'Confusing': Toronto doctors voice concern over capacity limits at large venues as COVID-19 cases soar

A number of GTA doctors are expressing concern that the Ontario government may be sending mixed messages by continuing to allow mass gatherings as the province tries to curb a rapid increase in COVID-19 infections.

Several doctors took to Twitter Tuesday night to decry the fact that thousands of people were allowed to attend a Raptors game at Scotiabank Arena even though people are being told to reduce contacts and limit holiday gatherings.

“Strange how Ontario's approach to COVID is allowing 10,000 people to go to the Raptors game tonight while hospitalizations & ICU admissions are on the rise, LTC facilities are in outbreak and we are seriously considering closing schools,” palliative care physician Dr. Naheed Dosani tweeted.

University Health Network physician Dr. Andrew Boozary called it “a gut punch” to health-care workers while Dr. Amit Arya, another palliative care physician, called it “shocking” that the province would allow “10,000 people to attend the Raptors game tonight while more and more seniors have to be confined to their rooms because of outbreaks in LTC.”

Speaking with CP24, critical care physician Dr. Michael Warner said it is particularly hard to see mass gatherings allowed when a decision around the return of in-person learning is still up in the air.