April 7, 2021 COVID-19 update as posted on Facebook by Dr. Nerine Kleinhans:
Good morning, Creston:
We have had nine active COVID-19 cases in the past 7 days. This is, as you know, the largest number of cases so far. The ages ranges from 21 to 51. Thankfully, the majority are recovering, but we have one patient who has been admitted to hospital.
With Beth Swalwell's permission, I would like to share the following:
“What I wish I knew about COVID that no one talks about.
We have just been released by the Health Authorities from isolations after contracting COVID-19 from, what we assume, was picked up during my husband’s travel home from his job.
The past 14+ days have been both enlightening and disheartening. We are fortunate and so grateful for our friends and family who reached out to help us. COVID is not joke, the “sick” sucks. Sure, maybe not as bad as the kidney stones I had a month ago, but the mental suffering of knowing I might have passed it to other people was the worst part.
Personally, I realize that what I didn’t know about, was COVID related PTSD. I feel this was compounded by images of patients on ventilators - and more frustrating - our own community rally and ridiculous banter on social media. I had even been in a grocery store where I was likely sick (unknowingly) and saw more than one person without a mask. “Why?”, I wondered silently, “just why?” I though about MORALE and how hard this whole pandemic has been on the spirit of our little community. How frustrating it must be for those front line workers who are over worked and under paid. No hazard pay for the nurse doing the cover nasal swabs? Really?
Anyways, I could probably talk about my experience for hours. My hope is to say something that will affect someone who just needs to hear my words. I’m not sure I have that kind of shift, though. But what I do hope is that you understand the feeling of dread and sadness as we wait for updates about my father in law, who is in the hospital fighting for his life with COVID-19 that he caught from us.
I love Brene Brown’s quote: "At the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of my life, I want to say that I contributed more than I criticized. It is that simple."
Do yourself a favour, turn your phones off for a while, forget about the chip on your shoulder, and put your energy into what really matters. Relationships, kindness and if you’re able-bodied and have free time, please consider volunteering with the Legion.
As we near the end of this horrible pandemic, please remember to keep doing the right thing: keep wearing your mask, maintain social distancing and abide by all public health guidelines. And get the vaccine when your turn comes. Obtaining herd immunity is so important to move forward.
Stay safe!
Dr Nerine Kleinhans, Creston