Dawn Olson of Med Hat Quaran-Team speaks to CHAT News Today via Skype because she is in self-isolation (Tiffany Goodwein/ CHAT News Today)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Med Hat Quaran-team aims to provide support to those in self-isolation

Mar 17, 2020 | 5:09 PM

MEDICINE HAT – It all started after Dawn Olson and her husband got home from a trip to the U.S on Sunday and were told to self isolate for 14 days.

“I got all these messages from all these friends saying ‘Is there anything you need? and ‘How are you doing? and I felt really supportive and when I was thinking about it there might be people that are having to do this quarantine and they don’t feel that support they don’t know anybody in town and they don’t have anyone to pick up there groceries and that kind of thing so, I thought, ‘Hey why don’t I make a page so that I can connect people that are willing to volunteer with people who need a volunteer,’” Olson said.

Now, it’s turned into a group called Med Hat Quaran-team which looks to partner those in self-isolation with support.

Only on day two, Olson said support while in self- isolation is key—even if it’s just to help run a few errands.

LIVE UPDATES

Road construction, detours and traffic in Medicine Hat

15h ago

In the community

Medicine Hat public library screening movie to open discussion on addiction and recovery

Nov 14, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

London Drugs' senior loneliness program back for ninth year

Nov 13, 2024

“It’s critical when someone is on self-quarantine, it’s for a reason and so if that person doesn’t have support and needs to go out and interact with people and they pass on the virus or something like that it’s terrible for everybody, so if everyone can help each other and support each other to do the things that we need to do for everybody’s health then I think that’s how our society is going to get through this in the best way possible,” Olson said.

Since the page launched last night, they’ve already garnered an interest in people wanting to help.

“It’s quite amazing actually when I looked this morning there were 100 likes on the page and I have about 20 volunteers already,” Olson said.

With an active volunteer base, the group is still looking to connect with those in self isolation amd provide them with any support they need.

Asked what it is like being in self-isolation with her husband, and Olson said it’s been an interesting experience to say the least.

“We’re calling it the 14 day marriage test,” joked Olson.

“We live in like a 550 square foot condo and so there’s not a lot of alone time but we’re making the best of it,” she said.

Anyone in self-isolation in need of support is asked to contact Med Hat Quaran-team on their Facebook page or through email at bakede@hotmail.com.