Covid-19: Nurse speaks – ‘There are no flowers, only a need to stay healthy’
A maternity ward nurse urges residents to stay at home and give the gift of health,
As a nurse she falls under the category of essential workers and as such has been working during lockdown.
Carin Eloff, a maternity ward nurse working in Alberton, shared her experiences working under lockdown conditions with the GCN’s sister newspaper Alberton Record.
“Before the outbreak of Covid-19 going to work was something I looked forward to with a smile,” said Carin.
“Today that feels different.”
She described how she leaves her family bored at home to care for others and potentially put herself and her family at risk.
“Before I even leave my car my mask goes on,” she said.
She went on to describe the difficulty of trusting others, when every day, before you are allowed to enter the hospital you need to complete a checklist for safety.
“The silence catches you unaware when you enter the maternity ward which is usually filled with excited noises.
ALSO READ:
Ekurhuleni continues to service its people
Covid-19: Top tips to stay sane during lockdown
“We try our best to help the new masked and scared moms breastfeed to help protect the vulnerable new baby from the virus.
“The poor fathers only shine in their absence,” she said.
“They can only see their wives and new babies again in the parking lot after they are discharged.
“There are no flowers, no big balloons and no visitors. Only a need to stay healthy.”
According to Carin their days are filled with learning new rules and changes to initial planning.
They practice every day and think twice about every touch.
“Our hands are red from the sanitising and every 20 minutes everything is sterilised.
“Even coming home is a process on its own,” said Carin.
“My husband brings a bucket of warm water for the work clothes that are taken off outside.
“Shoes, masks and the rest can stay in the car.
“Then I immediately take a shower before I’m covered in kisses and hugs.
“We look forward to the return to normality, but in the meantime we will make Aunt Florence proud and keep our lamps burning,” she said.
“Our only request for the public is to stay home.
“Lets give everyone the gift of health.
“My family is just as precious as yours. You can stay home, I can’t.”
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
Also follow us on:
