NBers Should Be Hailed For COVID-19 Efforts: Top Doc

Dr. Jennifer Russell has become a household name over the past few weeks in New Brunswick.

As the province’s top doctor, she is the face of Public Health’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

But Russell does not want the public to forget about the huge number of staff who are working behind the scenes.

“I have to give the recognition to those folks. They are working as hard as I am so I’m not the only one out there slogging it out in this pandemic,” she said.

“I feel very well supported in terms of being able to deliver the best information to the public and the best information to the public in terms of our planning and response.”

Russell said all New Brunswickers need to be commended for their efforts during this unprecedented crisis.

From essential workers to those staying at home, she said everyone has been working hard to ensure we succeed.

Some have described Russell as a “hero” during the ongoing pandemic, delivering updates to residents each weekday.

But Russell said she does not consider herself a hero – just someone who takes her job seriously, as most people do.

“I know there’s a lot of stuff around the female medical officers of health in this country, but I have the utmost respect for all of my colleagues who are chief medical officers of health across the country, whether they’re male or female,” she said.

“I think as a role model, I know there are some families with young women and girls paying attention at this moment in time in terms of the type of success you can achieve professionally as a woman. …I do feel grateful that I was brought up in a household that promoted that and that I was brought up in a system that promoted that, as well, in terms of not feeling limited with respect to opportunities because of your gender.”

Russell has constantly reminded New Brunswickers in her daily updates to look after their well-being during the pandemic, but how does someone with such a huge role in this crisis look after herself?

She said she tries to “be in the moment” and practice mindfulness during the day and unplug a bit when she finally gets home.

“Have a hot bath and have a cup of tea. I listen to music, I play the piano and saxophone, my daughter sings and plays ukelele so we sometimes have a little music that way,” said Russell.

Russell said people need to do whatever they can each day to “fill up their bucket of energy”.