Jonathon is a family physician and co-chair of Health Providers Against Poverty (HPAP)
“COVID-19 has changed the world like nothing I have ever seen before.
Working in healthcare, I have been fortunate enough to retain a sense of normalcy in my daily routine by running my virtual clinics from my office. After work is done, I have been taking time to work on personal health goals, spend quality time with my fiancée, and take more time than ever virtually connecting with my friends and family back home in Saskatchewan and across the country.
The social factors that contribute to our health become even more clear during a pandemic like COVID-19.
There has been a renewed sense of importance and urgency in our work towards income security, decent work, and safe housing for all Ontarians. My organization (HPAP) has been a part of advocacy during COVID-19 that has led to the elimination of sick notes, increases to unpaid sick leave, low-income individuals keeping more of their CERB money, and a more serious response to the COVID-19 crisis in Toronto shelters. As always, more work is needed, especially to protect the small gains that have been made so far.
As a family physician who specializes in the treatment and prevention of HIV, it is clear that the HIV epidemic has not stopped simply because COVID-19 showed up.
Supporting HIV patients through initial diagnosis, initiating life-long treatment, and follow up takes a flexible and creative approach in our new world of virtual care.
As summer approaches and the warm weather begins to tempt us all, I want to urge everyone to stay patient and find creative ways to enjoy the season while following the physical distancing guidelines from our public health leaders.”
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