Tuesday September 1, 2020 ~ VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P. Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
“The BC COVID-19 Research and Collaboration Symposium, a virtual collaboration of B.C.’s academic health sciences network, involving public health, epidemiology, social science and education researchers from all around B.C., began today,” it was stated in today’s joint written statement from Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix.
“The symposium is focused on furthering our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 and the related public health measures,” it was stated from the PHO and Minister.
“To be successful, our COVID-19 plan is about all of us to doing our part — our world-leading researchers, our businesses and all of us as individuals. It is about protecting our neighbours and our colleagues, as we protect ourselves.”
“We have the tools, we have the knowledge and now we must prepare for the challenges that may lie ahead in fall with renewed commitment, new routines and proven safety precautions.”
We know the tools:
The basic public health tools are now familiar to most people. That includes physical distancing, maintaining small social bubbles, frequent hand washing, not touching your face, wearing a mask when a distance of 2 metres between yourself and other people cannot be maintained, and staying home if feeling the least bit unwell.
Economic tools that are in place or adapting include employment replacement supports, and programs which support both businesses and individuals with various aspects of economic stability.
Schools in BC are adapting by offering both in-class and remote learning as well as making the existing home schooling option available with a higher profile.
Workplaces and businesses continue to adapt, in alignment with public health orders and guidelines from WorkSafeBC.
The challenges:
The fall/winter flu season will have COVID as a significant overlay in terms of testing, diagnosis, and health care supports including hospitals.
Until there is an effective treatment or a vaccine against COVID-19, the public health emergency in BC will continue.
The State of Emergency in BC was extended today for another two weeks, to end of day September 15, 2020. That’s the 13th such extension since mid-March.
Next COVID data modelling:
The next modelling presentation about COVID-19 in BC will be presented on Thursday September 3 by Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry in a joint livestreamed media session with Health Minister Adrian Dix. At 3 pm from Vancouver.