My friend called me after a frustrating online session. She is 90. On February 24, it was in the news that, as of February 25, persons age 85 or older could make an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccination. But the government link did not work.
Maybe it’s because she was a day early? I began exploring. I went to quebec.ca/vaccinCOVID, the Quebec government site. The link led me to lots of information.
The English version said the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that vaccinations help prevent more than 2 million deaths, worldwide, each year. They have wiped out smallpox, globally, and polio across Canada. (That touched me, because my grandfather lived most of his life half paralysed by polio.)
As of February 24, we’ve had 284,472 cases of Covid-19 in Quebec, of which 10,345 died. To get us out of this pandemic, vaccinations are important. The site helpfully listed possible side effects of the vaccination, and reasons for getting vaccinated. It said vaccinations are free, and any call or email offering a vaccination for a fee is fraudulent.
You cannot just drop in. You must get an appointment first.
At 8 a.m., February 25, I was at quebec.ca/vaccinCOVID. I clicked on the tiny “English” box in the upper right corner. Then on the yellow rectangle reading “Make an appointment for a vaccination.” Then another to specify I wanted a Covid-19 vaccination. Important tip: As new menus open, be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom in order to move to the next page.
You’ll have to answer questions about Covid symptoms, affirm you are 85 or over. Give your postal code. And then choose which location – East Angus offered me a time slot on March 17. Coaticook, March 19.
That’s as far as I went, not yet being 85. You can also just phone 1-877-644-4545. Good luck!
FOR TEENS
Introducing the Self-Care Creative Challenge for Teens: How do you look after yourself? Do you write, paint, sing or draw? Do you attend the Alexander Galt Regional High School, Massey-Vanier High School, or Richmond Regional High School? If so, Townshippers’ Association wants to see your self-care creative tips via images, videos, sound clips or texts. Prizes are awarded to students from each school. Submission deadline: March 11. For details, visit www.townshippers.org/selfcarechallenge or email ml@townshippers.org.
STRESS BUSTERS
We’re in the midst of a series of free virtual workshops offering strategies for overcoming anxiety and stress, with Melissa Hindley, a licensed psychotherapist. The second session, on Wednesday, March 3, focuses on understanding anxiety, naming and expressing our feelings, and exploring mindfulness as a coping tool. The final session, on Wednesday, March 10, explores other tools and techniques to better manage anxiety and stressful events, including Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Both are at at 10 to 11:30 a.m.
The virtual series is free, in English, and open to all, and is organized by Mental Health Estrie. To register for one or both these workshops, contact Jennifer at mentalhealthestrie@gmail.com.
LENNOXVILLE READS
Now we can take part by Zoom in the annual Canada Reads preview at the Lennoxville Library from the couch, on Wednesday, March 3, at 7 to 8:30 p.m., with Stephanie Brown as MC. Kathryn Owen will defend The Midnight Bargain. Royal Orr will champion Two Trees Make a Forest. Jack Eby speaks for Jonny Appleseed; Sheila Quinn, for Hench; and Angela Leuck defends Butter Honey Pig Bread. The debate is to find the “one book to transport us.” Here’s the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89624171684
VIRTUAL SEED FESTIVAL
Ok, so we’re doing without an in-person seed festival this spring. Instead, the Sawyerville Community Garden plans a virtual seed festival for the period of February 27 to March 8. Under “Discussion” on the Facebook page Fête des semences de Sawyerville, organizer Karine Waltz is posting a series of articles and information about local seed producers and other resources.
The Garden is also partnering with the Réseau d’Agriculture Urbaine de Québec (RAUQ) to offer a series of 30 online presentations during this week, all about various aspects of gardening. Many are recorded, and a $15 pass gives access to all of them, in French. To participate, links are available on the Sawyerville Community Garden and Fête des semences de Sawyerville Facebook pages, or you can go directly to fetedessemences.rauq.org/conferences.
TAX CLINIC SAWYERVILLE
In addition to the details provided in the February 17th column, the Sawyerville income tax clinic has a small change in the opening hours. In order to respect the 8 p.m. curfew in the Estrie region, on Wednesdays, March 17 and 24, the service is open from 6 to 7 p.m. instead of until 8 p.m. The service is also open Wednesday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m. on March 10, 17, 24 and 31. Info: Danielle at 819-889-2614, Francine at 819-889-2574 or Suzanne at 819-889-1036.
TAX CLINICS ELSEWHERE
Persons with limited incomes can also use the services of income tax services of the Centre d’Action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François. Clinics are available during the month of March in Cookshire, East Angus, La Patrie, Scotstown and Weedon. For details, hours, and special procedures to avoid the spread of Covid-19, call 819-560-8540.
CHURCHES
Baptist. Services are cancelled until further notice because of pandemic constraints. Info: Pastor Michel Houle: 819-239-8818.
Anglican. Bishop Bruce Myers continues to offer Home Prayers at 10:30 a.m. Sundays on Facebook, and at quebec.anglican.ca (Worship Videos). Info: 819-887-6802, or quebec.anglican.ca.
United. Home worship services are available for pickup Fridays after 2 p.m. at Sawyerville United Church (box on top of freezer in porch), at Trinity United Church (in plastic bag at basement door). To receive services by mail or email, or for pastoral care, contact Rev Tami Spires at 819-452-3685 or spiresta@hotmail.com. Facebook info: United Eaton Valley Pastoral Charge.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email rawrites@gmail.com by March 8 for publication March 17, and by March 22 for March 31.