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Terrace Bay Public Library Box 369 Terrace Bay Ont January 11, 1989 & Pouliot makes list of No body contact (NBC) hockey has quite a large number of supporters. The games are hard played, but without the seriousness (and chance of injury) of a regular hockey league. Above, the Imperial Motel No Stars square off against the Winston Lakers (Minnova). Influenza more serious than most people think By Dave Chmara Every year it comes around, and it always seems to take hold of you at the worse possible time. Most people view the flu (influenza) as a time of being sick - but nothing more than a very seri- ous cold. The truth is, influenza causes very serious, life-threatening, and, in over 1,000 cases every year, even fatal consequences. Those most at risk are people over the age of 65, people with chronic heart, lung or kidney dis- ease or anyone with diabetes, can- cer or anemia. Influenza is a contagious respi- ratory disease caused by a virus. The sniffles, headaches, muscle aches, stomach ache, nausea, fever, or diarrhea are some individual symptoms of influenza. True influenza is very hard to diagnose. Most viruses tend to to attack spe- cific parts of the body, but influen- za tends to attack everything, and has such wide ranging effects that it poses a real threat to your system. Influenza is extremely conta- gious: In-a severe epidemic up to 30 per cent of the population may contract the flu. Z It leaves your body's resistance weakened and open to other infec- tions such as bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, acute kidney fail- ure and a variety of nervous system disorders. The influenza vaccine provides between 70 and 90 per cent protec- tion against true influenza. It won't, however, protect you from the common cold or any other virus with symptoms similar to influen- za. The vaccine should be given on a yearly basis, usually in September or October. The vaccine is extremcly safe, and only rarely causes slight side effects such as a mild fever, chills, headache or mild nausea within one day of the vaccination. However, anyone who is aller- gic to eggs or egg products should 'not be given the influenza vaccine . because there may be minute traces of egg protein in the vaccine which could cause an adverse reaction. Cathy Withers, public health nurse for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit says, "other groups who should have the vaccine yearly are doctors, nurses, teachers and other people who have contact with persons in a high risk group, and anyone else who wants to reduce their chances of getting influenza." Withers said the health unit pro- vides the vaccine free of charge to those over the age of 65, and to children at high risk such as those with Cystic Fibrosis or leukemia. The general public can receive the vaccine for a charge. Northern 40 cents priorities to tackle for the year By Dave Chmara Gilles Pouliot, NDP M.P.P. for the Lake Nipigon riding has listed a number of concerns he plans to address and push for this year in the Provincial Parliament. Late November of last year saw Pouliot address this issue by send- ing a letter to Premier Peterson. Pouliot states in his letter that many concerned people had sent letters to Peterson expressing their views that the Red Cross Homemaker Services program should receive more adequate fund- ing. Ronald Saddington, Executive Director of McKellar General Hospital and L. Gilman, who holds the same position at.the General Hospital in Thinder Bay, tnequiv- ocally support the Homemaker Program and say it is absolutely imperative that this program receive adequate funding to relieve the congestion that exists in the quest for active treatment hospital beds. Pouliot states that unless the program receives adequate funding, seniors, or those needing rehabilita- tion treatment are forced to stay in acute care beds at a cost of $370 per day when the Red Cross could and does provide care for a fraction of this amount. "Due to underfunding of these support services many homemak- ers who have received training are leaving for more attractive employ- ment where the financial rewards are more in line with their value to society," says Pouliot. Insufficient numbers of home- makers has meant a serious inabili- ty to meet the need to provide a ser- vice to ill, elderly and disabled peo- ple. Experienced and well-qualified staff with up to 15 years of service are still only receiving $6.88 per hour. The homemaker staff has declined from 220 to 195, while the demand for this service has tripled since 1985. Pouliot adds that because of the increasing numbers of seniors, and an acute shortage of costly active treatment beds, demand for these services are increasing dramatical- ly. ; In lobbying for the continued support of this program, Pouliot says in his letter to Peterson, "I can- not believe that you and your Cabinet colleagues, having been apprised of the facts, could arrive at any other conclusion. I simply makes good social, economic and common sense to insist that this homemaker service respond to such an obvious need." Pouliot concludes his letter by saying, "Please Mr. Premier, act now to ensure that a good program is allowed to remain a vital and crucial component in our health delivery and social weli-being umbrella." _ gas prices major issue Pouliot is also calling for the equalization of gas prices for the North. Pouliot call Bill 121, the pro- posed increase to the rate of tax on gasoline, a systematic, deliber- ate and punitive measure against consumers, especially those liv- ing in Northern Ontario. With longer distances to drive to get to work, obtain supplies, get medical services, to visit friends and family, northerners drive an average of 30,000 km per year which represents an additional $430 per year people in the north must spend to travel compared with those in Southern Ontario. Gas prices in the north are almost 20 per cent higher than in Southern Ontario. Pouliot says, "the proposed increase in the gas tax is yet another indication that the government resorts to the Continued on page 8 ae Sag - Belluz SUPERIOR Realty Ltd. SHORELINE Si Pl ; F E INSURANCE LTD. ont | | Officers Elected Not The Same Garbage es 3k aes 7 iali ? BS ee R.C.L. Ladies Auxiliary Anne Todesco reflectson _The first of a two part look pienso ee cme Siie Person elect officers for 1989 the changing railway at recycling and disposal Elizabeth Boutilier i|' Office 825-9393 ; Broker bl Home 824-3429 Page 2 Pages3 & 5 Page 9 | | 825-9646 or 825-9492