Tag Archives: community announcement

Earth

Will Ontario’s Poison Caterpillar Return This Summer?

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The Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar as found on Prospect Street, Port Dover, Ontario
This Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar was found on Prospect Street, Port Dover, Ontario

Important safety tip: if you see a caterpillar that has hypodermic-like needles poking out from its body DON’T TOUCH.

That might seem like common sense but Summer 2014 had Ontarians reporting to emergency rooms and to family doctors with symptoms ranging from swelling and rashes to vomiting and intense pain. All this from a seemingly harmless caterpillar sting.

Nature has a way with defense mechanisms and the hickory tussock moth caterpillar is no exception.

During mid to late Summer this caterpillar has one thing on its mind: time to cocoon. In order to accomplish that task, it needs to crawl around out in the open to discover the best places to begin its transformation. So it’s easy pickings if you’re a hungry bird. That explains the caterpillars needle like barbs and the poisonous toxin that they deliver.

Other signals to predators  that say “stay away” are black dots on the belly of the caterpillar .

If you see one of these critters the best way to handle them is to use a leaf or a stick to gently encourage the caterpillar to hop on board. That way you will remain safe when you transport them somewhere else- away from those areas that your family and pets enjoy. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Culture

Has SARS Prepared Ontario For Ebola Possibility?

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In October, 2014  Dr. Eric Hoskins, then Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and Dr. David Mowat, Interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement on Ontario’s preparedness for Ebola virus disease in Ontario:

“We know that Ontarians may have concerns related to the ongoing challenges in West Africa and recent events in the United States regarding the spread of the Ebola virus.

Reason for concern: the Ebola Virus is almost biblical in nature with horrible effects on the inflicted.
Reason for concern: the Ebola Virus is almost biblical in nature with horrible effects on the inflicted.

Let us assure you that the safety of Ontario’s health care workers, patients and the public are our top priority.

We are confident that Ontario is prepared and ready to contain and treat any potential case of Ebola virus in our province — protocols are in place and we’ve seen the system work well in Ontario hospitals.

With the experience and lessons learned from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, our health care facilities now have sophisticated infection control systems and procedures to protect health care providers, patients and all Ontarians. They are fully equipped to deal with any potential cases of Ebola.

Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

But all health care workers, especially those providing care to patients, must be safe and protected. This is why we are working with health care employers to ensure they are providing appropriate training for their staff on the proper use of personal protective equipment and other occupational health and safety measures. We are also continuing to work with health care workers and employers to further strengthen protective measures and ensure they’re in place at all times.

Our health care workers are on the front lines and it is times like these when we are all reminded of how critical their work is in protecting the public. We want them to feel safe.

We will be reaching out to our health care partners to ensure they have the maximum protection possible and plan to release revised guidelines by the end of the week.

The government, in collaboration with our health system partners, is monitoring the Ebola situation and is continually assessing our state of readiness should a case of Ebola ever occur in Ontario.

On behalf of both the ministry and the government of Ontario, we would like to thank our health care workers for their selfless and tireless work on behalf of all Ontarians.”

Earth

Toxic Algae Blooms in Lake Erie Cause Water Emergencies

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Toxic algae. The Silo @thesiloteam · 1m
Lake Erie toxic algae bloom causes water emergency in Toledo, OH -citizens scramble for bottled water http://patch.com/michigan/novi/lake-erie-toxins-leave-southeast-michigan-ohio-residents-without-water#.U94t…q7fD_IU … #Silo #Earth
It doesn't take a lot of imagination of smarts to understand that toxins can travel in water. Ohio and Southwestern Michigan which have notified the public of the water crisis are dangerously close to other Lake Erie shoreline communities. Some communities such as Norfolk County already have beaches posted with bacteria warnings and notices that the water is NOT tested by local health officials.
It doesn’t take a lot of imagination of smarts to understand that toxins can travel in water. Ohio and Southwestern Michigan which have notified the public of the water crisis are dangerously close to other Lake Erie shoreline communities. Some communities such as Norfolk County already have beaches posted with bacteria warnings and notices that the water is NOT tested by local health officials.

The Silo @thesiloteam · now
What are implications for #Oxford #NorfolkCounty #Haldimand County communities water supply? Bacteria/ Algae signs already posted on beaches 

Politics

Ontario Greens- Inaction on Ombudsman recommendations puts Ontarians ‘at risk’

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See the supplemental section below for more on this photo-
See the supplemental section below for more on this photo-

Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner made the following statement in response to the Ombudsman’s 2012-2013 Annual Report [search the report here at thesilo.ca CP ]:   “Whether it’s safe transportation for medical issues, our civil liberties or responsible, accountable government, the Liberal government has put people at risk by failing to act.

It is especially irresponsible that the Liberal government has failed to introduce legislation to address the appalling conditions of non-emergency medical transportation services.

The current Premier promised action two years ago when she was Minister of Transportation, yet nothing has happened. According to the Ombudsman, the current Transportation Minister was unaware of how serious this issue is and the need to take action now. Ontario can’t afford to wait for a tragedy to take action.

Three years after the Liberals violated our civil liberties at the G20 summit in Toronto, the outdated  Public Works Protection Act: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90p55_e.htm  has not been overhauled. All three status quo parties at Queen’s Park shoulder the blame for the delay in fixing this serious breach of our civil liberties.

Finally, it is embarrassing that Ontario remains the only province without Ombuds oversight of hospitals, long term care facilities, children aide societies and other MUSH sector public institutions.  With the Liberals third-rate cover up of the gas plant scandal, we’ve seen this government demonstrate a fear of proper oversight and accountability.

 

It’s unacceptable that they continue to fail to provide citizens with proper oversight of the MUSH sector.

The Ombudsman’s annual report once again shows the Liberals are a bait and switch government. They say one thing and do another or simply fail to act.”      For the Silo, Becky Smit

 

Supplemental- Little known Public Works protection Act grants Police Forces sweeping powers: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/2010/07/14/best_be_careful_around_public_works.html

Ontario’s public watchdog office- The Ombudsman http://www.ombudsman.on.ca/home.aspx?lang=en-CA