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Tamara Hinz

27 Aug, 8 tweets, 5 min read

A few slides that I thought were particularly important from tonight’s #Covid19Sk physician town hall:

Firstly, this should be no surprise that Sask holds the dubious distinction of being among the highest rates of COVID-19 in the country. Dark blue = bad.

@skgov

The % change columns are important and have basically flatlined into the lowest rates in the country. @skgov wants to put all their eggs in the vaccine basket but also shows no willingness to find ways to increase uptake. Other jurisdictions tell us that vaccine mandates work.

Canadian modelling from the end of July shows what case rates will do when restrictions are dropped. Look what happened? We are tracking, within margin of error, right along that horrible vertical slope.

Why is this all relevant? Look what is happening to our #COVID19SK hospitalization numbers. Even as a lagging indicator, there is no doubt that the decisions of our government are leading to sharp upticks in ICU and non-ICU admissions (note that ICUs are already full).

We do not currently have the workforce to increase testing rates (as long lineups in #yxe have shown) or keep up with contact tracing. People testing + for COVID are being asked to contact all their own contacts. I’m not sure what happens if people are unwilling or unable.

@SaskParty

Public health issued pleas to us that really are directed to decision makers within the @SaskParty. The 5 bullet points in red are the asks that we desperately need in place in order to get a handle on this situation.

@Brent_Thoma

Finally, we heard another grim report of the status of Saskatoon’s ERs from my friend Dr @Brent_Thoma. Staffing shortages are **already** leading to unsafe and substandard care. EMS tied up with patients waiting for beds means that ambulance response times may be affected.

@WheatNOil

As my pal @WheatNOil eloquently tweeted, now is not a great time to get sick or injured - #COVID or otherwise.
How can you help? Amplify messages like this. Share your concerns with your MLAs and Premier. And work to get your friends and family vaccinated.
Please stay safe ❤️

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More from @hinz_tamara

Tamara Hinz

@hinz_tamara

2 Feb

@PremierScottMoe

This mantra from @PremierScottMoe about "lives vs livelihoods" is such a false dichotomy. It's upsetting to me because it completely shuts down the option of time-limited financial support for business owners and employees to temporarily shut down so we can quash this curve.
1/4

"Livelihoods" are only at risk if we refuse to help people when they are in need. Instead of forcing businesses to remain open when it's unsafe to do so, we could be providing rental and wage subsidies. Is this expensive? Maybe. You know what is also expensive?
2/4

ICU beds, HCW overtime, lost productivity due to waiting for canceled procedures, **lost productivity because you died a premature death due to COVID.** I haven't even touched on the emotional costs of illness, isolation, and the loss of dear loved ones. We need to
3/4

Read 4 tweets

Tamara Hinz

@hinz_tamara

19 Jan

@SLangeneggerCBC

I spoke with @SLangeneggerCBC on the radio this morning about the psychology of pandemic rules and some of the reasons why we may be seeing more apathy from some of our partners on this large-scale group project where we all need to do our part. 🧵:

Rules need to be consistent and simple. Most want to do their part but we need to make rules easy to understand. I’m often asked what the various restrictions are for indoor vs outdoor vs restaurants gatherings, how long do you need to self isolate with a negative test? Etc.

Support people to do the right thing. Paid sick leave and other safety nets are crucial. If you’re in isolation, do you have a way to get groceries? Public health checking in on people in quarantine every day is great for mental health but also for enforcement. Speaking of which,

Read 8 tweets

Tamara Hinz

@hinz_tamara

3 Dec 20

@MMandryk

From @MMandryk: “As Moe watches malls and box stores crowded with Christmas shoppers and sees daily case COVID-19 cases and deaths rise, surely he understands now is not the time to send signals we can be lax?”

This is what blows my mind:

1/5

google.ca/amp/s/leaderpo…

The premier has seen the same modelling numbers the physicians did at our provincial town hall last week (this is now available on the SHA website). He knows what the forecast shows in terms of our hospital capacity - even *with* our current level of restrictions.

2/5

This graph shows that the high end of the estimates for hospitalizations - **assuming current public health orders stay in place and aren’t loosened** - will reach 50% OF ALL BED CAPACITY by February.

3/5

Read 5 tweets

Tamara Hinz

@hinz_tamara

16 Mar 20

I've been asked to do a post on how to manage anxiety and other mental health symptoms that may be popping up or exacerbated by the #pandemic. As a psychiatrist I can't help manage ventilators or relieve our tired ER physicians so hopefully this is a small way I can be helpful:

1. News and social media can be a vital source of information updates but there's a fine line between being informed and getting overwhelmed by (mis)information. Bombarding yourself like that is a surefire way to worsen anxiety; try to unplug and disconnect for a few hours a day

2. Exercise is a powerful stress buster and mood booster - it literally grows new brain cells! Your gym may be closed so get creative about other ways to move your body. Find some exercises on YouTube or dig out an old workout DVD.

Read 8 tweets

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