Ontario's long-term care minister accuses NDP, Andrea Horwath of spreading 'misinformation'
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Dr. Merrilee Fullerton, Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, called out the province’s NDP Leader, Andrea Horwath, for spreading “misinformation.”
“I’ll just say how disgusting it is to see the opposition, the NDP, Andrea Horwath, using misinformation to create anxiety and fear amongst staff in long-term care homes and also for the residents and families,” Fullerton said.
“They have enough worry, we are working and focused on solutions and we must make sure that information is accurate, it’s a responsibility of all of us here to do that, and we hold the safety and wellbeing of our residents and staff in long-term care as the priority.”
She went on to say that Ontario has vaccinated more than 83,000 people in 263 homes, but did not specify exactly what the misinformation being shared includes.
3,200 long-term care residents have died.
What’s “disgusting” is Minister Fullerton downplaying this crisis.
I want the helping hands of Canadian Armed Forces members sent into hard-hit homes to ease the struggle without delay. https://t.co/DoRwwW8lOq— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) January 19, 2021
Horwath responded on social media by saying that, “what’s ‘disgusting’ is Minister Fullerton downplaying this crisis.”
This is disgraceful.
Personal Support Workers are on the frontlines of the fight against #COVID19 and deserve real PPE to protect themselves, seniors and their loved ones.
Instead of sitting on billions in relief funds, the Ford govt needs to invest in real protections for LTC. https://t.co/Ewv19nHAjj— Andrea Horwath (@AndreaHorwath) January 19, 2021
Also on Tuesday, NDP MPP for London—Fanshawe, Teresa Armstrong, responded to long-term care residents in the Middlesex-London Health Unit who have had COVID-19 and are now being denied the vaccine.
“We simply cannot guarantee that these very vulnerable people have any immunity to the virus,” the statement from Armstrong reads. “Public health officials have made clear that there is no evidence that previously being infected with the virus provides immunity, and without the vaccine their lives are still at risk.”
“First you live through your worst nightmare after finding out your loved one has COVID-19 and then you find out that they won’t be receiving the vaccine. It’s horrific to even imagine.”
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