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COVID-19 Q&A: Part 8
“If I have cold or flu-like symptoms, could it be COVID-19?” COVID-19 comes with a long list of symptoms – many of which can mimic that of the common cold or flu, such as fever, nasal congestion or runny nose. While it’s very possible you could just have a simple common cold or the flu, it’s also possible that it could be COVID-19 – which is why it’s important to not only get tested if you’re exhibiting any symptoms, but also stay home if you are feeling sick – no matter how mild your symptoms are. Staying home when you’re sick will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. “If the…
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Halloween and COVID-19
Any other year, Halloween would be a time for parties, paying visits to haunted houses, and going trick-or-treating with your friends. However, with Halloween just a few weeks away and COVID-19 still in our midst, many people are wondering exactly how they’re going to be able to safely go about navigating it without putting their health – or the health of others – at risk – and below you will find some helpful guidelines set out by the CDC. Halloween Parties First and foremost, you should skip attending a large Halloween party if you’re invited to one. Big indoor gatherings such as these are not recommended (and are actually prohibited…
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COVID-19: What We Know Now
At the outset of the COVID-19 outbreak, very little was known about the virus. What was known, however, was that it was a form of coronavirus (the same virus that causes the common cold, for example), which is a respiratory pathogen – and that it was much more serious and also had the potential to be fatal. As it began to rapidly spread on a global scale, countries had to make quick decisions on how they were going to address it head on and what their response would be, with some even having to implement strict lockdown measures in areas where infection rates were at their highest. Things that were…
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What Are Antibodies?
When bacteria, viruses and other types of microbes invade your body and try to make you sick, your immune system kicks into gear and fights hard to protect you. One of the ways in which your immune system does this is through the production of antibodies, which are stored in your immunoglobulin protein and are produced when they react with things such as protein antigens, including infectious organisms, toxins, and even pollen. Produced antibodies will then locate and attack these antigens. Types of Antibodies There are four different types of antibodies to make note of, each of which come with their own set of roles and responsibilities. These include: •…
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Reducing Back-to-School Anxiety
For some kids and teenagers, returning to school can also come along with a lot of stress and anxiety. In many cases, that back-to-school anxiety is often associated with things such as being away from parents or other family members (especially for younger children who are starting full-time school for the first time), or having to go to a brand new school (for example, transitioning from elementary school to high school, or moving to a new neighbourhood and having to go to a new school as a result.) There are also cases where children may be bullied in school in the past and might have fears about returning. In addition…
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COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Whether you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, it’s important that you isolate and avoid going out in public. That means no going to work, school, or shopping if you’re sick. If you do happen to have a confirmed case of COVID-19, part of the job of our public health officials is to immediately notify anyone you may have encountered during the time in which you were infectious. This means any stores or restaurants you went to, you co-workers, and any friends you might have spent time with, as all of these people will need to isolate and monitor themselves for any potential symptoms of COVID-19 no matter…
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Canada’s COVID-19 Stats To-Date
Part of Canada’s way of keeping individuals informed and up to date on all the latest COVID-19 news and case numbers in their respective regions is by having Province-wide updates on a daily (or near-daily) basis. Typically, these updates will come from health officers in each Province (for example, here in British Columbia, updates come from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, alongside Health Minister Adrian Dix); while they also come from a Federal level, too, with updates from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Together, these Provincial and Federal governments provide Canadians with as much pertinent information as possible related…
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Fall, Flu, and COVID-19
With the start of the fall season, that also means flu season. What’s not entirely certain is exactly how the current COVID-19 pandemic will impact this year’s flu season. What is certain, however, is that both will undoubtedly coincide for several months, and therefore we need to do as much as we can to best prepare for both an outbreak of influenza as well as a worsening – or a second wave – of COVID-19 in our province as well as other parts of Canada and the world. As we’ve recently seen a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases here in British Columbia – this after a somewhat more…
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New COVID-19 Enforcement Measures in B.C.
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,…
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British Columbia’s COVID-19 Back to School Plan
Normally, the beginning of a new school year would be one of the most exciting times for our kids. For younger children, it may be their very first time starting full-time schooling; while others may be moving on from elementary school into high school, or are recent high school graduates now attending College or University, as well as all of the different extracurricular activities that come along with that – such as sports and other after school programs, and making new friends. In these COVID times, however, the beginning of the new school year will also understandable come with much anxiety for both children and parents, as well as educators.…