Doug Ford tells Ontarians to ‘wear a mask’.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford is advising the public to “wear a mask whenever possible” on Monday, a day before the state’s doctor recommends wearing one.

“First, always wear a mask whenever possible. Second, get vaccinated if you haven’t, and get a flu shot. These are the recommendations I have. That’s right,” Ford said at a press conference Sunday announcing the extension of the state’s gas tax cut.

The prime minister said Chief Medical Officer Dr Kieran Moore will make the announcement on Monday alongside Ontario’s Deputy Health Minister Dr Catherine Zahn, Ontario Health’s Dr Chris Simpson and Dr Matt Anderson.

A state release issued on Sunday said Moore will provide an update at 9 a.m. the next day.

Moore plans to generally encourage people to wear masks, especially in crowded places, two sources told The Canadian Press. expected.

The mask-recommended news comes as children’s hospitals across the state are experiencing “unprecedented” numbers of patients amid a rise in respiratory illnesses.

To deal with the influx, Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children announced Friday afternoon that it was suspending surgeries.

“I was in conversations with seven hospitals across Ontario on Friday,” Ford said. “I’ve spoken to all the CEOs and we’re pulling out all the stops with them to make sure we’re capable of handling flu season.”

But Ford didn’t go so far as to propose mandatory masks as a possible solution.

In addition to the increasing number of pediatric patients, there is a national shortage of pain relievers for children.

Ford argued that the federal government must “intervene” and begin working with American providers to restock empty pharmacy shelves.

“Let’s bring it up. It doesn’t matter what label it’s on, as long as it’s safe,” Ford said.

Last month, the federal government approved “exceptional imports” of ibuprofen from the United States and acetaminophen from Australia.