March 28, 2020.
The Public Health Agency of Canada guidance on preventing coronavirus includes guidance on wearing masks, if necessary, and includes the following:
- If you are a healthy individual, the use of a mask is not recommended for preventing the spread of COVID-19
- Wearing a mask when you are not ill may give a false sense of security
- There is a potential risk of infection with improper mask use and disposal
- They also need to be changed frequently
Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a Directive requiring that:
“restricts residents from leaving a home for short visits with family and friends. In doing so, the province is ensuring residents do not inadvertently contract COVID-19 while out of the home and spread the virus upon their return. Instead, residents who want to go outside will be able to remain on the home’s property and maintain safe social distancing from any family and friends who visit them.” (https://news.ontario.ca/mltc/en/2020/03/ontario-implements-enhanced-measures-to-protect-the-safety-of-residents-in-long-term-care-homes.html)
We ask that the St Jacobs Place Residents and families please abide by Dr. David William’s Directive above. Please also remember the most effective ways to prevent contracting and inadvertently spreading COVID:
- Remain at least 2 meters apart from anyone.
- Cover your mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing with your arm
- Use your telephone to speak with others – report any signs of illness by telephone to our nurse on duty – do not leave your room.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
- Stay calm and kind, get plenty of rest, eat well in order to maintain your best level of resilience.
We may not have control of much these days, but we do have control over our own centre of peace and tolerance as we all do our best to stay healthy and keep others healthy. We are all apart from our families and friends. This requires us all to be kinder and calmer than we often feel we want to be in the moment. We are in a better position to tackle this virus when we are healthy.