Some paramedics in Saskatoon are feeling the pressure of continuing as first responders amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
David Kopperud has been with Medavie Health Services West in Saskatoon for six years. He said since the pandemic hit, they’ve had to change how they do the job.
Paramedics take longer getting into homes to treat patients, as they need to spend more time gearing up in PPE.
One big problem for many, he said, is fear of the unknown.
With people potentially being asymptomatic with COVID-19 and still contagious, every call is a potential threat.
“We go to people’s homes, touch their light switches, touch their door handles, treat them as best as we can and everyone is a threat to us in a way,” he said.
He said paramedics are adjusting to the new normal to still keep their patients, and themselves, safe.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
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Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. In situations where you can’t keep a safe distance from others, public health officials recommend the use of a non-medical face mask or covering to prevent spreading the respiratory droplets that can carry the virus.
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