THURSDAY
S I N C E
OCTOBER 24, 2013
1 8 9 5
Vol. 118, Issue 168
105
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Artisan’s 25th anniversary
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Health care workers on the frontline in battle against influenza BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
SHERI REGNIER PHOTO
Nancy Kotyk is opening the front door of her East Trail home, along with puppy Molly, to thank all the community volunteers, neighbours, friends and family, who pitched in to finish the house rebuild that her late husband began last year.
A chance to say thank you Widow opens home to volunteers who helped in time of need BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
An East Trail house, rebuilt by a community of volunteers, is ready to open the door and invite the labourers in for some knosh and a thank you. Since January, more than 30 trades people have been on hand to help Nancy Kotyk finish a dream house from the foundation up. Kotyk’s husband Frank died suddenly in a car accident in December, and left to mourn with his loving family, were Teck coworkers, friends and fellow church members. Prior to the accident, Kotyk had purchased the Main Street property and had stripped the house to its shell with a plan to rebuild his
retirement home. At that time, Nancy said she was left with a house that was worth nothing, and a lack of funds to finish renovations. Since then, Frank’s many friends and coworkers have volunteered as “work bees” every other Saturday at the site to help complete the remodelling. Nancy said the house has to pass a final inspection and there are a myriad of decisions she has to make about finishings, but a renter has settled into the downstairs suite and she wants to thank everyone before the first snowfall. “I would have never gotten this house built without them,” she said. “I would like to invite all those people who were here in the beginning to see the end result.” The open house is Sunday from 2-7 p.m. and the community is invited for a bite to eat and to view the house.
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Greater Trail health care workers will again have to roll up their own sleeves this winter to protect their patients from this year's strain of influenza. Like last year, these professionals can choose to wear a mask or get vaccinated to ensure they're not spreading germs to a patient with a weakened immune system. But this year's potential provincial policy that would mandate this choice will likely come with disciplinary action. “Our authority in B.C. has made it mandatory again this year for all workers to protect themselves and others around that they work with against the flu,” explained Sarah Jones, an Interior Health (IH) public health nurse who works in Trail and Castlegar. “It wasn't attached with disciplinary action last year but this year they want to enforce it a little more.” Jones said IH has hired human resources mangers to speak with employees about what masks are available and where they can get the flu shot. In addition to educating staff, there is a policy that would require employees to get vaccinated if there was an outbreak in the facility they worked in, or expect exclusion without pay. Jones doesn't see this as a problem as she believes “it's our responsibility to protect those we're working with.” This is an opinion shared by Fruitvale physical therapist Kirby Epp, owner of Valhalla Physiotherapy. He said it's all about taking all precautions in protecting the public from illness and providing the best possible care to patients. “As a health care practitioner, if you work closely with people who may be high risk for complications related to influenza, it is remarkably selfish and irresponsible to not get the flu shot,” he added. “I think it borders on negligence and malpractice.” Amy Den Biesen, contact lens
FREE FLU SHOT AT: Trail Memorial Centre gym Monday, Nov. 4, 9 am – 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 9 am – 4 p.m. Rossland Miners’ Hall Friday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fruitvale village office (basement) Tuesday, Nov. 12, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Trail Kiro Wellness Centre Wednesday, Nov. 27, 9 a.m. – noon (by appointment) Wednesday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. – noon Monday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. ***** Flu shots are provided free for: • People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts • All children age six to 59 months of age • Household contacts and caregivers of infants and children up to 59 months of age • Aboriginal people • Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts • And more …to view a full list visit www.interiorhealth. ca/FluClinics Bring your care card assistant at Trail Vision Care Clinic, is also in the position to get the flu shot or wear a mask. She chose not to get vaccinated last year and years prior but said she will this year. “There is no guarantee that getting the flu shot will save you from getting it,” said Den Biesen. “I will most likely get the shot this year just to save the fight from my employer. “Also, I don't want to freak out our patients by having to wear a mask.” See NASAL, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242
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