Being an "Essential Health Care Worker" in a School Setting

When COVID-19 started, I was at a loss - just like all of us were. There were so many things to think about. Would I still have a job? What would I be doing for my school-based therapy job? Would I have to figure out how to do telehealth sessions for my clients? Would I have to do pre-recorded sessions? What would happen during this time of uncertainty? Our onset of COVID considerations coincided with our Spring Break, so we were sent off into break with the words, "We have no idea what we're going to do" in our ears. Our facility did what we always do - first let everyone know...right before a holiday, no less...that our jobs were in jeopardy and then tell us to enjoy our break! (This has happened no less than about 10 times in the 25 years I've worked there!) When we returned, we had a plan, but it was not the plan I was expecting...AT...ALL!

When we walked back into the school building on the day after Spring Break, we were told that our residents would continue to come to school without any sort of changes. We were also told that our day students would not be returning to our program. Local school districts would be in charge of their stay-at-home school processes. We, however, would still be working in person with a closed system of clients.

So, for the last four and a half months, I've been working as a music therapist, doing daily sessions, singing to my clients throughout that time. I've worn a mask every single day, I've decreased the amount of time that I am actually engaged in singing during sessions, and I've spent lots of time disinfecting everything that has been touched. As far as I know, I have not been exposed to the virus during all this time.

This is not what I wanted, but it has been fine over this time. When we were released before Spring Break, I was envisioning a series of prerecorded session materials along with some synchronous music therapy sessions via Zoom or something like that. I was looking forward to being at home, but was a bit scared of losing my job and getting sick and all that. I just really wanted to be a virtual therapist because I was scared of everything that was being talked about and said about all of this.

I have survived this with limited difficulty. My current senior intern had to extend her internship for a month, but we found ways for her to get hours during the three months that she had to stay home. I received my salary. I got experience putting together songs for my part-time job. My editing skills have improved (a bit - still more to go before something looks really polished), and I have been able to figure out that I don't really think that working from home is for me. I need a bit more structure than I can provide to myself in this environment. I also need people contact rather than watching them through a screen.

The worst thing about this entire thing is the uncertainty that has been a part of this situation from the very beginning. I do not do well without a plan, and this virus has meant that plans have changed with every single day. I cannot function well when I do not know where my boundaries lie, and this has been the sort of situation that has my world spinning. One day the day students are coming back and the next, they are not returning until we have a vaccine. Then, vaccines are off the consideration list, and we are going to do packets sent home to our day students. We are going to accept students into the residential program and then we are not going to accept anyone.

My corner of the facility has remained pretty consistent. My schedule has changed three times in the past four and a half months. My role has also changed three times in the same time frame. My only consistency has been my classroom format and setup.

I am enjoying some time in isolation right now. My interactions with other humans consist of seeing people in the grocery store and Zoom meetings and webinars. That's about it. I have another week of time off from work before the "regular" school year starts for the '20-'21 year. I have managed to browse through school supplies but NOT purchase ANYTHING! I am working on several projects, and I am cooking things for freezing for when I go back to work. I am sure that whatever happens in this next school year will be what has to happen, but I am ready for some routine and structure again.

It is time to unload the dishwasher and then start cooking. Happy Saturday!