Masland Encourages All To Check-In On Seniors

Queens Shelburne MLA Kim Masland

The Member of the Legislative Assembly for Queens Shelburne is worried about seniors being socially isolated as a result of COVID-19 precautions.

Before her election, Kim Masland was the senior’s safety officer for RCMP.

It was there she saw first-hand, the effects of isolation on the health and wellbeing of seniors.

“And now to think that we are where we are now with physical distancing and even further social isolating, it worries me, it actually troubles me and I do lose sleep about this at night.”

Masland says Queens County has a large seniors population, many of whom live alone.

Because many of their relatives live outside the region, these seniors are by themselves.

Several weeks ago, Masland put out the call on her Facebook page for volunteers to ensure the area’s older population was cared for.

“If that meant picking up the phone and just giving a call to say how’re you doing, and I do know that is happening. Whether it’s picking up groceries or medications, I’ve done that myself already for seniors.”

Masland says she has already seen others take up the challenge, demonstrating for her, yet again, why she is so proud and humbled by the generosity of the residents of Queens County.

“Every time I have an opportunity to talk about the people that surround me, that live in this community, my heart just overflows. We have the kindest people I’ve ever met in Queens County.”

The Queens-Shelburne MLA says while she’s out and about picking up groceries she sees real positivity.

Masland notices people are being kind to each, they make way for passers-by to maintain social distancing.

Others are making and donating home-made masks and she takes heart from the positive chalk messages being left on the sidewalks.

As restrictions slowly start to lift, she is hopeful that spirit of cooperation will continue.

“I do know that we are all going to get through this together, and I think that’s how a lot of people are feeling right now too. We need to be kind, we need to support each other, we need to lift each other up as much as we can, and that is happening.”

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson