This week our province faces the introduction of the toughest public health measures since the Alberta economic relaunch began in the summer. These restrictions have the singular goal of reducing close personal contact between Albertans to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
The announcement will be heartbreaking for many as it comes a little over two weeks before Christmas.
However, these measures are necessary to help keep our community safe and prevent the virus from overwhelming the public health system.
Speaking from experience we here at The Cochrane Eagle can attest to the dangers of the virus.
I, Chelsea Kemp, the Editor of The Cochrane Eagle, recently tested positive for COVID-19.
It was a scary experience because despite doing everything right— I practised social distancing, I wore a mask, I practised good hand hygiene and limited my cohorts— I was still infected with the virus.
I initially made the decision to get a COVID-19 test because I woke up with a slight sore throat. I have had worse colds but wanted to be responsible and ensure I did not have COVID-19, so I dutifully signed up for a test and went into isolation.
I was able to get a test within hours of the development of my sore throat.
A little less than 36 hours later I received a text from Alberta Health Services telling me I had tested positive for the virus.
My heart stopped at that moment and I was overcome with fear— Not only of what the virus would do to me, but I was deeply concerned I could have passed COVID-19 onto someone else.
My first day of quarantine was spent nervously pacing in my home texting those I had recently come in contact with and filling out the Alberta Health Services contact tracing form.
Thankfully to my knowledge no one else that I know tested positive for COVID-19, and there is a relief in knowing that I have not passed the virus onto anyone else.
I am glad I made the decision to immediately go into isolation, following Alberta Health Services recommendations, and get a COVID-19 test because it helped keep other people safe.
My time in isolation was difficult. The virus left me weak and I felt a fatigue I have only ever experienced when I had mononucleosis. I also completely lost my sense of taste and smell which was an incredibly strange sensation.
One of the most challenging aspects of the illness was ensuring we as a news team were still able to continue reporting on the Cochrane community.
As soon as I tested positive for COVID-19, The Cochrane Eagle staff went into quarantine and we began the difficult task of ensuring we were able to work from home so we could deliver the news to our community.
The newspaper is an essential service, and we will continue to strive to stay connected during the pandemic.
This week will be one of the hardest we will face; It is disappointing we will not be able to gather for Christmas and other holiday celebrations.
But, speaking from experience the shame and fear one feels knowing they may have infected others outweighs the frustration of not being able to celebrate Christmas with those from outside our households.
I was lucky because my illness was relatively short and I was not hospitalized— However, that experience will not be shared by vulnerable populations including those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions.
I implore Cochranites to follow the health measures that have been put in place. I do not want anyone else to experience the illness or the fear they have passed it on to someone else needlessly.
All of our hard work and sacrifices are collectively keeping people safe and saving lives, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Premier Jason Kenney has said the start of the roll out of a COVID-19 vaccine is mere weeks away.
We need to remain strong and work to keep each other safe until the vaccine is ready.
This year's holidays will be different, but we can remain optimistic knowing next year we will be able to celebrate together.
