Dr. Etches looks back on rough year
After a long, hard year, Dr. Vera Etches is looking on the bright side. The dread we felt when COVID -19 struck has given way to hope as Ottawa cases fall and the promise of new vaccines becomes a reality. There's no doubt we are in a much better place today than we were over the Christmas period — and that's a testament to the character of city residents, she says.
In an interview on the challenges of being the face of the city's pandemic response, Ottawa's top public health doctor talks about “relentless” 16-hour days, the stress of working from home, and juggling the demands of the job and a family with two little children. Etches also reflects on what she has learned about herself and the city she now calls home, about what it means to be a leader in a crisis, and the importance of having a good partner by your side.
Etches acknowledges the past year has been difficult for her, and there have been low points along the way.
She tackled the job with resolve and a commitment to truth-telling and transparency, knowing she might not always get everything right. Behind the calm exterior, however, she carried her own scars just like everybody else. “I definitely have had moments with my family that have been pretty hard,” she says, recalling a time when she had to work away from home, and “my boys asking me not to go to work, crying when I leave.”
The impact on her kids was an ongoing concern, but she was lucky to have a supportive partner who always stepped into the breach. “I have to say my partner has been amazing, doing all the parenting,” she says. “My boys are happy, they are healthy. We are fortunate about that.”
Working virtually was also a big challenge for Ottawa Public Health staff — especially those who had kids — and that required special consideration and support. “It has been a lesson to me as leader that in order to care for other people you have to care for yourself,” she says.
Etches recalls the early days of confusion and mixed messaging, particularly about travel and masks. The problem was that COVID-19 was so new that reliable information about it was scarce. What really was this novel virus, how was it transmitted, who was most at risk, what was the best way to detect it, and how long was the incubation period? “This was a challenge we didn't appreciate initially. We had to learn,” she says. “The key thing was that asymptomatic transmission wasn't recognized earlier. It took a while before people realized it was significant. That led to the shift in mask use.”
As time went on, COVID-19 practically took over her life. “I certainly have had trouble many nights getting COVID thinking out of my head,” she says. Along the way, she learned to take some rest because she wasn't at her best when tired. “I've learned that it's important for me to take breaks because when I'm tired, I will be less patient, I will be less sharp.”
And with a 1,400-strong, “extremely dedicated” team, she learned to share the load. “I'm not alone … I'm not trying to do everything myself. I had to delegate specific tasks to others so I can keep focused on the big picture.” She also started a journal to help her think things through, clear her head and recalibrate — and, over time, it became therapeutic. “I did it to keep reflecting and learning,” she says. “It helps clarify your thinking to be able to see other viewpoints.”
Etches says whatever success the city has achieved is the result of a collective effort. It's quite remarkable how hard and seamlessly various health partners worked to put Ottawa on the right track. The sacrifices have been worth it, but she can't say she has enjoyed the job this past year. “Enjoy isn't the right word exactly,” she says. “But am I motivated to come to work every day, am I thankful for this work? Yes, because I'm able to make a difference. It's meaningful work and I'm thankful I've had the opportunity.”