Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Napanee’s Ashley Cameron has found a creative way to use her cottage to give back to front line health care workers battling COVID-19.
She’s opened up her Prince Edward County rental property-free of charge-to anyone in the medical field who fears going home will risk exposing their family to the virus. She’s also created the Facebook group YGK Welcomes Health Care Workers to encourage others with rental properties to do the same.
“We’re creating Facebook groups and we’re inviting those that are healthcare workers or vacation rental or cottage owners to join the group,” said Cameron, who says she was inspired by a similar page being done for the Quinte region. “We’re just trying to give a platform to local health care workers with local accommodations where they can stay for free during this pandemic.”
Those with properties to share can list where it is, how many bedrooms and dates it’s available. Healthcare workers can then find one that suits them and message the owners. Those tasked with treating patients, be they doctors, nurses, paramedics or anyone that comes in direct contact, must take extra precautions to avoid bringing the virus into their own home.
“As a parent, if I were a nurse, a doctor or a health care worker, going into an ER right now, I would be so fearful of bringing that home to my kids,” said Cameron.
Letting a health care worker use her family cottage free of charge is Cameron’s way of thanking those putting their lives at risk to treat others, while also helping to slow the spread of the virus.
Under normal circumstances, the start of April would mean big business for rental property owners in communities such as PEC. In anticipation of this, Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s public officer of health, has already urged Canadians to stay home and avoid travel to cottage country.
Cameron agrees.
“The last thing we need is to be letting tourists stay at (rental properties) because everybody should be staying home,” said Cameron. “So why not let your local healthcare worker stay there for free in the meantime?”