9 minute read
WEARING MASKS
Policing the wearing of masks just the latest challenge for local businesses
Customers are largely complying with mask requirement while business-owners eye an uncertain post-pandemic future.
Advertisement
KIRK WINTER Writer-at-large
All over Kawartha Lakes, business owners are relieved that customers have shifted to wearing the face masks required by the local health unit, but that doesn’t mean their pandemic-related struggles are over. Jim Garbutt of Lindsay’s A Buy and Sell Shop said he hopes this new regulation “will not be one more kick in the pants for local business” in what is turning out to already be a very trying and expensive year.
Between the drop in tourist traffic, major construction on Lindsay’s main street, increased cleaning requirements and the reduced number of patrons allowed in an establishment at one time, local businesses are doing their best to weather the economic storm. The health-related measures are necessary to fight the pandemic and prevent a second wave of infection, and retailers and restaurants are complying. While the long-term impact of this summer’s challenges won’t be known for months, in the short term, business-owners are working to police the health unit’s requirement that customers wear masks indoors.
Over the first couple of days after the requirement came into place, local businesses reported that some customers grumbled a little, but the vast majority complied without issue, according to an informal survey of many local businesses.
LaMantia’s Country Market in Lindsay reported no problems other than a minor amount of grumbling and the “odd claim of a medical condition,” according to owner David LaMantia.
Bigley Shoes in Bobcaygeon said that employees have always been wearing masks for doing fittings while most of their customers were “already wearing masks,” according to a sales representative who spoke briefly with the Advocate.
“A handful didn’t like the idea, but they know they don’t have a choice,” she added.
CONT’D ON PAGE 19
THE WEARING OF MASKS
CONT’D FROM PAGE 17
Grrr8 Finds in Fenelon Falls noted a few customers forgot their masks and simply went back their vehicles to get them. At the Woodville Food Market “a lot came in not wearing masks on Monday” a staff member reported, but compliance the next day was much higher.
Foodland Omemee reported “very good compliance” overall and observations by the Advocate at Lindsay Square Mall over the course of half an hour showed 100 per cent of shoppers wearing masks.
The rules came into effect on July 13, with some business-owners in favour, others cautiously supportive, and some rejecting the idea of masks altogether.
Opponents of the health unit’s decree say it’s too open-ended, unenforceable and will further depress already weak local retail sales by frightening more people to stay at home and shop online.
However, David LaMantia, supports the mandatory masks policy. He just wonders why the city didn’t act sooner.
“Why are we always following other parts of the province?” LaMantia asked.
“A good percentage of our customers (were) already wearing masks,” LaMantia tells the Advocate, “and customers have told me that they like the fact that all my staff has been wearing masks for weeks.”
The use of masks will be required while the provincial emergency order remains in force or until the health unit lifts the requirement.
Nearly all businesses and public spaces in our area are in Stage 3 of the province’s reopening framework, including restaurants, with public health and workplace safety measures and restrictions in place.
Patrons at restaurants are advised to wear a mask entering and exiting a restaurant even though they can take it off, of course, while eating.
“The evidence about the efficacy of face masks keeps getting stronger every day and whether it be a mask or a face shield it is simply the right thing to do,” LaMantia said.
The grocer thinks people will need to get used to wearing masks for some time and the sooner it starts the better.
“Everyone needs to take responsibility,” LaMantia said, “and councillors have been missing in action on this issue,” referring to overall leadership on issues connected to the pandemic.
LaMantia said his level of extra caution has also applied to truck drivers, delivery people and tradespeople. No one has been allowed into the storage areas of the supermarket over the last month without being masked.
The grocer began posting the “mask required” signs on July 8, several days before the health unit’s rules would come into effect.
“We feel it was important to give people advance warning,” LaMantia added, “and we have found uptake to the concept has been encouraging.”
Melissa McFarland, manager of the Lindsay and District Business Improvement Association (BIA) says its members “have a lot of questions about the new policy.”
“They have concerns generally not about the masks themselves but more about the responsibility placed on businesses for enforcing (the mask regulations) specifically in cases where people claim they are exempt,” she said.
In written instructions to their member businesses, the BIA said that to comply with the new health order, owners would have to have a written mask policy, signage on the door, and staff in place to remind or question customers about why they aren’t wearing masks.
The signs, which the BIA has provided, read, “Stop the Spread: Face masks are required on premises.”
Dr. Lynn Noseworthy, the health unit’s local medical officer of health, has promised that public health inspectors will provide additional education and enforcement for operators of commercial establishments.
Jim and Lynn Garbutt own A Buy and Sell Shop in downtown Lindsay and are working hard to have their business compliant.
“We will have a greeter at the door who will remind people of what is needed to be done,” Jim Garbutt said. “We will do our best on short notice.”
Treatment for Frozen Shoulder
A frozen shoulder is a condition where pain and stiffness occurs in the shoulder joint. These main symptoms frequently begin gradually, get worse with time, and eventually resolve with proper treatment. A frozen shoulder typically lasts about one to three years. Why does a frozen shoulder happen? It often occurs when a person is recovering from an injury or surgery. It’s also more common in women than men. The tissues surrounding the shoulder become thick and tight as scar tissue forms. This makes it difficult to move the shoulder, as well as causes pain. However, chiropractic care can help prevent and treat a frozen shoulder, helping you gain your function and mobility back.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help?
A chiropractor can advise on various lifestyle changes to help prevent and reduce the chances of a frozen shoulder from happening. In terms of treating a frozen shoulder, a chiropractor can help address realignment of the spine and determine the root cause of the problem, treating the body as a whole.
Your chiropractor will start by assessing your neck and shoulder area. From there, they will address spinal dysfunction and imbalances by creating a treatment plan. Spinal mobilizations and techniques may also be used. Further, modalities, such as transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, or TENS, may be applied to help manage the pain. The goal is to realign your body and correct imbalances to help resolve the issues leading to your frozen shoulder in the first place.
282 Kent St. W. 705.878.8558 kawarthacare.com THE WEARING OF MASKS
CONT’D FROM PAGE 19
He said the guidelines are a little vague and there “appears to be a grey area on what we do if customers don’t co-operate.”
For instance, in a Q&A section on the health unit’s website, a question asks “Can a person be refused service for not wearing a non-medical mask or face covering?” The answer says the mask policy “should be enforced in ‘good faith’ and any person not wearing a mask will receive a verbal reminder from the staff of the establishment.”
Lynn Garbutt feels for the customers who, for legitimate reasons, can’t wear masks, and who will be “constantly asked as they go from business to business.”
“We are trying to encourage people to shop, and we don’t want the mask issue to become a negative.”
“There are too many exemptions,” Lynn said, “and it is going to take a week or two for this new policy to really sink in.”
According to the health unit decree, exemptions include children under the age of two, children under the age of five who refuse to keep masks on, people who cannot safely wear masks, and people with religious reasons for why they cannot wear a mask.
A third business owner who requested anonymity because of the owner’s strong feelings about the mask decree, said that, “we are frustrated beyond belief with the nanny state we have to operate in.”
“Ontario has record low number of cases, we have flattened the curve and now we are pushing our customers back into the arms of Amazon.” “Many of our customers are older,” says the owner of the multigenerational business. People “have been very hesitant to come downtown as it is and this completely unnecessary health decree sets us back weeks if not months.”
The business owner says there is no small business on Kent Street that will flourish between construction, coronavirus “and now this knee-jerk mask restriction.”
“There might not be enough plywood available to cover up all the empty store fronts on Kent Street between now and Christmas.”
Mayor Andy Letham, speaking for council and the city in his official video, said that wearing a mask “has always been about protecting others.”
Mattresses
| Bedding | Furniture & Décor
30 William St. S. Downtown Lindsay | 705.878.9722 Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5 pm | Sunday closed We are here for you! Phone orders with contactless curbside pickup or delivery available. 30 William St. S. Downtown Lindsay | 705.878.9722
Personal service, from the team you trust.
CITY OF KAWARTHA LAKES’ ONLY COMPOUNDING PHARMACY - SPECIALIZING IN MEDICATIONS TO FIT YOUR PERSONAL NEEDS.
344 Logie St., Lindsay, ON | (705) 878-3530 Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
www.mabeeandassociatespwm.com
We would like to use this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for all frontline workers in these challenging times. We are keeping all of our clients, friends, family and community in our thoughts. Please reach out if there is anything you need and know that we continue to be available for you.
Wishing you health and happiness. The Mabee & Associates Team
CATHY PUFFER, BScPhm RPh owner-operator
108 Kent St W, Lindsay Ph: 705-324-0500
Monday - Friday 9am to 5:30pm Saturday 9am to 1pm
Trademarks, including IG Private Wealth Management are owned by IGM Financial and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
