The novel coronavirus pandemic has caused a global panic among the general public, as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to do their part by staying home and practicing self-isolation and social distancing whenever possible to help “ease the burden” of the coronavirus on the healthcare system.
While Canadians have been called upon to help flatten the curve of the virus, the country’s healthcare system faces its own challenge to increase capacity and secure enough resources to manage and treat the virus.
Yahoo Canada spoke to four healthcare workers to share their experiences and concerns as front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have all asked that their identities not be revealed due to instructions by their employers not to speak with the media.
With more than 10 years experience working as a nurse practitioner, Ashley* said she is used to working extra hours, often without compensation; the COVID-19 pandemic is no different.
“It has definitely been busy and at times all consuming,” she told Yahoo Canada. “There is a lot of uncertainty among nurses about how this is all going to pan out. We are gearing up, preparing for the worst, hoping for the best outcome, which includes flattening the curve and [admitting] minimal inpatients with COVID-19, so we don’t exhaust all of our resources.”
