Mimoza Guxo: Being a pandemic Albanian nurse in Canada

E premte, 29 Mars, 2024
E premte, 29 Mars, 2024

Mimoza Guxo: Being a pandemic Albanian nurse in Canada

For more than twenty years, Mimoza Guxo has been practicing her profession as a nurse. The pandemic has made this profession even more valuable, where most of the health workers have worked long hours, and have given the maximum of their profession and work to help patients and those affected by the coronavirus. She graduate in Nursing in Albania and specialized in the Department of Surgery. Here in Canada she works in the Nursing Department at the Homes for the Elderly in Oakville, Ontario. In an interview for the newspaper “Diaspora Shqiptare”, Mimoza shares the most important moments of her profession during this time …

Mimosa, we are still in a pandemic time caused by COVID-19 more than a year ago. As a nurse, how did you expect this virus to come about?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a global shock that claimed the lives of thousands of people around the world. At first it was very scary because we did not have much information about this virus. COVID-19 was unknown to everyone. There were many rumors that the virus was also transmitted through food. People panicked. I can say that last year and this year in progress was and continues to be a year of struggle for life. This is the hardest time of my career. Yet we continued to work and serve the elderly and people in need.

It is known that the pandemic in Canada has spread widely among the homes of the elderly. How is the situation in the House where you work?

The Halton area in Oakville is less affected by the pandemic, but we have nevertheless had some infected by staff and the elderly. With tireless work and organization also following all the instructions of the Ministry of Health the situation has passed without much damage to people’s lives. We always wear the masks and helmets provided for us public health workers, disinfect ourselves, and do our best to maintain social distance to protect ourselves, the people we serve, and not to spread the disease.

How many patients, and how many health care workers have been affected at your workplace with COVID-19?

So far as far as I know, 15 or 16 residents have been infected, and some 17 employees. Six of the patients lost their lives. However, I must say that these six patients were very old, over 90 years old and had other health complications.

You have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. What would be your message to your patients and to the Albanian community in Canada?

I have finished two doses of Pfizer vaccination since February of this year. My message for the Albanian community in Canada is: Get vaccinated and do not choose which vaccine to get! All vaccines protect and you should definitely get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid being hospitalized or risking your own life and the lives of others.

Canada has received doses of several vaccines approved so far. Criticism of the proceeding and the slowness have increased in almost every country …

Canada is lagging behind with vaccination for many reasons, perhaps for better organization by the federal government. It is known that Canada does not produce the vaccines itself, but is dependent on the US for doses. This has caused delays and even long durations between months between two doses of the vaccine, up to four months, time which in itself produce criticism from the public and analysts of the issue.

What does a typical work day look like for you today, compared to normal time?

My day starts with morning information. We receive instructions daily from the Canadian Ministry of Health before starting work. There is occasional control at work by managers of how hygiene rules are applied to patients, we often change masks and gloves, which has already become our habit at work. The work is very intensive, because the controls from all relevant institutions have been greatly increased. Many of our colleagues have been infected or have symptoms close to the virus, so we have been forced to work overtime.

How many hours were your work record during the pandemic?

I have worked throughout this period non-stop about 16 hours a day or about 60 hours a week, always on demand. Although tired, I feel appreciated and respected by the management at work and the relatives of the patients, who made us feel like heroes of the day. I certainly do not feel that way because I simply did the work, but their words convey a lot of positive energy to me in this difficult time.

Can you share some messages from patients’ relatives?

A daughter of a mother wrote to me a few days ago: Thank you for everything you have done for my mother. You are the hero, and you are in my prayers every day. I received another exciting message from an Albanian baby, Danny. Here is what he writes to me: Dear Moza, Today I had a video call with my grandfather. He is 71 years old and has a high risk of catching Covid 19. He is isolated at home with my grandmother… I love him very much. It made me think about you and what you do. Moza, you are a heroine. You care for the elderly in a nursing home. They can be sick and very vulnerable to catching COVID-19. This means that you too can become infected. You are risking your life to help other people. I am very proud of you and what you do. That is why I will do my part to help in this aspect. I will stay inside isolated so as not to spread or catch COVID- 19. Moza we want to send you our prayers and love. Think positively and everything will be fine. Lots of love, Danny …

For more than twenty years, Mimoza Guxo has been practicing her profession as a nurse. The pandemic has made this profession even more valuable, where most of the health workers have worked long hours, and have given the maximum of their profession and work to help patients and those affected by the coronavirus. She graduate in Nursing in Albania and specialized in the Department of Surgery. Here in Canada she works in the Nursing Department at the Homes for the Elderly in Oakville, Ontario. In an interview for the newspaper “Diaspora Shqiptare”, Mimoza shares the most important moments of her profession during this time …

Mimosa, we are still in a pandemic time caused by COVID-19 more than a year ago. As a nurse, how did you expect this virus to come about?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a global shock that claimed the lives of thousands of people around the world. At first it was very scary because we did not have much information about this virus. COVID-19 was unknown to everyone. There were many rumors that the virus was also transmitted through food. People panicked. I can say that last year and this year in progress was and continues to be a year of struggle for life. This is the hardest time of my career. Yet we continued to work and serve the elderly and people in need.

It is known that the pandemic in Canada has spread widely among the homes of the elderly. How is the situation in the House where you work?

The Halton area in Oakville is less affected by the pandemic, but we have nevertheless had some infected by staff and the elderly. With tireless work and organization also following all the instructions of the Ministry of Health the situation has passed without much damage to people’s lives. We always wear the masks and helmets provided for us public health workers, disinfect ourselves, and do our best to maintain social distance to protect ourselves, the people we serve, and not to spread the disease.

How many patients, and how many health care workers have been affected at your workplace with COVID-19?

So far as far as I know, 15 or 16 residents have been infected, and some 17 employees. Six of the patients lost their lives. However, I must say that these six patients were very old, over 90 years old and had other health complications.

You have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. What would be your message to your patients and to the Albanian community in Canada?

I have finished two doses of Pfizer vaccination since February of this year. My message for the Albanian community in Canada is: Get vaccinated and do not choose which vaccine to get! All vaccines protect and you should definitely get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid being hospitalized or risking your own life and the lives of others.

Canada has received doses of several vaccines approved so far. Criticism of the proceeding and the slowness have increased in almost every country …

Canada is lagging behind with vaccination for many reasons, perhaps for better organization by the federal government. It is known that Canada does not produce the vaccines itself, but is dependent on the US for doses. This has caused delays and even long durations between months between two doses of the vaccine, up to four months, time which in itself produce criticism from the public and analysts of the issue.

What does a typical work day look like for you today, compared to normal time?

My day starts with morning information. We receive instructions daily from the Canadian Ministry of Health before starting work. There is occasional control at work by managers of how hygiene rules are applied to patients, we often change masks and gloves, which has already become our habit at work. The work is very intensive, because the controls from all relevant institutions have been greatly increased. Many of our colleagues have been infected or have symptoms close to the virus, so we have been forced to work overtime.

How many hours were your work record during the pandemic?

I have worked throughout this period non-stop about 16 hours a day or about 60 hours a week, always on demand. Although tired, I feel appreciated and respected by the management at work and the relatives of the patients, who made us feel like heroes of the day. I certainly do not feel that way because I simply did the work, but their words convey a lot of positive energy to me in this difficult time.

Can you share some messages from patients’ relatives?

A daughter of a mother wrote to me a few days ago: Thank you for everything you have done for my mother. You are the hero, and you are in my prayers every day. I received another exciting message from an Albanian baby, Danny. Here is what he writes to me: Dear Moza, Today I had a video call with my grandfather. He is 71 years old and has a high risk of catching Covid 19. He is isolated at home with my grandmother… I love him very much. It made me think about you and what you do. Moza, you are a heroine. You care for the elderly in a nursing home. They can be sick and very vulnerable to catching COVID-19. This means that you too can become infected. You are risking your life to help other people. I am very proud of you and what you do. That is why I will do my part to help in this aspect. I will stay inside isolated so as not to spread or catch COVID- 19. Moza we want to send you our prayers and love. Think positively and everything will be fine. Lots of love, Danny …

For more than twenty years, Mimoza Guxo has been practicing her profession as a nurse. The pandemic has made this profession even more valuable, where most of the health workers have worked long hours, and have given the maximum of their profession and work to help patients and those affected by the coronavirus. She graduate in Nursing in Albania and specialized in the Department of Surgery. Here in Canada she works in the Nursing Department at the Homes for the Elderly in Oakville, Ontario. In an interview for the newspaper “Diaspora Shqiptare”, Mimoza shares the most important moments of her profession during this time …

Mimosa, we are still in a pandemic time caused by COVID-19 more than a year ago. As a nurse, how did you expect this virus to come about?

The COVID-19 pandemic was a global shock that claimed the lives of thousands of people around the world. At first it was very scary because we did not have much information about this virus. COVID-19 was unknown to everyone. There were many rumors that the virus was also transmitted through food. People panicked. I can say that last year and this year in progress was and continues to be a year of struggle for life. This is the hardest time of my career. Yet we continued to work and serve the elderly and people in need.

It is known that the pandemic in Canada has spread widely among the homes of the elderly. How is the situation in the House where you work?

The Halton area in Oakville is less affected by the pandemic, but we have nevertheless had some infected by staff and the elderly. With tireless work and organization also following all the instructions of the Ministry of Health the situation has passed without much damage to people’s lives. We always wear the masks and helmets provided for us public health workers, disinfect ourselves, and do our best to maintain social distance to protect ourselves, the people we serve, and not to spread the disease.

How many patients, and how many health care workers have been affected at your workplace with COVID-19?

So far as far as I know, 15 or 16 residents have been infected, and some 17 employees. Six of the patients lost their lives. However, I must say that these six patients were very old, over 90 years old and had other health complications.

You have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. What would be your message to your patients and to the Albanian community in Canada?

I have finished two doses of Pfizer vaccination since February of this year. My message for the Albanian community in Canada is: Get vaccinated and do not choose which vaccine to get! All vaccines protect and you should definitely get vaccinated as soon as possible to avoid being hospitalized or risking your own life and the lives of others.

Canada has received doses of several vaccines approved so far. Criticism of the proceeding and the slowness have increased in almost every country …

Canada is lagging behind with vaccination for many reasons, perhaps for better organization by the federal government. It is known that Canada does not produce the vaccines itself, but is dependent on the US for doses. This has caused delays and even long durations between months between two doses of the vaccine, up to four months, time which in itself produce criticism from the public and analysts of the issue.

What does a typical work day look like for you today, compared to normal time?

My day starts with morning information. We receive instructions daily from the Canadian Ministry of Health before starting work. There is occasional control at work by managers of how hygiene rules are applied to patients, we often change masks and gloves, which has already become our habit at work. The work is very intensive, because the controls from all relevant institutions have been greatly increased. Many of our colleagues have been infected or have symptoms close to the virus, so we have been forced to work overtime.

How many hours were your work record during the pandemic?

I have worked throughout this period non-stop about 16 hours a day or about 60 hours a week, always on demand. Although tired, I feel appreciated and respected by the management at work and the relatives of the patients, who made us feel like heroes of the day. I certainly do not feel that way because I simply did the work, but their words convey a lot of positive energy to me in this difficult time.

Can you share some messages from patients’ relatives?

A daughter of a mother wrote to me a few days ago: Thank you for everything you have done for my mother. You are the hero, and you are in my prayers every day. I received another exciting message from an Albanian baby, Danny. Here is what he writes to me: Dear Moza, Today I had a video call with my grandfather. He is 71 years old and has a high risk of catching Covid 19. He is isolated at home with my grandmother… I love him very much. It made me think about you and what you do. Moza, you are a heroine. You care for the elderly in a nursing home. They can be sick and very vulnerable to catching COVID-19. This means that you too can become infected. You are risking your life to help other people. I am very proud of you and what you do. That is why I will do my part to help in this aspect. I will stay inside isolated so as not to spread or catch COVID- 19. Moza we want to send you our prayers and love. Think positively and everything will be fine. Lots of love, Danny …