By: Teresinha Medeiros, Communications Coordinator at Windsor Regional Hospital
When a community leader in Windsor, Ontario was initially diagnosed with COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic, she didn't know where to turn to for help and moral support.
Now on the road to a full recovery after feeling alone and afraid, June Muir, the CEO of Windsor's Unemployed Help Centre approached Windsor Regional Hospital with an idea to create a support group to help others who have also been diagnosed.
Titled 'Coping with COVID', the six-part series webcast is a Facebook Live interactive discussion for people diagnosed with COVID-19, survivors, long haulers, loved ones and anyone who just wants to learn more about the virus.
Hosted by the hospital's Communications Manager Allison Johnson, it was launched on Wednesday, November 18th and ran for three consecutive Wednesdays during the lunch hour. It resumes Wednesday, January 13, 2021.
Each episode on the hospital's Facebook page focuses on a different topic with guests and experts in order to educate and raise awareness of the novel coronavirus.
Muir was diagnosed with COVID-19 following a trip to New York in March 2020, but when she returned home, she started to feel unwell and was later diagnosed with COVID-19. She had unexplained fatigue, chills, headaches, an eye infection, coughing and difficulty breathing.
She hesitated to get tested but when she finally did, the results came back positive. She was devastated and began to cry.
"The unknown is terrifying when you or someone you know is diagnosed with COVID-19 and it is a really lonely time," said Muir who decided to share her story in hopes of helping others feel less isolated.
Muir continues to feel the effects of the virus suffering from 'brain fog' and hair loss. To make matters worse, she believes she gave the virus to her husband and although his initial symptoms were worse than Muirs', he has now fully recovered.
"I was able to reach out to my family doctor, but there wasn't a lot of information," said Muir.
Muir approached Windsor Regional Hospital CEO David Musyj over the summer about creating a 'support group', but with the limitations and physical distancing requirements, the virtual platform was formed.
Through Coping with COVID, viewers can connect directly with experts and others who understand what they are going through by asking questions on Facebook and getting answers to questions in real time.
"This type of support is not always readily available for people affected by COVID," says Musyj. "Hopefully through these conversations, we can help prevent the spread of the virus by keeping the community informed."
To date, topics covered in 'Coping with COVID' are;
- The COVID Experience – A frightening diagnoses, treatment and when to go to the hospital
- Impact on Mental Health – The emotional impact extends well beyond those who have been diagnosed. It affects family members in the same household and the virus requires people to isolate.
- COVID-19 related research – Part of coping with the new virus is finding new ways to treat and prevent it.
After each webcast is aired, the episode remains on Facebook to assist individuals who are unavailable to watch during the live webcast. Each episode runs 40 to 50 minutes and has averaged between 2,000 and 3,000 viewers.
Coping with COVID will resume in January 2021 with more topics including how frontline workers are coping with the stress and pressures at work and home and what caregivers should know.
Below are the first three episodes:
The COVID Experience
Impact on Mental Health
COVID-19 related research
Written by:
Teresinha Medeiros
Communications Coordinator at Windsor Regional Hospital
Teresinha.medeiros@wrh.on.ca
hone number: 519-254-5577 ext 52005