| Dear Neighbours, I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy during these challenging times. Let’s continue to protect each other and reduce the spread of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated, limiting in-person contacts, maintaining physical distancing, wearing a mask and staying home when ill. I would like to remind everyone that self-care is key, and it is important to prioritize your wellbeing. Make sure to stay active, drink water, connect with loved ones for support over the phone or virtually and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Remember local Mental Health supports and services can be accessed online here. To all those celebrating Epiphany, I wish you and your families a wonderful celebration. I’d also like to wish a Merry Christmas to the Orthodox Christian community in Ward 24, across the country and around the world. Given the threat posed by the COVID-19 Omicron variant, there is a critical need for all eligible residents to get their first, second and third “booster” doses of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Learn about why, how, and where to get vaccinated on the City’s COVID-19: How to Get Vaccinated webpage.  COVID-19 Update NEW: Team Toronto delivers more than six million COVID-19 vaccine doses – More than six million COVID-19 vaccine doses have now been administered by Team Toronto, as the progress to help residents of all ages get vaccinated continues. The six million dose milestone comes more than a year after the arrival of the first COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020. For more information please read this news release. NEW: City of Toronto working to provide fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to residents in City-run long-term care homes – The City, in partnership with Michael Garron Hospital, is beginning to administer a fourth-dose of COVID-19 vaccine to eligible LTC residents. This week, clinics have been scheduled for residents in five other City-operated LTC homes, including Seven Oaks LTC. It is anticipated that clinics at the remaining four LTC homes, including Bendale Acres, will be scheduled in the coming days. More information about clinics scheduled for LTC residents is available in the City’s news release. NEW: Team Toronto ramping up school vaccination efforts – Today, the City outlined steps being taken to sustain the vaccination effort and help get more education workers and students vaccinated in the days ahead. · Dedicated immunization clinic for Toronto school staff: Four vaccination clinics with appointments specifically for education workers will be hold in two City-run immunization clinics this Sunday, January 9, and next Sunday, January 16. · School-based clinics: More than 27 clinics – including 22 TPH clinics – are now planned to be held over the next two weeks to help students, their families and education workers get vaccinated. · Redeploying Toronto Public Health staff to support additional school clinics. For more information on school vaccination efforts please read this news release. NEW: City of Toronto redeploying staff to maintain essential and critical City services – Today, the City announced its tiered staff redeployment plan should it be required as a result of a high number of unplanned staff absences due to illness and COVID-19 isolation requirements, with worst-case plans accounting for absences as high as 60 per cent. For more information on the City’s staff redeployment plan please read this news release. Scarborough Health Network Cold/Flu/COVID-19 Clinic – SHN has reopened its Cold/Flu/COVID-19 clinic at SHN’s General Hospital located at 3050 Lawrence Ave E. This clinic will offer assessment, testing and care for patients who develop moderate symptoms common to COVID-19, the flu or a cold and need to see a doctor. The clinic operates seven days a week from 9AM to 7PM by Appointment only. Book your appointment here. Scarborough Health Network’s Centenary Hospital COVID-19 Assessment Centre has been moved to the University of Toronto – Scarborough Campus (UTSC) Highland Hall location at 1256 Military Trail, effective as of December 28, 2021. This partnership is to ensure access to testing for Scarborough residents, and to help protect the health and safety of our community. Details on testing eligibility and booking an appointment is available online here. UPDATE: Scarborough Health Network Vaccine Pop-ups – By Appointment Only – Book now at www.scarbvaccine.ca · January 8 | 12pm-12:30pm | Kids 5-1 (1st DOSE) Tropicana, 1385 Huntingwood Dr | BOOK NOW · January 8 | 12:30pm-4pm | 18+ (Booster DOSE) | Tropicana, 1385 Huntingwood Dr | BOOK NOW The City of Toronto has moved into a modified Step Two of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen.The City has updated its website to reflect the changes in City services, residents can review the changes here. City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of January 6, 2022) Case status and vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s reporting platform. · 240,405 – Newly Reported COVID-19 Cases · 33,791 – Total number of Active COVID-19 Cases · 185 – Hospitalized Cases (Cumulative) · 240,405 – Number of COVID-19 Cases in Toronto (Cumulative) · 202,851 – Number of Recovered COVID-19 Cases in Toronto · 3,763 – Number of COVID-19 Fatal Cases in Toronto · 5,978,620 COVID-19 – Vaccine doses administered in Toronto Book your 1st, 2nd or Booster (3rd) COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment TODAY: · City of Toronto run mass immunization clinics · School Immunization Programs · Scarborough Health Network Community Vaccine Clinics · COVID-19 Pharmacy Vaccine Locations Where to get accurate COVID-19 information: · City of Toronto’s COVID-19 Vaccines webpage · COVID-19 Vaccination Receipt Download · SHN VaxFacts Clinic or contact vaxfactsclinic@shn.ca or 416-438-2911 ext. 5738. · City of Toronto COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Location Map · City of Toronto’s Vaccine Equity Transportation Plan · Vaccine Coverage by Neighbourhood in the City of Toronto · Public Health Agency of Canada – The Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines · COVID-19 Assessment Centres, Pop-Ups and Mobile Testing. Community Update NEW: Register for Kids ReadTO! Kids ReadTO is a virtual book club that connects kids ages 9-12, from different communities, through reading! Weekly meetings, led by professional facilitators, allow kids to safely socialize online through guided reading activities, discussions and games. Participants receive a FREE copy of the featured title, Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliot, a D.E.A.R. Diary Activity Journal and a chance to WIN gift cards. Meetings are held weekly, Tuesdays at 5PM from February 1st to March 8th. Apply online here by tomorrow, January 7, 2022. NEW: Scarborough Subway Extension Virtual Tradeshow – January 28, 2022 – Metrolinx and STRABAG are hosting a virtual tradeshow to learn more about the Scarborough Subway Extension and job and apprenticeship opportunities related to the project. Exhibitor registration is available online here. Registration closes tomorrow, January 7, 2022. NEW: Toronto Crime Stoppers Recognize Record-Setting Year – In recognition of January being Crime Stoppers Month, the Toronto Crime Stoppers program has announced record-setting numbers for 2021. Despite the pressures of working within a global pandemic, the program was able to process 7,102 tips, having a significant impact on crime and community safety in the city. The results of these tips contributed to the solving of eight homicides (100% increase), 105 arrests (57% increase), the laying of 780 charges (212% increase), and the seizure of 18 firearms (200% increase). For a highlight of these statistics, click here. REMINDER: TPL to Temporarily Close 44 Branches as of Monday, January 10 due to Staffing Shortages. Fifty-two of TPL’s largest and most-used library branches will remain open and staff from closed locations will be reassigned to these branches. TPL’s open branches will continue to operate at their current service levels, which include 50 percent capacity limits. Bookmobile and Home Library Services will also continue at their current service levels. All TPL online services will remain available and can be accessed from anywhere including access to digital collections, online programs and Answerline. For more information please read this news release. REMINDER: Waste Management Guide & Collection Schedules Update The way that residents receive their collection schedules and certain waste management information is changing. The City is not producing and mailing a 2022 Waste Calendar. Instead, 2022 collection schedules are being sent as part of the utility bill and a condensed waste management guide is being produced and mailed to all households. Learn more here. Welcome T.O. Winter Everyone! I would like to encourage everyone to review the City’s Winter Services which is available online here. Track real-time locations of plows, sidewalk plows and salt trucks and to identify which roads have been serviced by winter snow clearing vehicles and crews using the City’s PlowTO Map. Remember contacting 311 is the most efficient way to ensure the City is aware of any snow clearing issues and can have crews out as soon as resources are available. Applications are being accepted for the City of Toronto’s Retail Accelerator Program. Part of the Toronto Main Street Recovery and Rebuild Initiative, the new program provides access to retail training, advisory services and mentoring opportunities, as well as a micro grant of $10,000 to help retail businesses develop and expand. Apply by March 31, 2022. REMINDER: Our Scarborough Centre – Phase 3 Survey! City staff are looking for your feedback on the preliminary Development Concepts for Scarborough Centre. You can submit your feedback by taking the Phase 3 Survey online until TOMORROW, January 7, 2022. Councillor Ainslie’s Community Survey: As a member of the Toronto Board of Health, I would like to get your feedback on your experience communicating and engaging with Toronto Public Health. Please complete this short survey here to submit your feedback! Community Events Ontario Public Service Employment Opportunities January 11, 2022 | 11am to 12pm Register here. Open House – Ontario Line & Scarborough Subway Extension Zoning By-law Amendments January 25, 2022 | 6:30pm to 8:30pm Register here. SCRO: Scarborough Community Town Hall Meeting January 27, 2022 | 6:30pm to 8:00pm Register here. I am continuously updating my social media platforms and website: |
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Stories And Pictures About Life in Toronto From A City Councillor