National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Seniors are the most likely age group to be extremely worried about their health and social isolation during COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new Statistics Canada survey. But the older residents on Quadra and Cortes, rural islands located off B.C.’s west coast may be bucking that trend.
Continue reading New COVID-19 Survey Stats May Not Reflect Elder Cortes & Quadra IslandersNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The danger to rural women facing violence is higher than ever due to the COVID-19 crisis, but the number of victims reaching out for support is not growing apace in the North Island region, troubling the agencies that help them.
Continue reading Isolation Of Rural Women Facing ViolenceNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A Quadra Island, B.C., woman has hopped to it and organized a new take on a traditional Easter parade, so local kids can have some fun this weekend, despite the COVID-19 clampdown.
“I was thinking it was so sad kids couldn’t do egg hunts at Easter with their friends,” Brenda Heppner Binnersley said.
Continue reading Quadra Island Easter Egg HuntNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Easter long weekend is usually the unofficial start to tourist season in B.C, but tourism operators are not sure they are going to survive COVID-19.
Continue reading Tourism On Life SupportThe Quadra Island Food Bank has been open on the first and third Wednesdays, of every month, for years. They provide food for 50-60 people every time. Anyone with a Quadra Island address and photo ID can register. Up until recently, they have operated out of a storage facility next to the Quadra Community Centre. There was not enough room to comply with the new social distancing regulations, so they moved into the community centre. I recently asked coordinator Amanda Smith if there were other ways the COVID 19 crises has changed how the Quadra Island Food Bank operates.
Continue reading How COVID 19 Changed The Quadra Island Food Bank
