PUBLIC HEALTH AND COVID-19

PHABC’S Online COVID-19 Citizen Engagement & Resource Platform

Go To: PlaceSpeak.com/PHABCCovid19

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic and on March 19, 2020 the BC Government announced a provincial state of emergency in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the province. With a large network of public health professionals, researchers and community partners the Public Health Association of BC is committed to sharing evidence based public health information.

In the spirit of good corporate citizenship and as a leader in ensuring public voice for healthy public policy – PlaceSpeak an online engagement platform, has offered its full support to address the COVID 19 outbreak.  Both organizations have partnered to develop an online citizen engagement platform, “Public Health and COVID-19.”

With respect to the need for this collaboration the President of PlaceSpeak Gordon Hardwick stated.  “PlaceSpeak is a “made in BC” solution designed to connect and engage people online, on matters related to where they live. As people and families self isolate during this pandemic, local issues matter more than ever. PlaceSpeak is pleased to partner with PHABC during this major health event.”

As a leader in public health knowledge mobilization PHABC is a strategic partner in ensuring BC citizens have the information they need to manage this crisis as well as the resources to bolster their mental and physical health throughout the pandemic.  Executive Director, Shannon Turner shared this vision for the platform; “Understanding the scope and scale of the outbreak and what we all can do to manage it, is a shared responsibility.  PlaceSpeak and PHABC can help communities, organizations and individuals take the right steps, get the right answers to their questions and work collectively to take good care of ourselves and each other. Everything from how to plant a home garden to best practices for parenting will be available on the platform.” 

PlaceSpeak provides a secure digital community platform where citizens of BC can share issues and questions related to COVID 19 and connect with helpful resources in their communities while practicing social distancing and self-isolation. This all-encompassing website will include polls, surveys, discussion questions, information about online events, the latest news, and evidence-based resources on the pandemic. This site will gather local, provincial, national and international information designed to support BC citizens and communities as they grapple with COVID -19.

The site will include the latest news feed from our Provincial Medical Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and our Minister of Health, the Honorable Minister Adrian Dix, information on how to handle mental health during the pandemic from the Honorable Minister Judy Darcy’s Ministry of Mental Health & Addictions, as well as World Health Organization updates, outbreak data, social media content and supports for parents and tips for managing a long at home stay. Public health professionals will ensure curated content and rapid feedback to BC citizens.

To access the community: PlaceSpeak.com/PHABCCovid19