The following message was sent by phone to subscribers of the CSL emergency alert system on Sunday, November 8, 2020, at 7:30pm.
This is Mayor Mitchell Brownstein. The Covid-19 infection rate continues to remain high in our city. I’m calling today to talk about two subjects. First, I want to thank everyone who continues to follow the public health rules to help slow down the spread of coronavirus. I know it’s hard. Especially after the summer period when the rules weren’t as strict and things began to feel a little bit more normal. But as we head into the winter season, we all need to resist the urge to bend the rules. Please. Don’t take unnecessary risks. Also, if you or your nanny, caregiver or cleaning lady have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who tested positive, please get tested. And I urge everyone to install the COVID Alert app on their smartphone.
The second thing I want to tell you today is to take care of your mental well-being, too. Please try to stay active and engaged as we approach the winter season. Go outside for walks. Talk to friends and family by phone. Pay attention to your feelings and talk about them with someone you trust. Speak with a friend and ask for help when you feel overwhelmed. If you’re a parent, be attentive to the feelings, emotions and reactions of your kids. Remember, your children experience events through your eyes. So if you need to, take a few minutes off—by yourself—to calm down. And don’t forget to take good care of yourself, too. Treat yourself by listening to music or taking a warm bath. It will reduce your stress.
Finally, I want to remind you that there are lots of organizations offering programs. Like knitting or others. Or our 2 p.m. weekday telephone programming. Many programs are also online, including ones offered by Côte Saint-Luc. So that means you will need some kind of computer, smartphone or tablet. If you have a smartphone or tablet and need assistance figuring out how to use it, our librarians can help. They can walk you through it over the phone. Call the library to book an appointment. The telephone number is 514-485-6900. We are also partnering with many organizations to create a directory of services to support the mental health and active lifestyle of individuals of all ages. Some of these services include online group therapy, discussion groups, video gaming, book clubs and more.
In summary, please don’t bend the rules. If you think you might have COVID-19, get tested. Install the COVID Alert app. Take care of your mental well-being. Register for an online program. And if you need help with your tablet, call the library.
Call 8-1-1 to reach a nurse in case of a non-urgent health issue. In the event of a serious problem or emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room. These services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
I’ll be calling back in the coming weeks to share more information on city programs and those from other organizations.