Yesterday a screenshot of an email which was alleged to have been sent out by an employee of the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association started circulating on social media. The email had a subject line “Tim Hortons possible Covid-19” and was sent out with a high importance flag.
The contents of the email went on to state that there was a potential positive case at a local Tim Hortons restaurant, where a person had gone for testing after exhibiting symptoms. To make matters even worse, the email went on to state that people should avoid the location “if you happen to stop for coffee”… “Just to be extra safe.”
First and foremost, the potential response to such an allegation could very well result in the closure of the restaurant similar to what happened last week in Hamilton, Worker at Hamilton McDonald’s charged after fake positive COVID-19 test closed restaurant: police. In this case, an 18-year-old employee was charged with fraud and mischief after police say she provided a fake medical note saying she had COVID-19. The McDonald’s location had to close for a few days and other employees were told to self-isolate.
In this case, the financial damage that would result to both the franchisee and employees during these difficult times would also have a definite impact. We did speak with the franchisee and they were understandably extremely upset with this incident and even violated corporate policies in an attempt to defend the unsubstantiated claim.
Management at OFRA were quick to respond once finding out about the email, issuing the following statement:
“It has come to our attention that a snapshot of an e-mail bearing OFRA’s logo has been circulating throughout social media regarding a suspected case of COVID-19 at a nearby fast-food chain.
The snapshot was taken by an OFRA employee, who will be identified as quickly as possible and reprimanded for spreading unsubstantiated rumours about an upstanding business in our community.
OFRA extends its apologies to this valued community business and will take corrective action immediately.”
It is completely understandable that these are very trying times with an abundance of uncertainty. Most are more than a bit anxious, frustrated and even scared. We can’t stress enough how important it is to look to credible information sources such as the resources listed on the right hand side of our COVID-19 Flatten the Curve page. It is very important for everyone to do their part, practice social distancing, self-isolation if you have symptoms, and be supportive of family, friends and neighbours. We are #InThisTogetherSSM!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Words alone don’t seem to express enough the tremendous gratitude we have for all front-line workers across a wide range of essential services and businesses!!! Healthcare, grocery, restaurant, fuel, transit, service, delivery and every other worker out there getting up each day to make sure we all can get through these difficult times. It has never been more important to support local!
