Third Wave is Here...

[OnceUponATime15]

But as a province who is small and has small case load compared to other places, who has an elderly population, a population with one of the highest per capita rates of disease (risk) and who has one of the worst healthcare systems in Canada, who will have their supply taken away... Tell that to the families of the patients dying in ICU here and all the at risk people desperately waiting for a vaccine...

I have family in NB and I know the frustration of the healthcare system in the province from firsthand familiarity as we’ve struggled with tough circumstances. But when there isn’t the risk of exposure to covid in any given community it’s also hard to tell people who have a potential exposure by just going out their front door each day to go to work or buy groceries that an equal distribution of medications means they must continue to take risks that could be mitigated by a better use of what is currently available nationally.
By all means vaccinate high risk individuals who have health concerns who have even a fraction of a chance to become exposed.. but does that need to include those who realistically are not going to ever be exposed and are in good health?

There isn’t a simple or easy solution.. if there was i’m sure those in charge would have already figured it out...

 

[MoreTravels]

The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (Sick Kids) will start to receive Adult covid 19 patients for ICU care within the next 24 hours. #systemunderstress

This is concerning. On the bright side, there is a brand new empty hospital that just joined the hospital availability... Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. It is located right next to Wonderland. If there is enough money, they can use all the new empty physical spaces to place critical care staff and respirators. Also, I wonder if the old North York General Hospital Branson building is still available? Can they do a quick refurbishment there and add another few hundred beds there?

 

[OnceUponATime15]

This is concerning. On the bright side, there is a brand new empty hospital that just joined the hospital availability... Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. It is located right next to Wonderland. If there is enough money, they can use all the new empty physical spaces to place critical care staff and respirators. Also, I wonder if the old North York General Hospital Branson building is still available? Can they do a quick refurbishment there and add another few hundred beds there?

My understanding is that physical space is not as much of a problem as lack of qualified personnel (specially trained covid ICU staff, including RTs, Perfusionists, Thoracic specialists, Nephrologists, and advanced practice nurses..)

edited ...
My sister texted while I was responding to the thread. My niece has just received a new work schedule... she is an RT at Sick Kids. She has 2 twelve hour shifts in the next 2 weeks on the new adult covid ICU. The capacity is for 18 patients, they expect to be full quickly.

 

[bababear_50]

I think the problem our Province faces here in Ontario is not physical space as much as we do not have the qualified people to staff them.
The government issued emergency orders today:

"The province will also be able to redeploy dozens of workers from home-care organizations and Ontario Health - the body that oversees the health system - to hospitals during a surge."
****This is a RED Flag for me as our Home Care is already in very rough shape*****************

"Ontario will allow hospitals to transfer patients without their consent".
"The province has been transferring patients between hospitals for months to accommodate a growing number of COVID-19 cases, but those transfers were done with the patient's permission."


"Both orders, which will be in effect for at least two weeks, come as Ontario hospitals prepare to start ramping down elective surgeries and non-urgent procedures next week to ensure they have the capacity to treat COVID-19 patients."


We need to support our Health care workers because if we as a community feel the stress & strain of the Pandemic can you imagine what they are feeling. Speaking as Auntie Mel here--two nieces that are Nurses.

 

[bababear_50]

My understanding is that physical space is not as much of a problem as lack of qualified personnel (specially trained covid ICU staff, including RTs, Perfusionists, Thoracic specialists, Nephrologists, and advanced practice nurses..)

edited ...
My sister texted while I was responding to the thread. My niece has just received a new work schedule... she is an RT at Sick Kids. She has 2 twelve hour shifts in the next 2 weeks on the new adult covid ICU. The capacity is for 18 patients, they expect to be full quickly.

God Bless your niece and your family who must be worried about her.

Hugs
Mel

 

[OnceUponATime15]

God Bless your niece and your sister who must be worried.
View attachment 567646
Hugs
Mel

Thanks Mel My Sister is on the high strung side as it is, this will give her sleepless nights for sure.

 

[LittleFlounder]

(I apologize in advance if I sound whiny) The news of “elective” surgeries in Ontario being on hold isn’t comforting to me. I’m on the wait list for surgery(back surgery) , and now this means it’ll be even longer before I hear about a surgery date. I understand why it’s happening, but it doesn’t make me feel any hopeful during a time when I already feel pretty discouraged. “Elective” doesn’t mean not necessary.

 

[Donald - my hero]

(I apologize in advance if I sound whiny) The news of “elective” surgeries in Ontario being on hold isn’t comforting to me. I’m on the wait list for surgery(back surgery) , and now this means it’ll be even longer before I hear about a surgery date. I understand why it’s happening, but it doesn’t make me feel any hopeful during a time when I already feel pretty discouraged. “Elective” doesn’t mean not necessary.

not whining AT ALL! I get it, really do, I'm thrilled that we're doing a tighter lockdown but still super disappointed that it means another month of waiting for my treatments. I realize it's nowhere close to your uncertainty and pain but wanted you to know that i hear you and validate your concern. I hope you're able to find some relief for your pain while you're forced to wait even longer. Gentle hugs coming your way

 

[mshanson3121]

(I apologize in advance if I sound whiny) The news of “elective” surgeries in Ontario being on hold isn’t comforting to me. I’m on the wait list for surgery(back surgery) , and now this means it’ll be even longer before I hear about a surgery date. I understand why it’s happening, but it doesn’t make me feel any hopeful during a time when I already feel pretty discouraged. “Elective” doesn’t mean not necessary.

As someone whose child's surgery has been bumped during Covid, I absolutely understand. The problem with postponing "elective" surgeries, is that the problems continue and can worsen. And this isn't just happening to "electives", but people with life threatening issues as well. My husband's brother was diagnosed with cancer in the fall, and EVERY step has been delayed. To the point that his status/outcome is far different now, than when he was first diagnosed.

 

[pigletto]

(I apologize in advance if I sound whiny) The news of “elective” surgeries in Ontario being on hold isn’t comforting to me. I’m on the wait list for surgery(back surgery) , and now this means it’ll be even longer before I hear about a surgery date. I understand why it’s happening, but it doesn’t make me feel any hopeful during a time when I already feel pretty discouraged. “Elective” doesn’t mean not necessary.

Totally understand. The vast majority of people don‘t get to the point of surgery without significant pain or daily disruption to their quality of life. “Elective” almost makes it sound trivial doesn’t it ? I hope you are able to get your surgery date. I have a friend who’s mom is waiting for back surgery and got a date in Toronto this Tuesday but it’s not looking like it can happen. Things are visibly shifting in her back and it’s not good.

 

[marchingstar]

(I apologize in advance if I sound whiny) The news of “elective” surgeries in Ontario being on hold isn’t comforting to me. I’m on the wait list for surgery(back surgery) , and now this means it’ll be even longer before I hear about a surgery date. I understand why it’s happening, but it doesn’t make me feel any hopeful during a time when I already feel pretty discouraged. “Elective” doesn’t mean not necessary.

i’m in another province, and during the second wave my father in law broke his ankle. shattered it, really. but the way it broke, blood flow wasn’t restricted. they told us that it counted as elective and could be delayed for up to 3 weeks.

it ended up happening within a couple days vs. weeks, but still. like you say, elective doesn’t mean not necessary. it means that essential workers and resources are needed for life-and-death care on other units, but the surgeries being bumped can be very serious.

i hope that your back is cared for as soon as possible. it’s awful...we shouldn’t be here.

 

[marchingstar]

As someone whose child's surgery has been bumped during Covid, I absolutely understand. The problem with postponing "elective" surgeries, is that the problems continue and can worsen. And this isn't just happening to "electives", but people with life threatening issues as well. My husband's brother was diagnosed with cancer in the fall, and EVERY step has been delayed. To the point that his status/outcome is far different now, than when he was first diagnosed. ☹

i’m so sorry about your kids surgery. i have family whose cancer treatments and care have dramatically changed during covid too. it’s painful and can cause so many more complications.

 

[mshanson3121]

i’m so sorry about your kids surgery. i have family whose cancer treatments and care have dramatically changed during covid too. it’s painful and can cause so many more complications.

Yes. For him, it literally made the difference between life and death. He went from curative treatment to palliative.

 

[TammyLynn33]

Yes. For him, it literally made the difference between life and death. He went from curative treatment to palliative.

i am so sorry.

 

[marchingstar]

Yes. For him, it literally made the difference between life and death. He went from curative treatment to palliative.

i understand, and i’m very sorry.

 

[pigletto]

Well , there it is . All Ontario schools closing indefinitely.
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/o...indefinitely-as-covid-19-cases-soar-1.5383711

 

[hdrolfe]

Well , there it is . All Ontario schools closing indefinitely.
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/mobile/o...indefinitely-as-covid-19-cases-soar-1.5383711

indefinitely? I saw it on CBC and figured they just hadn't put the date in yet... ugh... I mean it doesn't impact me because my son is out any way, but I know a lot of parents will not be happy about it.

 

[pigletto]

I think they are just going to wait and see . Given that the education minister sent a letter out yesterday saying schools were safe, it appears these are by the minute decisions.

 

[TommyJK]

indefinitely? I saw it on CBC and figured they just hadn't put the date in yet... ugh... I mean it doesn't impact me because my son is out any way, but I know a lot of parents will not be happy about it.

If they did state a date, would you actually believe it?

 

[damo]

I think they are just going to wait and see . Given that the education minister sent a letter out yesterday saying schools weren’t safe, it appears these are by the minute decisions.

I think Lecce's letter said schools were safe and today Ford said they weren't.