As we enter the weekend, I wanted to reach out to the community to talk (a little bit at length) about looking after each other and working together to see us through the COVID-19 situation.
As we know, the information about COVID-19 is evolving regularly. It is important, as we seek to protect ourselves and our loved ones that we are reading and sharing factual information from trusted sources. I have posted some links below to help you find the information that will help you understand COVID-19 and the advice we should all follow to keep ourselves and others healthy.
First though, a few facts on who is doing what in our province. The response to a pandemic, like this one, is led by the provincial Ministry of Health, which means Vancouver Coastal Health will direct the response to COVID-19 in the Sea to Sky region. As a municipality, we will receive information directly from Health Emergency Management BC and the local Medical Health Officer. The Medical Health Officer will provide the District with information on risk reduction measures.
As a local government our primary function is to ensure continuation of operations and essential services (water, sewer, waste collection, etc.), share verified information with our community, take measures to protect our first responders, ensure we reduce risk for staff and customers in our facilities, liaise with local partners to understand the short and long term impacts of this outbreak on their operations, and respond to any requests from Vancouver Coastal Health. So that is our job here at the District and our staff are working very hard in this regard. Here is what I think your job is as a community.
We can be resilient if we seek to walk through this together, so sharing and helping each other out is a big part of that. I know that selfless, helping spirit is in your DNA, Squamish, so this may be a time when it really needs to shine.
None of us know how this is going to evolve for our community, but many of our local businesses could find it tough going over the next weeks and months. So when and where you can, please support local business.
Thanks for reading, Squamish, and thank you to all of the hard working folks in our Health Authority and at the District who are working hard to make sure life remains as safe and normal as possible for all of us.
Here are the links I would encourage you to monitor for information:
BC Centre for Disease Control – information about COVID-19 including prevention, symptoms, and what to do if you are sick: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
Vancouver Coastal Health – this site includes situation updates and general information about COVID-19: http://www.vch.ca/…/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-c…
Healthlink BC: this website actually has information about COVID-19 translated into different languages: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/he…/coronavirus-disease-covid-19
District of Squamish – we will be sharing the latest information for our community through our social media platforms, but also on this web page: https://squamish.ca/covid-19/
March 13, 2020
We use cookies to help improve our website for you.
Post your comment
Comments
Elena Whitman Mar 17, 2020, 8:42 PM (4 years ago)
How many cases of COVID-19 do we have in Squamish? Why this information is not disclosed by District of Squamish? People are still being reckless thinking that it’s not happening in their backyard.
Elena Whitman Mar 17, 2020, 8:42 PM (4 years ago)
How many cases of COVID-19 do we have in Squamish? Why this information is not disclosed by District of Squamish? People are still being reckless thinking that it’s not happening in their backyard.
dennis keithley Mar 14, 2020, 9:56 PM (4 years ago)
The Public Health Agency of Canada website also provides advice on being prepared for COVID-19, for individuals, communities (including information on social distancing measures), schools and daycares, and workplaces.
Peter Mar 14, 2020, 4:47 PM (4 years ago)
Please set up a District health and Safety committee. We should have already had one. Due to the amount of tourists we have the virus is probaly already here,bc no testing done. This will be a minimum 3 month event. Unless early summer slow it, although not happening in Australia,or New Zealand this is not the Flu!!!Much more contagious and deadly, look at the data.
Peter Mar 14, 2020, 3:34 PM (4 years ago)
There are no ICU beds at Squamish General. So the 3%-10%0of people that may require this over the next 4 months have to be airlifted or Ambulanced to Vancouver. Close all activities now, Brennan Park,etc We have no medical capablities to deal with this virus in Squamish.
Elizabeth Gillis Mar 14, 2020, 1:22 PM (4 years ago)
I hear the District’s wish “not to create any heightened cause for alarm in our community regarding the coronavirus” and agree that it is important that people not “over react.” I understand the need to maintain a balance between protecting individual rights and reminding citizens of their collective responsibilities, however, given the current situation with cases spreading in BC through community, as opposed to travellers bringing it back, I think it is time to get more serious and shut things down. I therefore feel that despite the BC Government’s ban on meetings of 250 or more, the District should not be holding “public” meetings in person, but find some other forum for disseminating information, promoting discussion, and receiving comment. All of this with the goal of reducing the speed and spread of the virus. Why are we waiting till it arrives in full force before getting serious? Now is the time to react, not when it is at full speed spread. If we wait till we start to get cases, it may be too late. I think it would be more positive to be criticized for over-acting, rather than under-acting under these circumstances.
Across Canada, companies, schools, and individuals are taking steps to restrict “get” togethers, other municipalities are closing, or extending closures of schools, recreation centres, swimming pools, libraries, etc. Our own university (Quest) is taking drastic steps by stopping face to face meetings, and major events. I don’t think this is panicking; I think it is being socially responsible and commend those people and businesses who are being thoughtful of the community. I also feel that the District should be closing its facilities including Brennan Park, The 55 Activity Centre, including bus trips, and the library immediately. I think these are responsible decisions which will help protect our community – socially and economically. Lets err on the side of caution, and not wait till the coronavirus takes a grip; let’s encourage action and proactively as a community work together to “flatten the curve” NOW.
By the way: To this point, I think you are all doing an excellent job as our "council" members.
Peter Mar 14, 2020, 10:40 AM (4 years ago)
Why has the district not shut down March break activities. Current knowledge is kids are carriers and can be asymtomatic for weeks. President ial press conference today.
No one has commented on this page yet.
RSS feed for comments on this page | RSS feed for all comments