Quick access to medical services
Until most of us acquire immunity following vaccination, present health orders will necessarily remain in place.
I acknowledge COVID-19 has created backlogs and inconvenienced many of us seeking medical care, but there are accessible workarounds short of visiting hospital’s emergency department.
Most medical clinics offer same-day walkin clinic hours by phone and an in-person appointment may result if the issue requires a non-emergency physical examination.
There are other options, but I’ll speak only to those I’ve utilized. BC Healthlink (dial 811) provides 24/7 healthcare advice and is a useful first stop in determining how to proceed with a health problem.
Telus has partnered with the province through an online app called Babylon to provide a range of services, paid for by the Medical Services Plan of B.C.
The Babylon by Telus Health app is a free download with access to licensed health care professionals weekdays and weekends.
My experience using Babylon was prompt and productive. I booked a next-day online appointment with a B.C. doctor who reviewed symptoms with me and offered several solutions. I picked up a prescribed medication later that same day.
My need for medical attention along with a treatment plan was resolved in less than 24 hours. If we choose to accept and adapt, timely and expanded access to medical service is now available.
Pati Hill, Summerland
The Red Deer Rebels’ Twitter bio is a four-word entry that sums up the team’s situation: “Livin’ at the rink.”
For players on the WHL team, it’s their indefinite reality.
The Rebels are living in modified suites at their home arena — the Westerner Park Centrium — as they prepare for a 24-game season beginning Friday against Medicine Hat.
Living arrangements for the country’s major junior players are as scrambled as the pandemic-affected schedule. It’s all part of a no-size-fitsall approach that’s required as leagues and teams try to get some semblance of a season completed.
Other clubs in the five-team Alberta Division have been forced to make unusual residence arrangements, too.
With the NHL’s Flames and AHL’s Stockton Heat sharing the Scotiabank Saddledome, the Calgary Hitmen will play at the Tsuut’ina Nation’s Seven Chiefs Sportsplex and stay at the nearby Grey Eagle resort.
Hitmen general manager Jeff Chynoweth said his club was facing a unique situation and came up with a unique plan.
“Each market is separate and each market is different,” he said.
The Lethbridge Hurricanes are living in an apartment building near their home rink. The Tigers and Edmonton Oil Kings are using a traditional billet system.
Seven teams in Manitoba and Saskatchewan will begin play in an East Division hub in Regina starting March 12. All teams will be housed in student accommodation at the University of Regina and Luther College, a WHL spokesman said.
The five American-based WHL teams will play in a U.S. Division starting March 18. Accommodation arrangements for those clubs were still being finalized.
The league’s B.C. Division has yet to receive permission from health authorities to resume play.
The Rebels’ setup might be the most creative of the bunch.
Players eat, study, train and relax inside the 7,000-seat arena. The venue’s big screen is even being used to watch NHL games and movies, with players recently taking in a viewing of “Creed 2.”
“We just felt this was a better solution for everyone involved,” said Rebels senior vice-president Merrick Sutter. “It’s not perfect. There’s little drawbacks here and there.
“But I would say the ability to keep them in a confined space gives them a little bit more freedom to socialize and have it feel a little bit normal.”