Tuesday March 3, 2020 ~ METCHOSIN
by Mary Brooke, B.Sc. ~ West Shore Voice News
Today the Metchosin Fire Chief issued a statement to residents in that small rural municipality.
While the population the District of Metchosin is small — just over 5,000 — the area is part of Greater Victoria where there is of course commuting for work, shopping and school into nearby Langford, Colwood and Sooke, and downtown Victoria.
There is a strong sector of older citizens in Metchosin, notable for the fact that the COVID-19 coronavirus is seen to be more impactful on persons over 50 or 60, and in particular for anyone with underlying health issues (heart, lung or immune).
The statement emailed this morning from Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop (who oversees emergency preparedness for Metchosin) is information and recommendations for a local physician, Dr Robert O’Connor of the Me’Chosin Medical Clinic:
“On Feb 28, 2020, the US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announced their first drug shortage (not disclosed which drug it was). A lot of ingredients of pharmaceuticals depend on China, so there is a chance that some drugs may become in short supply around the world for a while. People may wish to have a supply of any of their important medications on hand to prevent having to run out.
“More generally, a lot of items and foodstuffs have supply-chains around the world. Interruption to these supply chains can make a favourite food or gadget unavailable until the supply-chain recovers. In my opinion, it would be beneficial to have, on hand, whatever items people feel is important to them for the next four months. If purchasing that much is unaffordable, it would benefit to at least have a few weeks worth of a buffer.
“There is benefit from regular hand washing, and to get into a habit of keep one’s hands away from the eyes, nose and mouth.
“Air travel around the world needs to be carefully considered from a risk vs. benefit viewpoint. A lot of the destinations and flight hubs are limited in their ability to adequately test for virus. This means that areas can be heavily infected with Coronavirus but may not yet have their own travel advisory.
“My opinion is to consider modifying events requiring close assembly, into alternative mechanisms such as videoconferencing, or viewing/working from home.”
Dr O’Connor’s clinic has stated a protocol for visiting the clinic with a respiratory condition:
- Please call in advance for all appointments. Patients will be time-separated with appointments for respiratory conditions separate from all other types of visits.
- The office has been divided in two, with a separate entrance that leads to an isolation room with negative pressure for respiratory conditions.
- For a patient attending the office for a respiratory condition, please remain in your vehicle, and Dr. O’Connor will be in protective gear, provide you with a mask, then escort you into the isolation area.
- For an appointment for a respiratory condition, please use your washroom at home before attending, as there is not a patient bathroom in the isolated area.
As of this morning, there are 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada (20 of those in Ontario, eight in BC, one in Quebec). So far, public health officials are working hard to contain the spread of COVID-19 but as the virus does remain viable on inanimate surfaces for some length of time (at least two hours on metal, from one report), it is expected that community spread will eventually occur.
Hand washing and not touching one’s nose, mouth or face are two very important ways to help mitigate the acquisition of the virus into one’s body. Avoiding large gatherings is also recommended, and to stay home if you’re feeling ill. Avoiding shopping or commuting at peak times is also sensible.
========= NOTES:
Editorial on the importance of effective communications and media during a pandemic, on page 2 in the February 28 to March 1, 2020 weekend digest of West Shore Voice News. | Subscribers receive the publication directly by email each weekend – here’s how to subscribe to the digital edition
==== LINKS:
Returning travellers from COVID-19 hotzones asked to self-isolate (March 2, 2020)
Eight cases of COVID-19 in BC says Health Minister and Public Health Officer (February 29, 2020)