Toronto to supply over 300,000 N95 masks to homeless, staff in shelters

The City of Toronto says it’s aiming to care for members of its homeless shelter system by committing over 300,000 N95 masks for individuals to wear as protection against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

The city says officials have worked “around the clock” as it responds to surging demand in its shelters due to higher virus transmission and extreme cold. As a result, the city estimates that more than 310,000 N95 masks will be sufficient to “provide all clients of the shelter system with N95 masks for at least the next 14 days.”

“Throughout the pandemic, the City of Toronto has prioritized the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness living in shelters and outdoor settings and will continue to do so, especially now, in light of the Omicron variant. We have seen the speed at which the variant can spread, and one of the places that I have been most concerned about and most focused on having daily updates on is the shelter system,” Mayor John Tory said.

“From employing physical distancing, to rigorous infection prevention and control measures, providing access to masks for clients and staff, and activating ongoing vaccination clinics, the City continues to take a comprehensive approach to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the shelter system and people experiencing homelessness.”

Additionally, city officials say the new order will add to its current supply of PPE in shelters sites, including more than 213,000 N95 masks for shelter staff and clients, 188,000 surgical masks and more than 121,000 rapid antigen tests.

Advocates condemn city’s winter plan for the homeless

Lorraine Lam, an outreach worker for Sanctuary Toronto, shared audio on social media of an unanswered phone with a city service that provides people with beds from Monday afternoon. By nightfall, there were 7,436 people in Toronto’s shelter system, according to the city’s daily census.

“We are experiencing higher than usual call volume. Please call back at a later time to speak with an agent,” can be heard in a clip of the phone call.

Monday night temperatures reached minus-18 C with a wind chill of minus-25. By Friday, it’s expected to dip to minus-9 C during the day and minus-20 by night, with temperatures feeling more like minus-31.

As of Tuesday, there are 317 people with COVID-19 in the shelter system and 48 active outbreaks, according to Toronto data.

Tory confirmed the city will open two community centres creating additional emergency shelter space “to help those experiencing homelessness get out from the cold.”

“The frontline staff who provide services in the shelter system are dedicated professionals who continue to deliver services, and, working collectively with our health partners, will continue to ensure the stability of the system as they have throughout the pandemic to protect vulnerable people experiencing homelessness,” he said.

“I want to sincerely thank all City staff and homelessness sector partners for their continued commitment, dedication and efforts as we all continue to work to protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable fellow citizens.”

Earlier Tuesday, protestors took to the streets to demand more beds for those experiencing homelessness outside Old City Hall. CityNews cameras captured people sleeping outside on the sidewalk and inside tents.

At the rate things are going, Lam said the city needs to be prepared for increased encampments.

“Encampments are a visible symptom of a real deeper problem. If people have nowhere to go, they’re going to do what they need to do to survive.”

With files from Faiza Amin and Meredith Bond of CityNews, Liam Casey of The Canadian Press