CEO Update: Long Weekend

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Hi, I’m Simon Ruth CEO of Thorne Harbour Health

As we head into the long weekend,
I wanted to reach out on behalf of our organisation
to say ‘Thank You’ to our communities.

So many of you are taking steps to
ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19.

This has meant committing to physical distancing and finding ways to support each other.

A big thank you to our venues, our DJs and performers -
and to everyone that has found innovative ways online
for us to stay connected during this time.

You’re helping keep our communities safe.

To those of you that have listened to our messages
about avoiding casual sex –

THANK YOU

By limiting our close contact with others,
we’re preventing onward transmission of COVID-19.

This has meant having an honest and open conversation
about understanding and limiting risk
as well as finding clever ways to
be intimate during this time.

Speaking of conversations –
we’re thrilled to see so many of you engaging
with our messaging.

In the past two weeks, over 45,000 people have come to
thorneharbour.org forward slash covid19
to engage with our growing number of resources
and to look after their health and wellbeing.

On social media, thousands of you have engaged with
our health promotion messages.
Please continue to share them.

THANK YOU – to those of you that have submitted
questions about sex for Dr George Forgen Smith.
George has been producing some “very” frank video responses
that we hope you’ve enjoyed.

Keep an eye out as we post more in the coming weeks.

We’re also going to continue to roll out more content,
on ThorneHarbour.org forward slash covid19

We’ve released information tailored
for different sections of our communities –

From stopping PrEP while abstaining
to what this means for our Trans, gender diverse and non-binary communities

We also acknowledge that the current circumstances
are especially difficult for many members of our community

A big thanks to our With Respect partners
as we now have some vital information on family violence
out there for those who need it.

With the long weekend coming up,
PLEASE continue to take care of yourselves
and those around you.

This means Physical Distancing,
it means avoiding casual sex,

But this also means staying connecting with friends,
colleagues, and your chosen family.

And be sure you’re staying active.

Finally, I want to say THANK YOU
to the many volunteers and staff
who are working tirelessly
to look after the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Our services are continuing to operate for those who need them
and We’re hoping to be able to announce
new services in the coming weeks.
This will allow us to further support those in our communities
who are doing it tough.

Until then, no matter what you’re celebrating

whether its Easter, Passover, Vishu , New Year’s, Shab e-Barat, Vaisakhi or Poya

or you’re just having a long weekend

Take Care, Stay Connected, & Stay Safe.