In a new press release today, the Town of Cobourg clarified the usage of the trailers at the Trailer park. A better description of their usage would be a “relief base camp for first responders and frontline medical workers”. They would be used by frontline workers who are in need of respite and/or self-isolation from possible exposure to COVID-19. Shannon Murphy, Emergency Planner for the Town of Cobourg explains that “the prevalence of fatigue in frontline medical staff and first responders is a major issue. The base camp will be focused on promoting self-care and rest, and for those who need to self-isolate due to potential exposure.”
Although the trailers were provided by Owasco (see earlier Post), there are also other local suppliers to thank:
- Rent All Centre in Cobourg donated nearly 1,300 feet of temporary fencing;
- The Town of Cobourg’s Parks and Waterfront staff helped set it up;
- The Cobourg Police Service provided logistical management;
- Ready Print provided signs with a quick turnaround.
At the “base camp”, emergency responders can find the peace and quiet they need to de-stress. They serve to provide areas for alone time, relaxation, as well as sleep. Relief workers can set themselves up for success and better health by making sure they take care of their own needs as well as the needs of others. Access to mobile sleeper trailers can also encourage responders to get the sleep they need to help others effectively.
The First Responder and Frontline Medical Worker Relief Base Camp is closed to the public and residents are asked to “please keep a safe and quiet distance away from the Victoria Park Campground at this time”.
It’s good to see the Town and the community coming together to support our front-line workers.
Print Article:
Amid all of the negativity at this location, a 99 year old UK War Veteran has raised over 44 million for First Responders and Health Care Workers by walking laps in his garden.
Strength and wellness are extended to all of our front-line workers. The presence of the Police-mobile also there near Victoria Beach which as of April 13, with two men from Toronto who were windsurfing, is and will be a “hotspot” for “tourists.”
Knock wood – only 1 case in NHH! Compared to Lindsay and Kawartha Lakes Cobourg is doing well with so few cases in hospital here. Many people in Cobourg are probably travellers to U.S. and overseas with many people of higher incomes. Great Cobourg has seen to ensuring the front line workers have a safe place to recover being in much closer proximity to people with the virus. Let us hope no one becomes smug and ignores the precautions as prescribed.
Oh yes, let us not forget the photo opp. The NHH according to the Health Unit today has 1 hospitalized case of cornovirus.
Would you feel better if there was more?
Actually no. I am sick of seeing staged photo opps. I did notice from non staged photos taken at the event that workers had no PPE, even masks. But I guess they do not count
I think even if you won the lottery you would only be happy for a day or two😏
Kyle, the only response to a comment to your post is poodledick‘s are alive and well
Kyle … While so called photo-opps are seen by the cynical as self-serving they often provide evidence that certain individuals we hope are involved are In fact involved (and can subsequently be held accountable!). Foremost in this example it’s Mayor Henderson. In other examples it’s often MPP Puccini (dispite the fact I disagree with most of the policies of the Ford Government).
You could apply that cynical point of view to the daily, 11:15 am COVID-19 briefings give by PM Trudeau. As general and as unspecific as his words often are they assure us that as the most powerful individual in our system of government, he is involved. Mayor Mario Cuomo of New York City plays the same important role.
Congratulations to the Town and whoever else was involved. Using the Trailer Park this way is a great idea.
“While so called photo-opps are seen by the cynical as self-serving…”
One does not have to be cynical to be aware that photo-ops can sometimes be self-serving. I pointed this out in Macleans magazine back in the day.
A CLEAN PERFORMANCE, Macleans, Oct 17-88
In the article “A former era on trial” (World, Sept. 19), concerning corruption by elite Soviet officials, it is written that “official Soviet news agencies offered the media photographs of police digging up hoards of cash and jewelry.” The photograph in Maclean’s is a fine example of the government controlled glasnost of Mikhail Gorbachev’s new wave designer dictatorship: note how the police, having dug a waist deep hole in an autumn forest and hauled out five large containers, wear business suits without a single scuff mark. It’s reassuring to know that the Soviets haven’t lost their touch with Potemkin photo ops, nor the free Western media in their ability to gulp it all down.
Wally Keeler, Toronto
For the photo-op referred to above; https://archive.macleans.ca/issue/19880919#!&pid=18
Oh, you mean before the PM is whisked off across a closed public border to his cottage in the country.
I can’t believe that cottage fiasco isn’t a bigger story and that more people aren’t concerned about his “do as I say, not as I do” attitude.
Leadership?
As well, why do we now need to cough up millions of dollars for our venerated PM’s lakeside retreat and residence? Not falling down when last we looked, that money can be put to better use right now. That would be a good pr move but a different budget, or something, I guess.
Before we all go off half-cocked on this one, this so called “cottage” is one of two government owned official residences provided for use by the PM.
During the work week Trudeau is exposed to others dispite the fact he is doing alot of his work from “home”. His presence at the short sessions of Parliament is one example. He and Sophie have decided to do what other essential workers are doing which is to keep him separate from his family during the week. Functions in principle like our new Base Camp at the trailer park for essential workers.
At the risk of setting this blog in flames, the Harrington Lake “cottage” is under going over 8 million dollars worth of repairs. Trudeau has paid for some improvements he wanted for his young family.
Harrington Lake is a revered and long established location in which important figures often meet in a more relaxed and informal atmosphere, well out of the public eye. More or less the same as the American Camp David.
At Harrington there is no interaction with the surrounding community. Altogether the PM is abiding by the same recommendations given to the piblic.
Case closed … and back to the main subject of this blog (I hope!).
Touché, Keith. But the optics also speak for those less informed than you. Thank you for the info. Now, as you say, let’s get on with it.
Thanks for making my point by comparing our trailer retreat to our PM’s Harrington Lake. Like Harrington Lake it is not for ALL essential workers. I guess they are similar in that you have to be making over 100K a year to gain assess.
And essentially working 24/7 for over a month of which we only see a part is understandably worthy of the access.
Keith, to add a little perspective to your comments, according to https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/harrington-lake-renovations-ncc-1.5535502
For a renovation costing $8.6M the amount that Justin paid is a rounding error!
My concern is not that we’re spending a few million to renovate a vacation property for a politician but that Mr. Trudeau is imploring everyone to “stay at home” yet he is above such silly (in his mind) restrictions.
Using the trailer park is a great idea but most photo-ops are planned to deceive. Is there any indication that Henderson originated or even contributed to the trailer park plan?
Henderson usually follows the flow. He is an ex school board admin. In town for 30 years.
He is the mayor of Cobourg – it would be surprising if he were not there to support the efforts made – just like John Tory, Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau. I recall once Mayor Lastman was out of town – he sure got a roasting for not offering his support in person.
To support the efforts or to take credit for them?
Never seen a person in charge stay away – it is expected they should attend and show support. Maybe “Beaver thunk it up!”