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FREE ESTIMATES stcroixcourier.ca Volume 155, Issue 11 466-5242 “Get ready to roll-up your sleeves, ‘cuz vaccines are on their way, New Brunswickers” Russell says all New Brunswickers will be vaccinated by Canada Day By Krisi Marples Call for reform NEW BRUNSWICK – “Get ready to roll-up your sleeves, ‘cuz Pg. 2 vaccines are on their way, New Brunswickers.” Those were the upbeat words from Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical offi cer of health to open the live press briefi ng from Fredericton on Friday, March 12. “We do have a plan to get a dose of protection against the COVID-19 virus into every New Brunswicker between now and Canada Day,” said Russell. “We are moving forward with a signifi cant acceleration of our vaccination plan,” she added. Russell said vaccination of nursing home and long term care facility residents, frontline health workers, and First Nations in- dividuals is almost complete, and that with additional vaccines headed to New Brunswick and new scientifi c evidence support- ing the 120-day delay between the fi rst and second dose, inocula- Child approached tion will move quickly. Pg. 3 Russell said Public Health is committed to “equitable distri- bution” of vaccines throughout the province, and the new vacci- nation plan still gives priority to those who “continue to be at a greater risk from the COVID-19 virus”. “Not only from the effects of severe outcomes, but also the ef- fects of transmission.” The new plan will also make use of the province’s pharma- cists to enable more residents to receive their vaccine. Russell said as greater swathes of the population become vac- cinated, so restrictions will loosen over time. “The fi nish line is in sight,” said Russell. Beginning Wednesday, March 17, New Brunswickers who are 85-years-old and older will be able to book an appointment with Screenshot their local pharmacy to receive their fi rst dose of vaccine. Rus- Chief Medical O cer of Health, Dr. Jennifer Russell announced Friday, March 12 that a sell reminded residents anyone under the age of 85 is not cur- new vaccination plan will see all New Brunswickers vaccinated by Canada Day, July 1. Student art displayed rently eligable for the vaccine, and will be turned away if they Pg. 8 book an appointment. Minister of Health, Dorothy Shephard said once those over ders,” said Russell, “to reduce importation of new cases into the 85-years-old have received their fi rst dose of vaccine, then ap- province.” $1.33 +TAX pointments will open to those 80-years-old and older, followed by Russell said then, in April and May, with suffi cient vaccine those 75-years-old and so on. supply, those over 60-years-old, and those between the ages of 40 “Please be patient,” said Russell. “Your turn is coming.” to 59 who are vulnerable to infection due to a medical condition Russell said by the end of March, Public Health will also in- will also be eligible. clude rotational workers, those who regularly cross the border She said the goal is to have a primary dose into every New for work, and truck drivers in the groups to be prioritized for Brunswicker by the end of June. vaccination. “We will give priority to people who regularly cross our bor- Continued on page 5 TREAT YOUR RIDE TO A SPA DAY AT ST. CROIX CAR SPA Hand wash with chamois. Interior detail including windows. $ .00 69+ TAXES Ph. 506-466-3730 • Visit our web site at www.stcroixcarspa.ca 191079 2 | MARCH 16, 2021 NEWS A broken system; the call for change to mental health programs and assitance in New Brunswick fer payments from the federal govern- By Krisi Marples ment was a clause stating a minimum of $10 million had to be spent on mental ST. STEPHEN – “This current system health programs. But in pulling the num- couldn’t even help a single 16-year-old girl bers, Anderson-Mason discovered that in her moment of crisis. That’s embar- $10 million spend didn’t happen until the rassing, and I don’t know about you, but 2020/21 budget. it makes me pretty damn mad.” On average, between the budgetary St. Stephen resident, and Life’s A years 2015/16 and 2020/21, an average of Wreck podcaster, 22-year-old Kyle Moore 3.39 per cent of New Brunswick’s annual is understandably angry as he discusses healthcare budget has been aimed at men- the healthcare system in New Brunswick, tal health programs. the very system that contributed to Lexi “So much change needs to be made,” Daken, a 16-year-old New Brunswicker, said Moore. “The system isn’t just bro- taking her own life. ken, it’s shattered. The very abridges version of Daken’s Daken family photo “To start, we need to educate those cur- story is in November of 2020, Daken at- “This current system couldn’t even help a single 16-year-old girl in her moment of crisis. That’s embarrassing, and rently in the healthcare system about the tempted suicide. In February of 2021, I don’t know about you, but it makes me pretty damn mad.” depths of mental illness and the risks Daken’s guidance counsellor recognized Kyle Moore is angry over the failure of the New Brunswick healthcare system to help 16-year-old Lexi Daken, they pose to those affected, and how im- some of same behaviours in Daken, and pictured, and is not only advocating for change to the system, but asks all New Brunswickers contact their MLA’s portant it is to take people seriously and ferried the 16-year-old directly to the to push for the change; a move Fundy-the-Isles and Saint John West MLA, Andrea Anderson-Mason says is one she take immediate action. Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital welcomes. To support Daken’s family, you can go to the Lexi’s Legacy Facebook page. “Furthermore, the government need in Fredericton. The counsellor waited to open up the cheque book and put more with Daken for eight hours, before a lot of myself in Lexi,” said Moore. “I felt six months isn’t acceptable. money into mental healthcare. We can’t nurse informed the pair a psychiatrist like a burden to those around me, and just “Just like when setting a broken bone, expect counsellors, therapists and other would not be available, to call one in facing each day seemed like climbing a time is of the essence. It would be unac- mental health professionals to want to after-hours would mean a wait of an mountain. ceptable to wait six months to set a bro- come to a province where they will be additional two hours, and here’s phone “I resonated with her pain, and to see ken bone, and it’s unacceptable in the underfunded, overworked and not ap- number to call instead. the healthcare system fail her so mis- mental health space as well,” she added. preciated. The saying ‘build it and they This was on a Thursday, and by Tues- erably was hard to stomach. No family It’s a topic never far from Anderson- will come’ rings so true in this case,” day, Daken was gone. should lose a child, especially not after Mason’s mind. Moore added. For Moore, the loss of Daken hit too they (Daken) do the courageous thing and In fact, while sitting in the legislature But if we build it, will they come? An- close to home, and he has allied himself accept the help that was offered to them,” recently, Anderson-Mason calculated derson-Mason is adamant on one point; with Daken’s family to enact change in he added. exactly how much of the provincial what the mental healthcare framework the province when it comes to how the “When a person is ready for help, we healthcare budget goes to mental health is truly lacking in New Brunswick is per- health system addresses those with men- have to triage in such a way that we give programs. sonnel. tal health issues. attention to that matter in that moment,” The results were disheartening. “As someone who has struggled with said Fundy-the-Isles, Saint John West Anderson-Mason highlighted that in my mental health my whole life, I see a MLA, Andrea Anderson-Mason. “Waiting 2017/18, built into the healthcare trans- Continued on page 15 Staying intouch with the latest in local News Your Saint Croix Courier are available both in print and online! Visit often for all the latest news! www.stcroixcourier.ca IN PRINT. ON THE GO. ONLINE. 191001 INFORMATION DESK LOTTERY WEATHER KENO ATLANTIC BUCKO From Environment Canada TIDES • For Wednesday, Mar 10 are: 01 02 • Mar 10 - 06 11 19 25 28 04 05 07 11 12 14 17 22 26 28 34 40 Tuesday...Sunny. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light Based on Saint John tides. (AST) • Mar 11 - 05 07 17 18 21 43 47 56 59 62 67 near noon.