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w w w .insideH A LT O N .com | O AKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, J a n u a ry 1 3 , 2 0 1 7 | 6 E d ito ria l Protect yourself and others High fever. Cough. Chills. Muscle aches. Sore throat. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you're not alone. The emergency departments at Halton Healthcare hospitals, including Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hos pital (OTMH), have reported seeing an increase in the number of influenza-like cases. They've also witnessed a spike in the number of ad missions for pneumonia, which medical professionals believe have been triggered by, or associated with, the influenza virus. The worst however, hospital officials say is yet to come. According to Kari Veno, a senior communications consultant for Halton Healthcare, a province-wide surge in influenza cases is expected over the next few weeks. That means more sick people, more appointments to see a doctor and increased visits to the emergency room. This, however, can all be prevented -- or at the least eased -- with a healthy dose of common sense and, in some cases, an ounce of courage. The influenza vaccine, available at pharmacies and doctors offices everywhere, is your best defence against the flu. Not only will it help protect you once exposed to the virus, it can prevent you from getting sick. More importantly, it will help protect others from contracting the illness. There' s no denying that being sick with the flu is the pits. For most influenza sufferers, some rest, lots of fluids and over-the-counter medicine is all it takes to get back on their feet. But for many seniors, young children and those with compromised immune systems or chronic health con ditions, it often means they will face a lengthy, uphill battle against the virus. That' s if they make it out on top at all. They are the populations that are vulnerable and most at risk to the complications of seasonal influenza. According to our national public health agency, the flu is responsible for an average 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths annually While those vulnerable people should definitely get a flu, and in some cases a pneumonia vaccine, everyone else can help protect themselves and these vulnerable people by also getting a flu shot. If suffering from a bout of the flu isn't a good enough reason to get the flu shot, the thought of helping to save a life should be. So, if you haven't done so already, head to your doc tor' s office or local pharmacy and roll up your sleeve. And if it won't be effective this year, put it on your list as a must-not-forget item for next year. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@ oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. "Connected toyour Community" OAKVILLE Beaver. 5046 Mainway Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classified Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 55 | Number 3 The Oakville Beaver is a division of ·* m e t r o la n d m e d ia · * Connected to your community® Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice -President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director of Production MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager The Beaver. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Letter to the Editor Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by ' ' ..... Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Traffic chaos on Dorval Drive? Re: A different perspective on Glen Abbey, Oakville Beaver, Friday, Dec. 16,201 6 I read with interest your article in Friday's Beaver entitled "A perspective on Glen Ab bey" and would like to pose another ques tion: What impact would the proposed re-de velopment of Glen Abbey have on the traffic on Dorval (Drive) and its feeder routes? Huge. A simple extrapolation of the 3,200 pro posed units, 1.5 vehicles per unit, two trips per day plus delivery/repair vehicles etc. would see 10,000 plus additional vehicle trips per day on Dorval alone. Cut the number in half and it would still be a nightmare. Is that what residents planned on when they puchased homes in the area? No won der this isn't part of the Town's long-term plan. Your previous writer might have diffi culty getting to the creek if it were to become available, never mind using it and would be adding to the congestion. Roy G rant, O akville I Accredited f Loca M edia,. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: /A p p JL O n ta rio P ress C o u n c il D efen din gprin ciples toin spirepu blic tru st The Oakville Beaver is a mem ber o f the Ontario Press Council. The council is located a t 8 0 Gould St., Suite 20 6 , Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M 7. Phone 41 6 -3 4 0 -1 9 8 1 . Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event o f a typographical error, th a t portion o f advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will n o t be charged for, b u t the balance o f the advertise m ent will be paid for a t the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Pud by Steve Nease r iBTi TDAr PA rTI ESI · LEGO · ART · PAIN T · New LEGO® Make & Take · Star Wars · Minecraft · Pokemon 905-825-9994 - 461 N . Service R d. WO akville SPECklE9 AgTSTUDI0 .COM