‘Thank a hero’
Dear Editor:
As we close in on another new year I wanted to thank all of those that work in the health care field especially those at our small rural hospital in Mount Forest!
It was not all that long ago that everyone was reminding us of our health care heroes during COVID, although we are still in the midst of a triple threat filling the hospitals, I only seem to hear about the long wait times, closed ER or OB, shortages of medicines, the list could go on and on.
But at the core of all of this is a group that has given everything to keep the wheels moving!
Despite the pandemic pressures and staffing shortages we are lucky to have had our hospital only close our ER for one weekend on nights. This only happens because the nurses/staff come out of retirement to cover shifts, others short shift to fill gaps, others give up holiday time to ensure the hospital stays open.
In this season of giving, health care is a field of work built solely upon giving and putting others’ care first, this has been the case since the start of medical care and one too often forgotten.
This giving goes on despite the cuts to healthcare, Bill 124, staffing issues and much more. I’m very proud to know a great number of these people that keep our little hospital going.
In closing, we need to remember and take time to thank those that are there when we need them the most! Thank a hero.
Jeremy Bolton,
Mount Forest
‘Serious complaint’
Dear Editor:
I have a serious complaint here. Tommy Douglas, father of health care, would turn over in his grave.
It started out at the dentist. Three extractions – blame, blame, blame. This started my health decline and caused me to lose homeostasis. Then after I fell (three times on concrete) which ended in a fracture of my left wrist.
This resulted in back-to-back appointments with doctors offices, hospitals, doctors offices again – and I’m still on being “Ozzie Osborne patient #9.”
The final straw is that I had two bone density tests – yes two, at Groves and Guelph General hospitals – and I have upcoming appointments with doctors, hospitals, again and again! It’s costing me a fortune in transportation, VON, taxis, etc.
I’m just starting again to do my yoga and wearing braces all over my body. I volunteer with Wellington County. Just started to be a liaison again, but I can’t use my hand to pick up branches, recycling, etc.
OHIP scam – you betcha!
Dori Steele,
Fergus
Pandemic musings
Dear Editor:
Good health is hard to find, like a lot of things these days, such as money, and food supplies. I want to talk however about health in particular.
COVID-19 has caused chaos in the masses. Some wear masks and some do not, still others wear them under their chin when you meet them to talk. My mother takes hers off so she can hear better.
Everyone is fed up with the rules and most are totally ignoring the suggestion of the Ontario government to wear masks again, now that we are into the 8th or 9th wave; we just keep waving.
Perhaps that is the best policy, just wave, don’t try to talk to anyone. They say six feet apart is not even enough space between us, 20 feet is preferred. In that case all we can do is wave.
These COVID bugs must be stopped. They are chameleon bugs, they tell us. These bugs keep changing every time we turn around. Perhaps if we turn around and let our backs show to each other we would not have to wear masks.
I do like the idea of wearing masks on occasion. Like when I don’t want to be recognized by my nosey neighbor. I have also found it takes years off one, as no one can see my sagging chin.
Brenda L. Demmans,
Fergus
‘Put them all to work’
Dear Editor:
I recently heard on the news that the Ford government would like general practitioners (GP) to work extra hours to alleviate the burden on our health care system in the hospitals.
My GP works long hours and has a staff to pay as well as a family to care for. She is a leader in her community and has always given 110%; to ask her to give more is unfair and shows the complete lack of understanding of our healthcare situation in Ontario. She herself has gotten sick because she is tired and working so hard. We are failing!
No matter how many beds Doug Ford opens up in our hospitals, it will not change the fact that if there are no doctors or nurses to staff them – it is pointless.
The government is surprised that all of a sudden people are getting sick and our hospitals can’t keep up. Well, it’s a lack of forethought that come flu season in a province that for the last two years was masked and unable to go to family functions, school or work due to a pandemic all of a sudden the flu and COVID and RSV would hit us hard.
The kids in schools are maskless, coughing and snotting and sharing their germs with everyone. Companies have asked their staff to come back and work even while they have COVID-19. Airports now will fly anyone without proof of vaccination and without a mask mandate – again they are surprised?
I understand the Ontario Parliament had their last sitting Dec. 8 and then are off until Feb. 20. Here is a suggestion to assist all those nurses and doctors working in hospitals caring for their patients. Have your staff help them. Yep, Ford and Jones, donate your time to comfort those in waiting rooms, change bedding, assist patients to their bathrooms, help feed them, read to them.
I’m sure Elgin—Middlesex—London MPP Rob Flack could donate a few hours to the Children’s hospital in London that is overcapacity. Hamilton East–Stoney Creek MPP Neil Lumsden could help out at McMaster hospital where they are at 140% overcapacity.
Put them all to work; don’t push your lack of fore thought, mismanagement and inadequacy on others.
Joanne Klonikowski,
Fordwich