在新冠肺炎疫情燃燒的同時，公司裡也有件跟武漢相關的故事。Tracy 是我們 SU 店收銀部的一位同事，因為照顧年邁雙親的護工阿姨要返鄉過年，公司特別批准了她過年期間回家的請假。誰也沒想到，Tracy 的這趟旅行，沒有絲毫團聚的喜氣，只有滿是擔心害怕、糾結痛苦。現在我們就將她電話訪談中的口述，重點轉摘於此來分享她的心路歷程。
我的老家就在武漢，回去沒幾天就封城了！面對長年心冠病的老爸和腦梗的老媽，還有家門外不可預期的疫情，儘管無助感快把我壓得喘不過氣，但我還是告訴自己要強行振作照顧好兩老。為了避免感染，我放棄出門購物的機會，好在有髮小隔三插五地送來民生食糧用品。正當我苦惱著「該怎麼回得去上班」之時，就收到主管 Winnie 微信發來的關心問候，她讓我寬心地先延長一個月的假留在武漢照顧兩老，這真的是讓我頓時免去了後顧之憂。
隨著疫情嚴峻的發展， 我從朋友處得知加拿大在 2 月 6 日將有撤僑的行動。在聯絡護工仲介也找不到臨時替手的情況下，我沒有選擇地必須留下來照顧父母。過了兩天，又聽到 2 月 10 日加拿大有第二班撤僑的飛機，我心急、但我家人更急，住在較遠、身體也不好的弟弟義無反顧地決定從自家小區獨身到爸媽家來接手，來換取讓我即早安全離開武漢的機會。拗不過家人的堅持，我最終做了一個痛苦的決定，搭上這第二班機返回加拿大。
平日繁忙的武漢機場，只剩簡單的撤僑航班指示，及少數全套防護裝備的工作人員協助登機。
這一路的長途飛行、溫哥華檢疫、轉機，同是武漢的鄉親們相互扶持、彼此打氣。好不容易終於在武漢起飛的 20 小時後，抵達多倫多東北 170 公里的 Trenton 空軍基地。平安落地後，我立刻向溫哥華家中的先生孩子報平安。
在 Trenton 的接待大廳中，迎接我們的是加拿大紅十字會溫馨的接待人員和滿滿的各種生活必需品。報到時，他們贈送每位小朋友一隻小熊玩偶，真是人性又貼心。
原本以為最艱難的階段已過去，只剩下耐著性子在 Trenton 進行 14 天的隔離。但萬萬沒想到，當我一進到自己被分配像旅館的房間、連上 Wi-Fi 要跟武漢的爸媽聯繫時，視頻中的弟弟才告訴我 ─ 爸爸在我去機場的隔天就過世了，這個噩耗真的讓我徹底掉進悲痛的深淵。透過主管 Winnie 的後續聯繫，消息傳回了公司，店長及 BC 省營運區經理紛紛來電慰問。更沒想到的是，Tina 總裁也親自跟我通了半個多鐘頭電話，說了很多溫暖安慰我的話。當她得知能幫助我的事很有限，便告訴我不要擔心回家的事，公司會幫我安排購買結束隔離、從多倫多飛回溫哥華的機票 ─ 當下我眼眶濕了，幾秒鐘說不出話來，因為我感受到公司那強有力、可依靠的臂膀。
在 Trenton 的 14 天隔離的日子裡，家人、朋友、同事持續的關懷，讓我一天天地打起了精神。除了紅十字會每日的營養三餐外，每天規定可外出的四個時段，我也一定會到戶外去活動下筋骨、呼吸下新鮮的空氣。
終於熬到回溫哥華回家的日子了！ 2/25 踏上歸途前，我仰望著 Trenton 的天空，雖然失去父親的傷痛仍在，但我感謝加國政府及紅十字會悉心的照顧，更由衷感謝在關鍵時刻來自公司、這個大家庭的關懷及幫助。
後記: 因緣際會，與 Tracy 同在 Trenton 隔離前後兩班機的人拉了兩個各百來人的微信群。大家感念加拿大紅十字會無私的付出，當下就發起自由樂捐，共籌得 $35000+ 於 2/25 捐予紅十字會，希望他們這般的愛與善舉可以延續下去給未來需要的人。走筆至此，深感人間處處有溫情，我們也應常懷感恩的心。
Kindness to be Found Everywhere
In the outbreak of Corona-virus, the company came across a story related to Wuhan. Tracy, one of the cashiers in SU Store, got special approved for her leave. She had to return home in late January because the caregiver who used to take care of her parents was leaving in Chinese New Year. Who will ever imagine that Tracy’s trip has no joy of reunion but full of fear and sadness. We had a phone conversation with her and here is her sharing.
My hometown is in Wuhan, and it was lock-down after a few days after I returned! Here with my dad who has a long-term heart disease and my mom with cerebral infarction, and the unexpected epidemic outdoor, I felt helpless and stressful, but I was still telling myself to pull myself together and hang in there. To avoid being infected, I gave up the opportunity of grocery shopping. Luckily, my neighbors delivered us some daily necessities in every couple days. While I was distressed about “how am I able to get back to work”, I received a WeChat message from my Dept. Head, Winnie, she told me to extend my leave for another month and focus on taking care of my parents. This immediately calmed my worries.
With the severe spreading of the COVID-19, I learned from my friends that there will be an evacuation to bring Canadian from Wuhan back to Canada on February 6. Since I could not find any temporary caregiver at that moment, I could only stay and take care of my parents. Two days later, I heard that there would be a second flight to Canada on February 10th. I was anxious, but my family were even more anxious than I did. My younger brother, who lives far away with poor health, decided to take over my role and look after our parents without hesitation, in order for me to safely leave Wuhan as soon as possible. As I could not bear the insistence of my family, I made a tough decision and took the second flight back to Canada.
The busy Wuhan Airport, now only remaining a simple instruction and a few staff with full protection suits to assist check in.
Along the long-distance flight, YVR health screening and connecting flight, folks from Wuhan were supporting each other all the way. Finally, after 20 hours of travelling, we arrived the Canadian Forces Base Trenton, which is located in the northeast of Toronto. Once I landed, I called my husband and children in Vancouver to report safe.
In the reception hall of Trenton, the staff from Canadian Red Cross friendly greet us and provide us with daily necessities. When we are checking in, they give every child a teddy bear. Sweet!
I though the toughest moment finally passed, I just have to be patience and stay in Trenton for 14 days quarantine. However, once I entered my assigned room and connected to the Wi-Fi, I called my family in Wuhan and my brother told me that my dad passed away on the next day I left. This bad news pushed me back into an intense sorrow. After talking to my Dept. Head, Winnie, the message has been passing along to the company. Store Manager and BC District Manger all gave me phone calls to offer condolences. I was surprised that even our CEO, Tina, called to comfort me and expressing sympathy. She told me not to worry much, company would take care of my returning flight to BC. In that instant, tears filled my eyes, leaving me speechless. I can feel the strength and support of the company.
During the 14 days isolation in Trenton, with the support and cheer from family, friends and colleagues made me feel better day after day. In addition to the three daily nutritional meals provided by the Red Cross, I could also go outdoor four times a day, when I could stretch a bit and get some fresh air.
It was finally the time to return to Vancouver home! On the day of 2/25, before I set off, I looked up to the sky of Trenton. Although I could still feel the pain of losing my father, I would like to thank Canadian government and Red Cross for their care and I sincerely thank the company, this big family for the care and support at this critical moment.
PS: Tracy and those who also taken the evacuation flights came up with a WeChat group that has hundreds of members in serendipity. They would like to thank the selfless contribution of Canadian Red Cross in some way. Before they left Trenton, they raised and donated $35000+ to Red Cross. Hope their love and kindness can go on to those who need it in the future. At the end of this writing, we are deeply touched by the kindness and be thankful.
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