(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Dawson Thompson

Online COVID Campaign

Sask. health care organizations join forces in online campaign targeting young adults COVID awareness

Dec 10, 2020 | 1:40 PM

Health care organizations across Saskatchewan are teaming up in an online ad campaign that targets young adults and asks them to “hang in there” by following public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A total of 25 health organizations have combined to support the campaign in a broadly based show of unity that spans the health system. The campaign’s website WeAreSickOfThisToo.ca expresses the campaign’s theme that young adults– along with all Saskatchewan people- want a return to normal while restrictions continue to be necessary as COVID case numbers rise.

The six-week online campaign includes website and social media advertising designed by MGM Communications. The campaign is designed to be empathetic as people grow fatigued by restrictions, yet call for compliance.

In a press release Thursday morning the president of the Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan, Shayan Shirazi made the following statement.

“We know that for young adults especially, these last nine months have been very difficult. We have never lived through a pandemic in our adult lives before and losing our regular activities and social lives has been challenging,” Shirazi said. “As young adults, we primarily use social media to communicate, so it is nice to have a reminder of what we need to be doing to keep everyone safe on channels that we actually use.”

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The president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, Barb Konstantynowicz followed the statement with another, promoting the use of social media to increase awareness.

“We are seeing more cases among all age groups, and this campaign encourages young adults to recognize that public health guidelines include them as well. The only way we will return to normal is by reducing the spread of this virus,” Konstantynowicz said. “The online campaign takes on a serious issue with an approach that sympathizes with what we are all experiencing and feeling. I urge you share the messages you see on social media. We will get through this together.”

The founder of the Prince Albert Young Professionals Association, Estelle Hjertaas, said this project seems like an effort to encourage activism from young adults.

“It seems like they’re trying to engage youth by promoting youth voices and sharing public health information at the same time,” Hjertaas said. “I think people are starting to take it more seriously, as we’re seeing more cases in young people, even in those without underlying health conditions.”

Health-care agencies involved in the campaign:

Saskatchewan Medical Association

Saskatchewan Union of Nurses

Saskatchewan College of Family Physicians

Resident Doctors of Saskatchewan

Student Medical Society of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan College of Podiatrists

Saskatchewan Dietitians Association

Saskatchewan College of Respiratory Therapists

Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses

Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals

College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan College of Paramedics

Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Dental Assistants’ Association

Chiropractors’ Association of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Society of Medical Laboratory Technologists

College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan College of Psychologists

Saskatchewan Association of Medical Radiation Technologists

Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association

Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists

Service Employees International Union West (SEIU-West)

Saskatchewan Society of Occupational Therapists

Health Sciences Association of Saskatchewan

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Dawson.thompson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: dawsonthompson8