Let’s all help each other out

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/04/2020 (2202 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

We know Elmwood residents are doing their best to follow the important health directives and physically isolating themselves.

This is just one front in a battle that has many moving parts. But there are things we can all do, and Manitobans know that by working together we can get through this pandemic.

Many of you are continuing to go to work. The community understands and appreciates the importance of you being there; whether you are working at the grocery store, staffing the gas station, or driving goods to market, just to name a few examples of essential services. For those who are able to stay home at this time, it is imperative that we do just that, so that we are keeping those who cannot stay home safe.  

We are especially grateful to health care professionals at the front line and all their support staff. They are bearing the brunt of the virus along with older Manitobans who are at greater risk. Our homecare workers are also playing a big part in this fight by ensuring those who need care are getting it.

The province, like the federal government, has a leadership role in this crisis. We have had ample time to prepare, and are able to learn from the successes and failures of other jurisdictions. Our doctors and nurses, other hospital staff and homecare workers, need all the proper personal protective equipment to do their jobs safely. In the days ahead, we will be pressing the province to provide as much information as it can regarding testing and ensuring our health care system can manage.

It’s obvious more needs to be done, and the amount of testing needs to increase. It is important that the province increases testing capacity and considers a multitude of methods to do so, such as the 15-minute COVID-19 tests currently being used in Detroit hospitals. 

Many Manitobans are being directed to stay home, and many need a variety of costs covered or deferred. From the income losses of daycares to people who have been laid off but still have bills to pay — there are gaps in assistance that must be met.

We are just entering the long and difficult phase of this pandemic, and it’s more important than ever to reach out over the phone or online to our families, friends, and neighbours to make sure they are managing. If you have any questions please contact me at Jim.Maloway@Yourmanitoba.ca or call my office at 204-415-1122.

Jim Maloway
Elmwood MLA constituency report

Jim Maloway is the NDP MLA for Elmwood.

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