David Raymond Amos @DavidRayAmos
Replying to @DavidRayAmos @alllibertynews and 49 others
Methinks Higgy is giggling at the fact that I am about to cancel 2 "non-urgent" appointments with the hospital and my doctor about my old ticker because of his orders N'esy Pas?
https://davidraymondamos3.blogspot.com/2020/03/nb-covid-19-roundup-higgs-steps-up-plea.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/coronavirus-covid-19-new-brunswick-1.5501308
N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Higgs steps up plea for caution as 3 new cases are reported
Pharmacists ordered to provide patients with medication for no more than 30 days at a time
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 18, 2020 12:29 PM AT
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, said people are still gathering in large numbers, despite the government's advice to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo: CBC News)
Three new presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in the past 24 hours, bringing the province's total to 11 confirmed or presumptive cases, the chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced on Wednesday.
She said some New Brunswickers are not following the government's advice to stay home to help prevent the spread of the "serious health threat" and she expects there will be "many" cases in the next few days.
"New Brunswick is not immune to the spread of the virus," Russell said.
Premier Blaine Higgs again emphasized the need for people to practise social distancing and said mandatory measures could soon follow.
"We aren't there yet, but as a province and as a country we will do what is necessary to keep residents safe," he told reporters during the daily update in Fredericton.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell announced 3 more COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick. 1:49
Higgs advised against playdates, joyriding in vehicles filled with people, sleepovers, and getting together with friends to watch movies.
"This is not a drill. This is reality like we've never seen before."
The latest cases include:
- A woman in her 60s in the southeast, who had been on a cruise.
- A man in his 60s in central New Brunswick, who had been in contact with an individual who had direct contact with a traveller.
- A woman in her 60s in central New Brunswick, who had travelled to the United Kingdom.
"This is not the time for house parties," said.
Here is a roundup of other developments Wednesday.
Government won't answer questions
The province has scaled back on how much it wants to share with the public about its response to the coronavirus and related problems.
Information about COVID-19 is delivered at a short daily health briefing by Dr. Jennifer Russell and Premier Blaine Higgs.
But on Wednesday, reporters were allowed to ask only one question each and were not allowed to follow up, even when the answers were confusing or incomplete.
Bruce Macfarlane, the spokesperson for the Health Department, brought the briefing to an end without explanation.
Nursing resources added to 811 line
New Brunswickers are still complaining about the long waits on the Tele-811 line.
After Wednesday's news conference, Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said in an emailed statement, that additional nurses are being added to the Tele-811 line starting on Thursday.
"We expect to add more resources over the next few days," he said in an email.
The provincial government is following Public Health's advice to allow patients to book virtual appointments with their family doctor to curb the spread of COVID-19.
On Wednesday, Russell encouraged patients who don't have family doctors but need prescription renewals or help unrelated to the coronavirus to call 811. Normally these patients would try to go to clinics.
It wasn't clear from Russell's answer how the 811 service would get people help from doctors but she did say the province was working on the issue with the New Brunswick Medical Society.
Stockpiling could create drug shortages
Pharmacists in the province have been ordered to provide patients with medication for no more than 30 days at a time, the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists says.
The college warned that requesting early refills or stockpiling medication could create drug shortages and put others at risk.
Pharmacists in New Brunswick can prescribe medication for no more than 30 days. (Craig Chivers/CBC News)
"While there are currently no early warning signs of a global drug shortage, pharmacists are looking toward the long-term needs of New Brunswickers and want to ensure that medications are dispensed responsibly during this uncertain time," the College said in a news release.
Pharmacies and grocery stores will stay open across the province.
Parents won't be charged for daycare
Premier Blaine Higgs says parents will not be charged while daycares are closed, and essential services workers will continue to pay their regular rates for spaces."We are asking daycare operators not to increase their usual rates at this time.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a massive $82-billion aid package to help Canadians and businesses cope with the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The province is trying to determine how this applies to daycares, Higgs said.
Operators have said they have to charge parents for spaces, even if daycares are closed to most children.
Horizon cancels non-urgent services
Horizon Health Network has started cancelling all non-urgent services at all of its hospitals, including:- Therapeutic services.
- Laboratory services.
- Diagnostic imaging.
- The Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation.
- Pharmacy.
- Electrodiagnostics and respiratory therapy.
Dentists stop doing non-essential procedures
All non-essential and elective dental procedures are suspended until further notice, the New Brunswick Dental Society has announced.
Emergency procedures will still take place. An emergency procedure includes oral facial trauma, significant infection, prolonged bleeding or pain that can't be managed by over-the-counter medication.
Dental offices are rescheduling appointments with their clients and assessing what's an emergency and what's non-essential.
Help for homeless shelters
The Department of Social Development has put contingency plans in place, should a homeless shelter client develop symptoms.
A client with symptoms would be taken form the shelter and put in an alternative place. Then other clients would be tested.
Many homeless shelters are operating at or near capacity.
Reducing transit hours
Starting Wednesday, Fredericton Transit has switched to operating on a Saturday schedule, where buses will run every hour.
Codiac Transpo services in Moncton will be modified starting Friday.
From Monday to Saturday, all transit services will end at 6:30 pm. Sunday will remain unchanged.
Starting Thursday, Saint John Transit will suspend all fare collection on all of its services.
Passengers will be asked to use the rear doors for boarding and exiting. For those with disabilities, the front door will continue to be used.
Saint John Transit continues to operate on its regular schedule. It's cleaning buses daily and has increased the cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
You can still give blood
The Canadian Blood Services has recorded an increase in appointment cancellations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Individual and group cancellations can have a dramatic impact on patients in Canada who continue to need blood products to treat cancers, trauma, and many surgeries," said Delphine Denis, a spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services.
"The increase in blood donation appointment cancellations is worrying, but a benefit of operating a national blood system is our ability to shift products around the country to meet hospital and patient needs."
Premier Blaine Higgs said Wednesday mandatory measures for people to stay home could soon follow. 1:50
The organization is adhering to the guidance of experts, federal and provincial governments. And that protocols for screening donors and cleaning sites "have always been extremely robust — respiratory infections are common and we are prepared."
The organization is also taking additional measures to enhance protocols to better protect anyone who comes to donate blood.
"To ensure we can continue to meet the needs of Canadian patients, we need everyone who is eligible and healthy to continue to book and honour their appointments to donate blood."
Protect your mental health
Chief medical health officer Jennifer Russell said it's important people look after themselves, both physically and mentally.
This includes healthy eating, exercise, proper sleep and doing different hobbies.
"Right now your mental health is just as important as your physical health," she said.
What to do about grocery shopping
If you're going out to the drugstore or to a grocery store, do it when stores aren't usually busy. The province advises you to keep that two-metre distance and wash your hands once you return home.
Russell said some people are even wiping down the products they purchase once they return home.
Meals on Wheels continuing to deliver
Meals on Wheels, a volunteer service that delivers meals to vulnerable individuals and families in Fredericton, is still operating.
The organization has ordered minimal contact between clients and volunteers.
Betty Daniels, executive director for Meals on Wheels Fredericton, said packaged meals are being left outside a client's home. Volunteers must knock on the door and stand back to ensure clients receive their meal safely.
The program is looking for more volunteers, as some current volunteers have recently returned from abroad and are self-isolating for 14 days.
Food banks prepare for growing need
The Saint John Community Food Basket, is preparing for a growing need of people who will rely on the local food bank.
The organization is limiting access to one person at a time, said John Buchanan, executive director of the community food bank.
Individuals using the food bank will enter, check in with a computer operator and receive a bag of food from a volunteer. The Individual will then be asked to leave immediately.
Meanwhile, Greener Village in Fredericton, is temporarily closing its retail store, suspending its Learning Kitchen programming and restricting access to the food bank building.
Food Depot Alimentaire in Moncton, which serves food banks across southeastern New Brunswick, said it is not accepting walk-ins. People must call to book an appointment.
Food Depot Alimentaire also launched a food delivery service for seniors. And it's also providing food delivery services to children who were relying on food programming.'
What to do if you have any symptoms?
Symptoms of coronavirus can include fever, cough and shortness of breath. With any of these, residents should:
- Stay at home.
- Immediately call Tele-Care 811.
- Describe symptoms and travel history.
- Follow instructions carefully.
About the Author
With files from Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon
181 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos
Methinks Higgy is giggling at the fact that I am about to cancel 2 "non-urgent" appointments with the hospital and my doctor about my old ticker because of his orders N'esy Pas?
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @David Amos: Maybe you should keep them. They may be more urgent than you think. They have called us to cancel here, and if you haven't heard from them....
Greg Smith
The pandemic is the governments fault for decades of whittling our health care system down to nothing. I don’t trust a word that comes from Higgs’ mouth, just weeks ago he was going to close 6 ER’s overnight, and now wants to act like our saviour? All he cares about is pleasing his Irving handlers, and won’t even be transparent enough to take questions. I’d happily risk infecting myself to go to the polls and get rid of this egregiously inept Premier.
David Amos
Reply to @Greg Smith: Me Too
Ben Haroldson
Reply to @David Amos: Me three.
Lou Bell
Prescription renewal for 30 days only . My prescriptions arte for 90 day renewals ! My previous doctor wrote up my prescriptions for a year at a time , to be filled in 3 month intervals . His replacement insisted they write them up every 3 months ! I believe they get paid a fee for every time a prescription is written ! And more and more Doctors are breaking the million dollar a year barrier ! Wonder why no more !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell:
Cry me a river At least you have a Medicare Card as you laugh at the
fact that your hero Higgy is keeping a "Stay" on mine
Methinks some folks wonder why you Conservatives truly enjoy the fact that I have to pay for my emergency room bills and doctor fess for no reason I will ever understand N'esy Pas?
Methinks some folks wonder why you Conservatives truly enjoy the fact that I have to pay for my emergency room bills and doctor fess for no reason I will ever understand N'esy Pas?
Rob Franklin
Reply to @Lou Bell: The drugstores are being mandated to issue 30 day dosage but it doesn't change your script. If it's for a year, it's still a year, you'll just have to go to the drugstore 12 times instead of 4. the doctor has nothing to do with it.
James Risdon
Question: How come we haven't heard of any journalists getting the Covid-19 virus?
Journalists are out and about, milling around other people, all day, every day. If anyone could be expected to be at risk, I would think journalists would be right up there among the job occupations most at risk.
Has anyone heard of any Canadian journalist catching this thing?
Suzanne Tucker
Reply to @James Risdon: That is an excellent question, and I do hope no one!!
David Amos
Reply to @James Risdon: What is your point in making such a dumb question?
SarahRose Werner
Just heard from my MLA, Gerry Lowe, re: doing something to mitigate the higher co-pay fees for participants of the NB Drug Plan and the NB Prescription Drug Program. He says he spoke to Ted Flemming about this today. E-mail your own MLA if want to see this happen. Can't hurt, might help.
Shawn
McShane
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: Property tax mitigation would go a long way. Those costs are
another mortgage, higher than heat, electric and way more higher than
drugs.
SarahRose
Werner
Reply to @Shawn
McShane: My landlord's not going to decrease my rent just because he
gets his property tax mitigated. You want yours mitigated, you can
contact your own MLA.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: Say Hey to your buddy Gerry and his pal Don Darling and all the
Saint John cops for me will ya? Methinks none of you in Saint john
Harbour voted for me in 2006 N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: Methinks before I sue the Crown again somebody should ask your
buddy Gerry why the liberals put a "Stay" on my right to Medicare years
ago and why Higgy won't remove it to this very day N'esy Pas?
Greg Miller
That's fine but as a senior I ask do all pharmacies have free delivery. If not it means seniors will have to go out and expose themselves to the environment 3x instead of once. Think about it!
Ray Bungay
Reply to @Greg Miller: A very good point Greg. This Doctor has dropped the ball yet again. Sad really
Terry
Tibbs
Reply to @Ray Bungay:
Probably just doing what she is told Ray. You remember what happens "in this place" when the Chief Medical Officer doesn't do what they are told.
Probably just doing what she is told Ray. You remember what happens "in this place" when the Chief Medical Officer doesn't do what they are told.
Greg Miller
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Exactly and this is one reason I miss Dr. Cleary -- big time!
David Amos
Reply to @Terry
Tibbs: Methinks everybody knows the lady willingly accepted the
lucrative position under the "Do As I Am Told" conditions N'esy Pas?
Greg Miller
Reply to @David Amos: That seems to be the case unfortunately.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/doctors-covid-19-travel-restriction-work-permit-1.5501466
2 doctors recruited to N.B. may be stymied by COVID-19 travel restrictions
Doctors have work permits, not included in travel exemption, MP helping them and 30 other people
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 18, 2020 1:11 PM AT
Dr. Paul Atkinson tweeted a plea to the minister of immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to clarify if medical professionals on work permits can still be allowed into the country to fill gaps in the New Brunswick healthcare system. (Joe McDonald/CBC)
Two doctors set to arrive from the United Kingdom to fill hospital vacancies in New Brunswick are not sure if they can get into the country because of new COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Saint John doctor and Dalhousie University professor Dr. Paul Atkinson is urging the federal government on social media to clarify if these two doctors and their two children can enter Canada after the new travel restrictions came into place.
"We have worked hard to recruit both these excellent physicians who are specialists in emergency medicine and intensive care," he said in a series of tweets Tuesday.
"We believe that right now with the health crisis we really need them to begin to help us deal with the increased cases we are beginning to see."
The doctors were set to arrive in the country Wednesday and take up positions in the province on work permits, Atkinson said.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long said he's been contacted by more than 30 New Brunswickers and families of New Brunswickers trying to figure out how to get home after the COVID-19 federal travel restrictions were announced Monday. (CBC)
New federal border restrictions announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday appear to disqualify the family from entry. Trudeau said the only people allowed to enter the country are Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Unites States citizens were allowed in until a new announcement Wednesday that the U.S.-Canada border is closed to all non-essential travel.
Atkinson said people need clarification on if these doctors are barred alongside everyone else, because now more than ever healthcare workers are needed in the province.
"On a personal level they have two small kids have sold their house shipped all their furniture and are actively on their way to the airport now to travel to live in New Brunswick," he wrote.
Atkinson declined to comment further when contacted by CBC News.
1. @marcomendicino Dear Minister. I am contacting you regarding 2 UK physicians who should be arriving in Canada tomorrow to take up positions in New Brunswick on work permits from the UK.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long said he's been working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to find out what can be done to bring the doctors to New Brunswick, but he doesn't have the answers yet.
"Obviously, they're doctors, we could use their skill set and services here," Long said. "We're working with IRCC to try to clear a path to get them here."
He said the fact that it's a family with two doctors makes things more complicated, because of their two children and considerations around isolation if they are allowed to come.
"It's not quite as straightforward as just two doctors coming," he said.
'Uncharted territory'
Long said since the travel restrictions were announced, he has been advocating and seeking information for more than 30 people, most of whom are New Brunswickers wondering if they can get back into the country.
"We've had constituents stuck on cruise ships. We've had parents and constituents stuck on a cruise ship ship off of Chile. We've had constituents in New Zealand that want to get home," he said.
"Honestly we're besieged with Canadians and we want to get them back to Canada, in addition to bringing immigrant doctors into the province, which is obviously badly needed.
"It's uncharted territory for us … COVID-19 is a game-changer."
He said he hasn't heard about any other doctors in the same situation as this couple.
In an email statement, Horizon's vice-president of medical, academic and research affairs, Dr. Edouard Hendriks, said he can't comment on specific personnel issues, but said the health authority is continuing to actively recruit physicians "both domestically and internationally."
"Given the global spread of COVID-19, it is especially important to adhere to any travel restrictions imposed by the federal government," he said.
"However we sincerely hope to be able to pursue our recruitment efforts."
IRCC said it's working on providing CBC news with a response.
About the Author
8 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.David Amos
Methinks folks should welcome the doctors to the circus N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner
Question: will the UK let them leave? I bet the UK needs more doctors than usual right now.
Lou Bell
Reply to @SarahRose
Werner: I doubt that the UK , being a Democratic country , can legally
stop citizens from leaving their country for job relocation . Most
likely they've given notice and unless some type of Martial Law was put
in place where they'd be called back to " serve for the country ", I'd
expect there's nothing that could stop them .
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/snowbirds-new-brunswick-covid-19-1.5500489
Snowbirds flock back to New Brunswick
Stays in Florida cut short as federal government calls for Canadians to return to the country
· CBC News · Posted: Mar 17, 2020 5:56 PM AT
Aurel Schofield of Dieppe is near Naples, Florida. He's preparing to head back to Canada a month early as a result of the pandemic. (Submitted/Aurel Schofield)
The growing coronavirus pandemic has sent a wave of New Brunswick snowbirds back north.
The Canadian Snowbirds Association has advised its members to head for home as the COVID-19 pandemic advances in the United States and access to out-of-country medical insurance comes to an end for some travellers.
"We've decided that we will return because of the intensity of the pandemic and everything is closing," Aurel Schofield, a retired family doctor from Dieppe, said in an interview from near Naples, Florida.
Schofield normally spends four to five months in Florida. He's among more than 300,000 "snowbirds" Statistics Canada reports spend winters in the United States and Mexico annually.
"It's normally very beautiful, lots of sunshine," Schofield said. But as more and more cases have been reported in Florida, and businesses have begun to close, he's been fielding concerned calls from family and friends.
Aurel Schofield has a winter home in southwest Florida near Naples. He says he'll self-isolate as much as possible on the drive home and quarantine himself once he gets back to New Brunswick (Aurel Schofield/Submitted)
Schofield plans to drive back north later this week, cutting his stay short by a month.
"We'll gradually drive back home and do social distancing as much as we can to try to get back to home safely," Schofield said.
Schofield says once back, he'll be relying on delivered groceries, Netflix and video calls with friends and family to get through 14 days of self-isolation.
Former New Brunswick health minister Michael Murphy arrived in Florida last Wednesday. He was planning to stay at a condo near Naples with his wife Moira Murphy and her brother Kevin Kelly of Ottawa. Kelly's wife, a teacher, was also planning to join them.
'Unnerving experience'
But within days, the Canadian government urged Canadians abroad to return home. Kelly's wife stayed in Ontario.
Kelly and the Murphys sought to rebook their return flights on Saturday. They say airlines told them the next flight they could book would be in six days -- and that the tickets would only be stand-by. That meant they weren't guaranteed a seat.
On Sunday morning, they began a drive back north covering more than 3,000 kilometres.
Michael Murphy said they were about four hours away from the border when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced measures to limit who can enter the country, including barring people showing symptoms of COVID-19 from boarding flights.
Kevin Kelly, his sister Moira Murphy, and her husband Michael Murphy are self-isolating together in Moncton after returning from Florida on Monday. (Submitted/Michael Murphy)
Murphy, who has allergies, said he was sneezing and worried they wouldn't get through the border. But they were able to cross at about 9:30 p.m. Monday.
"It was a very unnerving experience," Michael Murphy said.
"We all had a sigh - 'Oh man, it's good to be back here,'" Kelly said of being back in Canada.
The three are now self-isolating at Murphy's downtown Moncton condo for 14 days as a precaution.
"We're very glad we're back in Canada," he said. "Difficult and scary times. But you know, I think ultimately we're going to get through this in the next few months."
About the Author
28 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.David Amos
Methinks we should be surprised to see Mikey Murphy featured N'esy Pas?
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