OCEUOur new Canadian office of @CntrFutureWork is releasing its first major paper today: "10 Ways the COVID-19 Pandemic Must Change Work for Good." This short video summarizes the major findings. (Bonus points if you guess the TV analogy at the end!)
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In Toronto's bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, city officials announced a new bylaw Thursday that prohibits people from standing within two metres of each other in some parts of the city — and failing to comply could mean a fine of up to $5,000.
Mayor John Tory, joined by Toronto's medical officer of health and fire chief, announced the change at their daily news conference on the city's response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The bylaw, which will remain in effect for at least the next 30 days, is limited to interactions in city parks and squares. That's where city officials say they are seeing the most problem with crowding. It's also limited to two or more people who don't live together.
"Lives are potentially at stake and we'll turn up the heat," Tory said.
"We will continue to do everything we can as a municipal government to lock down the city to save lives."
The enhanced restrictions and recommendations released by Toronto Public Health on Wednesday advise people to limit their time outdoors to essential trips, but the guidelines still allow for walking pets or getting daily exercise so long as physical distancing of two metres is possible.
Toronto's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa described those non-essential outings as "reasonable things to do while trying to stay home as much as possible."
But Tory pointed to crowded parks, singling out Sunnyside Park on the lakefront, to suggest that some residents are not taking the rules seriously enough.
"It's not saying you can't go outside, it's just saying that in places where people congregate, they can't do that right now," Tory said on Metro Morning.
Schools in Ontario remain closed, but classes are technically back in session today as the province's at-home distance learning program begins.
The program is led by teachers, but students will need to learn independently and receive direction and support from parents, according to Minister of Education Stephen Lecce.
Lecce said the plan includes online learning, but telephone calls and mail-out packages are also an option.
He said while the program isn't perfect, it gives students the opportunity to engage in learning, be on track to graduate and reconnect with teachers.
"We have to be focused on ensuring learning always happens irrespective of the circumstances thrown at us," Lecce said in an interview with CBC News Sunday.
Lecce also said students will be able to access mental health resources, including psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers.
The education ministry has set out different requirements when it comes to the amount of hours of work and what subjects are being focused on.
Lecce told CBC News unconventional teaching and learning methods will be used and it'll be up to teachers to decide what assignments look like and how students will be engaged.
He said work is underway to get students electronics if they don't have what's needed at home, and that households without internet access won't be left behind.
Since schools closed in mid-March, teachers have been connecting with parents and students and preparing for distance learning. Dixon Grove Junior Middle School teacher Kimberly Liang has been checking in on her Grade 8 students and speaking with parents about the distance learning program.
"It was nice to have parents give us a little input on how their children will learn best," the Etobicoke teacher said.
Toronto public schools are using e-learning sites like D2L, which was already used in some classrooms before schools were closed. They're also using Google Classroom to share information, handout assignments and communicate with students.
Liang said many teachers will also be checking in with students and parents through email and phone calls.
She and her teaching partner have been creating instructional videos for students by writing on virtual whiteboards.
With the Ontario government announcing an extension of closures for schools and child care centres due to the pandemic, CUPE education workers in Ontario are raising concerns about access to e-learning.
“We know that in the short-term, school closures make e-learning a reality,” said Laura Walton, President of CUPE’s Ontario School Board Council of Unions (OSBCU), which leads central negotiations on behalf of 55,000 CUPE education workers. “But we also know that the high-speed internet required for e-learning isn’t as accessible in low-income, rural, and indigenous communities. We need to address that and make it accessible for all moving forward.”
Walton referenced a study that says only 63% of rural households and 76% of indigenous households in Canada have access to the internet that meets e-learning requirements. 11% don’t have home internet at all.
“And what about parents who still have to work?” said Walton, pointing out that students without a parent at home may face challenges even with high-speed internet. “We have to see this through an equality and class lens. We can’t let kids who don’t have access to high-speed internet, or whose parents are essential workers or work in our grocery stores, to be unable to access education that needs to continue, crisis or not.”
Representatives of frontline education workers have been in consultations with the government to work out how public education will unfold during closures.
“One way this government can step up and support all Ontarians is by working closely with representatives of frontline workers,” said Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, highlighting working groups about custodians, instructional supports, and learning resources that have already begun. “Frontline education workers care about the services they provide for students and families. They need to continue to be consulted on how our public education system needs to look in these times.”
“We’re all in this together,” said Walton. “This is the time to support everyone: our members, who are part of the community of workers who deliver critical services, and students from all communities. Our education matters and everyone needs to be able to access it.”
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