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Team News

The Spectrum office will be closed Thursday, September 30 in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

COVID-19 Updates – Sept 17, 2021 – Staying Safe and Healthy

Staying Safe and Healthy

Fourth Wave Numbers – Consider the impact of Vaccination

From the September 16th BC Government Update:

As of Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, 86.3% (3,998,779) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 78.8% (3,652,033) received their second dose.

In addition, 86.8% (3,755,686) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose and 79.7% (3,445,951) received their second dose.

B.C. is reporting 706 new cases of COVID-19, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 177,186 cases in the province.

There are 5,844 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 169,083 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 291 individuals are in hospital and 134 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

Past two weeks cases hospitalized (Sept. 1-14) – Total 390

  • Not vaccinated: 318 (81.5%)
  • Partially vaccinated: 19 (4.9%)
  • Fully vaccinated: 53 (13.6%)

Full press release here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021HLTH0058-001812

When you consider that 4 million people are vaccinated and make up only 18.5% of the people in hospital, and 81.5% of the people in hospital with COVID are unvaccinated, and this comes from a group of only 1 million people, it provides two conclusions:

  1. Vaccinations provide strong protection from serious covid illness and hospitalization.
  2. The Delta variant of Covid is far more infectious than the earlier versions of Covid.  Last fall, when 5 million people were unvaccinated, there were similar numbers of infections – 700 cases per day and 277 people in hospital on November 23rd, 2020.

 

If you have questions about whether vaccination is safe for you, please talk to your doctor.

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Join CLBC’s September 23 COVID-19 telephone update for
self advocates and families

 

Dear self advocates and families –

Please join Community Living BC (CLBC) next Thursday, September 23 for an opportunity to hear from Dr. Daniele Behn Smith, Deputy Provincial Health Officer, about the latest health and vaccine information and guidance on COVID-19. Participants will also hear an update from Ross Chilton, CEO of CLBC. The call will be hosted by CLBC Board Chair Michael J. Prince.

Many people have told us about the uncertainty and stress they feel going into the Fall season. You can read CLBC’s recent update about this here.

Self advocates and families are invited to submit COVID-19 health and vaccine questions in advance by noon on Tuesday, Sept 21 to CLBCInfo@gov.bc.ca with the subject line: SEPT 23 COVID CALL. This will allow us to answer as many questions as possible.

CALL DETAILS

When: Thursday, September 23, 2021
Time: 11:05 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)

How to call in:
Vancouver: 604-681-0260
Elsewhere: 1-877-353-9184
Participant code: 11453#

We look forward to having you join us! For the latest information from CLBC, please visit our web pages with COVID-19 information here.

COVID-19 Updates – September 10, 2021 – BC Vaccine Card

Vaccine card enhances confidence, increases safety at B.C. events

The BC Vaccine Card will allow vaccinated people to conveniently and securely show their proof of vaccination at higher-risk social and recreational events and settings when new COVID-19 vaccine requirement rules take effect on Sept. 13, 2021. This will help increase vaccinations, while protecting people in these settings, keeping businesses open and allowing events to take place.

Places your vaccine card is required for entry

At these places, you will be required to show your BC Vaccine Card and some government photo ID such as BC Driver’s License, BC ID, or Passport:

  • Indoor ticketed sporting events
  • Indoor concerts, theatre, dance and symphony events
  • Licensed restaurants and restaurants that offer table service (indoor and patio dining)
  • Pubs, bars and lounges (indoor and patio dining)
  • Nightclubs, casinos and movie theatres
  • Gyms, exercise facilities/studios and recreation facilities
  • Businesses offering indoor group exercise
  • Indoor adult group and team sports for people 19 years old or older
  • Indoor organized events with 50 or more people. For example: Wedding receptions, organized parties, conferences and workshops
  • Indoor organized group recreational classes and activities like pottery, art and choir
  • Post-secondary on-campus student housing

Note: Proof of vaccination is not required to vote in-person in the September 20 federal election or at advance polling places.

Examples of places that don’t require proof of vaccination

You don’t have to show proof of vaccination at places like:

  • Grocery stores, liquor stores and pharmacies
  • Unlicensed restaurants that don’t offer table service, like fast food, coffee shops and takeout
  • Salons, hairdressers, barbers
  • Hotels, resorts, cabins and campsites
    • Unless it is a setting or event covered by the PHO order. For example a licensed hotel restaurant, fitness centre, wedding reception or conference
  • Banks and credit unions
  • Retail and clothing stores
  • Food banks and shelters
  • Escape rooms, laser tag, indoor paint ball, arcades and bowling alleys (if they are unlicensed or don’t offer table service)
  • Post-secondary on-campus cafeterias
  • Worship services
  • Indoor youth recreational sport for people 19 years old or younger
  • Before and after school programs for K to 12 students
  • Student events and activities in K to 12 public and independent schools
  • Indoor organized events with less than 50 people, except adult sports

Get the BC Vaccine Card – Multiple Ways

  1. Online – https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html
  2. A friend or family member can get the card for you online – they will need:
    1. Name
    2. Personal Health Number
    3. Birth Date
    4. Date of first or second vaccination
  3. Phone: Call: 1-833-838-2323 | Translators are available
    1. 7am to 7pm – Seven days a week
    2. A copy of your vaccine card will be mailed to you.
  4. Telephone for the Deaf: Dial 711
  5. BC Service Centres:
    1. Sechelt: 5498 Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, B.C. : 9am to 4:30pm (Monday to Friday)

 

More information here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/vaccinecard.html

 

Need Assistance?

  1. If you provide the information required, we can print your BC Vaccine Card at the office.
  2. We have a laminator at the office if you would like to print and laminate your BC Vaccine Card.
  3. Laminating a copy of your BC ID to the back of BC Vaccine Card might save time.

 

Let us know if you have any questions.

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COVID-19 – Watari.ca

“We are Recruiting for new members of the HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee!

The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) is accepting applications for the 2022 HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee (HDUAC) until October 1, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

The purpose of the HDUAC is for HandyDART customers and their representatives to provide advice and guidance on HandyDART plans, programs and other initiatives, and to advise TransLink on matters to improve HandyDART service for customers. The HDUAC allows TransLink to hear directly from customers and stakeholders and ensure the service meets their needs.

HandyDART customers, or individuals who have direct experience working with them, are eligible to sit on the HDUAC. If you take a collaborative approach to improving the service, we encourage you to apply. Members serve for two-year terms, with the option to extend for a maximum term of four years. Members attend a minimum of four meetings per year, hosted by TransLink. Members are appointed by the TransLink Board.

Please note, that meetings are currently being held virtually, and this may continue for the foreseeable future.

For more information or to apply online, visit the Access Transit page or call 778-375-7665″.

Compass is coming to HandyDART on Oct. 1, 2021

Get ready to enjoy an improved transit experience with Compass Card, the reloadable farecard that works everywhere on transit in Metro Vancouver and soon on HandyDART starting Oct. 1, 2021.

Compass makes it easier to travel on transit with a tap of your card. Enjoy benefits such as AutoLoad for automatic balance top-ups and Balance Protection if your Compass Card is lost or stolen.

For more information and to get started:

  • Visit translink.ca/handydart for detailed instructions or sign up for a training session.
  • Call Compass Customer Service at 604.398.2042.
  • Visit the Compass Customer Service Centreon Beatty St. at Stadium-–Chinatown Station.*

*Elevator and escalator access to and from the SkyTrain platform level will be unavailable due to construction until Fall 2021. The Compass Customer Service Centre is still accessible from Beatty St. For more information, call Customer Information at 604.953.3333.

2021 Christmas Card Contest Poster:  ChristmasCardContestSubmit

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RISE Community Groups and Workshops

For info or to register:

  • Email info@cnh.bc.ca
  • Call Collingwood Neighbourhood House at 604-435-0323
  • Or ask a RISE Staff member

Spots are limited.  Registration required.

Please click these links below for further details:

Rise Groups

RISE Spring 2021 Workshops Info

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ᐈ Earthquakes stock cliparts, Royalty Free seismic images | download on Depositphotos®

It is a great time to review the contents of emergency medical and earthquake kits in your home. 

Are your water and food rations currently dated? Other items like glow sticks and batteries have expiry dates. It’s a good time to make sure everything is up to date.

Did you use some of the medical supplies during the year?  Now is a great time to order replacement items.  Please note that WCB First Aid Kits are required in all of the homes that are staffed.

Have there been changes in the number of people residing in your home?  Do you need more or less supplies?

Have any of the people you live with changed their diets over the past year? Do you need to change the dietary foods in their earthquake kits?

If you need help with restocking your emergency medical and earthquake supplies please feel free to contact Judy Smith at judy@spectrumsociety.org for assistance.

It is a good time to review all safety procedures in the home; making sure that exit routes are clear of debris, including accessing risk factors (for example, moving items on shelves that could fall and moving heavy items to bottom shelves instead of top shelves). Are all staff are familiar with where emergency care items are stored?  Please review the following information from our policy manual with the staff and individuals you support. Include staff to join on skype or zoom if you cannot meet in person so everyone is familiar with this process.

(https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/General%20Policies/34.0.EmergencyPreparedness.pdf)

When you have completed your Earthquake Drill please record this information on Sharevision.

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First Aid Work Stock Illustrations – 2,297 First Aid Work Stock Illustrations, Vectors & Clipart - Dreamstime

How to Register for First Aid:

We recommend obtaining and/or renewing your First Aid through St. John’s Ambulance with the Emergency First Aid Community Care course. If there is another course offered by a different provider, please contact Human Resources prior to enrolling to determine if it is equivalent and meets the basic requirements.

To obtain/renew through St John’s Ambulance, please call (604) 321-7242

If an employee does not have a valid first aid certificate upon hire, the fee to obtain or renew certification is the responsibility of the employee. Future renewal fees for active employees are covered by Spectrum.

  • If you are renewing your first aid, ask St. John Ambulance to invoice Spectrum Society
  • Let them know Spectrum Society will be paying for your course fee.

*St. John Ambulance may request authorization from Spectrum. Email hr@spectrumsociety.org with the date/location you want to complete the course and we will call them to confirm your registration.

First Aid is a requirement for employment as indicated in ‘Policy 4: Requirements for Employment. Below is a link to Spectrum’s First Aid policy:

https://sscl.sharevision.ca/public/PolicyDirectory/Personnel%20Policies/P04.0.Requirements.for.Employment.pdf

For employees renewing their first aid, please ensure St. John’s Ambulance (SJA) includes the CPR pocket mask with your first aid registration. If the CPR pocket mask is not included with your registration fee, SJA requires attendees pay for this on the day of course completion; you can save your receipt and submit it to Human Resources for reimbursement.  

Please email your certificate of course completion to hr@spectrumsociety.org to have your file updated.

Please let Judy know if you have any questions or issues registering, by emailing judy@spectrumsociety.org