It’s harder to protect the homeless from COVID-19, living in such close quarters.
Executive Director at Harvest House Cal Maskery says they are currently at capacity with around 40 people staying there each night.
“Being distant is very difficult with food lines and eight to ten people in a room. We’re helping people to be more conscious and mindful, taking extra precautions,” Maskery says.
They are trying their best to teach them proper social etiquette to avoid spreading any illnesses.
“We are conscious to remind people to keep themselves as clean as possible. We have posters up and around teaching people to cough and sneeze into their arms instead of their hands. That’s for the flu or this new virus, all of it. They just need to learn how to live in a public place with others,” Maskery says.
Many of their clients haven’t travelled abroad, but Maskery says they may still be at risk if exposed to COVID-19, “Some people, their nutrition levels are not that high, so their immune system may not be that strong. It could be because of a drug culture or other health issues. That makes everyone vulnerable if they are near someone who has it.”
One of the most difficult thing if someone did contract it, is isolation.
Maskery says, ” Because we are such a public place, we are trying to work with the city and province on what to. We don’t have the capacity for isolation, and that would be our major concern. Hopefully we will be able to address that with the other shelter and the Soup kitchens should something arise. Our staff are keeping a close eye on our clients in the case they do develop symptoms of COVID-19.”
Maskery says Harvest House and the Ray of Hope Soup Kitchen are both in need of hand sanitizers, and other sanitizing wipes.
He says they aren’t desperate at this point and there is no need to panic.
They are also always in need of other donations including hot beverages, including coffee, tea or hot chocolate, or food.
