COVID-19 is something that has affected all of us in different ways. We’ve essentially had to learn new ways of living – from how we socialize with one another (such as keeping our social circles small, or only communicating virtually via things like Facetime, text message and e-mail) to our employment (moving from in-office to remote work – which is crucial for individuals with underlying health conditions, as these can put you at greater risk of developing COVID-19) – and it hasn’t been easy.

Fortunately, many British Columbians have heeded the guidelines recommended by our health officials and stricter orders did not need to be put in place. Unfortunately, however, we’ve recently seen a spike in new COVID-19 case numbers over the last few weeks – many of which have been linked to large, indoor gatherings. Which is why today, the Province announced new enforcement measure against those who do not follow the rules.

Effective immediately, the following measures are enacted under the Provincial State of Emergency and the EPA (Emergency Program Act):

• $2,000 fines to any owners, operators and organizers who contravene the orders of the Provincial Health Officer on gatherings and events; including hosting private parties or public events that are in excess of 50 people, failing to provide adequate hygiene facilities for hand washing/sanitization, failing to provide sufficient space for physical distancing, as well as failing to obtain a list of contacts of those in attendance at events of greater than 5 guests in a vacation accommodation.

• $200 violation tickets issued by police and Provincial enforcement officers for individuals who actively encourage others to attend large gatherings or events that do not comply with the public health requirements, as well as anyone who refuses to disperse from these events when ordered to do so by enforcement officers.

• $200 violation tickets issued for individuals who refuse to comply with requests to follow orders of the Public Health Officer, as well as failure of safe operation procedures as licensed establishments such as restaurants and bars.

• $200 violation tickets issued to employers who respond to their employees with abusive or bullying behaviour.

Furthermore, if these violation tickets do not act as enough of a deterrent for the aforementioned behaviour to cease, or in the event of repeat offenders, penalties of up to $10,000 can be levied. In addition, police will also be able to recommend charges in relation to any offence.

While this has been a difficult time for everyone, and while COVID-19 is something we are all growing weary of, we all need to continue to do our part – not just to protect ourselves, but to protect our friends, family members, employees, and others within our communities.

• If you witness or attend a large event that goes against the orders of British Columbia’s PHO, or witness unsafe operating procedures at a restaurant, bar or other licensed establishment, you are encouraged to contact your local bylaws office: https://bit.ly/34pwFbi.
• If you are unable to reach your local bylaw office, you can also contact the non-emergency line of your local police to report large events that go against the orders of B.C.’s PHO. You can find a full list of non-emergency numbers at: https://bit.ly/2QdnItj.
• If you are an employee experiencing bullying from your employer/coworkers, or there are inadequate safety measures in the workplace, you are encouraged to contact WorkSafe BC.
• If you are facing COVID-19 related discrimination from your employer (such as failing to abide by a doctor’s note or after requesting specific accommodation from your employer), this is prohibited under Section 13 of the B.C. Human Rights Code and you are encouraged to contact the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal: http://bchrt.bc.ca.

For more information on these newly announced enforcement  measures, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0046-001568

There are many things that we know about COVID-19. For example, how it can be spread from person to person and just how easy that transmission can be. We also know what some of the most common symptoms associated with the virus are – for example, it often mimics mild cold or flu-like symptoms (such as runny nose, fever and cough) while one can also experience much more severe symptoms. We also know that the best way to prevent ourselves from getting the virus is to practice the following measures: Social distancing, wearing a mask when that distance cannot be kept, and regular/frequent hygiene (i.e. washing our hands.)

How COVID-19 affects every individual is different – meaning the symptoms that one person may experience could significantly differ from the symptoms that you, yourself might experience. It’s also possible to be infected with COVID-19 and not even know it. When this is the case, this is known as being asymptomatic. That being said, even if you are asymptomatic you can still transfer the virus to others, which is why it’s important that we all take the precautionary measures as mentioned previously. Your age in addition to having any underlying medical conditions can also play a role into how severely the virus impacts you. In many cases, COVID-19’s infection rate has been highest in the elderly – while many of the reported deaths here in British Columbia have been linked to outbreaks at long-term care facilities. However, young people are not immune to COVID-19 either, and we’re now seeing an increase of individuals in their 20s and 30s being diagnosed with this virus.

Per Dr. Bonnie Henry, the way the virus impacts someone could also be dependent on their own immune system and genetic makeup. In some individuals, the illness will be severe (with some even requiring hospitalization) while others may experience a milder form of illness.

Even if the virus has cleared from your system, some individuals have reported lingering, long-term effects. For example, some people have reported that they’ve been unable to regain their strength back to what it was before contracting the virus and have even reported that they’ve had difficulty sitting up or moving around for extended periods of time, that they experience headaches, and even hair loss. In individuals with COVID-19 who’ve developed pneumonia, some have said that they continue to have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. While some younger children and teenagers with the virus have contracted a post-viral syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease, causing inflammation of the blood vessels, in addition to other symptoms such as lethargy, pink eye, rash, swollen hands and/or feet, lips that appear red, swollen or cracked, as well as abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Some individuals have also reported experiencing neurological impacts as a result of the virus, such as decreased cognition, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, delirium, and brain fog – all of which point to potential encephalopathy – the term used to describe damage to the brain, which occurs when it has been affected by an infection or toxins in the blood.

If you have, or think you have COVID-19, it’s important to stay home when you’re sick. It’s also important that you closely monitor your symptoms. If you start to develop any emergency signs, such as trouble breathing, you should seek medical care right away by calling 911. If your symptoms are mild, you should take care of yourself by getting as much rest as possible and keep yourself hydrated by drinking water, and take over-the-counter medication, such as acetaminophen, to help reduce some of the symptoms you might be experiencing, such as low-grade fever or body aches and pains.

Millions of people, worldwide, suffer from mental illness. Among the most commonly diagnosed conditions affecting mental health are anxiety and depression, which include symptoms such as panic attacks, feelings of hopelessness, restlessness, lack of energy, anger or irritability, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, social withdrawal, thoughts of suicide, and even things like headaches, stomach aches, and other general aches and pains that are otherwise unexplained. Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can be triggered (or worsened) by life-altering events, such as a traumatic experience, financial problems, and illness – including COVID-19. The uncertainty surrounding the virus combined with increased social withdrawal and potential financial implications (due to job loss, for example) may make it increasingly difficult for those who are already struggling with mental illness to cope with the pandemic, while others may experience a new decline in their mental wellbeing.

Physical distancing, in particular, can also be very problematic for some. Teenagers, for example, are used to partaking in social gatherings and other activities. A lack of social connection, however, can lead to increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, and overall unhappiness. That being said, it’s important for all of us to stay as socially connected with others as possible and finding different ways to keep those lines of communication with others open so that we don’t feel entirely cut off from others. For younger children who may not be old enough to understand the impact of COVID-19 and the precautions we need to take to keep one another safe, it’s important to explain to them that this is only temporary, while answering any questions they may have as openly and honest as possible.

As more people spend time socially isolating with their partners (i.e. a husband/wife), studies have also shown there to be a rise in cases of domestic abuse, which can range from physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, or sexual abuse. According to a Statistics Canada survey conducted in April, 1 in 10 women said they were very or extremely concerned about potential domestic violence in their home during COVID-19 due to being confined, while 4 in 10 Canadians reported they were very or extremely concerned about potential civil disorder. If you’re someone who feels they are in danger or is experiencing domestic abuse in the home, it’s important that you develop a safety plan, including where you could go in the event of an emergency, as well as different ways to deal with your emotions. You can find information on how to come up with a safety plan by visiting www.sheltersafe.ca. On this website you will also be able to find a list of various resources, including Canada-wide, 24-hour domestic violence phone lines.

While it’s normal to experience feelings of anxiousness and stress due to the uncertainty that surrounds COVID-19, the most important thing is that we all find healthy and positive ways to cope while continuing to take all precautions necessary to ensure that we are keeping ourselves and those around us as safe as possible – like washing our hands regularly, keeping at least 2 metres apart from others when in public/at the workplace (or wearing a face covering when that’s not possible), and so forth. It can also be a good ideal to find other ways to distract yourself. For example, by unplugging for social media and turning off the news. While it’s important to stay up-to-date, that constant stream of discussion surrounding COVID-19 can be overwhelming. Instead, limit your use of social media and tv-time while finding other activities to refocus your attention on, such as going for a walk in your neighbourhood or reading a book.

When COVID-19 was first on our radar, only those who had become severely ill or individuals who were close contacts of those already diagnosed with the virus (such as family members or healthcare workers) were being tested for it – and while protocols for testing for the virus vary from province to province, state to state, and country to country, health officials right here in British Columbia are now recommending that anyone who is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 (such as a high fever and/or a dry cough), in addition to those experiencing even the mildest flu or cold-like symptoms (such as a sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches and fatigue), all be tested for the virus. The thought behind British Columbia expanding testing for COVID-19 is to further prevent community spread – as when new cases of COVID-19 are found within a community, more can be done to contain and prevent the spread of those outbreaks. However, it’s important to note that while everyone can now be tested for the virus, that doesn’t mean that everyone needs to be tested – meaning if you are in good health and not experiencing any signs or symptoms of illness, you would not benefit from having a test done. Furthermore, if someone were to be tested who is in the very early stages of infection (i.e. not yet exhibiting symptoms), there’s also a strong likelihood (as high as 30%) that the test would come back as a false-negative.

As for how you go about getting tested, there are a few different ways of doing so. Firstly, if you think you might have COVID-19, or if you’re experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, then you need to speak with your healthcare provider. However, to prevent potential spread, you should not go directly to their office. Instead, you should call them by telephone and explain the symptoms that you are experiencing to their reception/staff. From there, they will determine the next steps you need to take and you will even likely be able to speak to a physician via telephone (as most medical clinics are now offering tele-health appointments.) In cases where you have an extremely high fever and difficulty breathing, you should always call 911. Once you have been assessed over the telephone, you will likely need to do one of the following: Rest and self-isolate for up to 10 days while keeping a close eye on your symptoms – or, be tested for COVID-19.

If your doctor has recommended that you be tested for COVID-19, they will either be able to book an appointment for you at your nearest testing centre. (You can also use the self-assessment tool to help determine whether or not you’re a candidate for testing. This self-assessment tool can be found via http://bc.thrive.health. You can also access the self-assessment tool by downloading the BC COVID-19 app on your smartphone via the Apple or Google Play stores. This can be a particularly useful tool if you don’t have a family physician or are unable to connect with one – or even for peace of mind if you’re unsure about your symptoms.)

When you arrive for your test, you will first be assessed by a nurse who will take note of your symptoms as well as ensure your information (such as name, age and birth date) are all correct. Following this, the test will then be administered. The test, which is typically painless (though can be slightly uncomfortable) is done by inserting a thin, q-tip-like swab (similar to a swab that is used to check for strep throat, for example) through the nostril and into the nose cavity where it is then held for approximately 10 to 15 seconds. During this time, the swab is also rotated clockwise and counter-clockwise several times before finally being removed and inserted into a small container, which is then sent off to a lab for further testing. In many cases, your test results will be available 24 hours after the test (sometimes less than that), though the results can also potentially take up to 2 or 3 days, depending on whether or not there is a backlog of tests.

If your test comes back positive, you will need to isolate for up to 14 days or until your symptoms have fully resolved, while also continuing to monitor your symptoms to ensure that they aren’t worsening, and ensure you keep yourself isolate to one room if you live with others (so as to prevent the virus from spreading.) If your test comes back negative, you should also continue to self-isolate until your symptoms have resolved. If you were recently exposed to someone with a case of COVID-19 but your test was also negative, you should self-isolate for 14 days from your last contact with the infected individuals – and, as always, if your symptoms worsen, call 811, your healthcare provider, or 911.