My Community #COVID Update on February 2, 2022 for #Ward24 #Scarborough and #Toronto

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 well-being. 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.

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.

SnowTO Update

The City is prepared for a forecasted snowfall of approximately 25 cm of snow beginning Wednesday evening and will prioritize the safety and movement of residents and emergency vehicles, with salting and plowing of roads, sidewalks and bike lanes Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding.

311 service requests for snow-related issues will continue to be available – even during this week’s expected snowfall – and can be made on the 311 Toronto mobile app, on the City’s website at toronto.ca/311 or by calling 311. Please follow up with my office should your issue not be addressed in the suggested timeframe: councillor_ainslie@toronto.ca or 416-396-7222.

More information on the City’s ice and snow response plan is available at toronto.ca/snow.

You can also refer to the City’s PlowTO map to track real-time locations of plows, sidewalk plows and salt trucks and identify which roads have been serviced by winter snow clearing vehicles and crews, at toronto.ca/plowto.

COVID-19 Update

NEW: 12,500 new COVID-19 vaccination appointments now available including 7,000 appointments for kids. Today at 8 a.m., Toronto Public Health (TPH) will release 12,500 new vaccination appointments for City of Toronto-run immunization clinics. The appointments, booked on the provincial booking system, are available between Thursday, February 3 and Saturday, February 19. There are 7,000 appointments available for residents five to 11 years of age and 5,500 appointments for residents 12 years of age and older. Book now at www.toronto.ca/covid19.

NEW: Scarborough Health Network x Scarborough Ontario Health Team Pop-up Clinics

Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute:

Where: 2450 Birchmount Road

When: Saturday, February 5 from 10am to 3pm

What: 18+ Pfizer & Moderna Boosters and Ages 12+ (1^st & 2^nd doses)

Walk-in or book online at ScarbVaccine.ca today!

David and Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute:

Where: 125 Brockley Drive

When: Sunday, February 6

What: Pediatric dose for Kids 5-11 (1st & 2nd doses) – 9-11 a.m. | 18+ Boosters and Ages 12+ (1st & 2nd doses) – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Walk-in or book online at ScarbVaccine.ca today!

REMINDER: SHN VaxFacts Clinic! SHN is also encouraging families to utilize SHN’s VaxFacts service – a confidential, judgment-free resource. The clinic gives parents, families and vaccine-hesitant individuals the opportunity to schedule a one-on-one phone call with an experienced SHN doctor, ask their questions, and make an informed decision. The VaxFacts Clinic is free to use and only takes seconds to book an appointment at shn.ca/vaxfacts.

REMINDER: Walk-ins are now available at City-run vaccine clinics! To continue to encourage residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, all five City-run immunization clinics are now welcoming walk-ins for first, second, third and paediatric doses of COVID-19 vaccines. City-run clinics are open Monday to Friday, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walk-ins and booked appointments. Visit www.toronto.ca/covid19 for more information.

Toronto is in modified Step 3 of the Province’s Roadmap to Reopen, effective January 31 at 12:01am. Review the Guide for Toronto Residents and the City’s COVID-19: Changes to City Services for the latest information of public health measures and city services.

City of Toronto COVID-19 Case & Vaccination Update: (Data as of February 2, 2022) Case status and vaccination dose data can be found on the City’s reporting platform.

762 – Newly Reported COVID-19 Cases
7,880 – Total number of Active COVID-19 Cases
530 – Hospitalized Cases (Cumulative)
278,219 – Number of COVID-19 Cases in Toronto (Cumulative)
268,802 – Number of Recovered COVID-19 Cases in Toronto
4,085 – Number of COVID-19 Fatal Cases in Toronto
6,559,444 COVID-19 – Vaccine doses administered in Toronto

Book your 1^st, 2^nd or Booster (3^rd) COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment TODAY:

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: Share your ideas to help build the 2022 Ontario Budget! You can share your ideas by taking this survey before February 11, 2022 or send a written submission by email or mail. Learn more on how you can share your feedback online here.

NEW: TTCriders – Keep Scarborough Connected Report! A new report from transit user group TTCriders warns that the majority of Scarborough RT users are not aware that Line 3 will close permanently in 2023. The group is calling for urgent action to prevent Scarborough residents getting stuck on replacement shuttle buses for 7+ years before a planned subway replacement opens. Read the Keep Scarborough Connected report here.

NEW: Toronto City Council approves year-one implementation plan for SafeTO. Toronto City Council has approved the year-one implementation plan for SafeTO: Toronto’s 10 Year Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. SafeTO is the City of Toronto’s new and bold approach to community safety that focuses on creating a culture of prevention through collaboration with the community, other orders of government and community safety organizations.

NEW: Toronto City Council supports community-led solution to respond to mental health crisis calls. Today, Toronto City Council unanimously approved implementing the City of Toronto’s Community Crisis Support Service pilots, including the selection of four community partners who will deliver the service to be piloted in four areas of the city, starting this spring and summer.

REMINDER: Scarborough Golf Club Road Safety Improvements: Ellesmere Rd to Kingston Rd

On February 10, 2022, City of Toronto staff will host a Virtual Public Consultation Meeting to invite residents to learn more and provide feedback on opportunities for cycling, pedestrian, motor vehicle operations and road safety upgrades on Scarborough Golf Club Road. The City is also seeking feedback on options for upgrades between Lawrence Avenue East and Kingston Road. Visit www.toronto.ca/sgcrroadsafety to register for the meeting, for more information about the complete streets model, key dates and updates related to the project.

Scarborough Health Network Foundation #LoveScarborough Campaign! Show your love to Scarborough and help SHN Foundation raise 100 million dollars to support our Scarborough hospitals. Scarborough is one of Canada’s most diverse communities and deserves the same innovative technology and updated facilities other Toronto hospitals offer. Visit www.lovescarborough.ca for more information and to donate today.

Scarborough Love Auction with Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities! The Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is hosting a virtual auction from February 3rd to 6th. Proceeds support youth, seniors and those in the hospice/palliative care program. Visit the auction site here to register and begin bidding on February 3^rd.

City of Toronto opens CaféTO registration for local restaurant and bar operators! Restaurant and bar operators interested in expanding their outdoor dining space into a curb lane and onto sidewalks in 2022 can now register for the CaféTO program. Visit www.toronto.ca/cafeto to learn more about the program and to register before the April 2^nd deadline.

Online applications for the new Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program are now open. The provincial government program provides eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100 per cent of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. To receive the grant, a small business must be required to close due to public health orders that took effect on January 5 and have fewer than 100 employees. Apply today.

Applications are now being accepted for the City of Toronto’s Cultural Festivals Funding Program! These funding programs represent a form of partnership with community-based organizations that contribute significantly to the goals in relation to community capacity, equitable access, well being, diversity, civic participation and civic cohesion. Applications for all streams will close February 11, 2022. Program information, eligibility and applications is available online at www.toronto.ca/culturegrants.

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.

Councillor Ainslie’s Community Survey is now open! Submit your feedback on the 2022 City Budget, City services and projects. Take the survey online here today!

Community Events

BGC East Scarborough x MAAT Youth Innovation & Cultural Centre Black History Month Trivia Evening

February 3, 2022 | 5pm to 7pm

Follow this link at 5pm on Thursday to play!

Newcomer Youth Engagement Program: StridesTO – Black History Month Kick Off (Online Event)

Thursday, February 3, 2022 | 4pm to 5pm

Send a Direct Message to @nyep_stridesto on Instagram for the Zoom link.

SBA: Cyber Breakfast Conference

February 3, 2022 | 9:15am to 10:00am

SCHC Scarborough Love Auction

February 3-6, 2022

Visit the auction website for more details.