(Photo: The Canadian Press)

By Troy Gillard

"We're all in this together"

Hinshaw continues to encourage acts of kindness during pandemic

Apr 1, 2020 | 7:45 AM

The province’s chief medical officer of health continues to encourage Albertans to do acts of kindness during the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are all in this together and now more than ever, kindness matters,” Dr. Deena Hinshaw said during her daily news conference on Tuesday. “Reach out to friends, family and neighbours who may be struggling. Even small gestures can go a long way.”

Hinshaw has been asking Albertans to tweet their acts of kindness with the hashtag #AlbertaCares to help raise spirits during the COVID-19 outbreak. On Tuesday, she shared some of the stories she’s been hearing.

“Last night, I read about someone who was out on their balcony shedding a few tears and a neighbour from another balcony overheard and called out ‘It is going to be okay. I promise.’

“A Calgary flower shop, despite having to close, donated flowers to help brighten the day for residents and employees of a continuing care facility,” she recalled, “or a wardrobe department of a filming company that was sewing hospital gowns in Calgary.”

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Hinshaw says she’s overwhelmed everyday by the compassion and generosity shown by Albertans.

“These small acts of kindness are making things a little bit brighter during these difficult times.”

Hinshaw says that while physical distancing and self-isolation are needed to contain the spread of COVID-19, staying socially connected remains important.

“The aggressive public health measures we’ve put in place are critical to protect the health of Albertans,” she cautioned. “We are all in this together, and each of us must do everything we can to flatten the curve and keep Albertans healthy.”