The Hope Standard has received the following letter signed by Dr Joshua Greggain, a family doctor in Hope since 2007, on behalf of the “doctors and nurse practitioners of Hope.” The doctors who are “on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19”, urge residents to take social distancing seriously. We’ve published the letter in full, below:
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To the people of Hope,
The physicians and nurse practitioners of Hope are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19. This crisis is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime. We are working to be there for our patients and their families.
Doctors and nurse practitioners cannot do this alone. What the public does now will impact the health of British Columbians the weeks and months ahead. Lives depend on your actions now.
Our province is in a state of emergency. Here is the directive from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry:
· Stay home unless absolutely necessary. This means no dinner parties. No shopping. No sports, even outside. Have coffee with a friend online.
· Keep two metres or six feet away from everyone if you must go out. That’s about the width of a car or the length of two arms stretched out.
· Wash your hands frequently.
· Tell your loved ones to do the same.
This is especially important for young people. We sometimes see you out in the park. You can get sick from this virus. More importantly, you can be carriers and cause a lot of harm to parents, elders grandparents, and other loved ones.
There are many people in Hope who are over 65 with health conditions. This puts them at increased risk of complications and death from COVID-19, as we have already seen this week in B.C.
In this unprecedented time, we are working hard and the community can help by choosing to stay home, social distance in efforts to reduce transmission. The time is now. We can’t wait one more hour or one more day.
Let’s save lives, together.
Dr. Joshua Greggain, MD CCFP FCFP
On behalf of the doctors and nurse practitioners of Hope
