The Guelph Wellington Seniors Association (GWSA) has sent out an email to its members containing some very useful information. There are links to a number of interesting websites to keep you busy during these social-distancing days until we can get back to some of our regular activities. Below is an abridged version of the email. If you are not already a member of the GWSA, you might want to consider joining.
The GWSA has sent out further useful email updates since the March 28th one. To keep on top of this helpful source of information check out their website at https://gwsa-guelph.ca/ [1]
GWSA COVID-19 Pandemic Response Update 4 - March 28, 2020
City of Guelph- State of Emergency
The mayor has declared a state of emergency after an outbreak at Guelph General Hospital. This is to ensure the City can continue to act and respond quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City’s emergency management team is working closely with Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health, Guelph General Hospital and the Guelph Police Service to put measures in place to protect the health and safety of the community. The City closed all public facilities including recreation centres, libraries, museums, theatres, City Hall, play structures, tennis courts, skate parks, and fenced dog parks.
Hydro Rates Reduced
Ontario is switching to off-peak, ‘time of use’ electricity rates, saving customers over 50 per cent compared to peak rates, for the next 45 days, effective March 24.
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
A newly approved Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) provides $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications should be available through Service Canada [2] in early April.
Returning Travelers Must Self-Isolate
The previous advice to self-isolate for 14 days after returning to Canada has become a legal requirement, effective March 26 and the guidance has been strengthened. The Government has issued the following statement:
For Canadians who have recently traveled
The Government of Canada has put in place an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act that applies to all travelers arriving in Canada in order to slow the introduction and spread of COVID-19 in Canada.
Travelers with symptoms: mandatory isolation
If you have recently returned to Canada and you have symptoms, you must ISOLATE. This is mandatory. If required, immediate medical attention will be provided upon arrival in Canada.
Mandatory isolation means you MUST:
- go directly to the place where you will isolate, without delay, and stay there for 14 days
- go to your place of isolation using private transportation only, such as your personal vehicle
- stay INSIDE your home
- do not leave your place of isolation unless it's to seek medical attention
- do not go to school, work, other public areas or use public transportation such as buses and taxis
- stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible
- do not have visitors and limit contact with others in the place of isolation, including children
- do not isolate in a place where you will have contact with vulnerable people such as older adults and individuals with underlying medical conditions
- if your symptoms get worse, immediately contact your health care provider or public health authority and follow their instructions
If you have symptoms but do not have a place to isolate, you will be required to isolate for 14 days in a facility designated by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada.
Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada could lead to up to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
Travelers without symptoms: mandatory quarantine
If you have recently returned to Canada and you have no symptoms, you must QUARANTINE (self-isolate) yourself. This is mandatory. You are at risk of developing symptoms and infecting others.
This means you MUST:
- go directly to your place of quarantine, without delay, and stay there for 14 days
- do not go to school, work, other public areas and community settings
- monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19
- arrange to have someone pick up essentials like groceries or medication for you
- do not have visitors
- stay in a private place like your yard or balcony if you go outside for fresh air
- keep a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others
Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada could lead to up to six months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
If you develop symptoms within 14 days:
- isolate yourself from others
- immediately call a health care professional or public health authority [3] and:
- describe your symptoms and travel history
- follow their instructions carefully
Activities for Mind and Body
Some GWSA Clubs and Activities are connecting in new ways, and videoconferencing through Zoom is popular. We’ve collected some free things you can try, individually or connected to others, all from the comfort and safety of your home. Select from any underlined links to start a new adventure!
Keep in mind that these link to third parties and we remind you to exercise care before providing personal information.
Computer Training
GWSA Computer Mentoring- online signup [5]
Zoom Videoconferencing- training [6]
Zoom Videoconferencing- signup [7]
Home Again Virtual Stitchalong
Join Becky Fiedler for a free, virtual stitchalong that focuses on appliqué tips and techniques. A community of stitchers might be a welcome addition to your week now that you’re spending more time at home.
The live, online stitchalong sessions will be at 1 pm on Mondays beginning April 6. We will be stitching along with Erin Russek’s Home Again project. This beginner-friendly project is free and available online. You will need an Internet-connected computer (or tablet or smartphone) to get the pattern; to watch the demonstrations; and to interact with participants. The technology is easy to use, so don’t let any fear of technology deter you.
To participate, send an email to stitchalong+subscribe@rcqg.groups.io [8]. Becky will send more details when you sign up. Happy Stitching!
[9]
Art and Culture
Explore 1200 museums and Galleries [10]
Search Collections by Gallery [11]
Over 9000 Artists and Their Works [12]
More than 120 Art Movements [13]
Explore a Van Gogh [14]
All About Monet [15]
Zoom in on Famous Works [16]
Exercise Classes
Low Level Class- VON [17]
Moderate Level Class-VON [18]
High Level Class- VON [19]
Ten Minute Walking Workout- AARP [20]
Online Courses
Future Learn- British Open University [21]
Genealogy
Family Search- Trace Your Ancestors [22]
Games- Individuals and Groups
Keep in mind that these link to third parties and we remind you to exercise care before providing personal information.
All Categories (Zoomer) - Word, Cards, Arcade, Puzzles, Strategy, Quizzes [23]
All Categories (AARP) - Mahjongg, Pool, Chess, Cards, Word Games, Arcade [24]
Arcade Games [25]
Billiards: Multiplayer- Assorted Pool and Snooker [26]
Billiards: Individual- Play 8 ball against computer [27]
Board Games- Checkers, Chess, Reversi, and more [28]
Cards (AARP)- Bridge, Solitaires, Blackjack [29]
Cards (Zoomer)- Bridge, Hearts Multiplayer, Solitaires [30]
Chess- Multiplayer- online [31]
Chess- Individual- Learn and play against computer [32]
Curling- Multiplayer- online [33]
Jigsaw- Daily [34]
Mahjongg [35]
Puzzles - Sudoku, Jigsaw, Word Search, Crossword [36]
Quizzes- Tests of Knowledge and Trivia [37]
Word Games (Zoomer)- Crosswords, Word Search, Scramble, Anagram [38]
Word Games (AARP) - Crosswords, Word Search, Scramble, Anagram, True/False [39]
Strategy Games (AARP)- Backgammon, Chess, Bridge, Sudoku [40]
Strategy (Zoomer) - Backgammon, Bingo, Keno, Sudoku, and more [41]
Educational Programs
TVO Archive- Educational TV- Four decades of Ontario Programming [42]
CBC GEM- live shows, documentaries, large collection [43]
CTV Live and Archive- live shows, movies, large collection [44]
Documentary Tube- documentaries by categories, topics, and top 100 [45]
Explore History
Investigate 600 Historical Events in Depth [46]
Examine Artifacts from Prehistory to Present Day [47]
Learn About 6000 Historical Figures [48]
Experience Culture from 360 degrees [49]
Explore the British Museum [50]
Tour the Vatican [51]
Learn Some Science
Inventions and Discoveries from 100 Museums [52]
Visit the Cern Particle Collider [53]
Visit a Virtual Library
Open Library- Thousands of free print and audio books [54]
Attend a Symphony
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra- Full Concerts [55]
The Met- Orchestra Members Playing from Homes [56]
London UK Symphony Orchestra playlists [57]
Lincoln Centre Orchestra recordings and live streams [58]
Free Classical Music Concerts [59]
Go to the Theatre
Watch a Broadway Show (7 day trial) [60]
Travel the World
San Diego Zoo – Visit 3500 Animals, many live cams [61]
Tour Famous Sites and Landmarks [62]
Explore 150 Cultural Institutions of Italy [63]
See Panoramic Views from the Top of Buildings [64]
Explore Culture from Around the Globe [65]
Visit 10 European Heritage Sites [66]
Meet the People of Kenya [67]
Ride Some Roller Coasters [68]
Go Canoeing
Virtual Canoe Trip - use mouse for 360 degree video views [69]
Canoe Paddling Tips [70]
COVID-19 Pandemic Contacts
If you think you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, Ontario has a self-assessment guide [71] to help determine how to seek further care.
MILD SYMPTOMS:
Stay home and self-isolate. Self-isolation information can be found here [72].
MODERATE SYMPTOMS (including fever, cough or shortness of breath):
Call your physician/ primary care provider and follow their directions,
Or, call Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health’s call centre at 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006
Or, call Telehealth Ontario available 24/7 at 1-866-797-0000
SEVERE SYMPTOMS:
Call 911 if it is an emergency (such as difficulty breathing).
Visit an assessment centre only if you have been referred by a health care provider. The Delhi Street COVID-19 Assessment Centre is located at 65 Delhi Street in Guelph and will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, 7 days per week. Healthcare personnel may advise self-isolation without administering a test.
Getting Necessities
Everyone should stay home where possible and practice “relentless social distancing”. This is especially important for seniors. Consider shopping online for pickup or delivery, or having someone do drop-offs. Take advantage of quieter senior hours if you must.
Bulk Barn, Guelph
Call ahead service now available. To minimize potential contact, you can now call your order in to your preferred location; process your payment over the phone using a credit card or Interac email money transfer; and pick up your order. Be sure to mention you’re a GWSA member for a 10% discount on regularly priced items every day.
370 Stone Road W (519)763-9360
103 Clair Road E (519)823-8325
49 Woodlawn Road W (519)822-1233
Costco
Seniors hour is 8 am-9 am Tuesdays and Thursdays. Online orders are available on non-perishables.
Food Basics
Seniors hour is 1st hour in each store.
Freshco
Seniors hour is 1st hour in each store.
Longo’s
Seniors hour is 8 am-9 am. Free pick up of online orders. Grocery Gateway is available online with online payment and contactless delivery.
M&M Foods
Seniors discount every day on regular prices ordered online for pickup.
No Frills
Seniors hour for 1st hour. PC Express pickup fees are waived; delivery fees are reduced.
Shoppers Drug Mart (except Stone Road Mall)
Seniors hour is 8 am-9 am with 20% discount off regular prices.
Walmart
Seniors hour is 7 am-8 am. Online orders are available on non-perishables.
Zehrs (Eramosa)
Seniors hour is 7AM-8AM. PC Express pickup fees waived; delivery fees reduced.
Contact Information
GWSA Website gwsa-guelph.ca [73]
GWSA Hotline: 226-699-0731
GWSA Response Team: Contact Form [74] Select “Board of Directors”
Join the GWSA
Like what you see, but not a member yet? Seniors 55+ can join here [75].
Donate to GWSA
The Guelph Wellington Seniors Association is a registered charity and gratefully accepts tax-deductible donations. You can donate here [76].
“Be Active…Get Involved…Make Friends”