Physicians working with Hamilton’s homeless population are urging the city not to clear out homeless encampments during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The call from the Hamilton Social Medicine Response Team (HAMSMaRT) and Keeping Six comes after encampments were dissolved on the property of the former Sir John A.
McDonald Secondary School in downtown Hamilton, as well as Jackie Washington Park near Hamilton General Hospital. Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk, a physician with HAMSMaRT, said there have been many “robust” measures from the city to help homeless residents during the pandemic, including opening up hotel rooms, establishing a surge shelter at FirstOntario Centre, and surveillance testing of all clients and staff at a number of local