Ford has mixed messaging on Thanksgiving gatherings, says Ontario is "flattening the curve"
Premier Doug Ford had some mixed messaging about Thanksgiving gatherings and said that Ontario is “flattening the curve” when it comes to COVID-19 cases.
On Tuesday, when asked about Thanksgiving gathering rules, Ford said to “stay within the family” and for single people who are visiting other households to wear a mask and to physically distance.
The premier said that private gatherings allow for 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors but is “discouraging having 25 people outdoors.”
“Stick within 10 people. We’ve been through so much together this is going make or break it on Thanksgiving. I see the numbers are slowly flattening, we’re flattening the curve. They are still high but I’ve seen it decline yesterday.”
Ford said that the province completed 42,000 tests yesterday, which is the highest on record.
“We see a little bit of the flattening right now but we need get the numbers down.”
With Ontario currently in it’s second wave, the province is experiencing some of the highest new daily COVID-19 cases to date.
Tuesday saw 548 cases, which were lower than Monday’s 615, Sunday’s 556, Saturday’s 653, and Friday’s record for the largest single day increase with 732 new cases.
Daily COVID-19 cases in Ontario. (Government of Ontario)
When asked about the confusing messaging around Thanksgiving with people wondering if 10 indoors means that involves people from outside the family, Ford said that for those family members who are visiting from outside the home, they should avoid hugging and kissing.
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When asked about it again, Ford changed his response to just sticking with immediate families.
“Stick to the immediate families for Thanksgiving dinner. Stick within your household. Let’s just get through this. The message is clear stay within your household. One person who lives by themselves and has a small social group can go, but just stay within your household,” he said.
The premier’s messaging contradicts what Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa said on Monday.
She said for Thanksgiving dinner to be with those in your household only, and for those living alone to participate virtually.
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