KAMLOOPS — Lorna Burns has no choice but to work outdoors, at least for part of the day, delivering packages around the city. It’s not ideal for someone who suffers from mild COPD.
“There’s not much I can do other than take my time and keep the mask on,” said Burns, who tries to get through the work day.
COPD is a lung disease that obstruct airflow and interferes with normal breathing. Burns’ condition is only made worse by doing a physical job in the smoke.
“It’s been difficult to say the least,” she noted. “Even sleeping at night is a trouble, even with the windows closed and the air on, so it’s tricky. But the job’s got to be done.”
Anyone working outside is at risk, even if you don’t have a respiratory issue. Mail carrier Tracy Hodgkin is outdoors most of the day. While the daily exercise is good, she says the smoke makes it harder to get through the day.
“Just breathing it in,” she said is the worst. “It’s hard on the lungs. I can feel it in the lungs climbing the hills, knowing what’s going into my body.”
In these conditions, Canada Post has given mail carriers an option of being outdoors. Hodgkin tries to drink lots of water and take lots of breaks.
“Go out, do what you can do, don’t push yourself,” said Hodgkin, relaying what Canada Post management has communicated to the mail carriers. “Take your breaks. If you’re feeling uneasy, ill, come back in. They say take care of yourself.”
Riverside Park was quiet on Tuesaday morning, but some were taking advantage of the less smoky skies.
“I’ve seen worse, but yeah it’s a little bit bad,” said Paul Ferguson, who was out with his two kids. “I feel it in the back of the throat a little bit today, but not too bad.”
Ferguson wanted to get his kids outside and playing, but is keeping a close eye on them. For Lorna, she just tries to get through the day with minimal impacts from the smoke.
