Cool Aid on the frontlines of COVID-19
Outreach team composed of powerhouse frontline workers
ACool Aid’s community health centre nurses - back row: Hannah Roy and Tamara Barnett (on bench); back row on sidewalk: Anne Drost, Christiane Gray-Schleihauf, Caroline Meegison; Front: Karen Lundgren, Kellie Guarasci and Roz Milne. s the COVID-19 pandemic continues its firm grasp on our community, organizations like Victoria Cool Aid Society continue to adapt. Just ask Anne Drost, Clinical Nurse Lead at Cool Aid’s Community Health Centre who, along with her team, is on the frontline caring for some of our region’s most vulnerable citizens. “Most of the patients we see have extremely complex medical and psychological needs, and adapting to this new reality is particularly challenging for both patients and staff. But we have a dedicated and creative team and we’re delivering healthcare safely and effectively.” Some of these modifications include installing virtual kiosks at Cool Aid’s shelters and housing sites for live meetings with doctors, providing healthcare by email and phone, and using personal protective equipment with a number of social distance protocols for patients who need to come in for physical appointments. When over 400 homeless campers moved into hotels and sheltering sites, Cool Aid set up medical clinics at each site which operate six hours a day, seven days a week. Cool Aid nurses and physicians, pharmacy and other outreach services, as well as support from the Community Health Centre on Johnson Street, are providing primary healthcare to these individuals. We are grateful to have a whole project outreach team composed of powerhouse frontline workers. This includes top-notch physicians, nurses, pharmacy services and even partnerships with peer and harm reduction workers. A total of eight nurses will offer on-site primary care, such as wound care, general medical care and making the connections needed to other specialized services. From the moment a patient walks into the clinic, even during this time of distance and isolation, nurses are providing the human connection, care and comfort people need to help manage their illness, anxiety and fear. Now more than ever, nurses and all healthcare workers deserve our support and respect as they put their own lives at risk to help others. It is their resilience, their courage and their conviction keeping all of us safe and healthy during this pandemic. Please join Cool Aid in extending our heartfelt gratitude to nurses everywhere, and to all the other frontline heroes who are going above and beyond to support Greater Victoria’s most at-risk neighbours. Right now, donations are making a big difference in our ability to support Cool Aid’s vulnerable clients and frontline staff. If you would like to contribute to the effort and make a donation, please visit coolaid.org/donate.