Where are the protections for Ontario’s long term care residents as part of the new state of emergency and stay at home order?

This is the questions being asked by many seniors’ advocates including the Zoomers’ Group CARP.

Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath says she is shocked that Health Minister Christine Elliot said now the iron ring around nursing homes is (COVID-19) vaccinations.

Reacting to that same comment, Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos of Save Our Seniors posted on Twitter, “This government has shown their hand repeatedly. They do not care about our LTC residents being kept safe. NOW IS THE TIME TO RAMP UP THE EMAIL/PHONE CAMPAIGNS TO ALL YOUR PC MPPS.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Steini Brown, co-chair of the provincial COVID-19 science advisory table, warned outbreaks and deaths in nursing homes will be worse in the second wave than in the first.

“The impact in our long term care homes is as or more devastating. We already have over 1000 deaths in long term care in this second wave, but we also have to acknowledge the anguish and the heartache of our most vulnerable senior citizens as they are cut off from their loved ones, as long term care homes struggle to keep the virus out,” Dr. Brown declared.

CARP is calling for Premier Doug Ford to fire Long Term Care Minister Merrilee fullerton for failing to protect residents in the second wave. A petition at carp.ca now has nearly 5500 signatures.