Mask mandate decision is up to Ontario’s top doctor, says Doug Ford

It's the top doctor's call.

Facing pressure to reinstate a provincial mask mandate amid overwhelmed pediatric intensive care units, Premier Doug Ford says any such move is up to Dr. Kieran Moore, the chief medical officer.

I follow the direction from Dr. Moore," Ford told reporters Sunday in Etobicoke.

You know, wear a mask every time possible," said the premier, adding that Ontarians should also ensure their shots are up to date.

Get a (COVID-19) vaccination shot ... if you haven't already received yours and get a flu shot," he said.

So those are the recommendations I have, but I have confidence in the system."

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases specialist, said on CP24 Sunday that voluntary masking makes sense, but it's more pressing for people to get their COVID-19 and flu shots.

While 83.2 per cent of all Ontarians have had two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, only 51.7 per cent have had a third booster shot.

As first reported by the Star's Rob Ferguson, Moore will appeal Monday for voluntary indoor masking as a recognition of the flu surge" that is sweeping Ontario.

On Friday, the Hospital for Sick Children announced it was cancelling surgeries except for patients requiring emergency procedures or the most time-sensitive cases" to protect its overwhelmed ICUs.

Similarly, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa was forced to open a second pediatric ICU this week to cope while other kids' hospitals are moving critically ill teens to adult ICUs to free up beds.

At Queen's Park, the opposition New Democrats and Greens have urged Ford's Progressive Conservatives to take steps to tackle the pediatric ICU crunch, but have stopped short of calling for a mask mandate.

Officials are mindful that masking rates in indoor public places, such as shopping malls, restaurants, theatres and stadiums, remain low despite calls on social media for mandates.

Enforcement would also be a challenge - as was seen at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020.

Even when masks were compulsory on the TTC - until June 11 - many passengers ignored the rules.

The transit authority continues to strongly recommend" masks.

Ford emphasized the need to listen to Moore's recommendations.

We have experts all over this right now," the premier said, adding he spoke with seven hospital chief executive officers on Friday about the situation.

I was in conversations with seven hospitals across Ontario. We're pulling out every single stop along with them to make sure that we have the capacity to handle the flu season," he said.

It's all hands on deck right now."

The premier also suggested family doctors need to see more patients in person rather just virtually.

We need the pediatric docs in the offices right now. I get it, virtual is OK even 20 per cent of the time, but we need more family health clinics," he said.

We need the docs to be in their office as much as possible, not 50 per cent or 60 per cent of the time."

Robert Benzie is the Star's Queen's Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie