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Premier’s statement on racism in B.C. during COVID-19

Posted on May 18, 2020

Premier John Horgan has released the following statement about racist activity in British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic:

“Everyone has a right to live without fear of violence or discrimination. Yet we are hearing disturbing stories of a rise in anti-Asian racist behaviour since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People are being targeted as they go about their daily lives. It is unacceptable. I have said it before: hate has no place in our province and it will not be tolerated. Our strength is in our diversity and we reject all forms of racism, discrimination, intolerance and bigotry.

“Racism is also a virus. Through challenging times, British Columbians must stay united. We are always stronger and more resilient as a province when we treat each other with kindness, generosity and respect. To do so, we must all stand together to call out racism and discrimination when we see it.”

COVID-19 is a fast track to ‘health in all policies.’

Posted on

We’re Moving towards a Healthier, More Equitable Society. Don’t Let Progress Stop

Heartbreaking stories have emerged from their regular invisibility during the pandemic — hungry children, isolated elders, violence and child abuse, often with poverty or trauma at the root. Injustices experienced by many people in Canada predated the pandemic, and it hurts to witness it.

Meanwhile, equitable societies are better for everyone in them. In January, an article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal called for immediate action on injustices through a “health in all policies” action plan. Suddenly, we’re seeing it unfold. We mustn’t forget this as the lure of austerity policies and economic recovery post-COVID 19 forces these injustices back under a cloak of “normalcy.”

Read the full article from The Tyee here:

https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2020/05/12/Call-To-Fight-Inequality-After-Pandemic/

Planning for Food Security—A Toolkit for the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on May 15, 2020

First Nations Health Authority has released its’ Planning for Food Security—A Toolkit for the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Since time immemorial, First Nations people in BC have had intimate and long-standing relationships with the land, forests, oceans and waters, creating vibrant and sustainable food systems. All aspects of life supported a sustainable and safe food system that relied upon hunting, fishing, gathering, preserving, storing, distributing, trading and more.

Stories shared and Indigenous methods of research show that individuals, families and communities did not worry about long-term food security and were prepared in the event of short-term food shortages. Colonialism, the Indian Act, reserve systems and ongoing colonial policies have had devastating impacts on Indigenous food systems in BC and across Canada. Other pressures such as industrialization, population levels and environmental impacts mean that today’s food system is very different than it was for our ancestors.

During a global pandemic such as the one we are currently experiencing, food systems can be disrupted and lead to additional food security challenges for communities. There is an opportunity, however, to take more control over the community-level food system. With this toolkit, your community can make short-, medium- and long-term plans for food security using a food systems approach. This toolkit includes ideas, templates, tools and information to support your planning.”

View the entire Toolkit HERE.

BC Centre for Disease Control COVID-19 Survey

Posted on May 13, 2020

B.C. has flattened the curve and we are  preparing to carefully re-start services, the economy and our lives. Your input is important as we develop our action plans.

Tell us about your experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Public health and government leaders have made significant decisions impacting every aspect of our lives in recent weeks.  We want to hear from you as we plan to ease restrictions while keeping our citizens safe, especially those most vulnerable.

 

BC COVID-19 SPEAK: Your story, our future is a population health survey to elicit citizen experience, knowledge and actions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is the first of several activities that will strengthen our pandemic response and our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 to date (social, economic, mental wellness and community wellness).

Access the survey HERE:

National Nursing Week 2020

Posted on May 11, 2020

PHABC celebrates nurses for helping to keep everyone safe in these difficult times.

National Nursing Week 2020 is May 11-17. It always occurs from the Monday to the Sunday of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, May 12. The theme this year is Nurses: A Voice to Lead — Nursing the World to Health. The theme was developed by the International Council of Nurses (ICN) to showcase how nurses are central to addressing a wide range of health challenges. ICN says the theme will help raise the profile of the profession and attract a new generation into the nursing family.

 

See more at: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/news-room/events/national-nursing-week#sthash.dIDbz7zc.dpuf