Homelessness in Toronto During COVID-19

Homeless shelters are an ideal environment for the transmission of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) because of crowding, shared living spaces, difficulty achieving physical distancing, and high population turnover (Perri, Dosani, & Hwang, 2020).  People who are homeless also often have a high prevalence of chronic health conditions that increase the risk of poor outcomes if they develop COVID-19.  Of the 20,000 people who used the system last year, 711 contracted the disease and six died of the virus. Dr.Hwang had suggested that the highest risk is in shelters rather than encampments, so therefore it is recommended that those in shelters should receive these vaccines (Casey, 2021). Scarborough Village Residence, a city-run shelter around the east end, individuals were able to get their first doses in January. 15th, 2021, with 55 residents and 30 staff members receiving it (Casey, 2021). Dr.Hwang noted that this first vaccination was overall a resounding success (Casey, 2021)....

 

 The actual name of the current virus, is under the name SARS-CoV-2, which stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2. Since this is a new virus, this means that no one (unless you previously had it), has antibodies (the bodies defense system, which recognize and attack viruses and bacteria) against it, meaning that everyone who has not had it before is at risk of catching and spreading the virus. Exposure to the virus SARS-CoV-2, is what causes the disease known as COVID-19. COVID-19 is a severe respiratory illness, which means it affects the airways, lungs and blood vessels that help in breathing. COVID-19 can spread mainly through contact (from touching) and droplet ( during exhalation e.g., breathing, speaking, singing, coughing, sneezing) . These droplets can be taken in by the nose, mouth or eyes. It can spread by touch from exposure to contaminated surfaces.  Recent research shows that it can sometimes be spread through airborne transmission in special cases, such a...