Tuesday, 26 May 2020

City of Ottawa Museums/Galleries: Survey on re-opening facilities and services

Survey on re-opening facilities and services

 
With the temporary closures of City of Ottawa facilities due to COVID-19, we’d like to receive public feedback about returning to our new normal operations.
Please note we are following the Ontario Government for the timeline for reopening our outdoor spaces, facilities and programs. As we have heard from all levels of government, reopening will be determined by data and recommendations of public health officials.  
We would appreciate you taking a few minutes to complete the survey as the results will assist us in planning our reopening. Your information will address the types of measures we can put in place to help you feel comfortable.
Please respond by Friday, June 5.
Thank you for giving us your feedback. We very much look forward to welcoming you back to our venues!

Saturday, 16 May 2020

City of Ottawa - Accessibility Spotlight - April 2020

City providing Emergency Response Information in American Sign Language and langue des signes québécoise

On April 6, 2020, the City of Ottawa partnered with Sign Language Interpretation Associates of Ottawa (SLIAO) to provide American Sign Language (ASL) and langue des signes québécoise (LSQ) during a media conference, available to the public through the City’s YouTube channels. This was a first for the City of Ottawa and has set a new standard for emergency communications in the future.

Since then, Sign Language Interpretation in ASL and LSQ has been provided for all City media conferences, virtual Town Hall, and a technical briefing. The City is committed to accessible and inclusive communications for all residents, and this was an important step towards that goal.


 

City establishes Human Needs Task Force to support community during COVID-19




A Human Needs Task Force has been created as part of the City’s Emergency Management Plan and emergency response to COVID-19 to ensure that we are meeting the emerging needs of the community.

This task force brings together many partners, in addition to representatives from City departments, including Ottawa Public Health.

Available resources include:

Food Security

Isolated and/or vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness

  • Community Support: Access to support services for seniors and people with disabilities
  • Seniors Centre Without Walls: 613-236-0428 
  • A Friendly Voice by Rural Ottawa South Support Services. Wellness calls to rural seniors connecting them to local services and programs: 613-692-9992 
  • Mental Health Crisis Line: 613-722-6914 (within Ottawa) or Toll-free 1-866-996-0991 (outside Ottawa)
  • Better Strength, Better Balance program on Roger’s TV
  • Ottawa Community Housing wellness checks: 613-731-1182
  • Ottawa Inner City Health. Supports to people who are homeless: 613-562-4500 

Emergency Financial Assistance

  • Call 3-1-1 and press 4 for social services (i.e. medical needs, trouble paying utility bills, housing arrears, etc.)

Community-based social services

  • Call 2-1-1 Help Line – referrals to local community, social, government and health services. 

Human Needs Task Force contact information

  • Email
  • Phone number: 613-580-2424 ext. 26753

City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan 

Please note that due to COVID-19, the 2020 City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan Update and new 2020-2024 City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plan, which would have been presented to the Finance and Economic Development Committee and Council in the Spring, have been postponed until later this year. Information will be shared when it is available.

AccessAbility Day 2020

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 precautions, AccessAbility Day, which was to be held on May 28, is cancelled. We will be celebrating in alternate ways this year and look forward to celebrating with you in-person when it is safe to do so.

Accessible Formats and Communications Supports

Accessible formats are available for materials and communications products produced or purchased (e.g. consultant reports) by the City of Ottawa for release to the public. It does not apply to products and product labels, unconvertible information, or information that the City does not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) states that accessible formats and communication supports shall be provided:
  • in a timely manner;
  • taking into account the person’s accessibility needs; and,
  • at a cost that is no more than the regular cost charged to other persons.
You may request an accessible format or communication support:

Friday, 8 May 2020

May and June Events Cancelled

The Community Yard Sale and Summer Social have been cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

We will also be cancelling the May and June community association meetings.

We will continue to monitor the public health situation to determine whether we will be able to offer events in the summer and fall.

Saturday, 2 May 2020

Ottawa Public Health Message


It is important to recognize that the COVID-19 situation is evolving very quickly. Please refer to OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Coronavirus to stay up-to-date on the latest information. 

The actions that members of your groups and organizations are taking will save lives and make a difference for your friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues. Remember that COVID-19 affects everyone: regardless of age and current health status. It is important for all of us to continue to practice physical distancing. This means:

  • Stay home as much as possible. Only leave your property for essential travel such as grocery shopping or visiting a pharmacy;
  • Stay at least 2 metres (6 feet) away from people outside of your household;
  • Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often;
  • Do not touch your face with unwashed hands;
  • Clean phones and other devices, and frequently touched surfaces regularly.

 
For more information on physical distancing visit: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/PhysicalDistancing


Wearing non-medical masks may offer additional protection, especially when physical distancing is hard to maintain (e.g. in a grocery store, on the bus). Non-medical masks may include those that are made from cloth (for example cotton); those that have pockets to insert filters; and those that are used to cover other masks or respirators to prolong their use. Wearing a non-medical mask is NOT a replacement for physical distancing, hand washing, and monitoring your health.

For more information about the use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please visit: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Masks

Symptoms and Testing Criteria

If you are in distress (e.g. significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Assessment Centre or a COVID-19 Care clinic. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.
  • COVID-19 has common symptoms such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
  • COVID-19 also has less common symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, delirium (a serious medical condition that involves confusion, changes to memory, and odd behaviours), falls, acute functional decline, worsening of chronic conditions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, chills, headaches, croup, or loss of taste/smell.
  • COVID-19 may also present as new or worsening respiratory symptoms such as: sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, hoarse voice, or difficulty swallowing

    The following list of individuals are recommended to be tested for COVID-19 IF they have at least one common symptom of COVID-19 OR one less common symptom of COVID-19 OR one new or worsening respiratory symptom (see list of symptoms above):

  • Healthcare workers or staff who work in health care facilities and members of their households;
  • Residents and staff in long-term care homes, retirement homes, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, mental health institution, hospice, and other congregate living settings;
  • Hospitalized individuals and those who likely will be hospitalized;
  • Members of remote, isolated, rural, and/or indigenous communities;
  • Caregivers and care providers;
  • First responders such as firefighters, police, and paramedics;
  • Individuals with frequent healthcare contact such as patients with cancer or undergoing chemotherapy, dialysis therapy, pre- or post-transplant, pregnancy, and newborns.

    The following list of individuals are recommended to be tested for COVID-19 IF they have at least one common symptom of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

  • Close contacts of confirmed or probable cases;
  • Returning international travelers who seek medical attention;
  • Critical infrastructure workers – this includes grocery stores, food services, maintenance and transportation workers, and utilities.

    Patients who meet the criteria above will be tested for COVID-19, which involves taking a sample from the throat or nose with a swab.

    If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, use the COVID-19 self-assessment tool to help determine how to seek further care

This revised testing criteria has been added to the Ottawa Public Health website: www.OttawaPublicHealth.ca


Assessment Centre – Brewer Park

151 Brewer Way
Accessed from Bronson Avenue opposite Carleton University
Open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 7 days a week

COVID-19 Care Clinic – Moodie Location
595 Moodie Drive
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COVID-19 Care Clinic – Heron Location
1485 Heron Road
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Anyone with serious illness should never hesitate to go to Emergency Departments. The Ottawa-area hospitals all have capacity to provide emergency service to those who need it, and are using strict infection prevention and control measures. 
Multilingual COVID Information


Unfortunately, physical isolation has increased risk and incidence of elder, spousal, LGBTQ2, and child abuse. We want to encourage people to access the incredible resources available to help prevent and assist in these situations. 
  • The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario;
  • The Children’s Aid Society;
  • The Distress Centre of Ottawa 613-238-3311;
  • The Youth Services Bureau Crisis Line 613-260-2360 or visit chat.ysb.ca;
  • Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or text #686868;
  • The Champlain Community Support Network’s resources for older Adults;
  • The Ottawa Police Service.

    There is also a new program launched with the support of Crime Prevention Ottawa, “Unsafe At Home Ottawa,” a chat and text resource for people who feel trapped at home with someone who is abusive. To use this program, you can send a text to 613-704-5535 or chat online at UnsafeAtHomeOttawa.ca. 
Helping children cope during the COVID-19 pandemic

Being apart from friends and family can be challenging for everyone. For children and teens, it can be even more difficult. It is important that everyone practice physical distancing, but this idea can be hard for young people to understand. Here are some things parents can do to help their children cope with this situation.
  • Reassure them that they are safe;
  • Encourage them to ask questions, and to talk about how they feel;
  • Be understanding – they may have problems sleeping, be upset, and need extra care and attention;
  • Remember that kids look to their parents to feel safe and to know how to respond – reassure them and let them know you’ll tackle this together;
  • Try to keep to normal routines and schedules – allow them to get outside and have supervised play. This is not a play date, so while out, remind them to keep 2 metres or 6 feet from others;
  • Encourage them to keep in touch with their friends or other kids their age through supervised video chats or phone calls;

Physical Distancing for Parents, Teens, and Children
 

Physical distancing involves taking steps to limit the number of people with whom you and your family come into close contact. As COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person through direct contact or over short distances by droplets through coughing or sneezing, this is critical to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community. A person may also get COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their mouth, nose, or possibly eyes. Though being apart from friends and family can be challenging even for adults, it can feel more like the end of the world for children and teens. Children can be more easily socially distanced than teens, who – quite frankly – push back more out of a need for greater independence.

The concept of physical distancing applies outside your home. Household contacts (people you live with) do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled within the past 14 days. Physical distance and emotional distance are not the same. These recommendations are meant to keep physical space from other households, while staying emotionally connected! 
Support for Older Adults

Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health is strongly urging those over the age of 70 to stay at home and self-isolate. Follow these general instructions on self-isolation.
While seniors' activity centres across Ottawa have shut down to limit the spread of COVID-19 among the vulnerable older adult population, senior/community centres continue to coordinate volunteers, plan meals, and reach out by phone.

Resources available:


For more information on activities and services, please visit our webpage for Older Adults.

Check in with yourself. It’s OK not to be OK. It is normal for situations like these to affect your mental health.
  • If you are in crisis, please contact the Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day/7 days a week) at 613-722-6914 or if outside Ottawa toll-free at 1-866-996-0991.
  • If you (or your child) are experiencing thoughts of suicide or harming yourself, please call 9-1-1.
Stay connected to others in different ways. Check in with others by phone or other technology. Find positive coping strategies that work for you.  For more resources, please visit our Mental Health and COVID-19 webpage.

Thank you again for all the actions you are taking as a community – these actions matter. Together we are making a difference.

Friday, 1 May 2020

City of Ottawa Recreation

A quick reminder that all city park facilities and park equipment are closed until June 30, 2020. Only walkthroughs are permitted, while respecting physical distancing. The Provincial Government has released a Framework for reopening services that could begin to reopen facilities, including parks, in the coming weeks. Updates on any changes to the closures will be communicated to you as soon as they occur.

In addition The parking lots at Mooney’s Bay Park, Petrie Island and Britannia Park are closed to vehicle access until June 30, 2020.



 
We need your help
We are looking for donations to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic! Please consider donating if you have any new and unopened:
  • Shampoo
  • Toothpaste
  • Soap
  • Sanitary products
  • Gently used books and magazines
Contact donations@ottawa.ca for more information.
 
Summer programs
At this time, summer programs after June 30 are still running as planned. Rest assured that should there be any cancellations due to COVID-19, that you will be refunded without penalty.
 
Join us online
We will be bringing you fun updates on our Ottawa Recreation and Culture Facebook page from recreation, community arts, inclusive recreation and much more.

While we’re self-isolating, looking after your mind, body and soul has never been more important. We want to help by sharing our knowledge, expertise and activities in an uber-fun way. Look out for our daily features!
 
Happy birthday from Dexter!
Our favourite dinosaur wants to say a big happy birthday to Ottawa’s youngest residents. Message us on Facebook with your child’s birthday and name to receive a personalized message from Dexter! Please give at least two days notice. If you're not on social media and want a birthday message from Dexter, email us at rcfssocialmedia@ottawa.ca. Who doesn’t love a dancing dinosaur?