Kaitlyn Lonard
Childcare supervisor, Liverpool, Sydney
It is essential that we look after young kids, so their parents can proceed with their own essential work. A lot of the parents we have work in aged care, supermarkets and hospitals.
In the beginning, there was some nervousness about interacting with people during a pandemic, but we have a lot of precautionary protocols in place. We are especially limiting interactions with parents, so we have started doing a lot more online. There is still a little bit of worry, because it is an uncertain time. You don’t know what is going to happen.
We have great relationships with the families of our kids. They put a lot of trust in us, that their kids will be happy and safe. We have a job to reassure parents. We have to keep up constant communication.
It’s not just acting for yourself, but for everyoneKaitlyn Lonard, childcare supervisor
I am fully vaccinated. My employer has informed us of places where we can get vaccinated, but they haven’t made it mandatory. The reason I chose to get vaccinated was to protect myself and my family, and the kids and their families at the centre. It is about knowing everyone can be a little bit safer and protected.
Lockdown has had its up and its downs. It is challenging not being able to see family, siblings and friends. It has given me time to work on myself and personal growth.
This way of living is becoming the new norm. We just have to work around it. We just have to do everything in our power to follow the rules so we can get back to normal. It’s not just acting for yourself, but for everyone. Everyone wants to be able to spend Christmas at the table with their families.
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I seek out the rules, and listen to the facts, and I know the case numbers every day so I know what I need to do. But I try to stay away from the media, for my own mental state. To try to keep some normality.
I don’t envy the government and the position they’re in. At work, we get a lot of support from our management team. I am grateful for the family we have around us, across our sister centres. It seems to be very different to other workplaces, in that they support us in any way that we need.
The biggest thing I’m worried about is making sure the families in our care feel safe, and that they’re not wracked with uncertainty. The constant changes from the state government are making people fearful. It is hard to get your head around everything. And by the time you get your head around it, something new comes in.
I think what I miss most is just getting into nature with family and friends. I’m a big bushwalker. I love a swim at the beach. The 5km rule has limited all that to just a quick walk in the mornings or afternoons.
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Sign up to receive the top stories from Guardian Australia every morningGeorge Adattini
Community pharmacist, Broadway, Sydney
Chemist George Adattini says the community response to pharmacy vaccinations ‘has been tremendous’. Photograph: Blake Sharp-Wiggins/The Guardian
In Covid, the way people access their healthcare has changed. More people are seeing their doctors online. They’re staying at home, trying to have as little contact as possible. We are taking more phone consultations, and providing a lot more contactless deliveries.
During lockdown, my role and workload has changed, with this change in the way we operate and also the recent uptake of Covid vaccinating. We are also taking more efforts to educate the public on the benefits and risks involved with the vaccine. Starting vaccinations has made my work a lot more demanding, but I get a lot of satisfaction from it.
It would have been great to see community pharmacies involved in the vaccination effort much soonerGeorge Adattini, pharmacist
Since the recent outbreak, Covid safety has become top of mind. I’m always cautious that I’m at higher risk, or that I could pose a risk to patients who are more vulnerable. I’m comforted by the fact that I do get tested every three days. But at the same time, you’re always on edge and cautious; wearing appropriate PPE, changing at appropriate intervals. We have more guards up than before, and have changed the layout of the store. We are all far more conscious of it.
I am fully vaccinated. I had my second vaccine two months ago. It was important, because I am at higher risk and didn’t want to take any chances. I didn’t want to put at risk vulnerable patients that come through the pharmacy. I was protecting my family and myself.
Voices from Australia’s Covid frontline: the health worker and the school leaderRead more
In healthcare, we’ve had to massively adapt, which has been difficult. It would have been great to see community pharmacies involved in the vaccination effort much sooner, as the uptake and community response has been tremendous.
On a personal level, it is difficult not seeing my family. I haven’t seen my grandmother, or my parents, face-to-face in months. That is difficult. I miss most of all the long walks with my wife exploring greater Sydney and hiking in the Blue Mountains.
It is such a bizarre time. You miss the little things as well, like walking outside without having to wear a mask, and without having to be so cautious of how close you are to everyone, or who you walk around. I’m a very affectionate person. It’s so odd not being able to shake someone’s hand, or give a hug or a kiss.
