Ottawa Public Health urging residents to ‘be kind’ to contact tracing staff
Posted Mar 10, 2021 11:32:00 AM.
Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is urging residents to continue to be kind to staff conducting COVID-19 contact tracing of positive or high-risk individuals, after a small amount received negative, and at times hostile behaviour, for reaching out.
According to Board of Heath Chair Keith Egli, the behaviour includes yelling and hanging up on staff. However, he adds, this type of attitude toward the contact tracers does not appear to be a normal trend.
Egli is reminding public that the staff conducting the tracing are doing it for the benefit of the community and to keep residents safe.
“I know people are afraid and frustrated, and if you got a call like that, that might well make you nervous and upset because you're feeling at risk,” Egli explains. “Just try and remember the people on the other end of the phone are simply doing their job.”
Ottawa's Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches adds, she understands when situations escalate to the point of abusive language, it is a signal people are struggling.
“This is a difficult time, many people have had very negative experiences because of COVID-19,” the doctor says. “There are supports available, that's part of what we can do is contact them to supports.”
Dr. Etches is also promoting kindness in the capital, and explains, while OPH staff are resilient and have resources available, they are human too.
