The pandemic has changed the way we live; from being separated from loved ones, to not being able to enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures – COVID-19 has seemingly left no one unscathed. Behind the mask
(Left to right): Dr Mel Figtree, Jo Tallon, Dr Khairil Musa, Lili Dai and Thomas Paine pose with their photos of what they are most looking forward to returning to do after COVID-19
“My photo was taken in Western Australia on a four wheel drive and camping holiday from Broome to Darwin,” she said. “The highlights for us were the colours of the outback, seeing amazing Indigenous rock art, walking through gorgeous landscapes, cooling off in the non-crocodile inhabited waterholes, camping and not showering; the kids loved this.” District Director of Infection Prevention and Control Jo Tallon is another who has stood tall since the start of COVID-19. From the long days, which turned into long nights, responding to outbreaks at residential aged care facilities and our hospitals, Jo, who is pictured in Queenstown in New Zealand, says it is a relief to see us all on the right track after a busy period. “The pandemic has kept all of us in healthcare busy, but especially the Infection Prevention and Control teams,” she said. “We’ve literally fielded hundreds, probably thousands, of questions from staff across the district with regard to PPE, especially mask wearing, fit testing and COVID exposure risk assessment and all of them have had the safety and wellbeing of their patients, colleagues and families at heart. “It has been busy, it has been exhausting, but with everyone doing the right thing and looking after each other, we’ll all be back to doing the things we love like holidaying or seeing family in no time.”
Healthcare workers were affected more than most; while others worked from home and could largely avoid the risks of the virus – doctors, nurses, allied health staff and countless support staff had no choice but to stand up and hold firm on the front line. This year, personal protective equipment may have hidden the faces of staff, but the NSLHD Year in Review is showcasing the person behind the mask by asking our front cover healthcare heroes to submit a photo of something they have missed because of the pandemic. One of those is Royal North Shore Hospital intensive care doctor Khairil Musa. “Our hospitals and ICUs have been placed under immense pressure and while it’s been trying at times, I also get to witness the very best in action,” he said. Khairil spent the start of the pandemic a little differently to most others, having spent time working with Médecins Sans Frontières in Yemen and Iraq. Outside of work, Khairil has been a keen dancer since starting in primary school, and it is something he missed while tighter restrictions were in place across Sydney. “This photo was from a Tango performance I did at the Seymour Center in 2019,” he said. “I’m itching to get back into dancing once lockdown is over and encourage everyone to try a dance class or two.
“I can’t think of a more joyful activity and after the year(s) we’ve had we can definitely use a lot more positivity in the world.” Acting Head of Department for Orthotics at Royal North Shore Hospital TomPaine said he couldn’t wait to get back on thewater away fromhome with his sons Oscar, 5, and Fletcher, 3. “The photo was taken in Lake Macquarie in a beautiful spot we often go to,” he said. “Any chance to go to the lake and go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on a free weekend with the kids, we try to take. “They have been a great leveller for me to try to leave the work stresses at work.” When nurse Lili Dai was not administering COVID-19 vaccinations, she yearned to be out in nature – something which tough COVID-19 restrictions took away from her. “The photo was taken when I had a bush walk to the tracks in Wentworth Falls,” she said. “I love bushwalking and I regularly go to the BlueMountains for leisure. Because I reside in an LGA of concern, I actually could not domuch outside of work apart from staying at home and soaking myself in TV dramas. Going back to the mountains is the first thing onmy to-do list out of lockdown.” Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Staff Specialist Dr Mel Figtree has been at the forefront of the district’s COVID-19 response since it began – but she has one eye on being able to travel as a family once again.
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NSLHDNEWS | 2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
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