ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — It was one of those gut-wrenching choices that comes with staving off a life-threatening pandemic.
On Monday, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that all long-term care facilities in the province are immediately off limits to visitors.
Many had already closed their doors up to two weeks ago.
“These are difficult decisions,” Premier Dwight Ball said Monday. “As we all know, this is an emotional time for many. But this the right decision.”
“There is no decision that’s perfect and there is no decision that’s going to make everyone happy,” Health Minister John Haggie said. “But on the basis of risk at the moment, this seems to be the safest one for the largest number of people.”
Many care homes are already making the best of it, arranging FaceTime and Skype calls for residents.
At North Pond Manor in Torbay, recreation manager Paula Burke had an even better idea.
“So many people come to the door. Unfortunately, we can’t let them in because of this virus. It’s heartbreaking to see it,” she told The Telegram Monday evening.
The facility closed its doors to visitors two weeks ago, and recently, Burke said, someone asked to use her office and phone while relatives stood outside the window.
“Then the light bulb goes off,” she said. “I’m going to put a bit of humour in it.”
So on Friday, she put a sign at the top part of the window: “Free Newfie Face Time.”
She said residents and family got a kick out of it.
Birthday parties are also dampened by the shutdown, she said.
On Monday, Burke decorated the front door of the facility so one lady could watch as her relatives sang “Happy Birthday” to her on the other side of the glass.
“There are so many emotions that go through you,” said Burke. “The people outside were all teary-eyed and we’re all teary-eyed inside. I’m going to get goose bumps even talking about it.”
Burke said it’s hard to deal with, but the government “did the right thing.”
"... on the basis of risk at the moment, this seems to be the safest one for the largest number of people.” — John Haggie
The government’s decision followed an intense lobby on the weekend by frontline workers and many families to keep people outside the facilities from endangering seniors and other vulnerable residents inside.
“This was not an easy decision,” Jerry Earle said Monday of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees' decision to lobby for the move. “We know the importance of loved ones being able to visit.”
Earle said too many members were reporting violations of protocol for them not to take action. In particular, there were reports that loved ones who had recently travelled were ignoring pleas to stay away.
Peter Jackson is a Local Initiative reporter covering health care for The Telegram.
