Helping Out with COVID-19

[A Former User]

I came across this and thought to share. It is a blog post by someone experienced in adapting to crisis who shares the stages we go through as we adapt to a crisis. I find it comforting to know that I am not totally losing it.

Why You Should Ignore All That Coronavirus-Inspired Productivity Pressure by Aisha S. Ahmad Mar 27, 2020

I was also reflecting on my mother's stories of being in occupied Europe during WWII. She spoke of the unreality of the first weeks which I am only now starting to viscerally understand as I grapple with the scope of this crisis. She was 14 and playing tennis when the German planes went overhead and assumed it was an exercise that mistook where the border was. When she got home for tea, she learned that Rotterdam had been leveled by bombs and 4 days later the Netherlands fell to the German army.

She also talked of living with uncertain and the specter of death and how the decisions you make are so different from when you can plan with certainty -- so much like the feeling today.

We were in the midst of starting major renos with all these wonderful plans... and now we have moved to Plan Z having moved through the alphabet through these last few weeks.

I am not so worried about myself and my husband although I definitely don't want to experience COVID, but I worry for my sons who are in their mid-40's. They are just blooming in their careers and are being cut down in mid-stride. I pray they remain resilient and adaptable and find new opportunities. In the meantime, we remain close (virtually) and look to humour and love to move from day to day.

All the best to everyone

[A Former User]

Carolyn, reflecting on the topics related to COVID:

• My questions needing your answers from experiences during COVID - yes

• What I've learned during COVID - yes - my previous post may come under this category

• Building outreach for community during COVID - yes

• How my past helps me now with COVID - combine with What I've learned?

• My favourite distractions from COVID - yes, we all need this

• Maintaining my health during COVID - yes, need online yoga, breathing, etc.

• Continuing patient partnership during COVID - yes, because in the urgency of the moment, we are not necessarily being included and that does not bode well for the future. Patient Partners are not a frivolity, they are what grounds the actions now and in the future around the patient. Without that, we are in trouble.

I am involved in some COVID tables and projects which I will talk about more later. Stay well, all.

[A Former User]

I am interested in knowing how some of you are getting involved in the fight against COVID. I understand some people are volunteering around food banks and food delivery. For those who are health compromised, I have also heard that there is a great need for volunteers to help with tracking - all phone-based.

Check out this Govt of Canada site for volunteers:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/national-covid-19-recruitment-campaign-we-need-you.html

Alies

[A Former User]

Using Zoom - There have been security issues lately with Zoom. A
number of school boards have cautioned against using it. I would be
careful of what you share using it. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/04/the-zoom-app-has-a-lot-of-security-problems.html
and https://jewishjournal.com/news/313842/nyc-department-of-education-bans-schools-from-using-zoom-due-to-zoombombing/

[A Former User]

Thank you. I know they are working on the security issues but all my work is via other platforms and won’t be using it. It is handy for families and non-private chats. To check on the updates/issues for Zoom just Google zoom and them click on the news tab.

Stay safe.

[A Former User]

Here's another type of toolkit for coping: Humour! Laughter and sharing humour with others is a well-known tonic to maintain health and wellbeing.

This just came from a friend. Don't forget to LOL.

My Self-Isolation Quarantine Diary:
>>> Day 1 – I Can Do This!! Got enough food and wine to last a month!
>>> Day 2 – Opening my 8th bottle of Wine. I fear wine supplies might not last
>>> Day 3 – Strawberries: Some have 210 seeds, some have 235 seeds. Who Knew??
>>> Day 4 – 8:00pm. Removed my Day Pajamas and put on my Night Pajamas.
>>> Day 5 – Today, I tried to make Hand Sanitizer. It came out as Jello Shots!!
>>> Day 6 – I get to take the Garbage out. I’m So excited, I can’t decide what to wear.
>>> Day 7 – Laughing way too much at my own jokes!!
>>>
Day 8 – Went to a new restaurant called “The Kitchen”. You have to
gather all the ingredients and make your own meal. I have No clue how
this place is still in business.
>>> Day 9 – I put liquor bottles in every room. Tonight, I’m getting all dressed up and going Bar hopping.
>>> Day 10 – Struck up a conversation with a Spider today. Seems nice. He’s a Web Designer.
>>> Day 11 – Isolation is hard. I swear my fridge just said, “What the hell do you want now?”
>>>
Day 12 – I realized why dogs get so excited about something moving
outside, going for walks or car rides. I think I just barked at a
squirrel.
>>> Day 13 – If you keep a glass of wine in each hand, you can’t accidently touch your face.
>>> Day 14 – Watched the birds fight over a worm. The Cardinals led the Blue Jays 3–1.
>>> Day 15 – Anybody else feel like they’ve cooked dinner about 395 times this month?

...Cheers!

...Susan

[A Former User]

No rreferences to share, but it seems to me that since Zoom was made aware of these issues, they have worked on the problem, and it should be a lot better now. If I come across a reference, I will try and remember where this conversation is, and post for you all.

[A Former User]

That is a good link to have! Thanks for posting - I haven't gone there yet, but I will.

[A Former User]

Susan

thank you for this post, we indeed need humour in this new time of being. Settling and finding joy in this time is neceessary!

Luci

[A Former User]

Recorded Webinar: STAYING PATIENT-CENTRED DURING A PANDEMIC

https://www.isqua.org/blog/covid-19/covid-19-recordings/recorded-webinar-how-is-covid-19-impacting-patients-and-their-care.html

Charmaine Jones sent me a link to a wonderful, detailed webinar that dives into family visiting and engaging patient partners. It takes an hour but is most worthwhile and practical as we get involved in groups making changes to accommodate during the pandemic.


I have found that mostly the COVID working groups in Ontario did not include patient partners and we are now trying belatedly to change this. Also, there has been rightly a huge push back on the visitor policies for hospitals and long term care facilities. This webinar addresses creative ways to add compassionate nuance to the policies and practices and how to communicate in a kind way.

Here is the translated Guidelines for visiting policy for nursing homes in Corona time from the Netherlands: https://resources.planetree.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Handout_Nursing-Home-Visitation-Policy-During-COVID-19_TheNetherlands.pdf

The Dutch have some great ideas! Makes me proud to be half Dutch!

[A Former User]

Great resource Alies, thank you for sharing.

Does any one have other resources to help organizations to ensure that partners/advisors be part of the preparedness plans for eventual crisis?

Thanks

Claudia

[A Former User]

Hi Claudia,

I have a few suggestions that also are posted elsewhere on Groupsite.

Among CFHI's Spotlight Series webinars are:

• April 20: Family and Caregiver Presence and Partnership during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• July 14: #MoreThanAVisitor – Reintegration of Family Caregivers as Essential Partners in Care

The recordings are posted shortly after the live event. Perhaps you were able to join this second webinar today? The panel discussed a new report proposing serious reform here.

Also CanCOVID is an expert network of Canadian COVID-19 researchers, clinical collaborators, and healthcare stakeholders from across the country. This would be an ideal forum for posing your question. There may already be much to learn from discussions that have already taken place. This site includes many people from the public health community who are planning for just the crisis you describe.

Maybe other PAN members are involved locally and might post their experiences here?

Best wishes and stay safe!
Cheers, Carolyn