one month ago.

More critically, the CRTC estimates that only 40.8% of rural households even have high speed internet. Due to the way this is measured, the percentage is actually much lower.

All this will take time as many of us in Mono to struggle with substandard speed and service.

Suddenly the demands on our internet have hugely increased due to working at home, students faced with more online learning, more demand for home based entertainment and a huge increase in our reliance on the internet to keep us connected with our friends.

Businesses have seen their employees can be just as productive if not more so operating from home.  Presently, many home businesses are rejecting rural Dufferin as a suitable location for them to operate

Governments have discovered they can effectively conduct business by way of Zoom, GoToMeeting and other platforms while at the same time allowing public access to and participation in meetings.

Even as we climb out of our present circumstances, it will only get more challenging.

There is no going back.  These issues and the internet infrastructure need to improve dramatically to meet the demand and challenge.

So what can we do in the mean time?

In no particular order:

  • If you are experiencing slow or irregular internet service, try unplugging your router, letting it sit for 20 seconds and then plugging it in. This may clear the ‘cobwebs’ out of your connection.
  • If your modern is more than two years old you may benefit from an upgrade. Contact your provider to see whether they will provide a newer modem. Often, they will without debate.
  • Shop around for other providers of internet service and different products. There are too few choices, but they do exist.
  • If you believe you have been ‘gouged’ by an internet service provider or have substandard service, here’s what you can do:

    -Write to MP Kyle Seeback — Kyle.Seeback@parl.gc.ca and MPP Sylvia Jones — sylvia.jonesco@pc.ola.org and the Chair of the CRTC Ian Scott — ian.scott@crtc.gc.ca

    ‍    -File a complaint for gouging in times of COVID crisis. Use the 'other' category on the form and describe your circumstances

The inadequacy of our rural internet access was highlighted by COVID-19.  The economic, educational and recreational demands for high speed internet will not go away.

Here in Mono we’ve formed a Task Force to examine ways of improving local service. Discussions have taken place with large providers and startup entrepreneurs. We are looking at encouraging local, small scale high speed wireless solutions.

In short, we believe it’s time to stop dithering around and seize the moment to find solutions.

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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 Checkout 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 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
  • 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 checkout 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
  • 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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