COVID-19 Status

A REMINDER TO PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU VISIT US

March 27, 2020

Thank you so much for your support as we all find new ways of doing business through this unprecedented time. We have been in contact with almost all of you to discuss our procedures and to get specific plans in place to meet your needs.

FS Partners and AGRIS Co-operative are fully prepared for spring. It is important to note that Ontario has identified food production and related support services needed as an essential business and not affected by the Ontario notice to close non-essential businesses. We do not see any risk that the province will order us to close.

Their warehouses are full and supply plans complete. Many of you have agreed to take early delivery of your seed and crop protection needs. This is helpful for all as the more we can get done now, the better we are able to serve you when we get into the peak of the spring season. We are ready to meet your spring needs!

The current situation remains volatile and unpredictable as the COVID – 19 situation continues to evolve.Governments and health agencies update the guidance almost hourly.

As we move into the busy season the best way we can service you is to ensure our staff are healthy and ready to go. We can do that best by strictly observing the guidelines as published and updated by our health officials.

We all must continue to follow the advice of health officials and government and follow these critical practices:

Wash your hands often:

Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after using the washroom and before preparing food
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

When coughing or sneezing:

cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards

Avoid touching your face:

especially your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Practice social distancing:

Stay 6 feet (2 metres) away from people
Stay out of groups and crowded areas

A useful tool going forward put out by the Government of Canada is a website that provides a self-assessment tool if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

In an abundance of caution, we are asking for your help.

Please call us before you visit us. Conduct business with us by phone, email and text while this COVID-19 pandemic continues. We must limit face-to-face contact for your safety and ours. We will observe the social distancing protocols.
It is best to take delivery of as many of your inputs as early as possible. Seed and crop protection products are better in your possession than ours today.

Our staff are continuing to reach out to you to determine a plan that can meet your needs and have us all as prepared as soon as possible for spring.

We are in uncharted territory and information changes by the minute. Rest assured we are ready for spring and excited to get the season started. We are all such an important part of the food chain and truly grow food for the world. Now more than ever. We will be best prepared if we take some steps today to plan for the unexpected.

P.S. The creative sales staff at AGRIS Co-operative are holding a virtual growers meeting over the next few weeks. In the Essex area, follow their social channels to follow along. On Twitter, search for hashtag #EssexAgronomy and follow @ChrisSnip1, @TylerSabelli, @AlexMichinski and @RachelDuesbury.

Don Kabbes,
General Manager, Great Lakes Grain.

For more information, please contact your local Great Lakes Grain location.

Some facts from the Health Canada website:

In order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19, everyone has a role to play. It takes more than governments and action from the health sector to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Each of us can help our country be prepared in the event of an emergency by understanding how coronavirus spreads and how to prevent illness.

Being prepared

The World Health Organization (WHO) has assessed COVID-19 as a pandemic. The assessment by the WHO is not unexpected.

In Canada, our health system is prepared for this situation. Since the outset, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)—along with public health authorities at all levels of government across the country—have been working together to ensure that our preparedness and response measures are appropriate and adaptable, based on the latest science and the evolving situation.

At this time, PHAC has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada but this could change rapidly. There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians:

aged 65 and over
with compromised immune systems
with underlying medical conditions

Our public health efforts will continue to focus on containment to delay the onset of community spread by rapidly identifying cases, meticulously finding close contacts and using tried and true public health measures such as isolation and social distancing.

In the event of community transmission, these actions will continue as long as feasible to interrupt chains of transmission in the community and to delay and reduce an outbreak where possible.

For individuals

Canadians should continue to think ahead about the actions that they can take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of any illness, especially respiratory infections.

Now and always during cold and flu season, stay home if you are sick. Encourage those you know are sick to stay home until they no longer have symptoms.

Since respiratory viruses, such as the one that causes COVID-19, are spread through contact, change how you greet one another. Instead of a handshake, a kiss or a hug, a friendly wave or elbow bump is less likely to expose you to respiratory viruses.

Practise frequent hand hygiene and coughing and sneezing etiquette. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as toys and door handles.

These are the most important ways that you can protect yourself and your family from respiratory illness, including COVID-19.