I seemed to have a more Draconian response than most when we had our first case in Manitoba. I felt that all patients who tested positive should be kept quarantined in hospital and that all health care workers should be quarantined in hospital until it was all over. I realize that is an unsustainable and somewhat inhumane solution but it was my immediate reaction. I had routines on how I entered and exited our home even before we ever had a case here trying to minimize the exposure of my family. I know that people thought it was overkill but that was not how I felt and I couldn't figure out why. And then I realized I was perhaps raised quite differently as I had a very strong connection to my grandparents.
My grandparents did not traumatize me with stories of their youth but they did make me aware. I think that I heard more than a lot of my cousins because my grandparents were younger when I was born and I also spent a lot of time with them in my first years of life. I had a wonderful childhood with them full of love and sunshine and caring but I always knew that badness could be around the corner at any minute. The "Russians" were always coming. (This is not a slight against Russian people this is just historically what happened in their context). There was never a day where my grandfather didn't raise his voice in prayer thanking the Lord for the safety and security of life in Canada. He knew what it was like to not be safe and he knew that could change very quickly. In their own ways they taught me to be prepared: live well below your means, always have a good amount of money in the bank and stock in the pantry because you "just never know". So when this happened I don't know if something clicked in my epigenetics or in my medical training but I knew this was it.
When we pulled the kids out of school the week before they closed the schools we didn't really tell them when they were going back cause we didn't really know. Even though they said three weeks I was sure it wouldn't be that so they were prepared for the news that the rest of the school year is non-existent. I am incredibly thankful that Keith is their primary parents at home because it has instilled such excellent mental health and self-esteem in all of them and that has served them well as they face this. They haven't complained about being home. School isn't Cian's cup-of-tea so he was pretty pumped for school to be out but Emily loves school so I was more worried for her. She is far more pragmatic than her mother however, which is such a gift, and she is enjoying being home with her brothers. Sam thinks everyone is home for him so he is ecstatic.
At work it seems that this pandemic has widened the cracks that were already there. As in any good crisis some people rise to the occassion and some people's baser instincts take over. I have been inspired by the former and saddened by the latter. My friends who work in infectious disease have been outstanding. They have been leaders in the province and the country and they have been thoughtful and scientific and thorough. I truly feel honored to know them. Sadly the concerns that were present before the pandemic that were clearly identified by people and fell on deaf ears continue to be a more pressing concern. This will be more and more worrisome should our numbers increase and our health care workers fall sick or have to isolate. In general however I choose to look at the people I am proud to work with - and there are so many. Everyone is affected by this pandemic and for so many it has meant financial ruin with lost business and layoffs. I am so lucky to get to continue a job I love. To work beside people who show up every day to care for people at their most vulnerable. When I focus on that I strengthen my resolve.
I have been inspired and heartbroken by the stories coming out of the "hotspots". I pray every night for those health care workers and for us, that it doesn't come here in such an overwhelming way. I also hope we come out of this with a different perspective. As far as I know there has never been an event so global in its reach and perhaps for some it will be a "call to arms" in a different way. A reminder that we lived better when we loved better. When we watched out for each other, when we took more breaks, where we provided some distance, where we filled our lungs with fresh air and sunshine that we lived better. I hope that Churchill's words are true - that we should "never waste a good crisis". Let us not waste this moment or the moments that come after - both personally and together as a world.
At work it seems that this pandemic has widened the cracks that were already there. As in any good crisis some people rise to the occassion and some people's baser instincts take over. I have been inspired by the former and saddened by the latter. My friends who work in infectious disease have been outstanding. They have been leaders in the province and the country and they have been thoughtful and scientific and thorough. I truly feel honored to know them. Sadly the concerns that were present before the pandemic that were clearly identified by people and fell on deaf ears continue to be a more pressing concern. This will be more and more worrisome should our numbers increase and our health care workers fall sick or have to isolate. In general however I choose to look at the people I am proud to work with - and there are so many. Everyone is affected by this pandemic and for so many it has meant financial ruin with lost business and layoffs. I am so lucky to get to continue a job I love. To work beside people who show up every day to care for people at their most vulnerable. When I focus on that I strengthen my resolve.
I have been inspired and heartbroken by the stories coming out of the "hotspots". I pray every night for those health care workers and for us, that it doesn't come here in such an overwhelming way. I also hope we come out of this with a different perspective. As far as I know there has never been an event so global in its reach and perhaps for some it will be a "call to arms" in a different way. A reminder that we lived better when we loved better. When we watched out for each other, when we took more breaks, where we provided some distance, where we filled our lungs with fresh air and sunshine that we lived better. I hope that Churchill's words are true - that we should "never waste a good crisis". Let us not waste this moment or the moments that come after - both personally and together as a world.
