City Hospital night staff find ‘thank you’ message in the snow

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads and healthcare workers prepare for worst case scenarios in hospitals across Saskatchewan, messages of gratitude are spreading online.

However, it was an anonymous physical sign of thanks that brought several staff at City Hospital to tears on Sunday.

Continuing Care Aide Tracy Marshall told 650 CKOM she and other staff were attending to a patient on the third floor of the hospital near the end of their night shift.

As the sun rose, she and the others noticed a message etched out on the snow, facing the window as an apparent sign to healthcare workers.

“Somebody had taken the time, with their footsteps I’m assuming, a big ‘thank u’ note,” Marshall said.

“It meant a lot to myself and my co-workers, and it brought some of us to tears.”

She noted the message had a special impact during the pandemic, as she and her co-workers worry every day about eventual potential exposure to the novel coronavirus.

“There’s definitely that fear,” she said.

“It’s always frightening to know that working in healthcare there’s always that chance of bringing illness home to your family.”

Marshall specified that they haven’t seen much in terms of treating patients with COVID-19, but watching developments in other hospitals around the world has been concerning.

She added healthcare workers are taking the precaution of changing out of their work clothes before going home, and shoes are being left outside to prevent bringing contaminants into shared areas with loved ones.

She hopes in the end Saskatchewan workers won’t have to deal with the same surge as other provinces and countries.

“Just stay home,” Marshall said.

As for the person who left the thank you message in the snow, Marshall wanted to share her own message of gratitude.

“Thank you very much.”