SENIORS NEED HELP DURING PANDEMIC
I would like to acknowledge Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Stephen McNeil on the awesome job they are doing for our country and our province during this pandemic.
The most vulnerable citizens of all, however, are our seniors and I feel we are being left out and falling through the cracks in many cases. Our organization, for example, is a non-profit with no income at the present time due to COVID-19. As a result we are not able to pay our overhead costs. Other organizations like ours, volunteer fire departments and many other volunteer organizations are in the same boat. We want to make sure we have a place to go back to as we have over 100 members.
There are a lot of seniors who are too proud to go to food banks. They are afraid to leave their homes and pick up prescriptions, and even visit doctors. I believe the hardships are going to become worse not better as there will be much more depression and loneliness among seniors, some of whom do not know at the end of each month if they will be able to buy groceries or medicine, pay their heat and much more. The prime minister has given money to everyone across this beautiful nation except the seniors. The idea of a living wage was discussed at one of his meetings. I believe that idea should be explored even more.
Most of the COVID-19 related deaths that are occurring in Canada involve seniors living in full-time care homes. I caution the province and the country that we should remain vigilant as history has shown us that it’s not the first wave of a virus but the second wave of the virus that can kill many, many millions of people. That’s what happened in 1918-19. The World Health Organization is trying to tell the world this so hopefully all are listening.
Premier McNeil and Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer, Dr. Robert Strang, give us regular updates and I see the tears in their eyes when they have to say another person has died. So let’s all stay safe and stay inside.
In closing, I would ask that the prime minister please help us feed our seniors and pay our bills so we can enjoy what’s left in our lives.
Mel Bryden President Reserve Mines Seniors’ and Pensioners Club