Posted by Toronto Life magazine on its Instagram page, the video shows Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore unmasked, standing close by with other guests as they watch a performance. The event was a celebration of the magazine’s top 50 most influential people for 2022. The ranking ranks Moore 12th “for keeping COVID under control.” Earlier this week, Moore urged Ontarians to wear masks indoors in public spaces, including schools and childcare centers, but stopped short of suggesting a return to the province’s mask mandate.
Moore “follows several layers of protection”: province
The recommendation came as health care providers reported that a combination of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (commonly known as RSV) and COVID-19 continued to place enormous stress on understaffed hospitals in the province. Asked by CBC News if Moore has a responsibility to model the behavior he urged Ontarians to follow, the Ministry of Health said: “Like all Ontarians, Dr. Moore assesses the risk of each situation, including private events. “It follows many layers of protection, including checking daily for symptoms of any respiratory infection, good hand hygiene, up-to-date on vaccinations, wearing a mask when necessary and distancing when possible. “Dr. Moore continues to encourage everyone to use their best judgment about when it is appropriate to wear a mask, particularly around the most vulnerable, including young children.” The video surfaced online of Ontario’s top doctor revealing himself at an event Thursday night — just days after he “strongly” recommended masks indoors in public spaces, citing extraordinary strains on the province’s health care system. (@TorontoLife/Instagram) The images drew outrage from some online Friday, including Michael Warner, an intensive care physician at Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital. “THE [chief medical officer of health] not following his own mask advice,” he said in a tweet. “How is this supposed to make parents of sick children and burned-out healthcare workers feel as PICU patient numbers continue to exceed PICU capacity?” he said referring to pediatric intensive care units.
Covering up “a personal choice”, says the prime minister
Premier Doug Ford was also asked by reporters about Moore’s revelation at Thursday’s event. To this, he replied: “Here in Ontario, the mask is a personal choice.” “Ontarians — it’s been two years of this — know whether they need a mask or not. That’s going to be up to them.” Ford himself came under fire earlier this week for appearing in parliament without a mask, even after Moore advised Ontarians to wear one. Asked by the opposition why he appeared not to be following the chief medical officer’s own advice, Ford did not respond. Health Secretary Sylvia Jones later told reporters that the mask was a “personal choice”, adding: “I think you have to consider the size of the building, the size of the room.” Moore’s recommendation Monday did not mention the size of the room.
