Trail Talking

COVID-19 is here. You’re not alone. We’re in this together.

If you’re in the position to help those who are vulnerable right now – do it. If you need help – ask. Our government just announced its new initiative, Help Next Door MB. This is an online platform where people who need help, and people who are willing to help, can connect with each other. This is Manitobans doing what Manitobans do best. I know if we work together, we’ll come out of this stronger than before. Visit HelpNextDoorMB.ca to learn more.

Manitobans are resilient, and so is Manitoba. I want to reassure residents of the Dawson Trail riding-and all Manitobans-that our team of MLAs is dedicated to protecting your health and safety. It’s the top priority.

We’ve introduced the COVID-19 Emergency Supplement to Budget 2020. For the past four years, we’ve taken measures to ensure our province in a strong and resilient position to respond to a crisis like COVID-19.

For example, our Rainy Day Fund re-investment grows our emergency response reserves to $872 million. With our healthy, diverse economy, Manitoba continues to have one of the most stable and resilient economic bases in the country. This puts Manitoba in a durable position to respond to this, and future emergencies effectively.

In times like these we want to make sure we’re spreading the facts, not the virus. It’s important you’re getting information from official sources. The single and most up-to-date source of information on everything related to COVID-19 in Manitoba and beyond can be found at manitoba.ca.

Additionally, Shared Health’s free online self-assessment tool for COVID-19 is now available. If you or someone you know is experiencing concerning symptoms, this online resource can help determine what steps to take: sharedhealthmb.ca.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded Health Links-Info Santé has tripled the capacity of their phone lines to handle incoming calls. Wait times have decreased significantly as the days move forward. If you’re at all questioning if you should call – do it. They will assess you and determine if you should get tested for the virus at one of the many testing sites in Manitoba. Contact Health Links-Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free) if you’re experiencing symptoms.

To help prevent further spread of the virus, our government has identified the 3P’s – protect yourself, protect your loved ones and protect our communities. That’s how we can all help defeat COVID-19. For more on the 3P’s, visit covid19manitoba.ca.

Staying two meters away from another person for more than 10 minutes, avoiding large gatherings of people, declining to shake hands, staying home as much as you can, avoiding non-essential travel and self-isolating upon return if you have traveled are the most effective ways you and I can act on the 3P’s. This is called social distancing.

I know Dawson Trail, I know Manitobans. I know we will work together to come out of this stronger than before.