Inspiring Women SUMMER 2020

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This has been the slowest train-wreck I have ever witnessed. It was frustrating to watch the lack of action on many sides, the misinformation and so many not taking it seriously enough. The first concrete actions I personally took were (i) to stockpile food and supplies, months before any shelves were empty, and (ii) to warn family and friends to take this seriously. This required some courage, because while I used an education approach, I also purposefully generated fear to get people to take immediate action. This worked better than I expected, likely because I rarely use fear as a tool. My friends and family were forwarding my information to others, and I have since heard several people claim that I may have saved their lives – I expect this isn’t literally true, but many cancelled ill-advised trips or returned home early, and thus avoided being under lock-down in a foreign country where the pandemic shortly thereafter went out of control. At work at J&J, I am part of the infectious diseases unit, so this is a major topic of discussion at our meetings. I wrote a document for all the J&J expat employees in Belgium to help them navigate the Belgian health care system amidst COVID-19. Since COVID-19 started, tell us about a typical day for you. Working from and staying at home means that most days are much alike, and therefore “typical”. Weekdays start with coffee in the hot tub, then I shower, dress in comfortable clothes (no makeup) and “go to work” in my home office. I have individual or group Skype or Zoom meetings throughout the day and evening (I work a lot with the US, so the workday is long). In gaps between meetings, I walk the dog, go for a bike ride or have a swim. I often help my partner Mark make lunch or dinner and the evening is spent catching up on news (probably too much COVID-19 news consumption, and am trying to reduce it). I am surprised at how few movies I am watching – somehow, I don’t have as much free time as I expected. On weekends, I try not to work but exercise, read, cook and lose myself in my hobbies – especially painting which allows my mind to empty of all else. Compared to before, much more of my time is spent contacting family and friends, especially those who I know are home-isolating alone. What has surprised you most about life dealing with COVID-19? Not too much has surprised me in the scientific, medical, epidemiological and public health space, as I understand infectious diseases and pandemics, and this is rolling our pretty much as I expected. However, the degree of politicization of the situation has been surprising and terribly disappointing. What is the most important thing you have discovered about yourself, and others through COVID-19? I have discovered that I can be quite content with a life that never goes beyond my neighbourhood. Before this, I was on a plane at least once a month, going to far-flung locations to meet with a variety of culturally diverse and interesting people. I expected I would be bored under these circumstances. I am not. About others, I have discovered that a serious situation like a global pandemic polarizes people in their behaviour. On one side, the many who sacrifice for the sake of all, especially those essential workers (medical, police, grocery store clerks) who are true heroes, risking their own lives to help others. And on the other side the (thankfully) few who try to profit from the situation or take advantage of the situation to disrupt societies. 26 Ten years ago– at a ballroom dance competition in New Orleans, in a Latin dress that I made.
What do you do to keep on top of your own stress and mental health during COVID-19? I try to exercise regularly, eat healthy and don’t make too many unnecessary demands on myself. For example, I had been taking Dutch language lessons but just put that on hold as it added too much stress for right now (I don’t learn languages easily). What 3 things are you looking forward to doing once the pandemic subsides? I personally won’t be doing much until a vaccine is available, because I expect the pandemic subsiding will be followed by another wave, and I don’t want to be part of it. But with a vaccine to protect and control, I will look forward to travelling again. Mark and Oscar (in a fireman carry position of course!) I moved to Belgium only one year before the pandemic started, so haven’t had enough opportunity to take advantage of this great location in the centre of Europe. I will also fly back to Canada to visit family and friends, who right now I can only see on a little screen. And I look forward to seeing my colleagues in person again – I am lucky to be part of a great team. 5 years ago – not missing the very cold winters of Canada! Me with Oscar on a frozen river IN CONVERSATION WITH HEATHER What is one weird fact or tidbit that you still remember from school? I remember trivia quite well, so I have a lot to choose from here. I remember in high school taking an advanced math class (probability) where I was the only girl. Our teacher Mr. Given came out of retirement when our regular teacher got sick, and he seemed ancient to us at the time (but likely was only about 70). During exams as he walked around the room, he would look at our exam booklets and sometimes he would lay a finger on my page and say, “are you sure about that?”. The boys were crying out how unfair this was, but he defended himself by pointing out that he wasn’t giving me any answers. As a woman in science, there have been many occasions that I experienced discrimination or challenges because of my gender, so I fondly remember the reverse discrimination of gentlemanly Mr. Given. What’s the most impactful “no” you’ve said recently? As the pandemic was hitting Europe, a very dear friend of more than 25 years was travelling in Spain and France and was planning to visit me a few weeks later. I told her she shouldn’t come see me, and I recommended that she return to Canada immediately, rather than complete the additional month of travel she had planned. While it is unfortunate that we couldn’t spend time together, it was the right thing to do and she is grateful that she wasn’t stuck in Spain at its worst. We FaceTime every week, and one day she’ll be able to visit me in Belgium. 27
Page 1 and 2: 1 June 2020, Volume 4, Issue 2
Page 3 and 4: Inspiration From the Editor This is
Page 5 and 6: Sewing Masks in Germany TRACY MOEDE
Page 7 and 8: I had always thought what a day to
Page 9 and 10: 9 Celeste Bennekers “We’re goin
Page 11 and 12: A Pandemic Presidency in Paris CATH
Page 13 and 14: What is the most important thing yo
Page 15 and 16: new school year will be a universal
Page 17 and 18: Ultimately, students are most affec
Page 19 and 20: Team Event Planning Swiss Style ANG
Page 21 and 22: nothing. We all know how it worked
Page 23 and 24: Airlines for travel in three days.
Page 25: For example, four years of direct e
Page 29 and 30: In addition, I hold down the fort m
Page 31 and 32: A Club Inspires: AWC Oslo The Ameri
Page 33 and 34: and education for children/youth wi
Page 35 and 36: The next TARGET PROJECT was announc
Page 37 and 38: What was the first step you took to
Page 39 and 40: 39 Earlier today, I attended my mot
Page 41 and 42: Creating Calm with an App in Colomb
Page 43 and 44: different companies to cope with th
Page 45 and 46: 4 7 3 9 5 H E A R T D IS E A S E ,
Page 47 and 48: Supplying the Frontline in Holland
Page 49 and 50: 49 Mary Stewart Burger Why overseas
Page 51 and 52: I am a member of AWC Antwerp, a fre
Page 53 and 54: from outside. As my neighbors were
Page 57 and 58: I don’t know about you, but this
Page 59 and 60: “Quaranteaching” in Germany Whe
Page 61 and 62: What is the most important thing yo
Page 63 and 64: I have discovered that I can actual
Page 65 and 66: acquired ASAP. A complimentary bus
Page 67 and 68: day. Having trust and staying ahead
Page 69 and 70: CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19 - PANDEMIC
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Page 75 and 76: If you are not living with someone
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Finally, is there any part of your
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Pilates. Cooking is quick for two p
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conflicting reports. People were be
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