Gleaner

Serving Toronto's most liveable community with the Annex Gleaner

← →

FOCUS: Local resources for a global pandemic (Apr. 2020)

May 1st, 2020 · No Comments

An updated guide of Annex resources

By Gleaner Staff

Staying home to help stop the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be the new normal for the foreseeable future.  

Read on for our updated guide to Annex resources during COVID-19, the second issue since we all started to hunker down and stay together apart. 

You’ll find information about doctor’s offices, pharmacies, grocery stores, and support for small businesses. Hours of operation and service were valid when we went to press, but could change.

The basics

Whenever possible please stay home, wash your hands, take care of yourself and your loved ones. If you have to go out, practice safe physical distancing, wash your hands frequently, and return home as quickly as you can. You can find the most up-to-date information at the City of Toronto’s dedicated website: www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/.

Have a symptom?

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, this self-assessment can help you determine if you need further care: www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-self-assessment.

If you meet any of the criteria found there, contact your family doctor or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. Let them know you used the province’s self-assessment tool. 

There are three COVID-19 assessment centres that are near to the Annex:

Go to your nearest emergency department if you have severe symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, lethargy, drowsiness, weakness, or dizziness. If you have to use a car service, please wear a mask, sit in the back seat, and open the windows. If you can, note the company name and operator number of the driver. 

If you are not well enough to make your own way to a hospital or assessment centre, call 911.

The doctor is in

For medical issues unrelated to COVID-19, please reach out to your primary care provider or family doctor. Many are now offering virtual appointments. 

If you don’t have access to a family doctor there are several walk-in clinics still open. Please remember, if you are experiencing any flu symptoms, don’t go in person to either walk-in clinic, please call first:  

  • GSH Medical – 481 Bloor St. W., second floor: open for people with non-flu like symptoms. They are also offering virtual appointments that can be set up by calling 416-928-0217 or emailing annex@goldstandardhealth.ca. There is no cost for this service, you don’t need to be an existing patient, and they are accepting all requests at this time. 
  • Downtown Doctors Walk-in Medical Clinic – 720 Spadina Ave., #100: still open for walk-ins. You can also call them to set up a phone appointment at 416-929-1530.
  • Watson Medical Walk-in Clinic, located inside Snowdon Pharmacy at 264 Bloor St. W. You’ll need to call first to schedule a phone appointment, and make sure you have your health card information when you do. You can reach them at 416-962-7304.

Pharmacies

The following pharmacies in the Annex are still open, and many offer special hours or delivery:

  • Snowdon Pharmacy – 264 Bloor St. W.: offering delivery to seniors and at-risk customers. 416-922-2156. www.snowdoncompounding.com. 
  • Rexall – 481 Bloor St. W.: dedicating the first hour of shopping exclusively to those who are 55 and older. 416-929-8213.
  • Rexall – 474 Spadina Ave.: encouraging shoppers to allow seniors access to the first hour but will serve all who are in need. 416-413-1060.
  • Pharmasave Spadina Medical – 720 Spadina Ave., #100: offering some local delivery. 416-929-7000.
  • Green Pharmacy – 620 Bloor St. W.: open with their regular hours. 416-530-4004.
  • Loblaw Pharmacy – 650 Dupont St.: free delivery, open to seniors only from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., pharmacy opens at 8 a.m. 416-588-4793.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart – 360a Bloor St. W.: phone orders, free delivery. 416-961-2121.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart – 292 Dupont St.: phone orders, free delivery. 416-972-0232.
  • UT?Pharmacy +?Print – 193 College St.:?open regular hours and weekends. Phone orders, free delivery, 647-351-1708.

Mental health

It’s okay to be not okay. If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety or other mental health issues, you can find information on government and community-based services from the province’s main service hub, 211 Ontario. Call 211 or visit www.211oncovid19.ca to get help. Live chat is also available online. 

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has information on their site at: www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-health-and-covid-19. You can also find information on the Canadian Mental Health Association’s site at: ontario.cmha.ca/ news/cmha-offers-tips-to-support-mental-health-amid-concerns-of-covid-19-pandemic/.

Household fixes

Unfortunately, Wiener’s Home Hardware at 432 Bloor St. W. has made the difficult decision to close for the time being. However, if you need a hammer, nail or tool, you can still place online orders for curbside pickup at the larger outlets and at New Canadian Lumber at 804 Dupont St.  

Groceries

Retailer supply chains are still operating, so there is no need to panic shop.

“Supply chains across Canada are strong. There are no food shortages – just some empty shelves due to a sudden rush in shopping. Rest assured that items will soon be re-stocked,” said the Retail Council of Canada in a recent tweet.

Many retailers offer delivery and seniors-only shopping hours, and some local restaurants are also helping out.

Paupers Pub (539 Bloor St. W.) is selling groceries online with curbside pickup (www.pauperspub.com/grocery/). 

Insomnia Restaurant (563 Bloor St. W.) is planning to reopen on May 8 and will also have a grocery service; check their site at www.insomnia restaurant.com for updates. 

Pets still need care

Annex Animal Hospital (716 Bathurst St.) remains available for essential visits, food, and medication. Please call them at 416-537-3128 and they’ll accommodate you in the safest way possible.

Bark & Meow Pet Supplies (712 Bloor St. W.) is offering free local delivery and is open for call ahead curbside pickup. Contact them at 416-532-2275 or by email at 712barkmeow@gmail.com.

Global Pet Foods at 171 Dupont St. has curbside pick-up and can be reached at 416-964-0450. 

Pet Valu at 339 College St. also has curbside pick-up, call 416-944-0314. 

Closed for now

A recent survey conducted by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) found that 50% of businesses could not make all of April’s rent and 72% of businesses feel they will not be able to make all of May’s rent. The survey also found that 61% of businesses indicate they would close down for good within three months and 76% within five months.

If you are a small-business owner, be sure to check your local Business Improvement Area’s website for resources and support. Visit www.bloorannex.ca/news-events/government-resources-for-businesses-during-covid-19.html for a list of programs and services available to you.

You should also visit the small business help centre operated by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business: www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/small-business-resources-dealing-covid-19.

You can chat live through the website, a feature also offered by the Toronto Board of Trade also has a help site with live chat assistance: https://supportbusiness.bot.com.

Eat and shop local

You can support local business by ordering online or buying gift cards to use later. You can call ahead and pay with credit or debit.

The City of Toronto and the TABIA have also partnered with distantly.ca. Vetted by mayor’s office, it’s a crowdfunding platform that supports small businesses in Toronto. You can donate directly to businesses for rent and payroll expenses. 

While many local restaurants are closed to dining in, you can still order food for delivery through DoorDash, foodora, Ritual, Skip the Dishes, and UberEats. 

But also check to see if you can order and pick up from the restaurant by calling them directly, which saves the restaurant up to 30% on delivery fees. 

You can find some local options at www.bloorannex.ca/food-drink.

Mortgage deferrals

If you’re a homeowner and are interested in speaking with your mortgage provider about a mortgage deferral, please contact your mortgage broker, bank representative, or account manager. 

Support for tenants

The Ontario government announced on March 16 that no new eviction orders would be issued until further notice, and asked the Sherriff’s office to postpone any currently scheduled enforcement of evictions.

If you’re a tenant who needs advice or assistance, please contact

  • MPP Jessica Bell’s office at 719 Bloor St. W., Unit 103, phone 416-535-7206, email: jbell-co@ndp.on.ca 
  • the Federation of Metro Tenants’ Associations (FMTA) tenant hotline at 416-921-9494. The FMTA has updates available on their website www.torontotenants.org/covid_19_resources_for_renters.
  • stepstojustice.ca, offers step-by-step information about legal issues. 

Locals help

Local organizations are helping and staying active as well. 

The Good Neighbour Project is helping the vulnerable by delivering supplies and groceries and can be reached at 647-873-2230 or by visiting their facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/GoodNeighbourProject.

The Annex Residents’ Association would like to hear about and celebrate local acts of kindness. Please email your stories to aracares@theara.org.

Thank you

We know many of you work in hospitals, government, and in other essential support roles. Thank you for all that you’re doing to keep us safe.

Email us at gleanereditor@gmail .com if you have a story to tell. Because even as we all continue to stay, live, and shop local, we also think it’s important to celebrate local.

READ MORE LOCAL COVID-19 COVERAGE:

Tags: Annex · News