Sydney frontline workers hailed as heroes amid Covid lockdown

They’ve led the charge in NSW’s biggest battle, braving the front lines during the war against Covid-19. Now these vaccinated workers say it’s our turn to take up arms.

Vaccinated frontline workers turning up every day despite the threat of Covid-19 have united in a simple call: It’s our turn to get the jab.

In a pre-Covid world, Dr Chris Robinson made sure St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney stayed ahead of the curve for innovation, but for the past 18 months, he’s been leading the hospital’s team to stay ahead of the virus.

Dr Robinson worked during the first wave of the pandemic and recalls wishing for the day the illness that was flooding their hospital could be cured.

Today, that vaccine is in their hands, and he hopes Australians will make use of it.

Dr Chris Robinson has seen the massive strain the pandemic has put on health care. Picture: Toby Zerna

“We have this amazing thing that is our ultimate weapon. It’s such a blessing to have access. When this started, we all thought one day there will be a vaccine and we just can’t wait. Now it is our time to utilise it,” Dr Robinson said.

“We’ve been rolling up our sleeves and getting the jab. We do this because we are confident in our research, in our peers, and in the work they’ve done.”

THE NURSE

When critical care nurse Katina Skylas walks into the intensive care unit for every shift, she is terrified: for herself, for her patients and for her loved ones at home.

The NSWNMA member has seen patients who were once young and healthy struggling to breathe while isolated from the people they love most, young people debilitated by the virus, in wheelchairs for months after, and patients die as they said goodbye to families over zoom.

Katina Skylas, front, with (from left) Joanne Kaoutal, Rebecca Phair and Stephen Mansfield. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Each day she’s returned home to her family and hoped she hasn’t brought the virus with her.

“You see some really sick people, young and old, in isolation rooms all by themselves. For us not being able to provide care to their families is so tough,” Ms Skylas said.

“Our job is to help people and if we can’t provide them with treatment then our job is to offer them dignity in their death and that’s really difficult right now. It’s tragic.”

Ms Skylas urged people to listen to experts when deciding on vaccination.

“Really pick your evidence and research that you are making a decision from, not just some person you see on Facebook. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but make sure it’s informed. Trust in science,” she said.

Childcare worker Isabel Lujan, who works at Casula Preschool, in Chipping Nortony. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

THE CHILDCARE WORKER

Tears, tantrums and twenty renditions of ‘Baby Shark’ is every parent‘s nightmare but it’s all in a day’s work for Isabel Lujan.

The 23-year-old works in childcare worker at Casula Preschool, in the heart of the eight LGAs currently in hard lockdown due to the Delta strain outbreak.

Caring for the children of essential workers like doctors and nurses leading the charge against the virus, Ms Lujan said the pandemic had been “challenging” but also rewarding.

“Covid has actually been good to teach the kids about hygiene, we do lots of songs and videos about washing hands … and it feels really good to know other essential workers are able to go to their jobs and provide for their families while we teach their kids.”

Ms Lujan received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine last week after childcare workers were pushed forward in the rollout, and said it was “great” to be appreciated for her work.

“We don’t get a lot of frontline recognition, it’s usually reserved for doctors, nurses and supermarkets, which is fair … but it’s nice to be recognised,” she said.

“Childcare is something I love and am passionate about, and even with the risks involved in a pandemic it’s so rewarding to hear from parents and families how we’re doing a good job shaping young minds as they grow.”