"And then came COVID-19": Manitoban reflections on the emergence of the pandemic

The growing body of research on COVID-19 has demonstrated physical, mental, social, and financial impacts on global populations There is an absence of research, told through the unique voices of the general public, during early, critical stages of the emergence of the pandemic and pandemic-related restrictions, describing Canadians' experiences The Winnipeg Free Press sent out a public call through their print and online journal for personal reflections related to COVID-19 starting on March 22, 2020 A total of 44 reflections were published in this column (March 28-April 24, 2020) Authors de-identified and compiled reflections for qualitative analysis using Interpretive Description (Thorne, Interpretive Description, 2008, Left Coast Press) Reflections were written by a range of Manitobans, including health care workers, teachers, childcare workers, business owners, grandparents, mothers, fathers, daughters, travelers, veterans, young adults, and older adults The central theme, "And then came COVID-19," was highlighted across writers' reflections, describing the sudden and significant impact of the pandemic on many facets of life Following from this central, overarching theme are four related themes describing: Longing for normalcy;Layers of uncertainty;Lack of support;and "Hardy Winnipeggers": How are we coping? Findings contribute to a significant gap in our understanding concerning early COVID-19 experiences in Canada and offer insight regarding needs for educational and health-related supports (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) Abstract (French) Le nombre croissant de recherches sur la COVID-19 a demontre les impacts physiques, mentaux, sociaux et financiers sur les populations du monde entier Or, il y a une absence de recherche, racontee par les voix uniques du grand public, durant les premieres etapes critiques de l'emergence de la pandemie et des restrictions liees a la pandemie, decrivant les experiences des Canadiens La Winnipeg Free Press a envoye un appel public par l'entremise de son journal imprime et en ligne pour obtenir des reflexions personnelles liees a la COVID-19 a partir du 22 mars 2020 Au total, 44 reflexions ont ete publiees dans cette rubrique (du 28 mars au24 avril 2020) Les auteurs ont desidentifie et compile des reflexions pour une analyse qualitative en utilisant la description interpretative (Thorne, Interpretive Description, 2008, Left Coast Press) Les reflexions ont ete redigees par un eventail de Manitobains, notamment des travailleurs de la sante, des enseignants, des educateurs, des proprietaires d'entreprises, des grands-parents, des meres, des peres, des filles, des voyageurs, des anciens combattants, des jeunes adultes et des personnes agees Le theme central, Significance Statement-This is the first Canadian study to examine the early experiences of COVID-19 among the general public in central Canada during a critical time in the pandemic with regard to initiation of widespread provincial and national restrictions to slow the spread of the virus Findings highlight the voices of the public and demonstrate a need for additional resources and supports (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)