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It might have been wishful thinking on our part to believe that we in the Atlantic Bubble might escape a second wave or an outbreak of community spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, but here we are. At the time this newsletter went to print, our bubble had burst, and our province and elsewhere in neighbouring provinces were reporting daily and ominous increases of positive cases.
It’s been discouraging to hear accounts from our public health officials about flagrant indoor gatherings of over 60 people, of individuals refusing to comply with masking and social distancing orders, and of retailers who are not adhering to safe capacity directives. All these things and more have put our province and people in peril.
My conversations with other nurse unions in this country and globally have been disheartening. Hospitals west of New Brunswick are struggling to keep pace with hospitalizations, staffing shortfalls, PPE supply and other crushing workplace and personal struggles. Since the outbreak at Northwood and the resolution of the disease at that facility, we have been largely exempted from the hardships that our fellow health care workers are facing beyond our borders. We had several months of COVID-19-free living with many more freedoms than other Canadians. It is now in our schools, in our communities and in the capital of our province at a time when we hope to gather to celebrate the holidays.
As restrictions are gradually put back in place to protect our seniors, students, teachers, our sick and those caring for them, it’s important that we encourage each other so we can get through this together. Restrictions mean we won’t be able to gather as we had hoped, or as often. It means that what we had thought was possible back in October may not come to fruition. The resurgence of the virus may not have life shattering consequences for most people, but it may be very different for seniors and those suffering with mental health issues.
Over the holidays, be sure to check in on those who are alone and those who are struggling. The pandemic has caused serious problems for our elderly population; they need our support, as do friends and family who are fearful and not coping well. Please look out for your co-workers and children as we enter this next phase so that they don’t fall through the cracks. As the number of COVID-19 cases rises, so does our anxiety.
Please know that your union is working tirelessly to ensure that you have ample PPE and opportunities to conduct fit testing. We are having daily consultations with your employers and our counterparts across the country so that we are prepared, as best we can, to endure a potential shutdown of regular services to accommodate COVID-19 related hospitalizations. Nova Scotia Health and other employers are well aware of the situations in other provinces and it is that concern that is driving their efforts to protect our frontline and our citizens.
The NSNU aims to provide you with information and advice that can help guide your practice. We are taking precautions to protect our staff but also maintain full services as we did during the first lockdown. We are monitoring the outbreak and hope to remain open for business at 150 Garland. Barring that, all services will be provided remotely without interruption.
In the meantime, it’s important that you stay in touch with us, your labour relations representative, your local executive and your shop steward if you are concerned for your safety and wellbeing. We are here for you. Talk to your co-workers or your best sounding board if you are feeling vulnerable or if you recognize someone else is overwhelmed.
I hope that the holidays bring some comfort, rest and peace to you and yours. Please be safe, take care of yourself and stay healthy, and may 2021 be kind to all of us.
