Solange Obeid
Radiographer/sonographer, St Vincent’s hospital, Sydney
My work is in medical imaging, which is essential. We haven’t stopped our work during this lockdown period at all. We are continuing as normal, so people’s medical diagnoses don’t have to be put on hold.
My work includes imaging for the emergency department and current hospital inpatients, including Covid patients. I do feel a sense of nervousness, interacting with members of the public during the pandemic.
I was lucky to be in phase 1A of the vaccine rollout this year through work, so I took the opportunity to be vaccinated as soon as I could because I am face to face with people every day. It’s making sure I’m protected, but also the patients I’m interacting with and other staff members. I’m also reassured by entrance screening and protocols my hospital has in place.
I also made the decision last year to move out from who I was living with, to live on my own, because of Covid. Now I go home without the stress of passing anything on to anyone I live with and love.
Being able to go to work is helpful. It means I don’t feel the loneliness of living alone. I’m able to interact with my colleagues and patients in a safe way. But in all aspects of life, it feels like life has been put on pause.
I do feel lucky to have a job. I can’t say that I need anything from the government. It is heartbreaking to see those that have lost their jobs, and are not receiving appropriate benefits.
I am more worried about what the future holds. Whenever this is over, and we are in massive debt, what is that going to look like? Even once we’ve achieved a certain percentage of vaccinations, how safe will we feel to go out, knowing that Covid will still be lingering?
I miss normalcy. I miss Sunday brunches. Being able to sit at a cafe. I just want to be able to give my mum a hug.
Angela Thomas
Director of teaching and learning, Santa Sabina College, Strathfield, Sydney
I’m a school teacher in a senior leadership role. I look after the heads of department in my school, and all students from years seven to 12. My work is with young people, and it is essential. It is important for a student’s education to keep progressing. We just have to deliver that in a different way.
Last year, lockdown didn’t have as big of an impact. We went back on site in May. But now, it is massive. We have been off site since June this year and we know we won’t be back for the rest of the term.
Everything is now online. That has its challenges in a secondary school. You’re trying to engage students. You’re trying to cover content, and encourage students to contribute. But that online interface and environment forces students to learn differently. That discussion, collaboration, engagement, is all different. Practical subjects must learn to use different tools. You have to work with your hands with creative arts, drama, music, technologies, sport. All of those areas require a very different way of operating now.
Beyond that, you’re also trying to care for the whole person. Socially and emotionally, you pick up soft skills through school. You learn enough confidence to interact with others.
The thing that worries me is the wellbeing of our students and our staff. In lots of ways, when you’re on a screen, you are 10% more switched on. That’s exhausting, for everyone. I think that teachers particularly are working really hard in this constant space. So I’m worried about them. But I am also proud of them and their capacity and level of commitment to do their very best for the students. Being adaptable and responsive, finding lots of different ways of doing things.
I am vaccinated. My work is encouraging it, but I chose to get vaccinated on my own. Last year, teachers and students went back to on-site learning and I felt responsible, because I was working in school grounds. I kept my circle small in my own life. I only shopped at local stores. I stayed home most of the time. I had my mother and father-in-law to think about as well.
I am coping with the current extended lockdown OK. I have children. One is in year 11, and two are in university. I know it is tough for them as young people. It is that exciting time to grow, and they’re missing out.
I miss people. That is why you go into a vocation like teaching. You’re inspired by the young people you work with. I am getting teary thinking about it.
At first, last year, we were curious and excited about the potential of technology, and how it would be able to change what education looks like. But now we realise we are actually missing the interaction, and the power of that interaction, that we took for granted. Those interactions are training for life. Schools have a much bigger role than just educating on academic content. It is about preparing young people for the world. And that’s what we are missing.
