KMHC to Allow Mother’s Day Deliveries Under Strict Conditions
Written by Paul Graif on 6 May 2020
Kateri Memorial Hospital Center (KMHC) Executive Director Lisa Westaway says the Task Force has adopted a model that will help to keep the community safe as they slowly reopen for business. “The model we are putting in place will minimize the risk, but the risk will still be there,” Westaway said.
We have contacted over 50 percent of the Kahnawake Telephone Directory. The results from the Health Check show that seven to eight percent of participants had at least one symptom of Covid-19, that is an improvement from the survery from April.
Among those contacted, the average age is just over 60 years old for those showing the symptoms. The data shows that for those in that age group the risk of developing complications from Covid-19 are significantly higher.
“We have increased our testing significantly as a result of the calls,” Westaway said. “This data will help us as we reopen business. So this data is extremely important.”
The KMHC has been really strict about not allowing any deliveries for patients, but they are loosening up that directive temporarily. “We want to open that up a little bit for Mother’s Day. So on Sunday, May 10th between 10 am and 1 PM, the testing site location will be available for you to drop off items, from your car, for your family members. We will have a team of staff members who will take the items from you and wash it down. But no food will accepted. You could deliver flowers but they have to be from local vendors. They can not come from vendors outside of the community.”
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Grand Chief Joseph Tokwiro Norton appeared via video conference on the Kahnawake 911 live update on Facebook on Wednesday. He delivered a message in Kaniekeha first before speaking about the role of the Covid-19 Task Force as a completely apolitical body.
“If you have an issue that is of a political nature, in reality that should be directed to the council (MCK). You should address the Chiefs with those kinds of questions. We shouldn’t be burdening the Task Force with those questions. They have enough to do. They have enough on their hands. Don’t turn it into a political issue.”
Commissioner of Public Safety Lloyd Phillips, said there was a Task Force meeting that focussed on the economics and they continue to work on a plan for the economic revitalization of the community. “I’m glad to say that the plan is coming together. There are many moving parts. It’s important to have the mechanism in place for the businesses,” Phillips said.
