As an infectious diseases physician at east Toronto’s Michael Garron Hospital, Dr. Janine McCready knows how it feels to face a looming unknown under COVID-19.
“We really remember how stressful and demanding it was during those early months in February, March, April,” she recalls. “How we were working through things with our staff, and trying to keep everyone safe.”
Now she and her colleagues are stepping up to help teachers and principals in a similar spot with a new program to support neighbourhood schools welcoming back students this September.
Michael Garron Hospital and the East Toronto Family Practice Network, a network of family doctors in the east end, are leading regular virtual town halls with over 70 public and Catholic schools in the hospital’s catchment area.
Under the program, at least 10 of the higher-risk schools will be matched to doctors so they can have a direct line of support. There will also be pop-up community testing near schools later this month.