– SINCE 1913! –
YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Wednesday, May 20, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 21
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Frontline workers saluted
Patricia Harcourt Editor
An Appreciation Drive-By was held on Thursday, May 14, for frontline workers who are taking care of people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drive-by made its way through towns and villages in Beaver County, starting in Tofield in the western part of the county before passing through Ryley and Holden, then finishing in the county's eastern end at Viking. In Viking, all the fire departments, ambulances, RCMP officers, and county peace officers gathered at the Carena Complex parking lot. After driving downtown to main street, they headed for Viking Extendicare nursing home, Viking Health Centre, and Vialta Lodge where many of the front line workers look after the community's most vulnerable residents. Residents applauded the front line workers, who were also standing outside to watch the drive by conducted in appreciation of their services to the ill and elderly. Residents waved and clapped as the entourage drove past with horns honking loudly in tribute. The drive-by then took a predetermined route along many streets in Viking and, again, people took the opportunity standing on the sidewalk or their front lawns banging on pots and pans, and using bells and horns, to show their appreciation. Prior to this, people had done the same as the emergency and police vehicles drive through Tofield, Ryley, and Holden. The event was sponsored by the Tofield and Area Health Services Foundation and the Community Attraction and Retention Committee. So far, Tofield is the only community in the county that has had two cases, since recovered, of the coronavirus. At a recent meeting of Beaver County Council, Reeve Jim Kallal had spoken of the work by hospital staff n helping with these two cases. Kallal and Division 5 councillor Dale Pederson together took part in the appreciation drive-by. A motion was passed April 15 by county council to forward a letter to Alberta Health Services and "extend council's gratitude to all the staff at the Tofield and Viking Hospital for their invaluable time and hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic." The Viking community had a narrow escape at the beginning of the pandemic in mid-March when a person later diagnosed with the virus visited from Vegreville for a pond hockey game at the Carena. The Carena was shut down and cleaned but never re-opened due to the province declaring a public state of emergency over the COVID-19 situation just a few days later.