English Blog Categories 38

When Bavleen Kaur moved to Winnipeg from India, she wanted to volunteer in her new community. Her attention was captured by the Canadian Red Cross SmartStart program, which teaches injury prevention to newcomers to Canada. She ended up applying her newfound safety skills almost immediately.

Imagine moving to a new country during a global pandemic. Already feeling the isolating effects of unfamiliar surroundings, you’re now faced with the challenge of making a new life for yourself and your family during a widespread lockdown. 

Nobody can say with certainty what will happen on October 31 this year, but the pandemic will alter some traditional merriment, especially trick-or-treating. Will we be able to celebrate the day, which kids are so eagerly awaiting, while still keeping them and others safe? What we do know is that Halloween will look a little different this year. Since it falls during the weekend, instead of having to hurriedly mark the occasion after school on a weeknight, we can take the time to celebrate all day long.

Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers in conflict zones work under challenges most of us can’t imagine; treating frequent injuries from bombs and bullets, dealing with disrupted supply lines, and managing hospitals and clinics that are damaged or even under attack.
Now imagine adding COVID-19 into that mix.
Red Cross Talks reached out to Hossam Elsharkawi to discuss the additional threat that the global pandemic poses to those who live and work in areas of conflict.

Fall weather brings a lot of uncertainty – but we can be certain that fall weather means increasingly colder temperatures, especially at night, and accompanying freezing rain, overnight freezes, storms are on the horizon. Here are some tips to help you be ready.

From labour to breastfeeding and more, being a new mother can be overwhelming so having available community supports when needed is invaluable - even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic when resources and supports can be in high demand. In Quebec, one community-based healthcare organization - Groupe d'entraide Allaitement Sein-Pathique – is helping more than just new mothers – any parent who would like guidance or advice from an experienced mentor can reach out to the program.

It was 11 a.m. when science class started on Monday, August 17. A group of about 15 students was doing what students usually do before class starts: happily chatting about what they did on the weekend. There was nothing out of the usual until you looked closer and noticed the students ranged from a very young age to their senior years, and everyone was taking part in the class from their own home through a videoconferencing app. “It’s good that there are adults, teenagers, and children,” said Gail Berman, a 64-year-old student. This heterogeneous group is connected by a condition that is common to all of them: everyone has autism spectrum disorder.
 

Holidays of all sorts are upon us and it can be an exciting time for many – but it can also be challenging for many as well, especially during COVID-19. Here are some tips and resources to help you manage holiday stress - during a pandemic.