We have many frontline health workers in our church community and we wanted to reach out to see how they're doing. Meet Terry. This is what he had to say:

Hi! Could you introduce yourself and tell us what you do for work?

I'm a Long Term Care/Subacute Care pharmacy manager

How has the pandemic and covid affected your work?

I still commute to work everyday. Because of the frequent changes in Medical Officer of Health rules in congregate settings, we've had to adopt and pivot multiple times. We've lost a lot of staff and struggling to hire new ones. Morale is low and my staff call in sick a lot (often mental health related).

How has the covid pandemic affected your personal life/family/mental health?

We have become quite an isolated family. Mood and energy is often low as the infrequent ge-togethers are becoming more accepted our as new normal. When I do meet with others, I find myself not present or as interested as I once was pre-pandemic. I hate Zoom.

What have you learned from your experiences of the pandemic over the past two years and how has this affected your faith?

God is trying to teach us something and will keep prolonging this pandemic until we learn the lesson that we need to restore our allegiance to God. My faith overall has deteriorated and I often question the role of the church (people/ NOT staff)

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 don't know. Relish face-to-face encounters more?

How can we pray for you?

As for prayer, just pray for God's sustenance and our reliance on His strength to push through.

What are some ways we can show you we care?

As for practical ways.....just have patience and extra grace toward us, as speaking for myself, I can be ill-tempered or dissociated more easily.