CLAUDIA CHENDER MLA DARTMOUTH SOUTH Your Voice in the Nova Scotia Legislature
An extended school closure and asymptomatic testing
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Extended School Closure and Asymptomatic Testing
In the past few weeks, Dartmouth has been weathering the second wave of COVID-19. We’ve seen our hospital and healthcare workers spring to action and create a number of convenient opportunities to get tested both with rapid testing and regular COVID-19 testing, and the community responded!
I was lucky to volunteer at a number of these asymptomatic testing locations. I have so much appreciation for the volunteers and workers who ran these sites smoothly and safely. Thanks also to the sites in Dartmouth including the Alderney Gate Public Library, the Woodlawn Public Library, and the Zatzman Sportsplex for providing space.
Testing is key to reducing the spread of the virus. Because COVID-19 can spread so quickly, identifying asymptomatic, positive people who can then isolate makes a huge difference. Even if testing only captured 50% of cases, this will significantly reduce spread while we wait for a vaccine.
In news we can file under “good”, the first COVID-19 vaccines will roll out next week. Given the need for super low-temperature freezer storage and dispensation near the storage site, these first 1,950 vaccines will be administered to front line healthcare workers. The order of vaccination suggested by the federal task force will then be followed beginning with long-term care residents, then long-term care and health care workers, seniors over 80, seniors over 70 and then the rest of the population. Based on the current timeline, we can expect full vaccination by the third quarter of 2021. In the meantime, we have to continue to follow public health measures to keep our loved ones safe.
The government announced today that schools across the province will have an extended winter break this year. The last day of school for students will be December 18, returning January 11. Teachers will return on January 4. According to public health, this decision was made out of an abundance of caution. While we continue to see new school cases, we haven’t seen spread within schools, and we don’t want to. We continue to follow Public Health’s lead in these important decisions.
Unfortunately, we did not hear a connected announcement around emergency childcare, financial and food support, paid sick leave, or any of the other issues we know will come with unplanned weeks off of school. We are again pressing as we did in the summer for more support for parents and families. We know that childcare does not happen organically and that this will again be a massive strain for many families, including teachers who need to go back to work a week before their children, and healthcare workers and frontline workers who do not have the luxury of working from home.
As always, if you’d like to discuss any of this, or if you need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at ClaudiaChenderMLA@gmail.com or (902) 406-2301.
Kind regards,
Claudia
Housing
We were glad to hear the government finally begin to address the housing issue last week by introducing a 2% cap on rent increases until the state of emergency is lifted, or until February 2022, retroactive to September 2020. Additional funding for shelters and an affordable housing commission have also been announced. It’s not perfect, and it doesn’t solve the issue of the approximately 500 people across the province experiencing homelessness, and thousands more in precarious or unaffordable situations, but it's a start.
I’ve heard from many constituents since this announcement, some whose landlords are attempting to evict them regardless, some who are very relieved not to have to worry about keeping a roof over their head this holiday season, and others who are strongly opposed to this announcement.
Certainly, more is needed, including investment in non-market housing, both public and cooperative and non-profit. This will require some landlords to pivot as so many of us have, and while I appreciate that this will be a challenge my core concern always is that everyone has a roof over their heads and enough to eat, especially heading into our Nova Scotia winter. If you’d like more information or to discuss this further please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Blood collection and X-rays in Dartmouth
Late last month the NSHA changed the hours when you can call to make an appointment for blood collection in the Central Zone. This change was made to accommodate the redeployment of staff who are supporting the second wave of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
Telephone booking is now available from 7 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday (excluding holidays): 902-473-2074 or 1-833-942-2298
Online bookingis currently available for all Central Zone sites (except Eastern Shore and Musquodoboit Valley memorial hospitals).
A number of people have contacted my office about The Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act, which comes into effect on January 18, 2021. This act ensures that all Nova Scotians over 18 with decision-making capacity will automatically be referred to the Organ and Tissue Donation Program after death. This change will save lives. However, if you desire, you can opt-out of the program at any time by calling MSI at 902-496-7008 or online.
Dartmouth Lakes
I recently spoke with a reporter about the state of Dartmouth’s urban lakes. As our provincial legislature has not sat since the short budget-focused spring session, and will not sit again until spring 2021, beyond writing letters, we have not had the opportunity to press Minister Wilson on this issue since our meeting last fall. Despite the pandemic, we cannot forget our environment and this issue is still top of mind for both Susan Leblanc, MLA Dartmouth North, and me.
Community
Usually, at this time of year, I would be inviting you to my annual holiday open house. With hot drinks and treats in hand, I get the opportunity to celebrate the season and talk with you face-to-face at Alderney Landing. It’s also when my office collects donations for a key community organization serving Dartmouth South. We are not able to gather this year, but we are still asking you to consider donating to an important community organization if you can.
This year my office is supporting the work of Dartmouth Meals on Wheels, which serves affordable, nutritious meals to hundreds of house-bound seniors. Meals on Wheels also serves as a check-in for Dartmouth seniors who are otherwise isolated in their homes. In the time of COVID-19, and with winter at our doorstep, seniors are among those at the highest risk.
Please read this storyabout how Dartmouth Meals on Wheels mobilized during COVID-19. They recently won a Bhayana Family Foundation Invisible Champion Award. Everyone’s costs go up in winter, but for seniors who live on a fixed income and need to pay for snow clearing and transportation in addition to heat and other expenses, finding enough to cover the costs of meals can be difficult. We invite you to please consider supporting food for homebound seniors in Dartmouth if you are able. Meals range from $8 to $10, or $40 for one week.
You can donate by cash, cheque, or credit card over the phone at 902-465-5578; just be sure to mention you want to direct the funds to the Meals on Wheels program. You can also donate online.
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them: 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7: 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
Morneau Shepell has also opened its 24/7 bilingual crisis support line to help anyone in need of emotional support as a result of the recent tragic events in our province: 1-844-751-2133
Complete a self-assessment online or call 811 for assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had, or you are currently experiencing fever (i.e. chills/sweats) OR cough (new or worsening).
OR
Two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):
Sore throat
Runny nose/nasal congestion
Headache
Shortness of breath
You should also call 811 for assessment if you think you've been exposed to COVID-19 or have any other symptoms that concern you.
Other Support
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)
