Mask Bylaw

In July 2020, before the Province of Ontario had introduced its own regulations regarding masking, Municipal Council directed Civic Administration to consult with the Medical Officer of Health and the County of Middlesex on legislative measures that the Medical Officer of Health recommends be enacted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections in our community. That same month, Municipal Council adopted a bylaw requiring face coverings in enclosed spaces that are accessible to the public. The bylaw expired at the end of 2020 while similar provincial rules (O. Reg. 364/20), were still in place. Those provincial requirements will be ending on 21 March 2022.

Back in 2020, we did not have the protective benefit of vaccines, which have reduced the risk of severe outcomes like hospitalization and death. We are very thankful for the hundreds of thousands of Londoners who have protected themselves and others in our community by getting vaccinated. And to those who have taken many other steps in addition to vaccination to limit the spread of this virus in our community and throughout the world.

However, the impact of COVID-19 and the highly transmissible Omicron variant continues to be significant. Even with severely restricted testing, which means new cases will be undercounted, new cases exceeded 2,000 per week in Middlesex-London during the most recent wave. Tragically, 95 people in Middlesex-London have died of COVID-19 since this year began.

There are encouraging signs. Hospitalizations and deaths have decreased from the record highs experienced earlier this year. Wastewater surveillance suggests that the incidence of COVID-19 in our community has declined from its peak in mid-January.

But the projections released by the Ontario Science Advisory Table last week are very concerning. The moderate scenario, a 40% increase in contacts with half of those contacts maskless, is projected to result in 300 people in ICUs at the start of May, more than double the scenario where public health measures are maintained rather than dropped.

We believe three aspects of the science table projections are particularly important (emphasis added).

First, from the key findings (page 2):

“Given the relaxation of public health measures and consequent increase in transmission, hospital and ICU occupancy will likely increase over the next few weeks, but less than in January 2022 and for a limited period of time if changes in behaviour are only moderate.”

“The extent of this increase, and of a person’s risk of contracting COVID-19, will depend on the number of close contacts (especially indoors without masking), vaccination status, and the spread of the more transmissible BA.2 subvariant.”

Second, they show that all waves of the pandemic, including the fifth wave that started in December, have been hardest on those who have the lowest income. The rate of deaths per capita for the lowest income quintile is double that of the highest income quintile (page 7).

The science table clearly makes the point that masking reduces the odds of infection, depending on the type of mask worn: cloth (56% lower), surgical masks (66% lower)  and N95/KN95 (83% lower) (page 15). A recent review of research (17 studies) on the association between mask mandates and population-level outcomes, from Public Health Ontario, that implementation of mask mandates is associated with statistically significant reductions in case growth (and, with smaller effect sizes, reduced rates of hospitalizations and deaths).

The recent increases in COVID-19 deaths in places like Denmark, Norway and Sweden, which dropped most public health measures in early February, is also very concerning. These are all countries with fairly high vaccination coverage (74% to 81% of the eligible population fully vaccinated).

We believe it is prudent and necessary to reintroduce, on a temporary basis, the mask bylaw passed by Municipal Council in 2020, revised to include children over the age of two. We are not out of the woods yet.

(above text adapted from a letter to the members of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee from Councillors Helmer, Turner and Cassidy)

Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?

Your information

Recent responses

  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: This is the easiest way to slow the spread and protect the public. If the province won’t step up then it is up to cities.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: I find this proposal to be disturbing evidence of widespread over-arching fear and “group think” which is negatively affecting citizens. The lack of a proper scientific STUDY (not an “opinion”) points to an unscientific blind-leading-the-blind approach. The CDC website’s study of 2015 on masks raises the question of self-inflicting covid virus due to the improper way we handle our masks. Also, medical advice is provincial jurisdiction. I hope I won’t have to leave town to enjoy my summer – but I won’t stay masked down. or QR-coded like an obedient robot.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: No, it should be up to the province to decide
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: Yes, consider the case numbers, which are rising again, and the effectiveness of masking, which has no adverse affects, honest!!! And of course, the science.
    Do this for the children who haven’t been vaccinated, and those with compromised immune systems. And those who have no paid sick days.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: No, it's not necessary given the incidence of COVID-19 in London
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: I think this is a good and a necessary idea, to ensure everyone’s safety.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: There isn’t a single study that shows masks work to stops covid from spreading.
    There are plenty of studies that show masks are detrimental.
    Masks are psychologically damaging. On children, it is child abuse. Children have suffered greatly, both cognitively and developmentally.
    Masks restrict airflow and suffocate, leading to both brain and other organ damage.
    Masks are nothing more than a symbol of slavery.
    Most are also sprayed with toxic chemicals, that cause neurological damage.
    It is completely unscientific and unlawful to enforce a mask mandate or by-law. I don’t care what you want to call it. GET RID OF THE MASKS! Not only should we get rid of them, we need to re-educate the brainwashed that they are only hurting themselves by wearing them.

    I also believe that Maureen Cassidy may possibly have a conflict of interest in promoting this, as she is listed on the health unit’s board of health, which I believe is also responsible for appointing the MOH?

    It is an abuse of power for 3 individuals to impose such a directive. If it’s really about health, and they are ‘afraid’, are they admitting that the vaccine DOES NOT protect them?

    The choice should be left up to individuals. Not three councilors either acting out of fear, or 3rd party manipulation.

    Please see that this proposal, and any others are rejected. Also – as the WEF (World Economic Forum) likely have ‘backup plans’, please also ensure the Health Unit does not magically try and impose this on the people. It’s time to end this insanity of ignoring “the science”.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: No, it's not necessary given the incidence of COVID-19 in London
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: No, it should be up to the province to decide
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: My kids will still be wearing masks. It should be mandatory in schools like in other close contact institutions where distancing is not possible
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: The fact that homes for ppl with developmental disabilities have to keep masking should mean our fully integrated schools must as well. Just because the students don’t sleep over doesn’t mean they’re magically safe, and if sleep was the issue, lots of our students with disabilities nap at school. This is a disability rights issue. At a minimum we MUST keep masks mandatory at our schools.

    My son works in a London high school, and today (the 21st) by the afternoon more than half the students had stopped masking. Many teachers were loud and proud about not having to wear a mask anymore, which is a direct insult to our students with disabilities whom we have a LEGAL OBLIGATION to protect. Please do something.

    By the way, I currently am quite ill with Covid. According to the rules, my son, who would not be considered a close contact, would be allowed to be at school maskless. That is absolutely reckless. He will continue to wear his N95 to protect all students, as is responsibility as a teacher. Please enact the bylaw to protect our children.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: Intentional or not, as a disabled person, removing the mask requirement communicates a clear disregard for my life and wellbeing, reducing safety and subsequently accessibility. This blog post expresses how myself and many other disabled people feel about COVID related policy decisions, such as removing the community care action of mask precautions: “You Are Not Entitled To Our Deaths: COVID, Abled Supremacy & Interdependence.” https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/2022/01/16/you-are-not-entitled-to-our-deaths-covid-abled-supremacy-interdependence/
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Anything you'd like council to consider when discussing this issue?
    A: Masking is an evidence-based and simple method of reducing transmission, especially during surges of COVID like we’re seeing now. We need to protect not just ourselves, but other members of our community, as BA2 surges, and I would like to see a masking mandate through the next month or two while we see how this wave moves through our population.
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Q: Should the mask bylaw be reintroduced in London?
    A: Yes, requiring masking indoors is a good way to reduce the spread of COVID-19