Online caremongering group more at ease during second lockdown

TRURO — When the first province-wide shutdown happened at the beginning of the pandemic, Heidi Barbrick created the Facebook group “Caremongering in Truro: Community Social Distancing and Support,” to post resources, field questions and “be a sounding board” for people.

“There was so much misinformation, and people were panicking because they didn’t know what was true and what was wrong and what was false ... I was giving them a place to go where they could get accurate information without all the alarmist stuff attached to it,” said the group’s administrator. During the recent lockdown though, it was not as bad – far fewer people were panicked, and people seem to be taking it in stride.

“We’ve been through this before – everybody kind of knows what to expect, really…” she said. “This time, it’s kind of almost doing itself. So, if I happen to be floating around online and I see an update, I just automatically share it.”

She also listens to every COVID briefing and shares the information so that others do not have to look for it – and lately, there has been a lot of them. Barbrick moderates the group along with Morgan Cowan, who also volunteers her time to regularly share posts.

“It’s just basically been grabbing updates from other pages and restaurants that are closed now and offering their menus for the takeout, posting those kinds of things,” said Barbrick. “So basically, it’s more of an information source now than it was a support system before.”

Barbrick normally teaches Zumba, so with the shutdown she is back to keeping busy with housework, taking care of chickens and making soap. She is also getting outside lots, something public health is recommending for household bubbles.

In the meantime, she encourages people to get vaccinated if eligible and to follow public health orders. And before the province paused asymptomatic testing appointments, she had gotten tested herself – especially important since she was working at two facilities and is immunocompromised.

“Here in Northern (Zone), we’re doing pretty darn well compared to the rest of the province,” she said. “But that could change at a moment’s notice as well. So, we still have to be vigilant.”

Barbrick also has a message for all Nova Scotians:

“Be kind to one another, be patient. Everybody is just trying to do their very best. Follow Nova Scotia Health’s recommendations. The longer people drag their feet, the longer we’re going to be in this.”