PRE-REGISTERING ALL RESIDENTS FOR THEIR VACCINES & LATEST COVID-19 DATA FOR ONTARIO

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Josh Matlow, Toronto Councillor for Ward 12 Toronto-St. Paul’s, followed by Ryan Imgrund, a biostatistician who has been providing daily COVID-19 data analysis for Ontario and Canada.

Councillor Matlow has sent a public letter to Premier Doug Ford calling for the pre-registration of all Ontarians in an effort to make the COVID-19 vaccine rollout much more effective. Prominent members of the medical community including geriatrician Dr. Samir Sinha are endorsing the idea.

Meanwhile, Ryan updates us on the latest COVID-19 numbers for the province, and the confusing public health messaging coming from our top government officials. He also explains why he takes issue with York Region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji. Today, Ontario is reporting a record-high 4,736 COVID-19 cases and 29 deaths.

MIKE SCHREINER ON THE NEED TO GET OLDER ADULTS AND WORKERS VACCINATED IN ONTARIO

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario.

Mike explains his frustration with the reality that some areas with the lowest rates of positive COVID-19 cases are experiencing the highest vaccination rates.  He also says that the current vaccine rollout program is presenting accessibility issues for segments of the population that need it the most including workers and older adults.

HELPING OLDER ADULTS WITH ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES GET TO THEIR VACCINE APPOINTMENT

Jane Brown is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Shanta Sundarason, Founder of Pink Cars, a transportation service helping adults 70 years-of-age and older and living in York Region to register and get to their COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

Shanta explains why she set the program up and the success her initiative has been having so far. Since day 1, March 1st, she tells us that she along with her team of volunteers have helped over 2,000 seniors and those in need to get vaccinated.