Schachtel explained while funeral home staff and death-care workers are doing everything they can to support those who are bereaved, they are dealing with bodies who have carried the COVID-19 virus and comforting family members who may have interacted with that person while they were alive.
Considering the increased risk, Schachtel says he hopes the government of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Health ensure they re part of the Phase 1 rollout of the vaccine, set to start in late December. Lets face it, most of the deaths that are happening are in the nursing homes, and we have to go there to pick up the deceased, so we re coming into COVID territory, he said. We have to be ready, just like the health-care workers do that are caring for these seniors in their care homes.