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Busy streets indicate some aren't getting the COVID message, says Lac La Biche Mayor

Even with no confirmed COVID-19 cases, Lac La Biche County mayor says precautions must be followed: Stay At Home.
busy LLB downtown COVID
Hours after a spring snowstorm and in the midst of the global COVID 19 pandemic, Lac La Biche's Main Street showed little signs of isolation protocols on Tuesday afternoon.

With no cases of COVID-19 yet confirmed in the Lac La Biche County region, some residents may feel less of a need to take precautions — that's a mistake that could have serious consequences, says Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi

"We’re lucky that there hasn’t been a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our region yet, but the number in Alberta continues to climb ... 11 Albertans have died from COVID-19," said the mayor on Wednesday,after the POST sent him an image of the Lac La Biche downtown on Tuesday afternoon, showing what appeared to be a busy Main Street, despite an overnight snowfall that dumped more than three inches of snow on the region, on top of the the continuing calls for resident to stay at home during the pandemic. "I can’t stress enough how seriously all of us need to take this pandemic: regardless of whether or not we have local cases, the community shouldn’t be busy."

The mayor says health professionals around the world as well as political leaders are urging all residents to isolate themselves in order to reduce the spread of the respiratory virus that has killed 40,000 people worldwide and infected more than 820,000.

Isolated access

Although for many, the idea of staying at home can be a hardship, the mayor says the relative luxury of technology in the world has taken many of the challenges away from staying at home — and he can't  understand why so many people are still venturing out ... especially for tasks that can be done from home.

"Many of our businesses are offering online ordering and door-to-door deliveries as alternatives. We should limit physical trips to grocery stores or other essential services as much as possible by using delivery alternatives, planning ahead, and purchasing what we need for long stretches," he said, explaining that common sense should prevail. "Remember: even if you’re healthy, going out unnecessarily puts not only yourself and your loved ones at risk, but everyone in the community."

While some in the community are taking more time to realize the importance of the global precautions, Moghrabi said the vast amount of residents are complying with the precautions, and helping others. He encouraged residents to check-in on neighbours or friends who may not be able to access supplies, and he encouraged community members in need of assistance to rely on the hospitality of the region. 

"—contact family, friends, or colleagues to deliver the supplies you need during quarantine," he said, again expressing pride in many examples of kindness and community spirit during the challenging times.  "I’d like to thank the majority of residents who have been taking these lessons to heart—we’re all in this together, and we all have a part to play in limiting the spread of COVID-19."

For any resident in need of medical attention in relation to potential COVID-19 symptoms, the mayor urges them to use the provincial resources available.

"If you have any concerns about your health, get in touch with Health Link by dialing 811," he told the POST.

Locally, Lac La Biche County officials are in direct contact with federal and provincial health professionals on a regular basis for updates on the pandemic. The municipality does have a committee to handle the local response to the global crisis. 

More local information — including links to assistance for financial services and employment questions — can be found  here.

 


Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
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