COVID: Seniors are our most vulnerable

No community is immune from COVID 19! This virus has spread across the globe. We have watched in horror its destructive power on the lives of millions. No one age group is immune either. The elderly in care homes are the most vulnerable. This is a huge concern for ever senior long term care facility in Canada. Historically there has been chronic nursing and staffing shortages and this tragedy is only going to magnify the problem and loss of life.

Canada’s government and its people must never allow Pinecrest to happen again.

How a country treats its most vulnerable citizens reflects its morality and values.

COVID 19 has found its way into Gimli Betel care facility with a staff member recently being tested positive and 9 others symptomatic. Many anxious families and patients wondering what is going to happen, what is the strategy to keep them safe, what happens if they get sick and are in quarantine, what will that look like?

As a family member you have the right to phone and ask questions about how this happened, what process is in place to protect patients and staff, when were masks and gloves being used, is there self isolation and what is involved, your family member in a care home has the right to ask about meals in their room and receive gloves, mask and other safety measures.

Only together can changes be made to protect everyone. Speaking up and advocating for your loved one is something we all can do. We must be mindful of our fears and continue with kindness and compassion for those we love and who are vulnerable.

Every family with a family member in a care home is terrified, rightly so.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-covid-19-update-coronavirus-1.5518882https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-deaths-covid-19-long-term-care-nursing-homes-1.5516801?fbclid=IwAR03FOqixk_xSG4AgvZLs0JeqvXTa7HptcwfnN_AQiphY-4uMt-4HYSR0JY