From: Kathleen Ross, MD
President, Doctors of BC – 2019/2020
Dear Colleagues,
Our colleague and Provincial Health Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry, has been very clear in her direction on COVID-19. The time is now. The public must self-isolate and maintain social distance in accordance with her orders. What they do today will impact the health and perhaps the fate of British Columbians in the next weeks and months.
As physicians it is crucial that we are united in providing the public with clear guidance. We need to amplify Dr Henry’s message. During these times of crisis, adhering to the public health direction as the single source of truth is imperative. The truth is that self-isolation and maintaining social distance will save lives.
Today, I am asking all of you – as physicians who care deeply about your patients, their families, and your communities – to help get this message out. It is especially important at a time when we continue to see some of our younger people congregating and socializing, putting not just themselves at risk, but their parents and grandparents.
What can you do?
Email your patients, and remind them to self-isolate and to encourage their children to do the same.
Take to social media. Let’s get hundreds of physicians in BC out on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook this week using the hashtags #stay_home #BCdocs
Groups of physicians could connect with your local media.
Think of other innovative ideas to get the message out, e-mail us at communications@doctorsofbc.ca and we will share them.
I know that many of you are feeling overwhelmed, so we have made this as easy as possible. Below you will find some written materials and messaging to get you started.
As physicians, we hold a privileged place of trust with our patients and the public. We have an opportunity to make a real difference, to save lives. I encourage you to do what you can to help.
For questions or comments, please e-mail covid19@doctorsofbc.ca.
Template Letter/E-mail to Patients:
Here is a suggested letter to patients that will help to get you started.
To my patients,
I am taking this unusual step to write to you personally regarding the COVID-19 virus. You will have heard the directive from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr Bonnie Henry, to self-isolate and practice social distancing.
The time to act is now. Our province is in a state of emergency. What we do today will impact the health of British Columbians in the weeks to come.
Stay home unless absolutely necessary. No dinner parties. No shopping. No sports, not even outside. Instead, have coffee with a friend online.
Keep six feet or two metres away from everyone at all times. That’s about the width of a car or two length of two arms stretched out. Call your loved ones and tell them to do the same.
Remind young people in your life that they can get sick from this virus. More importantly, they can be carriers and cause a lot of harm to parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.
We can do this, but we can’t wait one more hour or one more day. Let’s save lives, together.
Click here to download a Word version of the letter to use as a template.