To the editor,
The physicians of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19. This situation is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime. We stand with our Island Health partners and are working together with all health-care workers in order to be prepared and to be there in your time of need.
We support the actions taken by the Ministry of Health and our colleague, Dr. Bonnie Henry the provincial health officer. They have been very clear in their directions on COVID-19. The public must stay home wherever possible and maintain social distance in accordance with orders. Doctors cannot do this alone. Only together can we stop COVID-19 and what the public does now will impact the health of British Columbians for the weeks and months ahead. Lives depend on your actions.
Here is the directive from Dr. Henry:
- Stay home unless absolutely necessary. No dinner parties. No sports. No visits with friends.
- If you must go out to grocery shop or run to the drug store, keep two metres or six feet away from everyone. That’s about the width of a car or the length of two arms stretched out. A walk with your family is fine, but remember to keep your distance from others.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Tell your loved ones to do the same. This is especially important for young people, who can be carriers which could lead to harm of parents, grandparents, and other loved ones. Your parents and grandparents have looked after you and now you need to look out for them.
The medical staff will do everything possible to fight this disease and to protect and treat the people of our city, but we need your help. We must act as we would wish others to act under these circumstances. We must look after each other. Let’s save lives together, in Nanaimo.
For more information please visit www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19.
Dr. David Coupland, president, Nanaimo Medical Staff Association
Dr. Blair Rudston-Brown, chief of staff, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital
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The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin. If you have a different view, we encourage you to write to us or contribute to the discussion below.
