In 2020-21, the university made huge updates to ventilation systems across campus. Many of the new HEPA filters that the university installed, though, do lose their effectiveness over time. So UTFA needs to make sure that the university keeps our classrooms, laboratories and offices safe by continuing to make upgrades, proper maintenance and expanding air-quality testing. All of these endeavors would not have been capped by Bill 124, and could have been part of the last round of bargaining.
Responding to the threats from an ever-evolving novel coronavirus or the next major threat to public health will require the university and UTFA to ready to respond to whatever health threat is next. In those circumstances, UTFA should be sure to follow the recommendations of public health officials.
The public health officials with jurisdiction over the university are Dr. Eileen de Villa and Dr. Lawrence Loh (for UTM).
In March and April, 2020, it was important for all of us to listen to them and their colleagues leading the Covid-19 science table, Dr. Brown, Dr. Jüni, and Dr. Schwartz.
In March and April 2022, it is still important for all of us listen to Drs. De Villa and Loh, who have a legal jurisdiction over the university.
Sometimes, the views of public health experts at the university diverge from the public health officials. UTFA should listen to all of these experts and help amplify their expert voices, but should not use the prestige and clout of U of T's experts to undermine the public health officials. UTFA's leadership cannot be seen as advocating for public health only when it suits their agenda or personal beliefs.
No one knows when the next wave, or the next pandemic will come, but we know that public health will long be a concern. When the next wave, or the next pandemic comes, we must follow the advice of the public health officials, or we risk suffering the fate of our American neighbors when a large segment of the population failed to heed or trust the official recommendations and suffered. Attacks on the character or motivations of select public health officials only make their job of keeping our community safe more difficult.
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