At our meeting of our island’s health promoters last week, the negative impacts of long-term social distancing on physical and mental health arose as a significant shared concern. Since physical distancing is crucial for continuing to manage the COVID-19 crisis, finding effective ways to mitigate these impacts may help enhance personal and community resilience. To this end, I wanted to offer the following, which is taken partly from some work I’ve done regarding stress, general health, and COVID-19 for a collaborative project with a group of health science writers. If nothing else, it may sever to remind you that you’re already doing great things to protect and increase your health!
Continue reading Protect & Increase Your HealthTag Archives: COVID 19
The Post COVID Energy World
When the world went into lockdown, the global demand for electricity dropped 20%. By the end of March, 50% of the traffic disappeared from city streets. The demand for fossil fuels evaporated. Coal fired generation has suffered its’ largest drop since World War II. A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report suggests the post COVID energy world could be far more carbon free.
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COVID-19 tests For islanders with mild symptoms
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Island residents with cold or flu symptoms can now be tested for COVID-19 as B.C. health authorities shift their focus to fighting community spread of the virus and identifying and investigating new clusters.
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Fifth Cortes Virtual Community Meeting
More than 100 Cortes residents will most likely listen to, or read about, last night’s virtual community meeting. While fewer are logging on to the ZOOM calls or reading these reports in Cortes Currents, the number of people listening to the podcasts has doubled, growing from 21 to 43 since these meetings went public. Similar numbers most likely listened to the radio broadcast or will read Director Noba Anderson’s report in the Tideline. The principal topics for the fifth Cortes Virtual community meeting, on April 28, were vacation rentals and a series of community updates.
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Namgis Elder’s Death Heightens Concern
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The shutdown of First Nations communities is more crucial than ever with the sad news that an Indigenous elder from another island has died from COVID-19, says a Quadra Island, B.C., council member.
“My first thought was real sadness to hear this,” We Wai Kai Councillor Ted Lewis said. “It hurts all First Nations to hear this. Quite a few members have family up there, lots of people are related to that community.”
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