Dear Editor,
We are now one week into the unprecedented Quebec curfew and one week into the start of vaccinations, at least for the most vulnerable members of our community and those that care for them. We are however also still in the midst of a pandemic which week by week continues to demonstrate its power to spread. This is no time for us to relax, but rather to double down.
The Pontiac has demonstrated . . .
resilience, and this has resulted on some of the lowest infection rates in the province. Good on you!
There are however still things we all can do, or continue to do:
— Respect the curfew and during other periods of the day restrict your contacts with others to a minimum;
— Wear a mask; wash your hands often.
— Keep track of your symptoms, if they are possibly signs of COVID call the following number for advice 1-866-644-4545 DO NOT CONSULT AT YOUR OWN PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE IN PERSON. It is important that his/her office remain ‘green,’ and uncontaminated so that other patients don’t lose their access to safe care. This applies both to regularly scheduled visits as well as to after hours visits.
— If you have an emergency, go to the emergency department. They are equipped to care for you safely.
— When your turn comes get vaccinated. I understand vaccine hesitancy, but I trust the science. And so do we all in so many aspects of our lives. The more of us to get vaccinated, the quicker this will be over, and the fewer will suffer.
The full analysis of what worked and what didn’t, what could have been done and what was done, will come later. For now it seems that this little part of Quebec is beating the averages. Let’s keep it that way.
John Wootton, MD
President, Group de Médecine Familiale du Pontiac (GMF)
