One year in the pandemic.pdf - Nicholas Roberts

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Penguin News, March 12, 2021 Penguin News, March 12, 2021 One year into a Pandemic: How has Covid-19 Page 12 Page 13 shaped this last year and who we are today? ON March 11, 2020, the World Speaking about whether any The familiar faces how proud I am of all of the KEMH Being vaccinated most in the year Hulda explained: Health Organisation (WHO) changes would last into the future Between March 31 and May 8 FIG team who have worked so hard Hulda Stewart had to isolate for “The thing I missed most of all was declared Covid-19 a pandemic, Mrs Buck said: “We’ve looked at engaged in daily public briefings through all of this.” 12 weeks at the beginning of the being able to go to church; for me citing “alarming levels of spread our social aspect differently... The to inform the Islands of develop- MLA Leona Roberts shared a pandemic, as an at risk individual, that was something that was quite and severity” and “alarming lev- day centre closed down due to Cov- ments surrounding Covid-19. These belief with Dr Edwards that a key said that, “The uncertainty more difficult. On Sunday it just seemed els of inaction” as they pushed id, we stopped using it and now updates reduced to every two days moment during the year was when a than anything else” was a concern as if something was missing.” world governments for action. obviously with the redevelopment from May 8 to July 10, and then young child got sick. for her, “like a walk into the un- On the community during the One year on, Penguin News of the hospital we have lost the day weekly from July 10 onwards. “We had every reason to believe known.” After buying supplies to year Hulda said: “I could not get speaks to members of the Falk- centre.” She continued: “We’ve Engaging in the public updates it was Covid, by that point we had use in isolation Hulda’s niece said a over the generosity and thoughtful- land Islands community on how managed to adapt one of the shel- were, usually, MLA Leona Roberts, no air links, we weren’t able to test “bye for now” and that they’d keep ness of people.” the pandemic has affected them, tered houses to make our commu- Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr on the Islands, we had no way of in touch every day. “That’s when it Speaking about the chance to get and what they do to live, thrive nity hub, so it’s more of a friendly Rebecca Edwards and Chief Exec- knowing if it was Covid... That day crystalised in my mind that this is vaccinated, when it came, Hulda and survive. environment. It’s like a house.” utive Barry Rowland. Seeing and was horrific. The feeling that, first- really happening,” Hulda said. said: “I just felt very, very, fortunate Among the people most affected Della and Margo explained that hearing the government representa- ly, ‘Oh God it’s here’ and secondly Hulda explained that during a lot to be able to have it offered.” She by Covid-19, both in terms of the the new space allows open sessions tives regularly in the paper, on the how can we be so unlucky that our of isolation she relaxed, driving to compared the Falklands to other virus and the repercussions, are the and that service users can, “come TV and on the radio, was a boon to first case would be a child” - and, the beach for a coffee and sandwich countries where vaccines may have elderly and those with preexisting down for a cup of tea, a piece of Above, left to right: Alice Clarke, and Bonnie Curtis and Stuart many, and provided a consistency inMLA Roberts noted, that the child away from others when the covid to be paid for, or in shorter supply. conditions. Many of these people cake; come down and have a natter.” Cruickshank from The Lodges days which had become noticeably would get so sick when Covid was restrictions allowed it, and reading “We have been so fortunate here are assisted by our Community Activities Coordinator Margo Among the community Lodges, took over meals on wheels inconsistent. shown to affect children less. in between. On what she missed really”. Support Service. Findlay, raised community ini- Proprietor of Alice Clarke Jewellery services for government and hosted Looking back on the year, CMO “Having to tell the community Della Buck, Community Support tiatives as another positive, and Alice Clarke, was the second civil- some quarantining individuals dur- Edwards said “I’m relieved that that we were going to be closing the A global, and Falklands, Covid-19 Timeline: Manager told us in the last year they “something to lift our spirits up after ian case of Covid-19 in November ing the peak of concerns about the what could have been something schools and have to stay home” was - December 31, 2019: The Health Commission in Wuhan, China, reports have, “had to look at how our ser- so many days on the run.” 2020. virus. potentially quite serious and un- also noted as a “major milestone.” a cluster of what was thought to be pneumonia cases, a novel coronavirus vice is run,” adding that the support Reflecting on the year Mrs Buck Alice explained she had a hip ache Manager of Lookout Lodge, Bon- manageable appears to have been MLA Roberts also raised com- is later identified. service “gained more service users said: “We’ve had to have a look at on the plane, but had assumed nie Curtis, explained that right at the manageable for us so far.” munity work as a positive through - January 10, 2020: The WHO issues a comprehensive package of tech- with the pandemic than before- this service and we’re developing, this was due to sitting for so long. time the business was taking on the On key moments over the year Dr the year. nical guidance with advice to all countries for detection of the virus. hand,” due to family having to step and I think it’s an amazing service, “Then when we landed, got back Meals on Wheels work she and her Edwards said that she was “amazed” “I always loved things like the - January 13: The first recorded case outside of China - in Thailand. back for safety of at-risk individu- it’s a good thing that’s come out of to town and put the key in the front child had to go into isolation as an- at, “the speed at which FIG rose tolittle Lady Bird stones and rain- - January 30: WHO situation report shows 7,818 cases worldwide, the als. Covid.” door I felt like I had poison in my other child had been suspected of the occasion.” Moving hospital pa- bows and teddy bears in the won- majority in China, with 82 cases in 18 other countries. Below, left: Jeremy Clarke, Margo Findlay, and Della Buck in front of veins - and I thought ‘something’s having Covid. “I felt like I couldn’t tients to different locations, suchdow. They were amazing and lifted - March 11: With 118,000 cases spread across 114 countries the WHO No. 8 Thatcher Drive - the new Community Hub for the Community not right.’” Once in the house, and do a good job of anything because as Liberty Lodge and 8a and 8b St people up.” She continued on pos- declares that Covid-19 can be considered a pandemic, in an attempt to Support Service. Right: Jordan Brewin, Fisheries Observer. connected to the internet, a message I couldn’t be at work doing a good Mary’s Walk; treating a child who itive moments: “The day we were push world governments into action. arrived to say that someone on Al- job there at a cost to my daughter, got sick in the Islands before testing finally able to unlock MPC again. - March 17: FIG announces new travel advice, that all advising passen- ice’s first flight (as the flight Alice and I couldn’t fully concentrate on was available and while medevac There were families and friends that gers are expected to isolate for 14 days. had travelled on had been cancelled her.” was unavailable; and constant meet-had been separated for weeks and - March 18: The last LATAM flight leaves the Falklands before the and returned to the UK mid flight) Bonnie described the feeling as ings throughout. weeks, and suddenly the vulnerable service is suspended. had tested positive for Covid. “doing half the job of being a Mom Dr Edwards emphasised the work were allowed out again. I remem- - March 26: Those at higher risk in the Falklands are recommended to Alice said that in terms of symp- and half the job of running a ho- of the hospital team: “We start- ber driving around town and going isolate for 12 weeks. toms she didn’t cough or sneeze, tel.” She thanked shops for altering ed this whole process as a KEMH past The Rose and seeing people in - March 27: Falklands nonessential services, parks and schools close. and her nose wasn’t blocked, but services during the pandemic. “We team,” and, “we haven’t stopped. this lovely, positive vibe the whole - April 3: The first positive test result in the Falklands, identified at the said: “two out of those seven days were very reliant on deliveries to The meetings haven’t stopped, the time.” Mount Pleasant Complex. I did feel like I’d been run over by sustain us when people were dis- decision making hasn’t stopped, the Looking to the future MLA Rob- - April 5: One million active cases of Covid-19 worldwide. a bus” and that she lost taste and couraged from visiting the shops.” patients requiring attention hasn’terts said “Now that we have started - April 17: FIG announces support for residents and businesses; includ- smell for a time. “I think I recov- Further afield Bethan Coombe stopped.” the vaccination the world is starting ing furlough scheme, unemployment subsidy, grants for businesses and ered very fast. Because I’m young, I (formerly Halliday), born in the Is- Dr Edwards, speaking about the to look a little bit different” but that other financial and general measures. don’t smoke, I keep fit and healthy - lands, works as a nurse in York Hos- hospital team, said: “I’m forever “there are still a lot of big questions. - April 23: A case of Covid-19 is identified in the Falklands, what would and also I’m a big believer in health pital. Bethan said in the beginning amazed and grateful to them for Those conversations have been tak- be the last new case for 194 days. foods.” Alice expressed a hope that the South of England was, “getting their hard work. I cannot tell you ing place and are able to ramp up.” - July 15: FIG relaxes protections surrounding the virus. people wouldn’t see her quick re- the brunt of it,” but that the second - October 27: 10 million active cases worldwide. covery as a reason to take the virus surge was “diabolical.” Bethan ex- Below: The AstraZeneca vaccine arrives at KEMH - welcomed by (left to right) CMO Dr Rebecca Edwards, MLA Leona Roberts and His - November 11: After 194 days a new case of Covid-19 is identified in a The Community Mental Health Service on less seriously. plained during this second wave Jordan Brewin, a Fisheries Ob- she’d been on the high dependency Excellency The Governor Nigel Phillips. February 1. resident in isolation after arriving in the Falklands, the first civilian case. - December 30: The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is approved for usage ‘Covid Burnout’ and over-researching server for the FIG Fisheries De- care unit, which included 13 hour in the United Kingdom. CLINICAL Pyschologist Dr An- in the bucket, find ways of letting partment, was at sea during the first shifts in PPE, which she explained - January 31, 2021: Peak of 23.87m recorded active cases reached be- nette Murphy, at the Community that tension, that stress, release.” period of major developments sur- “was a struggle mentally and phys- fore a worldwide decrease begins (as of March 8 global active cases have Mental Health Service, spoke about Dr Murphy said it’s, “what works rounding Covid. ically but with an amazing team of increased on a 7-day rolling average, but are below the peak at 21.70m). the feelings of anxiety, stress and for you. If baking works, go do “I was getting minimal news, es- doctors, nurses, HCAs, catering and - February 1: The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine arrives in the Falklands. exhaustion caused by fear and con- some baking; if running works then sentially that this thing was getting cleaning staff it made the day go - February 8 to 12: People aged over 50, of medium to high risk, and stant news of Covid. go for a run; if you just need to take bigger than what was expected. I quicker.” of identified careers are vaccinated. Resulting in roughly 43.5% of the On Islanders questioning their a day to wallow in your duvet, go do was getting more news from the Below: Bethan Coombe (former- population being vaccinated. own stress Dr Murphy said: “It’s that, but don’t do it every day.” Spanish Officers... They said that ly Halliday) in nurse scrubs. 16 totally legitimate to feel stress even On over-researching the virus Dr the UK wasn’t very good, but I was 14 though it didn’t explode here,” and Murphy compared waiting for the only hearing little bits from my fam- “the ‘what if’ can be worse, psycho- virus to, “an axe hanging” over you, ily.” 12 logically, stress wise, than dealing and said this causes a feeling of a When vessels met for transship- Active cases in the Falklands 10 with the actual crisis.” loss of control. ping he described crew as nervous “Imagine you’ve got a bucket – a “So you take control of it by re- and wearing masks when interacting 8 stress or anxiety bucket – there are searching it and looking at it and with each other. When he arrived on 6 always drips filling up that bucket. reading about it.” In terms of do- land Jordan tried to catch up with Covid-19 has been a little bit like ing this for a whole year she said: what was going on in the world by 4 someone’s just smashed the faucet.” “Psychologically that’s absolutely watching the news, and reaching out 2 She continued: “If you can’t turn the exhausting” - and suggested, “limit- to his family in the UK and US to tap off and you know something’s ing yourself to one or two reputable find out the level of Covid presence 0 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September October 2020 November December January 2021 February 2021 going to be constantly filling that services, once or twice a day, not in their areas. 2020 2020 2020 The number of active cases in the Falklands from March 11, 2020, to bucket, find a way of putting holes constant scrolling.” The Lookout Lodge, or The March 5, 2021 (data source: Falkland Islands Government)