SECURE AVIATION TRANSPORT – IAMAW Local Lodge 16

British Columbians have been eagerly waiting to hear more about our government’s vaccine rollout plan.

Yesterday, an update was provided! During Phase 2, which begins next month, seniors aged 80 and over, Indigenous seniors 65 and older, Elders and other Indigenous communities will be vaccinated. Also, hospital staff, and community general practitioners not vaccinated in Phase 1 will be eligible for immunization, along with vulnerable populations, and staff in community home support and nursing services for seniors.

In Phases 3 and 4, more British Columbians become eligible based on age and vulnerability. Frontline, essential workers may be included in Phase 3, pending the number of vaccines available.

Pre-registration for vaccination appointments doesn’t open until March. Immunization clinics will be set up in 172 communities, and there will be mobile clinics for rural communities and those who may be homebound.

You can visit the government’s website for more information on timelines and when you may be eligible.

Our BC NDP team has been busy planning projects and outreach for 2021 and beyond. But we want to hear from you!

Your contributions, whether it’s in the form of donations, volunteering, signing petitions, or organizing, power our movement. That’s why it’s so important that you share your ideas and priorities. Your input helps us direct resources where they’re most needed and effective.

Take our survey to let us know where you’d like to see us investing time and money to support our BC NDP government and British Columbians.

Waiting for surgery is hard on people.

That’s why we were so pleased when Adrian Dix, MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway, announced earlier this month that 90 percent of patients whose surgeries were delayed because of COVID-19 have now had their surgeries. His announcement was a positive start to the new year.

Our BC NDP government invested heavily in surgical renewal by hiring doctors and nurses, and by focussing on reducing waitlists for British Columbians. Additional operating hours have also led to more people receiving their urgent medical care. More progress is planned throughout the winter and spring to improve access to surgeries, even while the healthcare system continues to fight COVID-19.

While there are some British Columbians still awaiting their re-scheduled surgeries, all postponed surgeries are expected to be completed within 15 to 22 months, and the government has set aside $187.5 million to see the effort through. For more details about the surgical renewal plan, visit the government’s website.

Dr. Bonnie Henry often reminds British Columbians to be kind to each other during these difficult times.

We got a heartwarming reminder of the importance of kindness recently, when Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North, posted a message about his son on Twitter. His 10-year-old had invited a new student to sit with him at lunch. At the end of the day, the new student sent Ravi’s son a lovely note telling him how much it had meant.

Kindness makes a difference! It’s a great reminder as we continue to work together to fight the pandemic and keep our communities healthy. If you need a dose of kindness, read Ravi’s whole post on Twitter.

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See you again soon!