People are willing to do their part to help others through the COVID-19 crisis. I’ve heard that when community groups have contacted their elderly or alone members, those individuals are doing quite well. Neighbours and family often keep in touch by phone, and make sure they have the practical help they need.
Many of us now have the time to do some long overdue sorting and cleaning. However, as much as generosity is appreciated, everyone will have to wait to bring donations from their closets to the Salvation Army or the Diabetes Donation Bins. These organizations are not able to accept donations during the COVID-19 restrictions, and leaving items beside the bins, or outside the Sorting Centre, only causes problems. Please delay delivering those donations at this time.
Social Service support is being adapted and resources added for vulnerable individuals and the organizations that serve them. Social Services offices remain open with physical distancing enforced, however, clients are asked not come into the offices unless it is an emergency and they are unable to call their worker, or they are asked to come in. All Income Assistance clients will continue to receive their benefits. Reporting requirements have been lessened so that, if a client is late reporting, their payment will still be processed. More staff have been shifted to the Client Service Call Centre to help serve those in need. People who would like to apply for assistance can do so online at www.saskatchewan.ca/income-support or by calling the Client Service Centre at 1-866-221-5200.
Extra funding will be provided to emergency shelters to accommodate clients within the regulations of physical distancing. $171,000 has been targeted at meeting the extra cost pressures emergency shelters are experiencing. Soul’s Harbour (Riverside Mission in Moose Jaw) will receive some of this funding. If a client is required by Public Health to self-isolate due to COVID-19 symptoms or exposure, that person will be transitioned to safe, individual accommodation.
Our infectious disease researchers at the University of Saskatchewan, who are among the best in the world, are being provided with $200,000 to help find a vaccine for COVID-19. The University’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre is at the forefront of a global search, having previously worked on vaccines for SARS and the Zika Virus. Collaborating with the World Health Organization and researchers in several countries, the Saskatoon team received a significant grant earlier this month from Canadian federal funding agencies – part of a $26.7-million rapid research initiative to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
Appropriate supports are helping us get through this difficult time and knowing how to access those supports is necessary. It is a challenging time to maintain good mental health. HealthLine 811 has mental health supports available around the clock. People of all ages are also welcome to contact the mobile crisis helpline, 24/7, at 306-757-0127 or at http://www.mobilecrisis.ca/mobile-crisis-helpline/.
The Business Response Team is set up to assist business seeking COVID-19 information. They can be contacted by calling 1-844-800-8688, emailing [email protected] or by visiting www.saskatchewan.ca/covid19-businesses.
To learn more about mental health supports and COVID-19 in general, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19. Health-related questions can be answered by calling 811
For general questions about the COVID-19 pandemic that are NOT health-specific, call 1-855-559-5502.
Our office is open via phone or email if you require further assistance: 306-692-8884; [email protected]
Please continue to follow the regulations, access the help you need, and let’s get through this together.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
