Indian Head mother: ‘It feels like March’ as COVID cases continue to climb

For some in the town of Indian Head, it feels like the COVID-19 lockdown in March all over again.

The community of nearly 2,000 people about 70 kilometres east of Regina has dealt with many issues related to the virus.

Both schools closed their doors and moved to online learning Monday. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has declared four outbreaks in the town since Nov. 7, including in long-term and personal care homes.

In response, the SHA asked people living in the town to be extra cautious on COVID guidelines. Many restaurants in the community have closed their dining rooms and switched to only takeout or delivery service.

Krissy Longeau, a mother of three who lives in the town, said it’s quite a familiar feeling.

“It feels like March. It feels like everything is shut down, stay home, be careful, go out only if you need to. We’re kind of at that point,” she said.

While it’s difficult to deal with, she believes it’s necessary.

“Everybody sees it with a deadline. If we do it, (then) come Nov. 30 or in December or whatever it is, hopefully we will have turned things around,” she said.

She believes the two schools closing was a reality check that led to people changing their attitudes about the virus.

“The school acted. They sent everybody home and cancelled classes. I think that caused an effect around the rest of town, like, ‘You know what? We need to do this.’ I think that’s where we’ve ended up, and I think it was smart,” she said.

“It feels like it did the first time. People are staying home, which is good … I think we’re doing everything right … I think everybody went all-in.”

Since the schools are closed, Longeau’s three school-aged sons have to stay home and take classes remotely. She also has to work remotely at the same time.

“It’s challenging … By the end of the day, I’m done,” she said.

On top of that, she and her boys are waiting for COVID test results, a wait that has forced her husband to isolate away from the family.

Both schools are scheduled to reopen Nov. 30. As of Thursday, the SHA still lists Golden Prairie Home, Indian Head Bakery, Hayes Haven Personal Care Home and Little Castle Child Care Centre as outbreak locations.

Mayor reacts to situation

Indian Head Mayor Steven Cole says he’s very proud of how his community has been responding to the cases.

“When you look down the streets, there’s nobody around. Everybody’s staying at home,” Cole said. “People are just taking a proactive approach to eliminate further spread. It has got nowhere to go but down hopefully.”

There have been nearly 50 positive cases in the town since Nov. 3, which forced residents in the community to come together to limit further spread of cases in the area.

“Nobody wants to see that many cases in their hometown. Was it a surprise? I mean, yeah, it was. You don’t ever think it’s going to happen in your small town, but it did,” Cole said. “Outbreaks can happen anywhere.”

Cole says he isn’t sure how cases started appearing in the community, adding Indian Head is a commuter town that sees a lot of people travelling for work.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the origin of the cases, Cole believes that isn’t what is important right now.

“I think the important thing is just to keep everybody safe,” he said. “We will continue to follow the Saskatchewan Health Authority rules.

“We can nip this and get it back down to where it should be.”

Restaurants and bars, as well as other businesses in the area, have either closed their doors or taken other approaches to limit interaction such as turning to curbside pickup or takeout.

“Generally people have been a little bit scared to see the numbers we have had in our town,” Cole said. “People have been concerned and worried. That’s why a lot of people are now choosing to stay home and follow the rules.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Logan Stein