Thomas Koop, Nursing Student
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.
Thomas Koop and many of his fellow 4th year University of Manitoba nursing students are working the phones as COVID-19 screeners at Health Links-Info Santé.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. There’s so many different places to get information from—just about everything you read on social media. A lot of people are anxious.”
Thomas and other nursing students were redirected to help as screeners at Health Links-Info Santé when COVID-19 caused many of their community health practicums to be cancelled. After completing necessary training he began answering calls and helping people.
“I’m used to assessing patients at a hospital bed, and over the phone has its unique challenges.”
Thomas says in spite of longer wait times at Health Links-Info Santé, people have been very friendly and thankful.
“Everyone I’ve talked to has been super understanding.”
Thomas was also happy to see the arrival of the online COVID-19 screening tool (also available by calling 1-877-308-9038) for Manitobans to determine if they should contact Health Links – Info Santé or seek other medical advice.
As more and more people are isolating and practicing social distancing to help prevent virus spread, Thomas has good advice for us all:
“Keep doing what Manitobans do best: be friendly, be supportive. It’s really easy to get scared right now, but just keep doing what we have to do.”
Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19
#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19
