COVID-19 Essential Services Update

**In case you missed it**

 As of April 4th, Ontario Cannabis Stores are no longer on the list of essential services and have been forced to close. The new list of 44 essential services has been paired down from 74 released less than two weeks ago, in an ongoing effort to increase physical distancing and save lives.

This news does not impact the medical cannabis access stream, however.

You’ve often heard me talk about the reasons why people shouldn’t use the recreational cannabis stream to self-medicate. Namely, because there are contraindications, comorbidities and drug interactions that can only be assessed by a qualified medical professional. While cannabis has an excellent safety profile, like any medication, it can cause harm if used inappropriately.

If you have been using cannabis to self-manage a medical condition, now may be the time to consider booking a virtual or telephone appointment for a medical cannabis consultation.  In addition to ensuring you receive a proper medical evaluation, medically authorized cannabis is also tax deductible and there is better access to the non-impairing CBD products.

Full article available here.

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All Patient Appointments Are Virtual

*Important Patient Notice*

This is a reminder that for the safety of our patients and staff, all upcoming appointments will be completed through virtual video or telephone-based consultations, until further notice.

Until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, please do not come into the clinic unless notified otherwise. 

For all upcoming appointments, we will be contacting patients in advance to provide necessary instructions. Our team is available at 519-339-9233 should you have any questions or concerns. 

Our phone lines also remain open for all COVID-19 related questions. Simply contact our office at 519-339-9233 to set up an appointment with our physician. These calls are completely FREE of charge and are open to the public – regardless of whether you are a current patient. We're here to answer any questions you may have as we navigate this uncertain time. Be well and stay safe. We will get through this together.

Common Signs of Distress - Remember the Five M's

To say we're facing challenging times, may be an understatement; however, now more than ever, it's important to stay mentally and physically strong.

Last week we shared our Five M’s to help you cope with any COVID-19 related anxiety you may be experiencing.

As we head into another week of physical distancing, it’s also important to recognize the warning signs of distress in yourself and your loved ones.

Heightened levels of stress are extremely normal in times of turmoil and the Five M’s can help you keep anxiety levels at bay. However, if distress impacts your daily life for several days or weeks, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor, counsellor or local CMHA branch. 

We're all in this together. Stay home & stay safe…and if you need to talk to someone, know that there are people out there to help.

Lockdown Learning Series: Free Virtual Event

As we head into another week of physical distancing and at-home isolation, it is critical to connect with others and practice self-care.

I’ve teamed up with experts in the fields of medicine, fitness, nutrition, relationships, and more, to bring you a live e-learning series that will bring us together and keep our minds and bodies strong—all while having a little fun!

In our first session, I’ll be joined by nutrition and fitness expert, Adam Vanhoogenhuize from O2 Fuel, and we’ll be sharing our top tips for boosting your immune system, managing pain, improving sleep, and adding a little activity into your day, while you’re not able to take part in your regular activities.

Learning something new and engaging in activities you enjoy are the foundation of self-care and key to helping you stay positive & healthy at this time.  We can’t wait to connect with you at our first event!

To join this FREE online event, register at: www.drblakepearson.org/events