We have many frontline health workers in our church community and we wanted to reach out to see how they're doing. Meet Sharon:
Hi there! Could you introduce yourself and let us know what you do for work?
I am a Pharmacist/ Owner at Shoppers Drug Mart.
How has the pandemic affected your work?
It’s changed a lot since the pandemic. Everyday we are faced with different challenges, new implementations from corporate office and programs from government are put on our shoulders with barely any notices. Staffing is a very difficult as we are always distracted with different inquiries and phone calls.
How has the pandemic affected your personal life/family/mental health?
I am blessed with a supportive family. At this point my three “children” are now grown adults, they are able to share chores with me and my husband which I don’t know how I would handle if the pandemic happens few years prior when they were at a growing stage. I can still get affected mentally when I go home after spending a long day with demanding request by the public. I just have to remember there are still rewarding side of this job. I still enjoy what I do and the place I work is like my second family.
What have you learned from your experiences of the pandemic over the past two years and how has this affected your faith?
God has given me this unique opportunity to serve my patients at this time and I should be thankful for what He’s provided for me. Throughout the pandemic, I have come to appreciate how blessed we are to live in a free and abundant country, and yet we have no control of anything that lies ahead of us. My faith in God is the only thing that can give me hope and the motivation to live my fullest daily.
With all the changes that have happened to your family during the pandemic, what is one change you’d like to carry with you into post-pandemic life?
I was thankful that my grown kids are at home more often during last two years. I would like to continue spending more time as a family as they were mostly away from home before during university years.
How can we pray for you?
Pray that I would continue to have good health and strength to work daily. We are all very tired, both our bodies and mind, pray that all my co workers are in good shape as well and we have enough staff to support each other.
What are some practical ways we can show our frontline workers we care?
Say “thank you” to the staff when they are helping you. Be patient! Your needs are not more important than someone else’s needs. Do not “panic” if you can’t get your vaccines or CoVid kits . When you need to get “angry” at things, just breath and keep up your smile. We can only do our best and somethings are not in our control.
The floor is yours. Is there anything else you want to say?
If you do not work in our setting, it is very difficult to understand what we go through daily. It is hard to be empathetic towards others when everyone else is struggling in other ways by the pandemic. As a church body, we need to show more understanding towards each other. When someone is sharing their story, try to really “listen”, show you truly care.