NOVEMBER 2020 (Continued from page 20)
THE SOUTH SHUSWAP SCOOP
Don't pull them out unless somehow the object is interfering with your breathing. Pulling the object out can damage internal structures as well as make the bleeding worse. Call 911. Stabilize the object by placing towels or something similar around it to limit movement. Treating your wound at home? Keep your eye on the healing process to make sure it doesn't become infected. If the surrounding area is swollen and red, if it is throbbing, warm to touch or it is oozing pus, then it is infected. Hopefully you catch it early on and can just apply some antibiotic ointment like Polysporin. Now that you've read a bit and hopefully been reminded
of your wound care skills, how about going and cleaning that mud room? PS: Your friendly South Shuswap First Responders will gladly drop all their mud room cleaning and other chores to come and assist with any medical emergencies that 911 dispatch calls us out to. These days of COVID, we aren't getting called to go to attend some of the minor ones so we might not see you unless you are calling 911 for something major. If we do show up, you'll know it's us from more than the green first responder license plate on our vehicle. We will be wearing a mask, a gown, gloves and maybe a face shield - just trying to keep everyone safe.
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What`s the SCOOP in your neck of the woods? Let us know! shuswapscoop@gmail.com
250.463.2611
Flu Shots
Sorrento and Area Community Health By Marilyn Clark As if having COVID-19 around isn't enough, we have now also entered flu season – likely a good time to have a flu shot. This year, rather than having "flu clinics", people must make an appointment for a flu shot – whether at your family physician, local pharmacy or at either the Chase or Salmon Arm Health Clinics. Interior Health is prioritizing their appointments for children 12 years and younger and their immediate family members along with clients with health conditions. The people at the greatest risk of influenza related complications are adults and children with underlying health conditions, residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities, people 65 years of age and older, children under 60 months of age, pregnant women, and Aboriginal peoples. Interior Health recommends everyone get a flu shot. It is important to get one every year as the strains change from year to year and you want to be protected against the strains anticipated this fall and winter. The following classes of people are eligible to receive free flu shots: 1. People at high risk • Aged 65 years and older • Residents of long-term care facilities • With chronic health conditions: • Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years of age) with conditions treated for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid • Children and adults who are morbidly obese • Indigenous peoples (on and off reserve) • Healthy children 6 to 59 months of age • Pregnant women • Inmates of provincial correctional institutions • People working with live poultry 2. People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk: • All health care workers who come into contact with patients • Visitors to health care facilities and other patient care locations • Household contacts (including children) of people at high risk 3. People who provide essential community services: • First
responders: police, fire fighters, ambulance • Corrections workers. On a lighter note, we are having discussions with a licensed acupuncturist to provide care within our Health Centre and will promote that widely when we can confirm. Please make a note of our new phone number at the Health Centre, 250 675-2167. As Bonnie Henry says: "Be kind, be calm and be safe!" Do what you can do to be as healthy as you can be!
