By Vanessa Virgo 

A University of Guelph study led by Dr. Leith Deacon [1] of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development highlights the need for government policies to reflect the COVID-19 experiences of small and rural Ontario communities. Using a large-scale survey, the research team examined how these populations were affected by the pandemic, aiming to inform more inclusive and effective policy decisions for future public health and emergency response planning.