Racism is a public health issue.

In Canada, racism has grown from the history of slavery, forced resettlement, immigration, legacies of colonialism and specific laws and practices. Systemic racism creates conditions that limit opportunities for racialized communities to achieve and maintain good health.  Because of systemic racism, racialized communities are more likely to:

• be in low paying, precarious employment
• live in & work in hazardous conditions
• experience mental, physical, and sexual violence, and
• have inadequate access to healthcare.

COVID-19 has shown the impacts of these conditions. Compared to the least diverse neighbourhoods, racialized neighbourhoods in Ontario, especially in large urban areas have:

• 3x times higher rates of COVID-19 infections
• 4x higher rates of hospital and ICU admissions, and
• 2x higher death rates.

Every person should have the ability to reach their full health potential.

For the safety of yourself, your families, and our community, please respect the following public health measures.

If you are sick or have an underlying health condition, please stay home and support the cause in another way (such as signing petitions, donating to groups, and learning more about racism and how to address it).  

If you do go into a public space, please ensure you follow public health guidelines:

• Bring 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer and clean hands often
• Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before leaving and after returning home
• Practice physical distancing and keep 2 metres (6 feet) from anyone you do not live with (about the length of an adult sized hockey stick)
• Wear a mask properly
• Let your sign do the talking. Even with a mask, speaking loudly and singing can increase the spread of infectious droplets. Use noisemakers and/or record a message on your phone to play instead
• Cover coughs and sneezes in your elbow
• Do not gather with people before or after
• Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days anytime after being in public.

For more information about COVID-19, including symptoms and who is at highest risk, visit www.ckphu.com/covid-19/