On June 11, the province lifted mask mandates for hospitals and public transit. Although masks are still required in long-term care and retirement homes, RNAO shared its view with the media that Ontarians need to continue to think “we” as opposed to “me” when it comes to masking up. “We have to understand as a community that COVID is not over,” RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway says. Many hospitals across the province have decided to keep their mask mandates in place. “Infections are happening and we need to do the best we can to protect everyone in our society,” says Holloway. COVID numbers need to be lower before mandates are removed, she adds. Holloway notes that COVID cases put strain on the health-care system and the already overworked nurses in it. Nurses are already exhausted and need some reprieve to prepare for what’s next, she suggests. When asked about nurse morale after more than two years of the pandemic, Holloway adds: “Nurses are the backbone of the health-care system and we’re willing to work with our political parties and we know that things such as Bill 124 certainly do not help with the morale of nurses. We want to see that bill go, which will certainly do a lot to increase morale.” (CTV News, June 11)