Dr. Peter Entwistle. (Lyonel Doherty/ file photo)
Lyonel Doherty
Aberdeen Publishing
An Oliver physician has never had to change clothes so often in his life, and even bought four new pairs of shoes to keep up with the pandemic.
Not only that, Dr. Peter Entwistle found time to get married recently, which was one personal benefit of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Once it became apparent that our projected June marriage date wouldn’t work, Sheri-Anne and I, at very short notice, were able to get married last Saturday.”
Entwistle said another piece of good news is the fact local quilters have been busy making masks for health care workers.
The doctor said there has been a plea for people to wear masks in public, mostly to protect others and to show the community that they are being courteous.
Entwistle said the masks are good at protecting others, but like the provincial health officer says, they aren’t very effective in protecting you against the virus.
The physician said the generosity shown in Oliver is noticed, in addition to people’s self-isolation.
“We are talking to lots of patients and have noticed how many of them are doing well in themselves and working and building on relationships.”
Entwistle said health care workers have to be very careful that they don’t inadvertently infect their patients.
“It is surprisingly exhausting; I have never been cleaner,” he said with a chuckle.
In between each encounter with patients, he has to be a clean freak.
“Despite wearing personal protective equipment, I washed and changed clothes fully . . . yesterday (it was) seven changes of clothes and shoes.”
Entwistle even had to buy four pairs of new shoes to keep up with the regime.
“I have never had to think so hard in the morning about what I will be wearing through the day.”
Entwistle’s office at Nk’Mip Resource Centre remains open, offering virtual appointments and physical assessments when absolutely necessary.
Meanwhile, Interior Health is highly appreciative of the public’s good intentions and best wishes. However, it discourages anyone from making food donations to doctors and nurses at local health care facilities.
“The goal is to keep people away from health care sites whenever possible,” said communications officer Susan Duncan.
“The best way to support health care workers is to follow the measures requested by Dr. Bonnie Henry (provincial health officer) and stay home as much as possible and practise physical distancing when it is essential to go out.”
Duncan said they are currently not asking for donations of homemade surgical masks.
She noted that Henry has cautioned that some supplies may not be suitable due to the highly specific requirements for personal protective equipment (to be effective for health care workers).
Duncan said Interior Health is sharing good news on its social media sites as much as possible.
