«We are all heroes!»
Ms Thompson, when did you realise that the coronavirus situation was getting serious?
Before I took over the «Zottelbärli» playgroup from my mother, I worked as a nurse for over 15 years, 8 years in the intensive care unit at Basel University Hospital, including many years in infectious diseases. When the first cases of coronavirus became known in Switzerland, it was immediately clear to me that Covid-19 had a lot in store for us. I was therefore not unprepared when I had to close my playgroup.
How did you experience that?
On behalf of the Basel-Stadt Department of Education, we organise the canton's compulsory early German support courses for children with German as a second language. As a playgroup with this additional function, we were therefore affected from the outset by the measures imposed by the federal government on compulsory schools. The closure of the playgroup is undoubtedly drastic for me and my four colleagues. It is also very difficult for all of us that my little son is not allowed to have any contact with his beloved grandparents and his cousins, who are like siblings to him. A few tears have already been shed. In addition to the hospital, I also do distance learning for the playgroup children, which is of course not comparable to distance learning at school. Nevertheless, the transition to kindergarten should also be prepared. I would find it a great pity if the children were to stagnate now, especially the children with German as a second language.
After closing your playgroup, you temporarily returned to your old job as an intensive care nurse and now work in the Covid-19 intensive care unit at Basel University Hospital. How did this come about?
When I had to close the playgroup, I knew that this was the moment. I immediately contacted the University Hospital Basel. I realised what my colleagues were going through and that intensive care was now particularly challenged. The intensive care unit is staffed by nurses who can cover the intensive care repertoire. This requires several years of additional training, which I have.
How are you doing in everyday hospital life?
The team spirit among colleagues and doctors is very strong. On a personal level, it was a bit of a challenge at first, I had to find my way back into my old professional role and activate processes, which went surprisingly quickly. In addition, working in an intensive care unit is a very demanding job. You have to be focussed non-stop, also out of self-protection. And it's physically demanding, firstly because of the conditions in the protective clothing, in which you sweat a lot, and secondly because of the work at the bedside. We take on all the physical activities of the patients, some of whom are in an induced coma.
It is clear to society that people like you are heroes.
How do you define heroism? I think we are all heroes. For me, heroism means performing extraordinary feats. And I see them everywhere: mothers and fathers who take on completely new roles, who look after their children around the clock, create a safe haven for them, who make sure that everything continues to run as smoothly as possible. In principle, everyone who is making the best of the situation, be it teachers offering distance learning, supermarket staff and everyone else who is ensuring that the world continues to function, are heroes. For me, all those who stay at home and adhere to the FOPH guidelines are also heroes, even if it feels like the ceiling is falling on their heads!
Are you pleased that people express their gratitude on social media or applaud doctors and nurses?
It's great, of course, and I'm very pleased that the nursing profession is getting more attention. I hope that this will have a lasting effect, also at a political level, which will lead to an improvement in working conditions after the crisis.
How do you reconcile your work at the hospital, distance learning for your playgroup children and your family?
You do reach your limits. But my partner is very supportive. We're very lucky that my partner's employer is very accommodating and immediately gave him time off for the days I work in hospital without insisting on working from home. This means that our son is looked after by his dad when I'm away. But I also have to say that we now spend even more time together as a family. This brings a whole new quality of closeness, which is very good for all of us.
What does your work in the Covid-19 department do to your private life? Are you afraid of infecting your loved ones?
I'm not afraid, but I have respect. We protect ourselves in hospital according to all FOPH standards and I always shower first when I get home. When we go out as a family, it's always just the three of us and only into nature - with a safe distance. We also have no contact with other families or children. But of course, there is still a residual risk. That's why I was initially uneasy at the thought of what would happen if my partner or I had to go to hospital in the event of an infection. Because my grandparents and my sister, who also belongs to the risk group due to a chronic illness, are no longer there. I'm glad that my best friend and my son's godmother immediately agreed to take my son home in an emergency. That made me feel very relaxed.
What is the coronavirus crisis doing to you personally?
This virus has shown us that anything is possible. And that nothing is set in stone. But it also shows that life always goes on. I find the solidarity created by the pandemic a wonderful experience. Many people have been given time or have realised that they can manage with much less. But of course, many companies and self-employed people are still worried about their livelihoods, despite help from the government. Playgroups are also having a hard time at the moment: their official status as an educational unit in the early education sector is not clearly defined, and the loss of parental contributions is leading to bankruptcies and closures. But I remain positive, fear only blocks things. I try to overcome every challenge step by step. That's why I will continue to run my playgroup once the crisis is over. I'm looking forward to that. The «Zottelbärli» is my passion and I miss my playgroup children very much.
About the person:
Jessica Thompson is the owner of the «Zottelbärli» playgroup in Riehen in the canton of Basel-Stadt. On behalf of the Basel-Stadt Department of Education, the playgroup also organises the canton's compulsory early German support courses for children with German as a second language. Before Jessica Thompson trained as a playgroup leader and language teacher, the now 42-year-old worked for over 15 years as a nurse with additional training in intensive care. She is the mother of a four-year-old son and lives with her family in Basel.
Link to the playgroup: www.zottelbärli.ch
Read more about the corona crisis:
- «Coronavirus» dossier: Relevant topics for families
The current crisis is unsettling many families. How can I best support my children with learning at home? How do I manage to combine homeschooling and childcare? What rituals can help combat cabin fever? - Corona lockdown mum blog
Michèle Binswanger reports on her experiences working from home. The mum-of-two blogs twice a week, on Sundays and Thursdays.