Linda's Story

Listen to Linda's story by clicking on the orange SoundCloud play button. You'll also be able to read the transcript under the recording.

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Linda's Story: Recorded March 10th, 2022.

Bailea Jackson 00:01

All right, so I'll get you to introduce yourself.

Linda 00:05

Okay, my name is Linda Hoddinott. I've lived in Alberta for 52 years of my 58 years that I've been alive. And I work in a rec centre called Fountain Park Recreation Centre in St. Albert.

Bailea Jackson 00:24

Wonderful. Okay, so our first question is what might someone living in Alberta choose to consider the start of the pandemic? So thinking, kind of generally, with all of Albertans, what do you think they would consider the start of the pandemic?

Linda 00:43

I was thinking about this, and I thought, sanitization and hand washing became really extreme. Masking became a must and isolation. That was a huge one.

Bailea Jackson 01:00

Like that first isolation.

Linda 01:01

Yeah. And you could be driving somewhere, and there would literally be no one on the street with you during a rush hour time of the day. And it just felt like I was watching for zombies right? Haha.

Bailea Jackson 01:16

Something out of a movie. Haha.

Linda 01:17

Yeah. It was weird.

Bailea Jackson 01:19

And is that what you consider to be the start of the pandemic as well? Yeah, that first lockdown where nobody's outside? Yeah, cool.

Linda 01:26

Yeah. It was just odd.

Bailea Jackson 01:30

And how have you marked celebrations with your friends and family during the pandemic?

Linda 01:37

So we had a very first granddaughter was born just before like the week before lockdown.

Bailea Jackson 01:44

Oh, really?

Linda 01:45

And so yeah, we did lots of online, we couldn't see her very much. That was a little bit heartbreaking. But all of our stuff was phone calls and phone videos and online and yeah, a lot of those kinds of things.

Bailea Jackson 02:04

Is there like a specific - I know that people some people uses Zoom, some people use FaceTime. It's was there one that you guys used consistently? Or whatever -

Linda 02:12

FaceTime.

Bailea Jackson 02:13

FaceTime. Yeah.

Linda 02:15

We did a lot of FaceTime. And I can remember going and dropping gifts on the doorstep on the front step and then going in the car for Christmas. And saying your gifts are on the doorstep! And then waiting in the car and then they wave, right?

Bailea Jackson 02:28

Yeah. Nice. Okay, so how has your daily routine changed because of the pandemic?

Linda 02:39

Well, masks and sanitizing a lot, sore hands, lots of moisturizing. Haha. And lots of avoidance, which is really different when you're a person that really likes to talk to people and be close to people and hug people. Yeah, so avoiding a lot of those things, that's been a little bit different. Yeah.

Bailea Jackson 03:02

Do you find that it's something that you don't really have to think about so much now? Or do you still have to kind of, like, oh, I should sanitize or, oh, where's my mask? Or?

Linda 03:13

Yeah. Especially when I'm at work. Every time I get up from my desk, I find myself looking back over my shoulder to go Mask! I need to have my mask if I'm leaving my desk at work, right. And so yeah. Or I'm leaving the car, we're going into a building, where's my mask?

Bailea Jackson 03:33

Gotcha. Yeah.

Linda 03:33

Yeah, carrying hand sanitizer everywhere you go in your purse, right?

Bailea Jackson 03:39

Which is never something that you have to do before.

Linda 03:41

Nope.

Bailea Jackson 03:41

Yeah. Okay. As someone who works with your community, can you think of any moments that have happened because of the pandemic, that changed how you perceive your community? That can be any communities that you might be involved in.

Linda 03:59

Oh, there's lots of amazing things. Like, I don't think the pandemic was all in the negative. There was some really amazing, wonderful things that came out of the pandemic, you know, like, people helping each other, like, you know that your 85 year old neighbor in their house can't get out and do things. So you phone them and say, Do you want us to go get your groceries? Because they're at risk, things like that, right? So there was a lot of people helping people. One of the things that our family did was cook meals for first responders. And so we pick a family every week, and then we'd go in and do a delivery and leave it on the doorstep like there were so many amazing things that came out of the pandemic. Yeah, and you just saw a lot of people in the beginning helping each other. Unfortunately when I returned back to work the on again off again on again off again of the pandemic I think and some of the rules feeling like they didn't make a lot of sense, I think they frustrated a lot of people. And so towards the, towards the, you know, the second year when things started progressing, you just saw a lot of people just be really inside themselves and not necessarily looking out for each other or looking out for their neighbour or just, I want what I want because I want it! And yeah, there was just - I choose to dwell on the positive. Haha.

Bailea Jackson 05:25

Yeah!

Linda 05:25

Yeah, there was a lot of really amazing things that happened during the pandemic.

Bailea Jackson 05:29

Yeah. Okay. Great. And so how has the pandemic changed or challenged relationships in Alberta? Again, this is another broad general question. Yeah. So how do you think that the pandemic- pandemic has changed or challenge those relationships?

Linda 05:52

I think it depends on how the individual feels. So it seemed to me that there was people were either on one side or another. And I - sorry if that sounds really black or white, but there was the people that felt like their rights were being violated, and were being forced to be vaccinated. And then there was the people that were going, No, come on, protect yourself. So we can hurry up and get all through this. And, and so and so people, that couldn't seem to be okay with people living their life the way they thought they needed to live their life, it seemed like it created a lot of turmoil in relationships. And so I know, I had a really good friend, her and her husband, he's got MS. And her mom also lives with them and she has heart disease. And so she couldn't go out and be with people. And she didn't vaccinate, and she, she found she lost a few friendships because of that, and most of my interaction with her was out on her driveway. Or, or, or texting or on the phone. Right? And I think that that's kind of the worst thing that challenged people was not kind of being able to accept that it was okay for people to feel the way they felt about COVID and about vaccinations. So.

Bailea Jackson 07:20

Yeah. Okay. So then specifically, have there been any moments where your relationships have changed or challenged in some - been challenged in some way because of the pandemic?

Linda 07:43

Changed in the way that now that I can see my oldest son and daughter in law and granddaughter, I'm so thankful for every minute I get to spend with them. I'm gonna cry.

Bailea Jackson 07:56

Yeah.

Linda 07:58

That part was hard not being able to see them. So that, that was really wonderful. And so but for the most part, I was okay with however anyone was feeling. And so if they felt like they needed to be away from you, and isolate or if they felt like they couldn't be near you, because they, you were vaccinated, and they weren't, I was okay with that. So.

Bailea Jackson 08:22

So it sounds like your relationships change positively. That you got to soak in those moments with your granddaughter more than you would have before?

Linda 08:33

Yeah, yup. Haha.

Bailea Jackson 08:35

Interesting. Yeah. That's that's a really interesting point because I think you're right, some people think of more of the negative and frustrating parts, but that's actually quite a positive. Nice. Okay. So in keeping up with COVID updates internationally, nationally, and provincially, what resources do you trust to give you the information you need?

Linda 09:03

I, I always watched for the Jason Kenney and the Dr. Hinchey (Hinshaw) updates. That would come on whenever, and I would watch those. And then I relied a lot on my nurse friends and doctor friends to tell me what was going on in the hospitals. But other than that, I had to stop listening to other sources because it was just too much and it was a sad. And I didn't want to go through the pandemics sad, haha. So I just chose not to listen to other sources. And so yeah, that's what I kind of relied on.

Bailea Jackson 09:40

Did you - okay, so did you watch those or listen to those through the whole pandemic? Or was there a moment where you were doing it and then you kind of stopped doing it? Or do you still watch them?

Linda 09:55

I still watch them. Yeah. So those updates is kind of what I was watching and then I was going through cancer treatments at the Cross Cancer Hospital. And so I would get updates from them too as to whether there had been an outbreak into the facilities. So if I had to come for treatment, they would let you know that, right? And then they kind of tell you the proper way that you could come into the building where you had to avoid. Yeah. Because everybody in there is immune compromised, right? And so yeah.

Bailea Jackson 10:27

So you would still go, it's not like you would wait until two weeks or whatever, you'd still go. And they would try their best to keep it as safe as -

Linda 10:37

Yeah, and navigate you. So you'd walk into the building, if you were wearing a mask, it went into the garbage, well, after, so you'd wait in this long space to line up. And then there'd be three or four nursing desks or tables that were set out in the in the foyer. And so you'd wait for your turn for an open spot. And then you'd take off your mask and throw it in the garbage and they would hand you a new one - well you'd have to sanitize first - they'd hand you a new one you'd put it on. And then they just ask you that crazy series of questions, which I'm sure is embedded in their brains forever, haha. And then, depending on how you answered is how they would kind of navigate you to get to where you needed to be for the day.

Bailea Jackson 11:19

So if you were feeling some COVID symptoms, you'd go one way, and if you weren't you would..

Linda 11:25

Out the back door! Haha. Pretty much.

Bailea Jackson 11:28

Gotcha. Haha.

Linda 11:29

And your treatment, your treatment day would get pushed down or changed or whatever. Yeah. They had a really good system.

Bailea Jackson 11:35

Interesting. Yeah. Okay. So going back to the question about the resources that you trust. Why, why do you trust those specific resources? So watching Jason Kenney and Dr. Hinshaw.

Linda 11:53

Because I just kind of figured they were the same information everyone in Alberta was getting. And so, I have a girlfriend that was very much against vaccinations. And so she was all over the internet, researching this and looking for that. And then I just thought, seemed kind of paranoid to me. I don't mean to be offensive, but I was just like, well, chemotherapy is so much harder than these vaccinations. And I what I did do was study the science behind the vaccinations and it made sense to me. Before I went and got vaccinated, so I felt like I needed to make a decision. Yeah. And so I did trust what they were telling us, right. So that's kind of why I only kind of relied on that source. I thought I need to pick source I trust and so they're on national television telling everybody or at least in Alberta anyway, so that's why I chose them.

Bailea Jackson 12:58

So there have been numerous protests and demonstrations at the Alberta Legislature, in downtown Calgary, and in Ottawa since the pandemic has started. What are your thoughts on how COVID has brought people together in that way?

Linda 13:15

Well, I think it's really great that people have a resource where they feel like they can go and be heard. And heard, in a sense, where they feel like talking to the government is going to make a difference for them. So they want to be heard. And as long as it's done peacefully, I think it's a great thing. You know, like, I'm a child of the 60s, haha. I know about protests, not that I ever went to any. But I think it's good, that they have a place where they feel like they can go and speak and be heard, as long as it remains peaceful. And so I think the unfortunate part about that is, is that people that, for lack of better words, are not always very mentally stable, are attracted to those kinds of things. And they can kind of make a peaceful protest unpeaceful, but everyone in my family is in some form of law enforcement. Actually, my youngest son is been having to go to those protests. Yeah. So. So I hear those stories, haha. And so I think it's good to be heard, for sure. But to be heard in a peaceful ways, is is a good thing. Yeah.

Bailea Jackson 14:40

Okay. So this is another kind of general question. But how might someone living outside of Alberta perceive Albertans during the pandemic?

Linda 14:53

You know, the first thing that comes to my mind, oh, I think it was called - what did what did Jason Kenney call that summer? About the open summer? That's always the first thing that comes to my mind. It was like, Oh, the restrictions are off for the summer and people were going what? Because, yeah, that's what I think somebody's looking from outside looking in Alberta, when they heard things like that happening, probably what huh? Aren't we still in a pandemic? And then especially when he started, like paying people to go get vaccinated and things like that. I was, yeah, I'm pretty sure people outside Alberta thought, Things are a little crazy in Alberta. We have some really good friends that have retired in they live in Victoria. And they're like, they told us whenever they saw Alberta license plates down there, they were like Eww, stay away! Haha.

Bailea Jackson 15:56

Those license plates, hey? Can't get away from those, haha.

Linda 16:03

Yeah, so yeah, I'm sure, I'm sure people were a little bit confused about some of the things that happened in Alberta during the pandemic, but, hey, we're okay. Haha.

Bailea Jackson 16:15

Yeah. Okay. So then specifically with that perception, how does that perception affect how you see yourself as an Albertan? Or does it? Maybe it doesn't.

Linda 16:27

No. No, it doesn't, I don't, I'm still happy to be an Albertan. Haha.

Bailea Jackson 16:35

Yeah, nice. Okay.

Linda 16:37

Yeah. If people, you know, kind of wonder if I'm a little bit crazy that's okay, haha. Because I'm an Albertan, it's okay. I'm okay with that.

Bailea Jackson 16:46

Okay. Haha. And what were your thoughts when you first heard about a vaccine for COVID?

Linda 16:56

Well, I had never, other than when I was little, I'd never had a vaccine. So I'm not one that goes for flu shots or things like that. I've always had a pretty good immune system. But when I got sick, I thought, Oh, I know, my immune system is shot. So I should probably do something. And I thought, well, it's not such a bad idea. That's why I studied the science behind it. I wanted to go okay, these are a little bit different than a regular vaccine. And I have all my blond haired, blue eyed, very white skinned children are sensitive to everything. And so they didn't take well to vaccines when they were little that used to be egg based. And then that changed, right? They got away from eggs. And that vaccine changed. And it's just another change in vaccines. I just, I, I actually respect the science behind it. And there's risks with everything. Right? Yeah. Somebody said to me, one of the crazy arguments I heard from some friends of mine that were on either side of the whole vaccine thing was, Well, why would I take it vaccination when it doesn't get a guarantee that I won't get sick? And they said, you know, taking the pill doesn't guarantee you're not going to get pregnant either! Haha.

Bailea Jackson 18:19

Hahah. Interesting, I haven't heard that. That make sense you know, yeah. Did it, did it worry you at all being, you know, immune compromised, did it worry you about the amount of people who didn't want to get it? Or were skeptical of it or anything like that?

Linda 18:42

No. No, it didn't worry me. I just, I just decided the only thing that I can do or change or fix or be responsible for really was myself. And so when I knew my immune system was really, really low, I just stayed in. And so I did have like, my husband was working from home. So I was lucky because of that. And then two of our boys ended up coming home, but they were still working. So, and they were working with lots of people, and they were working with lots of unprotected people. And so we just took lots of precautions at home and, like if I was out and I came home, it's very much like nurses, all my clothes went off at the back door. I have a house coat there. I throw my clothes in the wash. I'd go upstairs and shower immediately and that's what our boys did too, and my husband. So if we ever had to go every - we were just really careful. And we never got sick.

Bailea Jackson 19:44

No one got COVID?

Linda 19:46

No, we had, we never tested positive. Like we had colds and different shares like that. We never tested positive.

Bailea Jackson 19:53

Cool. Nice. So since you've got the vaccination, if you can just describe that experience. So how did you get your hands on it? How did you - where did you go to get it? And then, you know, how did you feel, that sort of thing.

Linda 20:09

I went to the AHS website. And so they book you in, and so, to a place, so you can either book into a pharmacy or book into a vaccination center. And so I booked into a vaccination center and I was so excited to be around people, haha. And and they did very well, like you had a time to be there and things were spaced and very organized. And I guess after the first one, I was like, Well, I guess we'll see how I react to this. Like, you don't know, right? And all I had really after the first one was a sore arm. So yeah, I don't remember having any kind of angst. We just thought, well, let's see what happens. Haha.

Bailea Jackson 20:54

Gotcha. Yeah. And have you, so have you had the three or the two?

Linda 21:01

Yes. Both and the booster. And the booster I took in a pharmacy. So as soon as I heard, like, the day that I heard, okay, I'm now eligible to go get a booster, because of my six month waiting period or whatever. I went on the AHS website, and I think it was, it directed me to a pharmacy. So the first pharmacy I call didn't have any vaccines that were on their list. And so I called the next closest one to where I lived, I thought a vaccines a vaccine. And I just went into a pharmacy, I waited in the waiting room, they called me in, did my vaccine didn't even make me stand around and wait. I'll see if I was going to - The fifteen minutes? No, this is your third one. You don't need to stick around. Okay, great. So I went home. And but that one, I probably had the most side effects from the third time. Yeah, the booster.

Bailea Jackson 21:58

Was it like, like really bad? Or could you still do things or you just feel kinda off?

Linda 22:02

I could still do things, but it was like, having a stomach flu. A stomach flu that, you know, I didn't actually vomit?

Bailea Jackson 22:11

Yeah, you wish you could get it out.

Linda 22:13

But just sore and achy and ugh for probably about two and a half days. And then it was done.

Bailea Jackson 22:18

Okay. Yeah. Nice. All right. Um, great. My last question for you is, what do you hope people in the future, looking back on this global issue will keep in mind or remember?

Linda 22:37

Well, I guess my biggest hope is that people will still remember to be good and kind to each other. Do you know like, consider the other guy. And if, if, if their feelings about something are strong, be okay with it. Let people come into things in their own time and come around. I had one girlfriend that I'm pretty sure had COVID, before the lockdown. She went to Arizona, stayed at her boss's place in Arizona for a vacation and came home. And within what five or six days I got really, really sick, couldn't go see your doctor couldn't go to a hospital. And she had asthma, couldn't breathe. And so the paramedics had to come to her. And when she finally got to go see your doctor to get tested, he was in full PPE from head to toe. They met in a parking lot in cars. He tested her. And so she just felt so demeaned by the whole process. You know, this was actually before we started going, you know, because it was really scary in the beginning, right? It was killing a lot of people. And so I think, just remember people are people and, and keep things human and keep things real and look after each other. You know, you want to keep yourself safe and not put yourself at risk, but. And I think that a lot of our government officials took a lot of flack, and they, lots of them were doing this for the first time too. So not that I really feel sorry for politicians, haha. But I, I think they they, they did what they thought was right at the time, based on the information they are getting. So yeah, I think we just need to look after each other and cut each other some slack if this ever happens, again, if we ever, however, many years down the road come into another kind of a pandemic. And I think what you're doing is really important because it'll inform people. You know, let's look back and remember what happened like because, well, the last pandemic outbreak we had that was really crazy. We didn't have the same kind of technology and a lot of people lost their lives, right?

Bailea Jackson 25:03

Yeah. Yeah, I think information is a huge part of navigating this technological world that we're in for sure. Great. Well, thank you so much.

Linda 25:16

You're welcome.

Bailea Jackson 25:17

I'll pause the recording now.

End.