By Max Thaysen
The Klahoose First Nation continues to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak in the community.
Chief Kevin Peacey posted an update to cortesisland.com yesterday (Dec. 1), explaining that the Klahoose Nation has declared a state of emergency. Four people in the village have tested positive. There are no reports of the virus reaching the wider Cortes Island community.
The Toq village has a staffed checkpoint at the Whaletown Road entry, to prevent any unauthorized comings and goings. They are only permitting “supplies, essential deliveries, emergency services and front line workers” in order to contain the spread of the virus.
The nation has expanded the medical team, adding a nurse and getting support from the doctor at the Cortes Community Health Centre.
Testing and contact tracing is ongoing.
Chief Peacey thanks the non-indigenous community for donations of firewood to keep the checkpoint staff warm and says they have a “good supply now."
The Island Health COVID-19 dashboard reports that there are 39 active cases in the North Vancouver Island region and two days have passed since a new case was reported to the health agency.
Island Health recommends that BC residents were masks, wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, follow good respiratory etiquette and stay home if they are sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Photo credit: A lonely clove by Andy Thrasher via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
A local doctor’s advice
Dr. Jenna Creaser, from the Cortes Community Health Centre, recommends that people take extra care during the ongoing pandemic to maximize their immune systems.
Her prescription is:
A well rounded diet with minimal sugar, lots of colourful fruits and vegetables, protein, plus:
- Garlic – two cloves per day, best if chopped up and fresh
- Ginger – one inch piece grated or steeped per day
- Turmeric – approx. one tsp. powder most days
- Probiotic and fermented foods – e.g. kefir, plain yoghurt, pickled vegetables, kimchi, etc.
- Mushrooms – i.e. culinary (shitake, button) and medicinal (reishi, chaga, lion’s mane)
And avoid added sugar as much as possible!
FOUR SUPPLEMENTS – For an extra boost
- Based on your diet and lifestyle, pick a few of these to take:
- Zinc – i.e. Zinc acetate, citrate or glycinate, 30-60 mg total daily in 2-3 divided doses
- Vitamin D – 1000-5000 IU daily (she recommend 1000 IU in summer, 2000 IU in winter)
- Elderberry – aka Sambucus nigra, 500 mg daily
- Vitamin C – 1000-3000mg (1-3g) daily (if not attained from diet)
Doses listed are for a healthy adult and may vary.
Two soothers: For mind, body and spirit
1. Stress reduction. Identify and reduce stress with exercise, self care, solo time and connection.
2. Sleep. Get enough (8 hours a night)! Keep the time you go to bed and wake up time consistent.
Exercise — 20 minutes each day: walking, yoga or whatever suits you.
One affirmation
Use the power of intention Creaser said. Try sitting quietly and read or say the following to yourself: “I can feel my immune system working well inside of me. It’s strong and effective. I know it’s doing it’s job to protect my body and keep me healthy. I feel gratitude and awe for all that it does for me.”
Creaser also recommends that folks visit the Institute of Functional Medicine at www.ifm.org for more diet and lifestyle advice related to COVID-19.