in other words
june4
2020
13
Lights ‘n Sirens: Family Activities During COVID-19
By Flo Lennox
As we start another month with
limitations on our movement, I just want
to remind everyone that taking care of
yourself and neighbors is important in
assisting the Emergency Medical System
(EMS) in helping you. Most of the calls
in Vernonia happen after hours or during
volunteer time. Recently a large majority
of the calls have been individuals that are
deciding not to take regular medications
and end up with medical emergency due
to this decision. If you need assistance
getting your prescriptions during this
pandemic please call your primary care
doctor’s office. They can assist getting
discounted or free medications.
Speaking of your local EMS,
many of these Volunteer Heroes live next
door or down the street from you. May
was National EMS Month, but we did
not celebrate this year due to the virus
– most of our volunteers are already
dedicating long hours to helping this
community. We would like to thank our
community for all the cards, waves, and
pictures we received at the Ambulance
service this month.
I want to remind local drivers
that when we are transporting patients to
the hospital, yes, we do drive slower on
Highway 47. This is due to the medical
personnel who are caring for the patient
in the back of the ambulance – the ride
back there is like a roller coaster at times,
with every bump intensified. We thank
you for considering our safety when you
try to pass us.
I miss our community activities
during this pandemic. As the President
of the Vernonia Volunteer Ambulance
Association I am challenging everyone
to draw a picture, create a poster, or
create a digital picture, so we can
decorate the ambulance bay and create
an art show. We will give prizes to the
best, most creative, and funniest. Each
picture must contain an ambulance and
must be in color. You must print your
name on the back with your age. All
artwork must be turned in by June 30 th ;
date for the art show will follow. And
adults – you are welcome to participate;
make this a family challenge!
Family Activities to Do During
COVID-19
Here are some things you can do
during this time at home… you are only
limited by your imagination!
Get outside and play!
• Take a nature walk at one of the Oregon
State Parks.
• Visit local trails and community parks.
• Join your children outside for a game of
hide and seek, kick the can, or a scavenger
hunt around the neighborhood.
• Take your dog for a walk or visit the
local playground.
• Start planning your summer garden!
• Go for a jog!
• Create an obstacle course with toys and
games from your garage.
Explore More Indoors!
• Have a local library card? Many local
libraries, including the Oregon Digital
Library, allow you to check out and
download ebooks!
• Read aloud to each other, read silently,
or take turns reading to each other.
• Start a virtual book club! Choose a
book and start an online chat with your
friends.
• Play games indoors! Games for
younger children include Simon Says,
Duck Duck Goose, or Follow the
Leader. Older children can play “I Spy,”
charades, indoor bowling, or make up
new games.
• Try a new recipe or make dinner as a
family; find recipes and tips for cooking
with children safely on the Cooking with
Kids web page.
• Read a chapter book together and
discuss the characters and plot, and
ask questions to encourage critical
thinking. Visit the Oregon Department
of Education’s Family and Community
Support Toolbox to find ideas to keep the
reading excitement going.
• Pop some popcorn and cuddle up for a
movie marathon.
• Turn up the volume and have a family
dance party!
• Make a scrapbook of souvenirs from a
previous vacation.
• Get the creativity flowing! Give
your kids art supplies such as crayons,
colored pencils, markers, or paints to
create showpieces for your home. Put
the artwork on your fridge or hang them
around your house and host your very
own art show.
• Can’t get to the gym? Try an online
workout or virtual yoga instruction! Or
get the family together to make up your
own workout or dance routines.
• Give everyone a task and do a big
spring cleaning!
• Wish you were at the spa? Take a
bubble bath and follow it up with a home
manicure or pedicure.
• Family game night! Hold a Monopoly
tournament or take that puzzle off the
shelf.