By John Fryters

Senior's Scene

A Second Wave – What’s Next for Seniors

Oct 15, 2020 | 9:26 AM

Lately the daily figures have been creeping up slowly but surely and many epidemiologists and infection control specialists have been predicting that a second wave of COVID-19 is inevitable. Most experts point to mass gatherings as the likely sources of new outbreaks. Some state that we need to carefully watch school environments as they recently re-opened.

In the first wave, particularly in the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, we saw an explosion of deaths in long-term care homes. Just over 80 per cent of Canada’s known COVID-19 deaths were in residents of long-term care facilities (ref. Canada’s health care statistics agency)

An extensive report by PHAC (Public Health Agency of Canada), released in mid June 2020, showed nearly 6,000 deaths among the elderly and the advanced elderly compared to 8,454 deaths overall in the county. The recent Speech from the Throne stated that the elderly continue to be at high risk of infection.

It appears that Saskatchewan was spared from such devastating numbers because of better infection control measures in individual long-term care facilities and overall better management of the COVID-19 pandemic by our province’s medical authorities

However, now experts point again to long-term care facilities to watch as a second wave is on-going. COVID-19 simply targets the elderly and specifically the advanced elderly. Their immune systems are weakened because of age and the virus simply thrives in such an environment.

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This brings me to some very simple suggestions for all elderly (seniors) in Prince Albert and Area. With this second wave ongoing and influenza season underway, I suggest that seniors double up on the Public Health guidelines which have been drilled into all of us since the end of March 2020 :

· Practice good handwashing techniques and wash your hands often throughout the day. Sneeze or cough into your elbow rather than your hand or fist.

· Try not to touch your face, particularly not your mouth, nose or eyes

· Wear a mask in all indoor spaces even if there is no overcrowding. Particularly wear a mask in overcrowded spaces.

· Use hand sanitizer where it is made available.

· Keep a safe distance (2 m).

· Shy away, as much as possible, from gatherings (private or public).

· Do not go anywhere if you have symptoms like a fever, a cough, cold-like symptoms…….. Just stay home and rest, and drink lots of fluids.

· If in doubt, always call your family physician.

We, seniors, can tame that nasty beast just by following sound Public Health advice. Listen to the professionals and shut your ears to individuals who think they know it, but know very little.

I am very happy to be back with my readers. Next column more about that.

John Fryters is a 71-year old senior passionate about reaching out to other seniors in his peer group. He can be reached by e-mail at campus@inet2000.com or through www.seniorprincealbert.com.

This column is sponsored by MacKenzie Funeral Chapel and Crematorium – Compassionate care and impeccable service.

130 9^th St. E, Prince Albert, SK
Phone: (306) 763-8488

https://mackenziechapel.ca/