Déjà Vu

Submission by Marina Hodson at Kawartha North FHT

Here we go again….

Déjà Vu is a feeling that you have experienced something before and literally translated means “already seen”. Personally, when the current lockdown was announced in December, I had more than a little bit of a feeling of Déjà Vu and I imagine I was not alone.

However, upon closer reflection, things have changed considerably since the initial lockdown phases.  When just about one year ago, we first heard about COVID-19 (still unnamed at the time), we had very little idea of what to expect and how to respond. Of course we continue to learn as things develop and as always, much of our experience remains “unprecedented”, but we really are more prepared now than we were.

We have scaled up testing to identify cases. We have generally been able to secure the necessary Personal Protective Equipment we need for both healthcare workers and in the community. We have learned a great deal about transmission rates and risks indoors, outdoors, when symptomatic and when not. We have developed, tested and initiated vaccines globally….

It has been a whirlwind 12 months and whilst facing another strict lockdown may feel like starting over, let us remember all that we have learned; most importantly though – let’s use that knowledge to keep ourselves and each other safe.  

We know that:

1.      Avoiding unnecessary travel will limit spread, so stay home;

2.      Certain age groups are at far greater risk, so protect them;

3.      This Pandemic is difficult on people’s mental health, so support them; and 

4.      We are all in this together, so be patient and be kind.

It is easy to get lost in the moment and to feel like nothing is changing or improving.  But if you take a step back and reflect you will see that we have learned, we have grown and we have supported each other to get where we are.  Let’s continue to work together so that we may soon see the end of this.

Your friends at the Kawartha North FHT