PPE in Care Homes

From: J Birch <Birch403@outlook.com> Sent: Saturday, May 2, 2020, 10:31 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca; dujarric@un.org; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca; news@skynews.com; tips@GlobalTVBC.com; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com; media@gatesfoundation.org; dan@jpost.com; david.penberthy@news.com.au; Sky.Today; media@sputniknews.com; Secretary@HHS.gov; nytnews@nytimes.com; jedmiston@nationalpost.com; ctvottawa@ctv.ca; correspondence@council.nyc.gov; governor@governor.ca.gov; fkalmbach@theadvocate.com; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk; accredit@gov.ru; GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com; antonio.ferrari@un.org; newsonline@ctv.ca; servicebc@gov.bc.ca; doug.fordco@pc.ola.org; info@bnn.ca; HaveYourSay; English@mail.gov.cn; letters@jpost.com; news@thelocal.se; Info@hc-sc.gc.ca Subject: PPE In Care Homes (Opinion) Hey Everyone, I was reading a story about how some care homes are rationing protective equipment and that we are still seeing a rise in cases at these locations. We need to ensure that we support not only our elders but the workers who are trying to help save the lives of our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. Given that the care home front is its own subset of this pandemic we need to ensure a more specific response at these locations. Each care home needs to have an abundance of Personal Protective Equipment so that each and every resident and worker is protected. Additionally we need to look at ways the virus is spreading in these residences and I was thinking that perhaps its being carried in via footwear as it can live on shoes. I was thinking for wheelchairs they contact the ground or walls and perhaps the virus is transferring from the floors to the wheel and then the hands of the residents. I was thinking perhaps we can institute footwear sanitation, floor and wall disinfection as well as indoor shoes in all facilities to mitigate this potential transmission vector. Additionally, the HVAC system can be a potential risk factor and we should supply them with rolls of viral filter sheets to be cut to length and placed in every vent and heater system etc. This will ensure greater protections for their physical health but we must also ensure their mental and emotional health conditions are considered. In times of crisis like we find ourselves in we need to ensure family can visit one another, I know many places are allowing window visits and that is a great idea. To improve on this perhaps we can setup temporary tents in some windows as viewing spaces for families. The tents will give them shelter as they converse via phone or speaker system as they watch movies together or talk as they are separated by the glass. The family would bring their own seating and whatnot and the tents would be fully sanitized after each visit by the family or sanitation workers. This will allow families to actually visit and communicate while allowing for social distancing during this time. In addition, you would want separate rooms for those displaying symptoms and those without and sanitize the interior rooms after each visit. A similar option could work for hospital visits to allow for families to be with sick or dying family members, even setting up webcams and tvs to allow families to digitally visit if more feasible. When we look at health as a total picture we need to ensure considerations are made to include mental and emotional health in the discussions as both are just as important as physical health. During this time we need to ensure we preserve the quality of life for residents and families to ensure that although this virus may enlarge the distance between us, our hearts can still be connected. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2