By In Trieste
After she was told by the Italian Infection Control Organization that she was too old to work in an Italian hospital, Giulietta decided to go back to Australia for what she thought was a couple of months. She ended up staying there for over 5 months, becoming the head nurse in her department.
Giulietta: We went to live in Melbourne at the beginning of February so I could manage the department of infection prevention and control in a large Peninsula area of Melbourne. Within days of arriving my role drastically changed to leading and preparing for a Coronavirus pandemic response and outbreak.
In Trieste: How did you manage?
Giulietta: I had only worked there a week when we got our first cases – a couple from a holiday on a cruise ship. I had to prepare the intensive care unit and staff on the management and safe application and removal of personal protective equipment. The fear and intensity was immense.
InT: Would you have gone back to Australia had you know how the pandemic was going to evolve?
G: The answer to this question is so complex. In some professional ways it is what my public health training of over 25 years was all about. But mentally and physically it took a huge toll on my health.
InT: It must’ve been really difficult.
G: I worked horrendous hours without days off. I had to pull together a dysfunctional team and build trust amongst amazing senior doctors and nurses. But it was relentless work. Since I left my staff say they miss my calm, pragmatic expertise. I still try to be a coach long distance for them. But I feel proud of how they arisen to the challenges if a pandemic.
InT: You did great.
G: Each day we had no idea what would be required. Opening drive in or pop up screening clinics, outbreak management in residential care, staff exposure management plus continuing to provide business as usual. While the rest of Melbourne was working from home or unemployed we continued to work and travel alone.
InT: What was the worst part about this experience?
G: I think for me the worst part was the empty streets and train to work. Not seeing any family or friends for 6 months was hard going. The lockdown in Melbourne went on for way too long (5 months in stage 3) and we were so relieved to leave when even tougher restrictions of stage 4 were about to be brought in. The loss of liberty and rights was also hard which I’m sure most of Italy must have felt this.
InT: Biggest challenge?
G: I had to make decisions which I never thought I would be called upon to do. But in the end it always had to be about the safety of the living while respecting the deceased.
InT: Looking back, how would you describe your overall experience of fighting the pandemic in Australia?
G: On reflection it was the most amazing experience but I wouldn’t have left Trieste and elderly relatives if I’d known how it would be. I wish I could help here in Trieste or in Italy but things are different here.
InT: What was the first thing you did back in Trieste after the 14 day quarantine was over?
G: We went for a swim in Barcola. A day trip to Venice seemed like the most magical opportunity. I so missed art and culture and couldn’t wait to go to the wonderful museums we have in Trieste. During my long working hours I dreamed of being in Trieste and hanging out with the expats at Cafe San Marco. I don’t think I will take my liberty and freedom so lightly in the future. Stay well, wear a mask and per favore lavate le mani.
