As we have seen with the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, the risk to our health and the health of our families is still very real, but we in the north continue to do very well in keeping ourselves and our communities safe. This is because people have been taking the necessary precautions, even throughout the summer season.
Another major contributor to our success in the north has been our front-line workers. These workers not only took on personal risk and stresses during the spring lockdown, but they continue to do so today, and will be doing so for the foreseeable future.
Thank you to healthcare workers like doctors, nurses, first responders, allied health professionals and people working at the COVID-19 testing sites who continue to see patients knowing that there is always a risk of virus transmission.
Thank you to childcare workers for continuing to support families under a cloud of uncertainty. Thank you to truck drivers and grocery store clerks for ensuring that we are all still getting food and other necessities. Thank you to counsellors and other mental health and addictions support staff for helping us to deal with the growing mental wellness concerns. Thank you to housekeeping and cleaning staff without whom fighting this virus would not be possible. Thank you to teachers, educational assistants, and all other support staff who are dealing with back-to-school uncertainty. Finally, thank you to all those who I have not named who are continuing to work on the front lines as we learn to live our lives with the presence of virus.
In order to make things easier on front-line workers, we need to stay diligent – especially as schools reopen and our children and school staff come in closer contact with more people. We need to stay home when sick, and I am proud to be part of a team that is pushing for paid sick days. We must remember to socially distance where possible and to wear a mask if not possible; masks have been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of transmission of COVID-19. I know that we in the north will continue to make good choices to keep our communities safe.
As always, please feel free to contact my office for questions or concerns at 204-677-2744 or email me at Danielle.adams@yourmanitoba.ca.
