MARCH 27, 2020
Little Mountain Neighbourhood House Society (LMNHS) COVID-19 RESPONSE UPDATE
Dear Participants, Staff and Community Members,
LMNHS will continue to monitor and navigate the COVID-19 situation. This is uncharted territory, as the spread of the virus has required constant changes to our human behaviours and the way we do our civic work and maintain social connections. We know that this is causing significant hardships for many, especially the most vulnerable in our community. I want to start by thanking everyone who has been following the directives and recommendations of our Public Health Officers and three levels of government.
To try to flatten the curve of COVID-19 spread they strongly recommend:
- Self-quarantine/isolation: If you are returning to Canada from travel abroad self-quarantine for 14 days.
- Self-isolate: If you have any symptoms, if you are sick self-isolate for 14 days. See if someone else can do essential shopping for you and have them safely deliver the items to you.
- Stay at home: Many businesses/organizations, including LMNHS, have shifted service delivery to working at home. Only go out as needed.
- Social Distancing: Limit your shopping to essentials and practice social distancing (stay 2 metres apart) from others when in public. Getting outside is good for your physical and mental health, but ensure that you practice social distancing. Do not congregate in groups.
- Wash your hands: Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When sinks for hand washing are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol (70% alcohol is even better). Read labels, and wash hands with sanitizer the same way you would wash with soap and water.
- Social Connection: Connect by phone or online with loved ones, neighbours, colleagues and friends. During these difficult times, it is important to combat social isolation and to reassure and connect with one another.
There is excellent health information at COVID-19 BC – Support App and Self-Assessment Tool and on Vancouver Coastal Health site and BC Centre for Disease Control websites. If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms call 811 and/or complete the assessment tool www.healthlinkbc.ca. They have multiple languages available.
LMNHS has closed down most of our in person programs/services at this time. An updated list will continue to be posted on our website https://web2.lmnhs.bc.ca/. We will continue to provide some child care services for families with essential workers, so they can continue to do the amazing work in the community at this vital time. We are offering online and phone supports to program participants, and trying to identify what priority information and needs would be most helpful.
The Government of Canada and British Columbia have announced several supports and benefits for individuals, workers and businesses that are affected by COVID -19. Check www.canada.ca and www.gov.bc.ca. These announcements and the details are updated regularly, so keep checking the sites.