National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
B.C. tourism operators being crushed by COVID-19 are hopeful but confused about how the critical summer season will unfold after the province unveiled its plan to reopen the economy on Wednesday.
Continue reading Tourism Operators Wrestling With BC’s Reopening PlanNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Bertha Jeffery, owner of the Cortes Market grocery store, is unequivocal about how critical her staff is in serving the store’s small island community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue reading Grocery Stores Provide Essentials For Cortes & QuadraNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Quadra Island senior Derik Kidd says he’s being stretched to make ends meet on a marginal income with the increased costs he’s facing during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Kidd, 71, says his yearly income comes in around the $20,000 dollar mark, and that includes the top up from the federal government’s guaranteed income supplement (GIS).
“I get the sense there are a lot of seniors in that bracket,” said Kidd. “I guess I classify myself as having a poverty line income.”
Continue reading Rural Seniors Stretched To Make Ends Meet, Due To COVID Crises.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.
Continue reading COVID-19 tests For islanders with mild symptomsNational 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.”
Continue reading Namgis Elder’s Death Heightens Concern
