We are nearly a year into a pandemic of historic consequence for people's health, and nurses are being deeply impacted. Through this survey initiated by RNAO, we would like to learn additional ways we can support nurses and nursing students and advocate on your behalf during this trying period. We also want to hear from you about whether and how this pandemic has changed your health, your work, your attitude to your work and your future in nursing.

RNAO also offers its deepest condolences to RNAO member NP Sarah Bremner and her son Brandon – who lost their husband and father Jereld Bremner, and their son and brother Donny Bremner – due to a tragic snowmobiling accident. RNAO also extends heartfelt sympathies to RPN Brie Cudahy who lost her husband Bill Fournier in a tragic snowmobiling accident.

RNAO grieves the loss of Stefanie Van Nguyen, a young RN committed to the nursing profession.

On January 27, 2020, I sent my first novel coronavirus report. Fast-forward a year, and…. we still have months to go, and perhaps even longer. The key factors that will greatly influence the days, weeks, months and perhaps years ahead depend mainly on two priorities. The first is how strongly the Ontario government implements policies aimed at controlling the virus. The second is how fast and effectively vaccination rollouts happen in Ontario, Canada and globally.

Nurses call on Premier Doug Ford to act swiftly to suffocate community spread of COVID-19 – now more than ever – given the rapidly spreading new strains. As with the vaccines, delay in taking bold action to support vulnerable populations that can’t afford to self-isolate is costing lives and putting our health system and its health-care workers at undue burden – physically and emotionally.  

As health providers, vaccine hesitancy among co-workers, clients and patients poses a significant challenge and requires informed and effective communication approaches. We are grateful to Stephanie Elliott BSc(hon), Noah Ivers MD and Cora Constantinescu MD, FRCPC for contributing the following article presenting evidence-based communication tools.

The key factors that will greatly influence the days, weeks, months and perhaps years ahead depend mainly on two priorities. The first is how strongly the Ontario government implements policies aimed at controlling the virus. The second is how fast and effectively vaccination rollouts happen in Ontario, Canada and globally. As RNAO has repeatedly urged, we must keep our eyes on what happens beyond Canada’s borders, as it is the only way to keep down the spread and mutations from happening. The media and the public seem to be blind to what happens in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, India and others where the virus is spreading rampant, and where mutations take foot. This affects us all, and it takes only one day for a virus to travel with an asymptomatic passenger. While most mutations may be concerning but may not stop us from progressing to a better future, it is only a question of time until mutations start to weaken the effectiveness of our vaccines. That’s why we must care about the global rollout of vaccinations, as stopping the spread of the virus everywhere will protect all anywhere.

We receive every week messages regarding my blog, most of them being positive, thankful and heartwarming. This week was no different, except for a message that I share with permission, making me reflect on the many sides to an issue, and how sensitive we must always be. Please read, see my response, and reflect.  

RNAO is urging that public health and primary care be the healthcare sectors leading the rollout and execution of the COVID-19 vaccination. As you read in our press release last week, RNAO also asserts that home care has a vital role to play in the vaccination rollout. We are grateful for the following contribution from Shirlee Sharkey, CEO of SE Health. RNAO wholeheartedly supports the approach presented by Shirlee.