The Citizen, 2003-06-11, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003.
Local health officials see SARS crisis up close
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Local officials have seen first
hand the difficulties being faced by
their counterparts in Toronto during
the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) outbreak.
Penny Nelligan. public health
director of the Huron County Health
Unit said that three members of the
local unit, were part of a pool who
volunteered to help. “The purpose is
to provide support to the staff around
Toronto through the SARS
outbreak.”
Medical Officer of Health Dr.
Beth Henning worked on the design
of a SARS unit, then was one of the
health physicians on call at the
provincial branch. Public health
Ilowick
to get
new
library
By Keith Roulston
Citizen publisher
Huron County library board has
voted to support Howick Twp. in its
desire to open a new library that
would meet the requirements for a
Level 2 library.
The board had earlier called for
the closing of the Gorrie and
Fordwich branches but township
residents and the local council had
protested. After 60 people attended
a public meeting April 15, council
proposed a new library be set up at
the Howick Community Centre.
It will cost $15,000 to keep the
existing library open until the end of
2003, money not included in the
original budget. Money for this will
be found within the existing county
budget.
Meanwhile library staff will work
with tov/nship officials in the design
of the new library.
inspector Laura Farrell worked at a
public health branch capturing
SARS-related data, while nurse,
Shelley Spencer was at the York
Region Health Services Department.
“During the weekly
teleconferences on SARS, it became
apparent help was needed. They
were dying on the vine,” said
Nelligan, describing the situation for
overworked Toronto health workers.
The atmosphere was chaotic. Yet,
in spite of this quite organized, said
Farrell. “I was impressed with how
their health unit had come through.”
The health offices were literally
taken over with entire floor designed
for specific issues such as case
follow-ups, medical reviews and hot
lines.
There to help
As always the operation of Blyth Festival gets a boost from
its helpful volunteers as the new seats were installed in the
balcony this past weekend. On the job were Dave Onn, left
and Don McCaffrey. (Vicky Bremner photo)
Congregation reads statement
Continued from page 15
in Guelph and how they worked
together so that motions were made
and decisions taken. She called it the
church’s work and described how
the decision-making is directed by
the members who sit in the church
pews, through their session of
elders, through their synod, to
representation by the elders and
ministers who sit on the general
assembly.
And she let congregants know she
was proud to represent her charge of
Brussels and Belgrave
Collection was taken by Leanne
Armstrong, Maurice Douma, Jeff
Cardiff and Bill King.
Then together the congregation
read their Statement of Christian
Belief from Living Faith, and the
Apostle’s Creed, leading into the
celebration of the Sacrament of
Holy Communion.
On June 11, the Camp Kintail
Children’s Rally is being held. All
children and grandchildren from
Kindergarten to Grade 8 are invited.
Pickup is at the church at 4 p.m., and
the event lasts until 8:30 p.m. If you
plan to attend, please let Elaine
Armstrong or Janna Dodds know as
soon as possible so that they can
arrange enough transportation to the
camp. There is no charge to the
children as the event is sponsored by
the WMS.
On Tuesday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m.
a fundraising meeting will be held in
the church parlour. All members are
welcome to participate.
On Father’s Day Sunday, June 15,
members are hoping that people will
bring extra and unused ties for the
Sunday school children to collect.
These are to be used to make a
banner for Melville’s celebration of
the 150 Anniversary of
Presbyterianism in Brussels. So if
you have a tie or two to donate, you
will have a place in history.
Goderich Memorial Arena
9:00 pm to 1:00 am - Doors open at 8:00 pm
All proceeds to community groups and projects. Check out the band online at www.themartels.com
Tickets: s20.00 (advance) $25.00 (at the door)
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM:
• M&M MEATS - GODERICH • GODERICH PRINT SHOP ’ ERNIE KING’S MUSIC STORE
■ ANY LIONS CLUB MEMBER OR PHONE 519-724-5320 OR 519-524-8682
Age of
Majority
only
Lunch provided.
“There were just tons of people
who had had no days off by the time
we arrived. They were exhuasted but
organized. The volume of work was
staggering, but the system they came
up with was working well,” says
Farrell.
Nelligan said the complexity of
the situation was daunting. “Things
kept changing, it was brand new and
the energy it takes to stay on top of it
I< don’t know that people
understand.”
While Farrell admits days were
often long, by the end of the week
things were starting to slow
significantly.
Her reason for volunteering was
simple - someone asked. “There had
been a call asking for rapid response
groups to be mobilized so that they
could move in immediately when
called. I had worked in Walkerton
during (the e-coli) situation. You
know what this could be like and
you know the day might come when
we need help here.”
Though the Huron health unit
hasn’t been contacted with this
second SARS outbreak in Toronto,
Farrell said staff would be available
if asked.
As for travelling into the heart of
the outbreak, there were few
worries.”We have been aware that
the outbreak is pretty much confined
to health facilities. As for a concern
about going to Toronto, I never
thought twice about that.”
i
i BINGO
f EVERY
I TUESDAY NIGHT
I Starting
M Tuesday June 24
I SEAFORTH LEGION
\ Branch 156
V Main Street
T Seaforth
|| The Brubachers of Ethel
j 2 REAL Home-cooked meals! ® j
| CT Come and try our cinnamon buns. CT j
| Mon. - Fri. 6:30 am 'til 7:30 pm; |
I Sat. 8:00 am - 6:30 pm; Sun. Closed I
|^ 887-8659 in Ethel
V/
50* ‘Uledditty (LnniiLW&aty,
}ac& X (Ludwy Cardiff X family
invite you to attend a celebration of their f
50th Wedding Anniversary J
Saturday, June 28, 2003
at the BM&G Arena in Brussels -
Social hour to meet the family
8:00 pm to 9:00 pm jp
Dancing 9:00 pm
Best wishes only please
father’s tE>aii
Old TEjjmc
Countni breakfast
Sunday, June 15
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
at Londesboro Hall
• Eggs • Bacon • Sausage
• Pancakes and Homefries
Adults.......................................$6.00
Children Under 12...................$3.00
Sponsored by Londesboro Lions Club
In support of Community betterment