Call 8-1-1 for swine flu info from Hospice
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Updated: October 27, 2009 10:20 AM
Editor,
Since the October 21 article (H1N1 in Revelstoke now, official says) omitted quoting the most essential thing I said at that council meeting, let me repeat it here.
The reason why the region’s emergency planning coordinator is doing all this work in preparation for the possible swine flu pandemic is because pandemics can become a disaster. Fear is already causing a bit of a disaster here, and there’s a remedy for it, starting with calling 8-1-1 instead of phoning or visiting our hospital unnecessarily.
Our hospital’s resources are already being overwhelmed, not by actual swine flu but by fear of it, as people are tying up our hospital staff by calling or going to the hospital to find out if their cold or flu symptoms might be the swine flu.
Instead, unless our symptoms are already on the brink of being life-threatening or we are in the ‘high risk’ groups, people wondering if they should go see their doctor or get to the hospital should call the Nurse Helpline, Healthlink BC, by dialling 8-1-1. It’s a 24–7 service.
As the ads say, do however get medical help for possibly life-threatening flu symptoms.
Revelstokians should all be prepared for a scarcity of human resources and limited services in the event that so many workers get sick that there are not enough people to carry out city functions, hospital work, ambulance paramedic work, firefighting, and various business and volunteers services. Meanwhile, we can help each other and help prevent a disaster, by taking all the precautions that are in all the ads, and by starting with calling 811 rather than our hospital.
Antoinette Halberstadt,
Ambulance Paramedic and City Councillor
A thanks
Editor,
You and your staff wrote an incredible piece promoting the Voices for Hospice Concert. I really do commend you and your staff on your writing skills. You nailed it. The concert really seemed to be a rousing success. The house was nearly full and there was a standing ovation at the end. I think your article played a huge role in bringing in so many people -- and who then received a really good evening of entertainment, and dare I say ... a bonding of the community.
I, on behalf of the all of us in hospice and palliative care, thank you very much.
Brenda Kessler
Executive Director,
Revelstoke Hospice Society
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