News | DrumhellerMail

Near brush with Coronavirus at bonspiel underlines importance of social distancing

A near brush with contacting the Coronavirus underlines the importance of social distancing as the pandemic continues to spread.
Drs. Rithesh and Veronique Ram were slated to attend an interprovincial bonspiel in Edmonton from March 11-14. The event was reported to attract 50-60 physicians from Western Canada. This was an annual event they normally partook in.
However, with COVID-19, the unimaginable has been happening, and when the WHO declared a global pandemic last Wednesday, March 11, they made the tough decision to back out of the curling bonspiel hours before it was to commence.
On Wednesday, March 18, one of the attendees from Saskatchewan tested positive for COVID-19, Dr. Ram’s emotions were in overdrive.
“Everybody is already so justifiably stressed and concerned about COVID-19. I made the decision last Wednesday to not go to the bonspiel,” said Dr. Rithesh Ram, who has been working with the Drumheller Emergency Management Agency. “Instead, I woke up the next morning and sent a message to our community leadership to meet urgently to discuss my concerns as a Physician with a Ph.D. in Epidemiology.”
The Town took Dr. Ram’s concerns seriously, as the Drumheller Emergency Management Agency was initiated within 24 hours of his initial meeting with leadership, and now Drumheller is well ahead of many other rural communities in Alberta.
“Initially, I was sad and wondering if I made the right decision for not going. Hearing that my friends and colleagues are now in isolation and awaiting results of COVID-19 testing made this crisis even more real. Everyone, and I mean everyone, needs to take this global pandemic crisis seriously. Social distancing, hand hygiene and all of the measures your Town of Drumheller, local businesses, and Public Health are taking are the only way to manage this disease. Doctors have no cure or treatment for this pandemic,” said Rithesh.
On Thursday, March 19 Alberta registered its first COVID-19 death in Edmonton.
“Unfortunately, there are individuals in town that believe COVID-19 is not serious enough to be caring, compassionate and careful. More people are going to die, and in my line of work, that is the single most important event to try and be caring, compassionate and careful for," he said.
Please check out https://floodreadiness.drumheller.ca/covid-19/2/ for all of the latest information on what is being done to keep you safe.

Town stepping up cleaning protocols

The Town is increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning in all of its facilities from Town Hall to Public Works.

At the BCF, staff & Contract Cleaners have been sanitizing the common areas several times a day, including comprehensive cleaning of all fitness equipment and accessories, sporting gear, washrooms, water fountains

Every chair is being steam cleaned, all tables are being cleaned

All electronic accessories have been sanitized and put into storage

Staff are separated and practising social distancing, and there are limited access points as a preventative measure

We would encourage all residents to constantly and thoroughly clean their homes and businesses and maintain social distancing particularly at work and we want to help.

Cleaning crews have been out helping businesses with their increased cleaning needs. In fact crews will be working with 24 businesses over the next couple of days to clean their premises.

Volunteer Income Tax program remains available for seniors and low income residents

fcss

The Town of Drumheller FCSS is pleased to announce that we will continue to offer the VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX PROGRAM with a few important changes:

This program will remain available for seniors and individuals with modest income and simple tax situations for the 2019 tax season.
Participants must still meet the specified income thresholds of $35,000 for single and $45,000 for couples

Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 crisis, in-person tax clinics are no longer available. However, you can pick up a tax envelope at Freson Brothers or Riverside Value Drug Mart containing the required Revenue Canada Form 183.

Instructions:

1. Collect your tax envelope from Freson Brothers or Riverside Value Drug Mart

2. Complete Part A including your name, current address and phone number

3. Sign and date Part G on Form 183 – We must have your current information plus a signature in order to file your taxes (other information will be added by the tax preparer).

4. Put this form along with all tax slips into a separate envelope for each individual.

5. Seal the envelope and deposit it into the book return slot at the Drumheller Public Library.

Our generous volunteer, Bill Wulff will complete your taxes and e-file them with Revenue Canada. A paper copy of your completed return will be mailed to you. You will be contacted by phone if we need any additional information. In order for Mr. Wulff to provide this vital service, please do not contact him directly. Call Seniors Services if you have any questions at 403-823-1317.

Note that the Tax deadline has been extended to June 1st due to COVID-19 but it is still wise to submit your taxes as soon as you are able.

Subcategories

Page 891 of 3519

More Articles ...

Subcategories