Mayor Christian Provenzano took time at the start of tonight's City Council meeting to speak out about last night's announcement of eight new local COVID-19 cases.
"I think that really represents a wake-up call for all us, " the Mayor said.
"Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma did a very good job when this pandemic began, following public health advice."
"Eight months in, it's getting really tough to follow that advice and to continue to stay committed to it."
"Understandably, a lot of us are becoming impatient with how our lives and been adjusted and the sacrifices we have had to make."
"During those times, it's more critical than ever that we continue to follow public health advice."
"We see that the virus is really increasing in number in parts of the world, in parts of Canada, the United States and Ontario."
"We have no reason to expect that won't continue to happen in our community."
"If we want to keep our community safe, if we want to keep our kids safe in their school, their daycare, our seniors safe, all the folks that we love and want to take care of that are in our retirement homes, our family and our friends and our community at large, the best way we can all do that is we need all of you to keep COVID out of our community, and from spreading in our community."
"The only way we can do that is to follow public health advice."
"I want to take the opportunity to ask our community to recommit to Algoma Public Health's advice."
"Do what you can to follow Algoma Public Health's advice, and to encourage the people in your life to follow Algoma Public Health's advice."
"If you see people who aren't following it, please speak to them kindly and honestly and ask them to follow it."
"Let's also take the time to have patience with one another and encourage one another through these challenging times."
"I have a tremendous amount of faith in our community and I'm sure we can get back on the right track again, but we have to commit to following Algoma Public Health advice."
