Dr. Veronica McKinney provides the latest information on Covid 19 and other respiratory illnesses. The impacts on families from northern Saskatchewan, and the challenges faced by the hospitals and health providers with the resurgence of the Flu and the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Our immune systems are affected by covid infections, in addition to ‘long covid’ symptoms, leaving individuals vulnerable to other viruses and chronic ailments. She recommends that we can protect ourselves by vaccinating and being careful. The potential for multiple and repeated infections is realized with a reduced immune system and ‘herd immunity’ is not happening with covid.

The young children have been also infected by the RSV which inhibits the breathing and requires hospitalizations in severe cases. She clarifies that there is no vaccine for RSV. The increase of this infection is with the very young people. The issue of masks in school could slow down the spread of this virus.

Health service disruption in northern Saskatchewan is very real for clinics, hospitals and ambulance services. The shortage of staff and increase in infections are impacting our communities.

She emphasizes the use of masks, hygiene and good air ventilation. Practicing our traditional ways of caring for each other and keeping healthy with traditional foods and medicines. Healthy living strengthens our bodies and minds.

Communities working together amongst Federal and Provincial jurisdictions is proving that we can take care of each other by sharing information and building capacity for our youth. The work of the North West Incident Command Centre ( NWCICC ) has proven that northerners are capable of caring and cooperating with multiple agencies , communities and jurisdictions.

Education and knowledge are important to survive in todays world but balancing the indigenous ways of knowing with modern living is a golden opportunity for our youth to build careers in caring for people.