Given a surge in respiratory viruses in children, and the resulting strain on emergency and healthcare services, a community volunteer group is resuming its Facebook Live question-and-answer sessions.
ComeTogetherCK is hosting the free upcoming event this Wednesday at 7 pm on the group’s Facebook page.
Dr. Wendy Edwards, local pediatrician and chief of pediatrics at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, and Dr. Dax Biondi, family physician and chief of emergency medicine, will be online with moderator Tabitha Cook to answer questions from the public.
“We are facing a challenging situation with RSV, influenza and COVID infections all on the rise in our communities,” Edwards stated in a release. “This session will give parents and families the chance to ask questions in a safe space and address any concerns that they may have.”
Biondi said as an ER and family physician he is seeing a rising number of cases of respiratory viruses coming through the doors.
“As a parent I understand the concern and anxiety when your child is sick,” he said. “This session provides an opportunity for you to ask your RSV questions in a respectful and safe environment and ideally alleviate some of that anxiety.”
Anonymous questions can be sent to [email protected], with organizers calling it a safe and non-judgmental chance for people to ask anything they want to know about respiratory viruses and general children’s health concerns.
The session will be recorded and available for viewing on the ComeTogetherCK Facebook page after the broadcast.
ComeTogetherCK is a volunteer-driven grassroots community group that formed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It held 17 Facebook Live sessions throughout 2021 on various health topics, such as pregnancy and maternal health. The group also won an award from the International Association of Business Communicators for its vaccine series.