Nursing Student Voices Concern Over the Government’s Action on COVID-19

Chloe Breau, a third-year nursing student at UNB Fredericton, says that working as a bartender while attending school full-time has been stressful and scary. As new cases arise throughout the province, governments have yet to shut down the non-essential business, and some cities are still in a yellow zone.

“When we had two cases here in the spring, there were lineups just to get in the grocery store, now people have given up and just wear masks or sanitize when they need to.”

Some New Brunswickers enter the second wave with caution, while others grow frustrated with the never-ending safety procedures.

Most of the recent cases are within the younger population due to community transmission at bars and restaurants. Businesses and institutions are using signs or employees to remind people of the safety requirements for COVID-19. These requirements limit the spread of the virus; however, the virus continues to spread each day. Chloe says the government is depending on the public’s morals rather than taking preventative action.

Regardless of the active cases, nursing students are continuing their clinical. Chloe says this puts her at a higher risk of infecting highly vulnerable people with the virus. Clinical can be just as tiring as the work registered nurses do. Plenty of nursing students have to attend a part-time job outside of the health care industry.

“It gets to the point where you’re deciding between your financial stability or safety.”

Citizens are worried that the virus will spread from zones one and two if restaurants, businesses, and schools continue to operate. Although most people are more educated on the virus now than before, there are still people who disbelieve we can contain the virus and decided to disregard safety procedures. Chloe says this reflects the government’s failure to engage the public properly.

Chloe says that minority groups are even more vulnerable during this time. We shouldn’t expect people suffering from mental illness, homelessness, substance abuse, or domestic violence to protect themselves in the same way others can. Instead, the government should turn their recommendations to New Brunswickers into implemented policies. The government recently announced a statement that suggested minority groups and the vulnerable population will be the first to receive the vaccine. Although, it won’t be until next fall or later before even seventy-five percent of the population is vaccinated (Jaques Poitrais, CBC).

“The vaccine won’t be here until after the holidays, so we have to make a collaborative effort until then.”

People discouraged with the current restrictions don’t realize what the virus could escalate to and how real community transmission is. We should be doing more than just wearing a mask. They could at least monitor businesses more or implement stricter policies, Chloe says.

“We’re contradicting public health by putting these responsibilities on people.”

Right now, is the perfect time to spend more time with your family or, if you live alone, pick up a hobby. It isn’t a sacrifice to your freedom; rather, it’s what is in everyone’s best interest. New Brunswick didn’t overreact by implementing a mandatory lockdown in March. They dodged a bullet and had record-low cases as a result. Chloe says the sooner people realize this, the sooner we will eliminate the virus.

“The best way to protect your loved ones, is to protect yourself.”