My friend Sylvia said this the other day when we were talking and I think it
is something we need to consider as we make a decision about things being normal.
The biggest challenge for me is that while I feel just fine, I cannot in
good faith guarantee that I have not been in contact with someone who is carrying the
disease and is also, at the moment, feeling fine. This is not like
inadvertently giving someone your cold that has not yet manifested itself. With
an elderly person, such passing on could be a death sentence or, at the very
least, a serious illness.
I cannot in all good conscience take that chance
with any group of people, let alone a group that we have been told again and
again are in the most vulnerable category. We, are in that category and have
been cautioned to particularly watch out and try our level best not to catch
this virus.
So, not only could I inadvertently give the virus
to someone if I am out and about acting normally, they could do the same to me,
both of us without knowing we had done so till weeks later. I am not prepared
to live with that knowledge in order to do something that is not a
life-critical event. How about you, what changes are you making during this
emergency?
The next question is where do you get accurate
information about this virus as part of your Emergency Preparedness?
We have some links that may help you get the information you need to protect
yourself and your loved ones.
The links below start from the World Health
Organization and then go to my country, my province and my city. Each area has
their own information so I would encourage you to start with the World Health
Organization link which is here https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
and then drill down using their site to find out more about what your country
is doing.
For the latest on what Canada is doing about the
virus follow the links below:
The Public
Health Agency of Canada empowers Canadians to improve their health. In
partnership with others, its activities focus on preventing disease and
injuries, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information
to support informed decision making. It values scientific excellence and
provides national leadership in response to public health threats. For the
latest information on the Coronavirus in Canada go to the links below.
Current cases, the risk to Canadians, monitoring, news
and updates
Countries with travel notices, safety abroad,
planning a cruise, returning travellers
Planning, prescriptions, essentials, caring for
those who are ill, communication
Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, about coronaviruses
How it spreads, prevention, risks of getting
coronavirus
Airports, assisted departures, collaboration with
provinces and territories
For the latest on what British Columbia is doing
about the virus follow the links below:
To support BC’s health care providers, this
web resource (BC Ministry of Health current health issues) has been
established to provide a centralized, current, and evidence-based source of
current information about the emerging health issues in BC.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
This information is updated almost every day, it is
from the Vancouver
Coastal Health Authority
A new coronavirus is the cause of an outbreak of
respiratory infections, now known as COVID-19. The number of cases worldwide is
changing quickly. B.C. has confirmed cases of coronavirus; however, the risk to
Canadians continue to be low.
What you need to know
Risk: The risk of coronavirus
disease transmission continues to remain low for residents of British
Columbia. People without symptoms do not pose a risk.
Prevention: Proper hand washing, covering your
mouth and nose, when coughing or sneezing and staying home when you’re sick, is
the best protection.
Symptoms: Reported signs and symptoms include:
fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, and/or pneumonia in both lungs.
Experiencing symptoms: If you think you have
the symptoms of coronavirus disease, please stay at home and call 8-1-1.
Returning from travel in Hubei province (including
Wuhan city) in China or Iran: If you have returned from these areas,
monitor for symptoms and avoid contact with others for 14 days after leaving those areas.
Returning from any travel: Travellers
returning from other parts of the world are not asked to self-isolate but
should monitor themselves for symptoms. If you have been travelling and
you become ill or become ill after you return home, tell your health care
provider about recent travel and your symptoms. You should also tell your
provider if you had close contact with a sick person or had another high-risk
exposure such as direct contact with animals.
Health questions: If you have health
concerns, call
HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
HealthLink BC at 8-1-1.
Fraser Health Authorities web page on the virus
is here
At
Fraser Health, the health and safety of our residents and staff are our top
priority.
We are working closely with Fraser Health sites and
programs, the BC Centre for
Disease Control, and the Public
Health Agency of Canada to respond to the evolving novel coronavirus
situation.
The critical steps to ensure the safety of our
employees and the people we serve at Fraser Health include early identification
of cases, prompt isolation, testing and monitoring, and executing proper
infection, prevention and control practices within facilities.
In addition to keeping you informed via this
Q&A, we have organizational structures, plans and processes in place to address
and monitor emerging issues like this one.
Information for Fraser Health-area residents about
the novel coronavirus (named COVID-19)
Information to help support you as a Fraser Health
employee, volunteer and patient partner.
The
BC Center for Disease Control page says
A new coronavirus is the cause of an outbreak of
respiratory infections, now known as COVID-19. The number of cases worldwide is
changing quickly. B.C. has confirmed cases of coronavirus; however, the risk to
Canadians continue to be low.
The City of Port Coquitlam has information on the
City’s webpage and they did put out a press release, which I missed. The webpage can also be accessed here: https://www.portcoquitlam.ca/city-services/community-safety/emergency-preparedness/covid19/ The
web site has some good links and has the following information that is useful
to know: (The following is from our webpage)
What Port Coquitlam is Doing
The city is committed to providing a clean and safe
environment for all our facility users. To further prevent the spread of
viruses, it has measures in place for daily cleaning and has increased cleaning
of public touchpoints in city facilities.
The city also has emergency plans and processes in
place if the risk increases.
The city is also advising staff and facility users
to follow proper hygiene etiquette as directed by local health authorities.
This includes:
Regularly and thoroughly washing hands with soap
and water (use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available),
Avoid touching your face,
Not coughing in your hands,
Discarding tissues into a waste container,
Using cleaning supplies provided to wipe down
fitness equipment before and after use, and
Not attending public facilities, events or
gatherings if you are sick.
For all health-related concerns, the public is
advised to call 811 or contact their health-care provider or local public
health office.
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