One pandemic lap around the sun and science has been moving at warp speed to save lives. As quickly as we鈥檝e been learning about the virus, however, misinformation has been travelling just as fast.
To ensure residents are equipped with proper data, a team from the GNWT department of Health and Social Services (HSS) have been setting up information booths in communities around the territory.
Natalie Pressman/黑料吃瓜网 photo
Nancy MacNeill, the HSS health promotions specialist at the helm of the project, said people have good questions and deserve good answers to address concerns.
Putting a face to the facts helps too.
鈥淲hen we鈥檙e able to do that the results are typically really good,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important that people see that our healthcare system isn鈥檛 this big scary thing.鈥�
The team has been setting up in Yellowknife, Behchoko, Hay River and Fort Smith.
One concern that HSS has noticed repeatedly, is unease over the speed the vaccines have been developed.
Listening and providing factual, evidence-based answers, is the most powerful way to address worries, MacNeill said.
鈥淕oing to talk to people builds trust and allows people the space to be worried and have concerns and get those things dealt with,鈥� she said.
鈥淧eople deserve to feel good about getting this vaccine.鈥�
Dispel misinformation
Research support centre Hotii ts鈥檈eda shares the government鈥檚 goals of dispelling Covid myths and supplying residents with accurate, up-to-date information.
Hotii ts鈥檈eda supports inclusive and culturally competent health research by connecting communities and Indigenous organizations with researchers.
Through their Information is Medicine campaign, the organization is sharing , interviews with Indigenous knowledge holders and sharing circles to bring together trusted community voices with healthcare professionals.
Last week Hotii ts鈥檈eda hosted a .
Jennie Vandermeer, the lead on the Information is Medicine series, said feedback has so far been extremely positive.
She explained that last weekend鈥檚 session aired on CKLB ahead of their popular Saturday afternoon request show to maximize participation.
The event brought together Elder Rosa Mantla, chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola, territorial medical director Dr. AnneMarie Pegg, Indigenous youth and community wellness coordinator Cara Manual and registered nurse Rielle Nakehk鈥檕.
It was an opportunity, Vandermeer said, to explain vaccine logistics, common side effects and handle misinformation and disinformation.
Vandermeer explains that one such myth, is the idea that in being given priority status for vaccination, Indiengous people are being treated as guinea pigs.
Pause and reflect
She said the Information is Medicine campaign asks people to think critically, pause and reflect on the information.
Having community leaders share the information in a culturally relevant way, using plain language is key, she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 truly about valuing our own knowledge systems as Indigienous people,鈥� Vandermeer said. 鈥淲e want to make sure we鈥檙e not just deferring to medical experts beacsue everyone is equal. Elders, youth, everyone has their own expertise and knowledge.鈥�
Moving forward, the Information is Medicine series seeks to continue answering community questions and move into areas of mental health, intimate partner violence, addictions and other issues the ongoing pandemic has brought into the forefront.
Like the HSS, Hotii ts鈥檈eda is inviting community feedback and suggestions for next steps.
This week, HSS will be setting up in Yellowknife on Wednesday at the COOP from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Walmart from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Thursday the team will spend 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the uptown Independent Grocer and 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Walmart.
While she can鈥檛 make any commitments, MacNeill said that if other communities are interested in having them, 鈥渨e will work really hard to provide the support they need.鈥�
鈥淪ome people just want to talk to a human being,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e available to help.鈥�
