Leamington mayor reflects on challenges of 2020, COVID-19 crisis on farms

One thing that governments have taken away from anunprecedented year in 2020isthe ability to pivot and adapt, says Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald.

"I think we're getting better at that," she said. "And that might bode well for the future."

After all, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and sparked a crisis within Leamington'svulnerable migrant farm worker population, MacDonald thought her goal for 2020 would be to focus on a sewer line project.

But now, the beginning of thatyear feels like so long ago, she said.

MacDonald shared her reflections on the challenges of 2020 in an interview with CBC Windsor host Chris Ensing last month.

The first-term mayor said the year broughta lot of "learning and growing" for her as a leader, along with difficult choices.

The COVID-19 outbreaks within the migrant farm worker population were the biggest burden, MacDonald said.

The crisis saw the treatment and rights of temporary foreign workers thrust into the national spotlight. Assistance was brought in from other levels of government and the Red Cross, and on-site testing was introduced at farms.

At one point, nearly 200 workers from a greenhouse in Leamington tested positive for the virus in a single weekend.

Two workers in Windsor-Essex, Bonifacio Eugenio-Romero and Rogelio Muoz Santos, diedafter being diagnosed with COVID-19, something MacDonald said was "heart wrenching" to see.

MacDonald has earnedpraise for her handling of the crisis.

This fall, MacDonald received an award from the Mexican Consulate in Leamington for her support of workers from Mexico.

"I'm truly humbled by it," she said.

Businesses feel effects of pandemic

MacDonald also spoke of the hardshipsLeamington'ssmall business community faced in making ends meet in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions.

With more people still getting sick from the virus, there's no easy solutions,she said.

"We have to weigh things out and find the best way that we can that is as close to fair and equitable as you can," she said.

"And yet, there doesn't seem to be that sweet spot in this case."