'Jarring' COVID-19 ad that aired during the Super Bowl shows the risk of private gatherings

The Ontario government has a new ad campaign that aired during the Super Bowl, aimed to stress the point that no matter what the intention of your gathering may be, you never know when COVID-19 will show up.

The commercials show a seemingly innocent parties with friends and family but with a frightening cut to someone from the get together ill at a hospital, fighting for their life. We also see a healthcare workers looking stressed, tired and distraught.

“You may not see the harm here,” the messaging from the province says, referring to the gathering.

“But we see it here,” the text on the screen reads as the visually change to the hospital.

“Until we all get the vaccine, stay home, save lives.”

In response to these commercials several people have taken to social media to share their reaction to seeing the ads during the Super Bowl.

These would have differed from province to province but the Ontario Covid commercial was pretty powerful with the jarring juxtaposition of social gatherings and images of healthcare workers and patients https://t.co/SWuu07LPq2 #SuperBowl #Commercials #superbowlads

— Patryk Fournier (@tryked) February 8, 2021

Wow that new Ontario COVID-19 commercial is jarring.

— Brandon Maki (@BrandonMaki_) February 7, 2021

That Ontario Covid commercial CTV just ran was dark as hell.

...we should've probably mixed a few of those in months ago, honestly. Wouldn't want to see it every commercial break but it gets the message across, like those old WSIB ads

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) February 8, 2021

When Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted the ad on Twitter on Saturday, several people responded by questioning why the provincial government hasn’t implemented paid sick leave and called for more public health measures to help essential workers and students.

While you may not see the harm in a small gathering, it can spread COVID-19 to someone you love.

Please avoid gatherings with people outside your household. We’ve worked so hard to bend the curve, let’s not jeopardize it now.

Stay home. Stay safe. Save lives. pic.twitter.com/ZY84ji7xDG

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 6, 2021

One more thing please Premier Ford. Do we have funds available to provide COVID testing for all staff and students going to class each day to provide safety? Like we have to test snow birds who ignore the (essential) travel rules coming to our airports now.

— SustainableEnergyEngineer (@Anthony03484105) February 7, 2021

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