At this time we are not postponing or cancelling any Special Olympics BC programs or events, since the Public Health Agency of Canada states that the public health risk associated with COVID-19 is currently low for Canada.

The BC Centre for Disease Control says the most important things you can do to prevent coronavirus, COVID-19, and other illnesses are to wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face.

The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends following the same advice that public health officials suggest for the cold and flu season:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid others who are unwell, and if you are sick yourself, stay away from others. Contact your health-care provider ahead of time so you can be safely assessed.

These are all general precautions that should always be observed in cold and flu season, but we are taking the time to remind ourselves and everyone now, in light of the heightened awareness of this topic.

As best practices in this cold and flu season, we kindly remind all coaches, athletes, and families to do the following at programs:

• Please remind all participants to regularly wash their hands with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds – try singing the Happy Birthday song twice!
• If you feel sick, please do not attend a practice or event. Your health comes first!
• If an athlete or coach arrives at a program sick, the Head Coach should ask that participant to return home – or if they can’t immediately do so, please give them isolated space where they are not touching others.
• If a sick person can’t attend an event, but wants to stay active, please encourage them to check out the at-home training and health resources on the Special Olympics BC website.
• Please discourage high fives or handshakes – everyone loves a celebratory elbow bump instead!

Special Olympics BC recommends using B.C. and Canadian health authorities for information on COVID-19, including:

• The BC Centre for Disease Control
• The Public Health Agency of Canada
• Your Regional Health Authority

We will have upcoming social media posts with wellness reminders and resources in order to help the Special Olympics family and everyone stay well this cold and flu season!

If you have SO Nanaimo stories, results and pictures to share for the newsletter please send them to SOnewsnanaimo. Feedback on the newsletter always welcome!