Dear residents, I hope this finds you and your family healthy and well during these challenging times. My family and I wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving. This year, Melissa, Molly and I will be having dinner together while joining our extended family and friends by Facetime and phone. We'll be reaching out to people we care about who live alone. I'm convinced, based on public health experts' advice, that while we'd all prefer to gather with the people we love, the best way to show our love is to remain physically apart for the time being. I'm confident that if we continue to keep a physical distance of six feet, wash our hands, wear masks when necessary and be kind to each other, we'll be able to come back together around the table again when it's safe and responsible to do so. As always, I hope you find my update informative and helpful. Please feel very welcome to contact my office if you ever need our assistance. Stay healthy and well. Warm regards, Josh
Councillor Matlow's City Hall and Community Update
Rosh Hashanah & Yom Kippur
To those celebrating in our Jewish community this month, I wish you a Shanah Tovah and a meaningful fast this Yom Kippur!
A Safe Return to School
Councillor Matlow's City Hall and Community Update - Summer 2020
COVID-19: Toronto Enters Stage Three of the Recovery
Today, the Ontario Government announced that Toronto will move to Stage 3 reopening on Friday, July 31. This decision was based on positive local trends of key public health indicators, including a lower transmission of COVID-19, ongoing hospital capacity, capacity for rapid case and contact management and an increase in testing. In the City of Toronto, masks continue to be mandatory in all public indoor spaces as well as the common areas of residential buildings. For more information on what Stage 3 entails, please see the province's website here.
City Hall & Community Update
If someone had asked me even a couple of months ago whether I thought "defunding the police" was a sound policy choice, I would have likely dismissed it as radical without thinking it was worth much thought. I had also heard of efficiencies, and reallocation, but “defund” was not a word I was accustomed to.
City Hall and Community Update
Dear residents,
I hope this finds you and your family healthy and well.
Although the pandemic’s impact on people has understandably been our focus over the past few weeks, we have actively been working on the many public policy priorities and issues that need our attention in our community.
Community & COVID-19 Update: Friday, May 22nd
A Call to Reform Ontario's Long Term Care Homes:
As Toronto’s Seniors Advocate, I commend the Minister of Long Term Care- Merrilee Fullerton's announcement on a review into Ontario’s long term care system. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been particularly devastating to our elder population, especially in long term care homes where, in too many cases, it has been running rampant.
However, to better support seniors and help ensure that an outbreak of this magnitude never happens again in our province, I wrote to the Premier to ask that he consider the following three recommendations for adoption by the Minister of Long Term Care:
Community & COVID-19 Update: Friday, May 15th
UPDATE: Midtown Supports New Tenants In Critical Need of Housing
In my last e-newsletter update, the email address information for the Republic Residents’ Association (RRA), the group organizing a community drive to collect everyday items to support the new tenants at 55-65 Broadway, was written incorrectly. Fortunately, we were immediately able to register that email address to ensure no one’s generous offer of assistance was missed. The correct email address is [email protected]
Update on COVID-19: Friday, May 8th
A Special Public Service Announcement from Molly Matlow:
My daughter Molly asked me to share her latest public service announcement with you all. Please click here to view it.
Support Needed for Small & Medium Sized Business Owners and Landlords:
I speak with small and medium sized business owners every day of this crisis, and many of of them are financially devastated. The challenges and struggles that our local businesses face demonstrate the need for every level of government to step up to support them.
Update on COVID-19: Friday, April 24th
Show Your Support for the Frontline Staff & Residents at Toronto's Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes:
As many of you know, COVID-19 has been particularly virulent with elders in our community, especially in long-term care and retirement homes where it has been running rampant.
Update on COVID-19: Friday, April 17th
How To Protect Yourself and Others:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. According to Toronto Public Health, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed:
- Stay home as much as possible
- Only go out for essentials (e.g. groceries, medications) once a week
- Practice physical distancing when you are out
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds
- If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill
- Stay home when you are ill
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and wash your hands
- If you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Update on COVID-19: Saturday, April 4th
Dear residents,
I hope this finds you and your family healthy and well under the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in.
I’ve been reading the emails in my inbox- the many hundreds of them every day. In the midst of a global pandemic, every person has their own story and real challenges.
Update On COVID-19: Friday, March 27th
Dear Residents,
This a follow-up to my last update to you on the COVID-19 pandemic with recent government announcements and a focus on several of our community's priorities.
Update on COVID-19: Friday, March 13
Dear residents,
I know that many of you are feeling anxious about our constantly changing reality with regard to COVID-19. That’s understandable. However, I’m very confident that if we work together, and follow the advice of our public health experts, the world will become far more recognizable again over time.
