As N.B. tries to move on from COVID-19, long COVID holds some back
CBC
Three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, many New Brunswickers are anxious for life to return to "normal."
But some, like Sarah Ecker, fear their lives will never be the same.
Ecker, 34, of the Fredericton area, says she has long COVID, also known as post COVID-19 condition.
As a nurse for nine years and mother of two young children, she was used to being the one to take care of people. Now, it's often a struggle to get out of bed.
"I've always been an incredibly independent, strong-willed, capable, strong person," she said. "And to have my husband have to wash my hair sometimes because I'm too exhausted … that's hard."
It's not just the physical and neurological effects of long COVID, said Ecker, who has been unable to work for a year, since she tested positive for COVID-19.
"It affects your whole identity as a human being. It affects how you live your life and how you see yourself and how you see the world."
Ecker and advocates contend New Brunswick needs to follow the lead of other provinces and do more to help people suffering from long COVID — and soon.
The Department of Health says it's working on a plan but did not provide any timeline. Vitalité says a "provincial co-ordination service" that would allow for better management of patients is in the works.
Meanwhile, an infection control epidemiologist argues it's the medical community that needs to "step up" and work together to find solutions to present to government.
How many New Brunswickers suffer from long COVID is unclear.
"It's difficult to determine precise numbers … as many patients may experience symptoms differently," said Department of Health spokesperson Sean Hatchard. "Some would seek help from a health-care provider, while others may not.
"Many COVID-19 infections go unreported, and the process of diagnosing this condition is one that involves ruling out other issues, and may take time.
"And, since symptoms for post COVID-19 condition can range from very mild to severe, it's difficult to understand the full impacts at this time."
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.