Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 2:00 am
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Below is some good information and tips sent out by Sunlife on the Coronavirus and how to stay healthy. Please share it with your staff teams.
‘Coronavirus (COVID19): How to stay healthy and protect yourself’ and provides some great tips:
Is all the talk about coronavirus making you nervous? Are Canadians at risk? Here’s what you need to know about it.
For many, getting sick inevitably comes as the snow flies. But with so much talk about coronavirus going around, you may start to feel concerned.
True, the latest coronavirus – called COVID-19 – is more serious than the common flu. And, the amount of media coverage and attention around the disease can be worrying. So what can you do to stay calm, prepared and alert right now? Get a clear understanding of your risk level, practice some simple healthy habits and look to trusted sources for advice.
To start, here’s a quick breakdown of how COVID-19 started, its symptoms and risk to Canadians.
What is coronavirus?
According to the Government of Canada, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses. These viruses can cause various illnesses, ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.
In December 2019, there were a number of reported cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The cause was later confirmed as a new coronavirus called COVID-19. Health officials have reported thousands of infections with COVID-19 in China. It wasn’t long until other countries began reporting outbreaks as well.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
Some cornaviruses spread between animals and some between animals and people. Others can spread from people to people.
- runny nose,
- headache,
- coughing,
- sore throat,
- fever and/or
- a general feeling of being unwell
Are Canadians at risk of coronavirus?
COVID-19 has emerged in several other countries apart from China, including the U.S., Japan, Germany, Italy and Britain.
Canada has reported a few cases of COVID-19 as well. Does this mean coronavirus poses a threat to Canadians? No, for the time being. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says Canadians at home are currently at a low risk.
Are Canadians travelling abroad at risk?
The PHAC further added that Canadians travelling abroad are also at low risk, but their risk levels vary depending on their travel destination.
Are you planning on going overseas or heading south to the States? The Public Health Agency of Canada(PHAC) recommends looking at travel advisories on travel.gc.ca. You can search by the country you’re visiting to find the latest information on:
- possible health hazards and health restrictions,
- local safety and security conditions and which areas to avoid,
- entry and exit requirements and more.
How to protect yourself from coronavirus
With the COVID-19 situation changing everyday, you can stay calm, healthy and prepared with a few simple tips.
- Wash your hands regularly
Wash your hands every two to three hours, using proper hand-washing techniques. Use lots of soap and hot water, and be sure to rub vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Clean your surroundings
Whether you’re at home or work, try to maintain a clean living space. Use disinfecting wipes on tables, kitchen surfaces, desks, telephones and anything else you frequently touch.
- Keep away from common areas when you can
Avoid touching commonly shared surfaces such as washroom doorknobs, kitchen counters, or stair railings as much as possible.
- Don’t touch your face with unclean hands
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth whenever possible.
5. Practise self-care and eat healthy foods
Take care of yourself by getting lots of rest, staying hydrated, exercising regularly and making an effort to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. All of these activities boost your immune system and allow your body to better fight the germs that cause illness.
- Open windows (if you can)
If your home or office and the weather allow it, open your windows to get some fresh air circulating.
7. See a doctor or qualified health professional.
Do you feel concerned about any cold and flu symptoms you’re experiencing? Consult your doctor or a qualified health-care provider. The sooner you get treatment, the faster you’ll recover.
8. Stay at home if you get sick
Ask your employer if they have any clear policies and procedures in place for global health events like COVID-19. Some employers may insist that you stay at home or work from home if you’re feeling sick or experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. Other employers and companies recommend self-isolation for a certain amount of time if you:
- have recently travelled to a country with a coronavirus outbreak or
- have been in contact with someone who’s travelled to a country with a coronavirus outbreak.
- Consult your HR department for more info
- Don’t panic and get accurate information.
Hearing about the spread of coronavirus in the news can feel daunting. But try not to panic. Think of it in the same you would a bad weather situation. In case it happens, you want to be prepared and alert. This means looking to trusted sources for advice on what to do if an outbreak happens in your community.
We recommend visiting the following sites for the latest updates on COVID-19:
- World Health Organization
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Government of Canada
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public from the World Health Organization
We’ll continue to provide further updates as we have them. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hr@spectrumsociety.org
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Some Important Health & Safety Standard Precautions to pay attention to during cold and flu season:
Some other important tips to consider in an attempt to reduce the spread of germs:
Disinfect the following areas frequently or after each use:
Frequently used surfaces
Kitchen and bathroom faucets
Light switches
Door and cabinet handles
Floors
Sinks
Toilet and Bathroom surfaces
Wash hands thoroughly once these tasks are completed.
It’s important to wear gloves when cleaning an area that may be contaminated and/or for when in potential contact with any blood, bodily fluids/droplets or waste.
A mask can also be worn if in contact with someone that might be ill and/or where blood, body fluids or feces could likely splash on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth.
Universal Precautions are essential to protect ourselves from germs, illness and disease.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Human Resources at hr@spectrumsociety.org
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Link to Sun Life Bulletin: Sun Life
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Have you referred a New Hire to Spectrum?
Referrals are one of the best ways to recruit! We appreciate all of them, so please keep sending them our way!
If you refer someone you know to Spectrum and they are hired and stay with us for 9 months, we’ll provide you with a $50 bonus as a thank you for sending us great people!!
Please make sure you let the person you’re referring know to mention you when they apply and come in for their interview. It’s also a good idea to email personnel@spectrumsociety.org and give Human Resources a heads up.
Thank you!
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Dear Municipal plan member,
Wondering how being a member of the plan, returning from parental leave, getting a separation or divorce, changing jobs, or choosing a pension option could affect your future pension? Are you nearing retirement and curious how planning now can make your transition to retirement easier? Find answers to your pension questions with free pension education!
New and potential members
Getting to Know Your Pension is 15 minutes of online learning that will introduce you to the value and benefits of plan membership
Members establishing their career or several years away from retirement
Making the Most of Your Pension can help you maximize your pension by understanding how the decisions you make throughout your career affect your pension when you retire
Take 45 minutes of online learning or attend the two-hour workshop
Members planning for or within five years of retirement
Approaching Retirement is a two–hour workshop designed to help you understand the important decisions you need to make about your pension
Workshops fill up quickly so register early to make sure you can attend the date of your choice. If a workshop is full, you can be placed on a waitlist or you may take a workshop at an alternative location.
For more information, and to take online learning or register for a workshop, visit mpp.pensionsbc.ca.
If you have taken online learning or attended a workshop, please encourage your colleagues to take pension education so they can benefit from learning more about their pension.
Whether you take online learning or attend a workshop, you’ll get the information you need to prepare for your future pension.
mpp.pensionsbc.ca Email: mppeducation@pensionsbc.ca
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Helps You with Personal and Professional Concerns – Employee Assistance Program EAP
If you are currently enrolled in our employee group benefits, you are eligible to receive support from the EAP.
Information on our new EAP is available at: https://www.workhealthlife.com/sunlife
or by phone at 1-855-544-7722
What can you get help with?
Parenting and Child Care
Education
Older Adults
Midlife & Retirement
Financial and Legal Issues
Work Issues
Health & Wellness
Emotional Well-Being
For more information and to access the program, please contact Human Resources at personnel@spectrumsociety.org