|
Labour Day marks the end of summer for many families in Dartmouth South. Children are organizing school supplies, parents are making schedules, and teachers and support staff are already back in their classrooms preparing for the new cohorts of students.
Labour Day of course has a specific meaning and arose out of a struggle to ensure that people had access to basic protections at work. That struggle continues as we fight to ensure that people across this province are on a path to a living wage, that paid sick leave becomes permanent, and to ensure that families can afford the basics. On Monday I'll be joining the annual Halifax and Dartmouth District Labour Council festivities to mark the day, starting with a gathering at the Labour Board at 1601 Lower Water Street in downtown Halifax at 11 am and ending at Peace and Friendship park at 1 pm with food and entertainment. The Dartmouth Labour Day concert runs from 2-4 pm at Sullivan's Pond. Feel free to join!
Back to School
Although we have not seen a safe return-to-school strategy from the Department of Education, HRCE is encouraging students to get vaccinated, stay home if feeling unwell, maintain good hand hygiene, and will support those who choose to wear a mask. We have been assured by HRCE that ventilation systems will be checked regularly and HEPA filtration units will be provided to rooms without active ventilation systems.
Back to School Contacts
www.hrce.ca
General: 902-464-2000 or connect@hrce.ca
Transportation: 902-431-4723 or transportation@hrce.ca
Parent Navigator: 902-464-2000 x 4362 or amelia.downey@hrce.ca
Pre-Primary: 902-464-2000 or connect@hrce.ca
EXCEL: 902-464-2000 excelregistrar@hrce.ca
Virtual Care
All Nova Scotians on the Need a Family Practice Registry can now get free, online medical appointments through Virtual Care Nova Scotia. You can book an online appointment with a family doctor or nurse practitioner and get care and advice for mental health concerns, prescription renewals, skin problems, infections, minor injuries, joint pain and other issues. Patients whose health concerns cannot be resolved virtually will be provided with options for in-person care. There are about 150 to 200 virtual appointments available each weekday between 9 am and 4 pm and on Monday evenings until 7 pm.
Vaccines for Children
Parents and guardians of children aged five to 11 can now book their child’s first COVID-19 booster vaccine appointment. For most children in Nova Scotia, the recommended interval between the last dose of the primary vaccine series (first two vaccine doses) and a first booster dose is 168 days. Children who have had COVID-19 should wait 168 days from the time of their infection before receiving their booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Only around 50% of kids who are eligible for a vaccine have received both of their primary series. Starting the week of September 19, another dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be available to people aged 12 and older, regardless of the number of booster doses they have previously received. More details will be available closer to that date.
We've been lucky to have another beautiful summer here in Nova Scotia. One that has been relatively "back to normal" for most -- but not all! -- of us. As we shift to the colder months, back to work and school, please be kind and think about the immunocompromised people around you. Follow Public Health guidelines and wear a mask in crowded settings if you can, get vaccinated, and stay home if you're unwell. Rapid tests are available in my office.
Happy long weekend!
Claudia
|
