Thanksgiving weekend…

Thanksgiving weekend is here! Holidays look different this year as we move into our “new normal” keeping our “bubbles” small, and staying safe and healthy at least 2m apart.

The CDC website has suggestions for safer celebration alternatives for Dia De Los Muertos, Halloween and Thanksgiving. Here are suggestions for lower risk activities over Thanksgiving:

  • Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household
  • Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others
  • Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family
  • Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday
  • Watching sports events, parades, and movies from home

And here’s an example of how you can get creative! Have a Thanksgiving “dinner” online via videoconference, where everyone eats a turkey meal that the “host” prepares the day before and drops off at “guests’” homes that morning.

Stay healthy and safe this long weekend, as we all connect with loved ones.

ONLINE Training: LINK! Safety, Relationships, Sexuality

Hey everyone, there is a great opportunity coming up for sexual health training! PosAbilities is offering their LINK! Safety, Relationships, Sexuality course for adults with disabilities in the Creston and surrounding Kootenay region starting on October 20. These ZOOM sessions offer individualized training on hygiene, sexuality, relationships and ways to stay safe. Check out this PDF for more info and pass it along if you know someone who would be interested. You can also register online here.

Have Your Say In…Transportation!

Over two years in the making, the draft plan for transit in the Central Okanagan is published – have your say! The draft was prepared by The Sustainable Transportation Partnership of the Central Okanagan (STPCO), a group of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland and Westbank First Nation officials.

Give feedback and engage in how you want your transportation needs met in your community here!

The West Kootenays are also planning for the future of transit – check out their plan’s webpage!

You can also give feedback about West Kootenay and Kelowna Regional Transit services online.

CLBC Teleconference Tomorrow

Hey everyone, you can join CLBC’s teleconference COVID-19 update for service providers and home sharing providers tomorrow (Sep. 29) from 2:05 – 3 p.m. Speakers will include:

  • Dr. Daniele Behn Smith, Deputy Provincial Health Officer
  • Ross Chilton, CEO, Community Living BC
  • Brenda Gillette, CEO BC CEO Network

Use participant code 37568# when you call in to 1-877-353-9184. Consider calling early, you can dial in as early as 1:45 p.m.

New Mental Health Supports…

Local news reports from Castanet.net in Kelowna announced six new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in BC to help BC residents with severe mental health challenges access community-based support.

One of the new mobile teams will be based in Kelowna delivering 24/7 flexible, individualized community living, psychosocial, and recovery supports for adults with serious, complex, and persistent mental health challenges that make it difficult to manage day-to-day activities.

We will continue to post new information as it becomes available.

Your social distancing reminder of the week…

 

We all work hard to keep ourselves and others safe, by staying at least 2m apart when possible. When it’s not possible to be 2m apart, we can choose to wear a mask or face covering – check out some more information here!

KOOTENAYS: Masks required for RDCK facilities

Starting September 14th, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) will require you to wear non-medical masks or face coverings in recreation facilities. There are some exceptions to this requirement – masks are not required when:

  • Exercising or performing physical activity
  • A medical professional has said that wearing a mask may pose a health risk to or impair an individual
  • Wearing a mask would create a health or safety risk to the wearer as determined by federal, provincial or local regulators or Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines
  • An individual is physically unable to put on or take off the mask without assistance
  • An individual has trouble breathing or cannot remove the mask without help
  • An individual is deaf or hard of hearing and relies on facial and mouth movements to receive communication
  • An individual is a baby or toddler under two years of age

Check out their webpage with more information on safe re-opening plans, and COVID-19 updates.

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