Coronavirus: We Learn Who's Essential in Times Like These.

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Nurses, health carers, nursing home workers, janitors, sanitation workers, all those workers who do the day to day work that makes society function and make our lives better are the heroes when it matters. Here's one uplifting story about human solidarity in times of crisis from a nurse in Queensland Australia.

Laura Szymanski Cotterall *

Nurse Life in early days of COVID-19: another 3 12hr night shifts finished. Have already cried 4 times since leaving work 2 hrs ago.

1) Rushed to Coles to use the 7-8am essential worker window for groceries on Tuesday & Thursday. 3 different people smiled & thanked me for “doing what you do” (I was in my labelled hospital scrubs). Moved me to tears.

2) School drop off for the girls, we made the decision to not go to their Thursday after school art class which they’ve attended since the age of 5. Ruby has recently been sick & her art teacher is a vibrant but vulnerable great-grandma. Cried when the girls left the car, realising this is a new norm for awhile.

3) Decided to get a coffee in the McDonalds drive through & had a chat with the drive through cashier who gave me a free coffee “because you’re a nurse & we really appreciate you!” This young man has served the girls & I several times over the year & he always makes us laugh. He is a real friendly goofball & we are happy to joke along. He was briefly serious to ask me if the Mater Hospital was looking for any “wardies” (orderlies) as he’s not getting enough work hours. Anybody need a very enthusiastic young guy to work for them? Cried in the car for this sweet guy & so many others here who have lost jobs (600 at The Ville Hotel & Casino alone!) or who are small business owners who have had to close up for an undetermined time.

4) Got home & took a call from Mrs T, the art teacher who told me she has to close the art school “for now”. We cried together as she told me about how she’s going to really miss seeing “her kids” (the students) & spending time with her neighbours. But I know she is also afraid of the future of her art school  

I’ve never been so proud & yet so afraid to be a nurse as I am right now. Waiting for our “little bubble” here in Townsville to burst.

I’m sure part of this is post-work fatigue, looking forward to 5 nights off. Not to mention that this extrovert can’t imagine not being able to meet up & go out at will! Setting up some FaceTime “dates with mates” over the next several days if anyone is feeling lonely, sad, chatty. Looking forward to some catchups with far away folk! Just make sure you message or check what time it is here first. Take care of yourself & each other out there

Laura Szymanski Cotterall is an American and a nurse living in Queensland Australia. 

You have a story about how workers are showing what solidarity means during this crisis. Send it to us at: we_know_whats_up@Yahoo.com