Thread by @drsusanshaw

#NYE2021: So many thoughts go through my mind

2 long years ago today China alerted the world to what seemed to be a new viral respiratory illness. 1 year ago I was mentally preparing for a tough few more months & then surely we would be through #COVID19SK

Today SK sets new records for number of daily reported cases (735) and test positivity rate (26%), recognizing many more than this are infected. We have another tough few months ahead. I am tired & i'm not alone

Yet today I am mostly grateful & proud. Our @saskhealth team of over 45000 staff & physicians have done amazing things under incredibly challenging conditions/Let's start w vaccines: 1.8M doses in SK arms over the past 365 days. Countless lives saved.

Can't imagine what life would be like without the science & teamwork behind SK's largest ever immunization campaign. My thx to each & everyone who is part of this campaign! You've been at this for over a year, no end in sight yet you just keep delivering day after day

No matter the challenge, our province's health care workers have shown up & powered through often at great personal cost. I've sat w nurses, therapist, clerks, aides all who share glimpses of what this has done to them, what they have given up or lost. Yet they continue

We must not forget the families who are no longer whole. 800 people died from #COVID19SK in 2021 & my thoughts of grief & peace go out to them all. I think of the impact of these deaths on our healthcare teams. I think of how medical care has changed due to covid protocols.

I think of the 1000's of patients who have had their care delayed, cancelled due to service disruptions. I worry about the longterm consequences of care interrupted or postponed & wonder what "catching up" looks like & how this is possible within a pandemic.

So proud to be surounded by committed, kind & brilliant colleagues & friends. Some received awards (@satchan_t @WaskoDr @JFroh3 i'm looking at you!), many many more deserve celebration. Any & all challenges are tackled always finding best way forward for our patients & staff

As we enter 2022 SK also enters the 5th wave. I am worried. Omicron brings with it many unknowns. Teams are tired, some are burned out. We still have 1000's who are not protected. Misinformation continues to divide & kill #VaccinesSaveLives

And I know the collaboration, innovation & committment will continue across @SaskHealth & our partners. We all must do our part. Stay safe, make sure you & your loved ones are fully vaxxed, #maskup, test often. Believe in science. Be kind #BetterTogether