A new volunteer program has been introduced in Crossfield to help residents who are in self-isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Crossfield COVID-19 Vulnerable Citizen Support Program is an outreach program offered by the municipality in which volunteers sign up to run deliveries for residents who are required to stay at home for 10 or 14 days – the mandated isolation lengths those who are feeling unwell, recently returned from international travel or who were in direct contact with someone who tested positive for the virus.
“With the reality of many people being confined to home either by choice or mandate, the ability to access basic necessities has become restricted,” said the Town’s recreation and events co-ordinator Eris Latham, in an email to the Rocky View Weekly. “The idea of the program is to make sure that our residents are well supported and supplied and don’t face hardships with regard to acquiring basic-need items.”
As of March 26, she said, 15 Crossfielders have stepped forward, offering to help in any way they can. Because not all volunteers have a Vulnerable Sector Check, she said, eight of the volunteers will deliver groceries and medicine to local residents who don’t want – or are not allowed – to go to the stores.
While there has been plenty of interest from Crossfielders in becoming a volunteer, according to Latham, only one household has signed up to receive deliveries, as of press time.
“Because we are in the early stages of isolation and quarantine, and many people were able to stock up on goods before these strict recommendations came down, we have only had to supply one family who returned from being out of the country,” she said. “We suspect as time goes on and more people are affected, we will see an increase in demand for the program.”
As of 11 a.m. March 26, the Crossfield jurisdiction, which includes Irricana and Beiseker, has recorded one confirmed case of COVID-19.
“This virus is a runaway train that we have the ability to slow down,” Latham said. “We are desperately asking our residents to be diligent with recommendations coming down from the province. This means being thorough with hand washing, containing sneezing or coughing to your elbow or a tissue, and keeping your movements within the community to an absolute minimum.
“We know that quick trips seem harmless, but it takes only one door knob or debit machine button to infect countless people, [for] some of [whom] the virus could pose a major risk.”
Stores participating in the new program include Crossfield’s grocer, Carmen’s Bigway, as well as Rocky View Pharmacy. Latham said the co-operation of the two businesses has been crucial in getting the program up and running.
“Their staff have been working tirelessly to make sure that shelves are stocked with available supplies to provide the community with the essentials, as well as non-essentials that make staying home more bearable,” she said.
The Town of Crossfield declared a State of Local Emergency (SOLE) March 24, which provides the municipality with access to additional measures under the Emergency Management Act to help prevent the spread of the virus in the local area. The SOLE remains in effect for seven days.
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Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
