One thing I’m hearing more and more is how the COVID-19 pandemic is “really showing what people are made of.” Indeed it is. both good and…not so good.
Timely to bring you this week’s Middle with a personal tale of some very good.
Amidst an almost constant influx of pointing out what’s broken in the COVID response for some, those fearlessly holding the line in the riskiest of workplaces, hospitals, are too busy to complain.
Have you been to a BC hospital recently? Unfortunately, over the last month, I have been to three. The good news is everyone is fine; the even better news is how our incredibly professional, calm, and kind our experiences were.
Here’s a glimpse at the most recent.
Late last week our family had to head to literally the last place anyone wants to be in the best of times, never mind mid-pandemic: the hospital emergency room in need of urgent care.
Heading to St. Paul’s Hospital was tense. We were weighing risks of the unknown and the anxiety of really having no choice. Our trepidation spiked with the awareness that we’d have to leave our loved one at the door. Patients ONLY.
Deep breath…and...go.
It took almost no time flat for us to exhale.
Not particularly tech savvy, our loved one treated us to an almost constant flow of info via group texts:
“This place is fast, here 15 minutes and already completed the ECG!”
“This place is unbelievable! Everyone is so professional and nice. Very impressed.”
“Waiting for the physician to evaluate tests, I’m having a delicious quiche.”
“Did you know that during COVID even the parking is free for patients!”
Doctors and nurses kept him informed at each turn, knowing he was in turn keeping us informed. Constant updates helped manage our fears, results came in real time, and he was in and out in record time. This exceptional care deserves a public nod. The hospital teams were laser focused on protocols but at the same time ensuring patients could feel confident and calm.
It was such a relief and I think important to share.
This Middle is for the hospital-phobe even prior to the pandemic, who now will avoid it no matter what. Don’t do that. Don’t fear getting the medical care you might urgently need. Take this as a message to all British Columbians that we can – still! – count on our healthcare system.
It’s important to acknowledge that nothing is perfect, and that our experience is not that of everyone. But at a time when bad stories dominate, this one is fresh and very true.
Witnessing it firsthand it’s downright heartwarming to discover the kind, calm, safety-focused and brave professionals navigating COVID-19 in emergency rooms.
More and more each day, it seems, we hear new horror stories of hospitals filling, ER front-liners exhausted and intensive units maxed out. Thankfully, here in BC that is not the case…yet.
Now, as we protect the frontline workers in healthcare and all essential services, it’s time to show what we’re made of — we did it in the Spring.
Jody Vance is a born and raised Vancouverite who’s spent 30 years in both local and national media. The first woman in the history of Canadian TV to host her own sports show in primetime, since 2011 she’s been working in both TV and radio covering news and current affairs.
SWIM ON:
- Last week, Jody urged you to practice Safe Six. Yes, SIX. Calm down.
- In April, Roslyn Kunin lamented those doctors forced to sit on the sidelines during the pandemic.
- Doug Firby made the case that if nothing else, the pandemic has exposed our society's scandalous neglect of the elderly.
