Faces of the Fight from Angela Fraser: I see the tears, the anguish, the incredible toll this pandemic is taking
Angela Fraser is a multi-faith chaplain who visits health-care facilities in Regina.
Caring for the human spirit is what I do as a Spiritual Care provider. The human spirit is that part of us that seeks meaning, purpose, hope and love.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, as active COVID-19 cases, restrictions and death rates have fluctuated, so too have people’s spirits.
My own emotions have been up and down over the past 19 months. I felt great disappointment during the initial lockdown period when I could not provide routine Spiritual Care to patients and residents at Regina health-care facilities. While I regretted only being able to attend end-of-life situations, I also understood the importance of protecting people’s physical health during the pandemic. The deep concern and empathy I felt for those who were unable to see family and friends also impacted me as I could not see my own mother, who was living in a long-term care facility.
As vaccines arrived and active case numbers went down, I felt relief and hope that conditions were improving. I became double-vaccinated as soon as possible, not only for my own safety, but also for the protection of others around me. With cautious optimism, I resumed my normal duties, and witnessed how patients and residents were thankful to be able to receive routine Spiritual Care once again.
It pains me to see where we are at right now, where outbreaks are hampering the delivery of Spiritual Care at a time when it is needed more than ever.
High hospitalization numbers are putting the health-care system we are so blessed to have here in Saskatchewan in real peril.
When I meet people who complain about wearing masks, about things not being back to “normal,” I remind them that the best way back to normal is to practice caution, including masking, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, small social bubbles and, of course, getting vaccinated.
This has not been an easy time for anyone. With our rights come responsibilities. My faith tradition teaches that we are to love our neighbours as ourselves; that we are to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. So if you are someone who does not want to wear a mask in public or who is hesitant about getting vaccinated, I encourage you to consider the well-being of others.
I see other people every day.
I hear the fear in the voice of the patient whose surgery is on hold due to current pressures in the system.
I see the desperation of the parent as services for their medically fragile child are reduced.
I see the tears in the eyes of those whose loved one has just died – tears brought on by additional anguish because few family members could join them to say “farewell” due to COVID-19 restrictions.
I see the incredible toll that the pandemic is taking on health-care staff as they struggle to keep going under the crush of high numbers of hospitalizations.
If we all do our part – if we get a vaccine, and follow public health advice – we can bring much-needed hope and encouragement to others around us.
Let us also practice extra kindness and courtesy. At a time when there is so much stress and turmoil, a little kindness goes a long way.
