safety of the staff and the residents
more than ever,” she said.
“I have to wear a mask all day, and
I get my temperature taken three
times a shift,” she said.
The most difficult part of Thomas’
job, however, was explaining to the
residents why their daily routines had
changed and not being able to reassure
them when everything would go
back to normal.
“I had to explain to them why their
loved ones can’t visit them,” she said.
“That was hard.”
The new protocols also make daily
life significantly different for the
residents.
“I take the residents’ temperatures
three times a shift. They can’t eat in
the dining room,” she said. “They
have to be 6 feet apart to play Bingo.”
Being in the health care field,
Thomas said she is more careful to
follow Centers for Disease Control
safety protocols and monitors herself
for any COVID-19 symptoms.
“I’m more aware of washing my
hands and my symptoms and staying
at home if I need to so I’m not passing
my germs to anyone else,” she said.
Her COVID-19 concerns don’t
just stay with her until the end of
the work day. Thomas fears possibly
bringing the virus home to her family.
“I have younger children, so I
worry about them,” she said. “I’m
stressed every day that there is a risk
here.
Honesty Thomas, CNA at work at Arcadia Care of Danville, with Jasmine Jones, RN,
behind the desk.
Honesty Thomas, CNA at Arcadia Care of Danville, kneels near resident Bobbie
Pilot at the health care facility.
“The minute I get home, I strip
down and get in the shower,” she said.
If anything, Thomas said the
pandemic has made her miss and
appreciate the little pleasures in life,
especially activities with her children.
“I’ve always been a homebody, but
my kids miss going to the parks and
McDonald’s,” she said.
To help her pull through the tough
times, Thomas said she finds time to
read and get some exercise when she
can.
“I’m a workaholic, but I walk a lot,
go to the gym and read,” she said. “I
read to educate myself about CO-
VID-19 and the symptoms.”
A piece of advice from her dad also
helps put her at ease and gives her
strength as she starts each day.
“One of his sayings is, ‘It will be
greater later,’” she said. “I wake up every
day and say that to myself. I keep
pushing through.”
Thomas said she will always remember
how the pandemic affected
her life.
“I think the lesson is, don’t take the
small things for granted,” she said.
“Appreciate family, going to the park,
all the little things.”
OUR COMMUNITY 2020 9