Fort LiardSA国际影视传媒檚 mayor says the hamlet is focusing on keeping Elders safe and informed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to protect our Elders SA国际影视传媒� our community,SA国际影视传媒� said Hillary Deneron.

Following days of anxiety-inducing uncertainty, Deneron said she received word from the territorial government that essential supply chain workers SA国际影视传媒� truckers bringing in groceries and fuel SA国际影视传媒� would still be allowed across the B.C. border.

The GNWT moved to shut down the border to non-essential visitors last week.

To get the word out, Deneron spent hours posting updates on community bulletin boards in Fort Liard SA国际影视传媒� part of an effort to get crucial messages across to Elders and other community members who donSA国际影视传媒檛 have internet access.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou donSA国际影视传媒檛 see very many GNWT posts coming in on paper. Everything is on social media or their website,SA国际影视传媒� Deneron told SA国际影视传媒.

A lot of Elders in the community of some 500 people donSA国际影视传媒檛 speak or understand English, said Deneron. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 why leaders are focusing on communicating social distancing and health safety advice to Elders who arenSA国际影视传媒檛 seeing GNWT COVID-19 updates, the bulk of which are being posted online in English.

Deneron is a co-owner at the Liard Valley General Store, a crucial grocery outpost in the hamlet. She said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been driving home social distancing messages to residents who come into the store: keep your distance and stay at home when you can.

SA国际影视传媒淵oung or old, it doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 matter. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e making it clear to everybody,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e telling community members not to take this lightly, that this is a serious matter.SA国际影视传媒�

But in a small community where people often socialize in large groups, Deneron said the message isnSA国际影视传媒檛 getting across to everyone.

SA国际影视传媒淲e are huggers and hand-shakers. Some people arenSA国际影视传媒檛 taking it as seriously as it should be taken,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

At her shop, Deneron said there has been some hoarding of supplies SA国际影视传媒� something sheSA国际影视传媒檚 actively discouraging SA国际影视传媒� but sheSA国际影视传媒檚 not worried about a shortage of goods at the moment.

The store, which receives grocery shipments from Edmonton, is currently well-stocked, said Deneron. But it is short on some items in the wake of COVID-19, particularly dried products like flour, pasta and rice.

Despite the well-stocked store, Deneron does have some concerns about how Fort Liard will confront COVID-19 in the event of an outbreak in the community.

SA国际影视传媒淲e do not have the proper medical facility here and the healthcare professionals,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 have it here.SA国际影视传媒�

In Fort Liard, there are three permanent nurses, said Deneron. A doctor from outside of the hamlet makes trips to Fort Liard on a day-to-day basis, she added.

Out on the land

Deneron said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 encouraging residents to get out on the land as a way of practising social distancing. So far, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 seen many families and community members heed the advice.

With schools closed and kids at home, Deneron said sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been urging parents to let children play inside and outside SA国际影视传媒� while following social distancing protocol SA国际影视传媒� but sheSA国际影视传媒檚 stressing a need for households to instill structure so that at-home students can regain a sense of normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.