More precautions are taken for a pickup service the group offers, which sees a volunteer drive the individual from the airport to wherever they will be isolating themselves.

“We tell them clearly that they have to wear a mask and gloves,” said Xue.

“They have to load and unload their own luggage. Also, between the driver and the backseat there is a separation sheet. Also, the backseat is sanitized every time.”

Xue said her team includes multiple doctors and nurses who help guide their infection control practices.

She also said picking the person up this way is better than them taking a taxi or public transit as fewer members of the public are exposed to a possible COVID-19 case.

Once families are isolated, the group can assist them in getting through what could be a stressful and lonely period.

In one case, Xue said, the group directed kids in isolation to online videos of badminton lessons after learning the children enjoyed the sport.

“They were really bored after a week of staying home doing nothing,” Xue added.

“We sent them to a place where they could look at all the videos so they could learn and practice.”

Other members excel at creating games using Legos and other items found around the house.

Shawn Fang, another group member, said he found himself practising some level of self-isolation after his parents — on their return trip from China — shared a plane with the first man diagnosed with novel coronavirus in Canada.

“My whole family was in panic mode because we know how bad the virus is,” he said.

“So, we kept our kids at home and then my wife and I didn’t go to work for two weeks. During that time period me and my brother had to do grocery shopping for my parents. We had a condo suite for them where they could isolate themselves … It was very challenging for my family at that time.”

Damoff said the work these volunteers are doing is amazing.

“I cannot tell you how impressed I am with this volunteer network,” she said.

“You’re taking risks by doing that too, but you feel it is worth it to help out other people in the community and I think that’s what makes our country so great.”

The volunteers relayed some of the concerns facing those in self isolation to Damoff during the round-table discussion.

Some of these concerns revolved around job security and what the government can do to prevent companies from firing someone who self isolates for two weeks.

Another individual expressed concern about the approach of Iran’s New Year (Nowruz) on March 19, and whether travel during that celebration period would further spread the coronavirus.

As of March 4, Iran state media was reporting nearly 3,000 cases of the virus in that country.

Damoff called for perspective when it comes to coronavirus, noting there are three to five million cases of the flu every year and there are still people who don’t get flu shots.

She said there are no cases of COVID-19 in Halton, but Halton Region Public Health is closely monitoring the situation to ensure preparedness.

Halton Region Public Health has said that those who have recently travelled to mainland China, Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Singapore or South Korea should monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

If a fever or cough or shortness of breath develop call 311.

Damoff emphasized most people who catch this virus have mild illness and recover on their own.

She said the best way to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including coronavirus, is to: stay at home when ill; cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve; wash hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub; and clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

The Oakville MP argued that while Canada is prepared for this virus America is another story.

She said she has a sense the situation in the U.S. will get worse, as she doesn’t think they have been taking the virus seriously.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Coronavirus is a eep concern for many residents in Halton and across the GTA. For that reason we attended a round-table discussion, hosted by Oakville MP Pam Damoff with members of the Oakville Chinese Residents’ Association about this subject. We also interviewed a woman present who is the chair of a local volunteer group, which is assisting Halton residents who have recently returned from China and are now in self isolation.