Ontario Set To Eliminate Hand Washing By End Of Month

By Scott Slute

Toronto - As the province announced their plan to drop mask mandates on March 21, Ontario’s top doctor now says the province is on track to eliminate hand washing by the end of the month.

“We’re carefully monitoring the data, but based on what we see Ontario is on track to end mask mandates by March 21, and could eliminate hand washing as early as March 28,” said the province’s chief medical officer Doctor Kieran Moore, “This would cover many public health sectors including schools, gyms, and before eating a sandwich.”

Since the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, the province’s top doctors have recommended residents thoroughly wash their hands with antibacterial soap for no less than 20 seconds to kill any potential viruses they may have come in contact with. As Covid cases seem to plateau, the province is advising new hand wash guidelines.

“Just giving your fingers a little splash of water under the tap should be fine,” Dr Moore continued, “We need to learn to live with this virus, and make adjustments accordingly. This virus is here to stay, and we need to start considering the long-term effects of lathering our hands in cleansing soap multiple times a day.”

Premier Doug Ford says that any decisions to end mandates will be based on science not an upcoming election, and that it was never his intention to keep mandates in place.

“I’ve said from the very beginning that these public health mandates would be temporary, whether is was masks or basic hygiene,” Ford told CP24 this morning, “Over the last two years, Ontarians have spent hours, if not days, washing their hands. I’m pleased to announce all your hard work has paid off.”

Ford assured the province that should residents still feel apprehensive about eliminating hand washing, they could still make the choice to wash their hands if they want to.

Scott Slute is the Editor in Chief at The Toronto Harold