Blue Water Woman--Summer 2020--Interactive

“Most of my programs stopped or we were offering services on a very
limited basis,” she said. “One of the things that keeps me up at night is
thinking about those services that are needed that we haven’t been able
to offer…and how to prioritize what starts again first.”
Though their work on the pandemic is still ongoing, both King and
Michaluk are beginning to once again address other areas of public
health.
“We’re looking forward: what does 2021 look like for our budget,
our programs, our staffing? The after effects of the pandemic will
be felt for many, many years,” said King. “It’s just our nature to look
forward and see what’s coming next. We’re looking at treatments and
vaccines. Hopefully, COVID will eventually just become something
on our vaccine list.”
The Silver Lining
Both Michaluk and King noted there are a number of good health
initiatives that are coming out of the pandemic.
“The public is stepping up with cleaning,” noted King. “That is a
good, positive change.”
“What’s wrong with better cleaning practices?” echoed Michaluk.
“And we all just have a greater appreciation for just going out.
Hopefully, with the warmer weather, we will be outside more and
hopefully we won’t see a recurrence.”
King said: “I’m cautiously optimistic. I’m confident that if the virus
comes back in the numbers we were seeing, that we can handle it.
“I think people are ready to go back to normal. I’ve seen more people
riding their bikes and walking the trails near my house. Those things
made me smile on the bad days.”
And Michaluk? “On those bad days, I took a minute to appreciate
nature and I would see the sun does shine.”
“
It’s just our nature to look forward
and see what’s coming next.
We’re looking at treatments and vaccines.
Hopefully, COVID will eventually
just become something
”
on our vaccine list.
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