Science & Society: Keeping Our Borders Safe

This is part of 'Science & Society', a series of free public talks about science, technology, and the humanities from the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society

Keeping our borders safe: The social stigma of nursing in managed isolation and quarantine border facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Isabel Jamieson RN, University of Canterbury/Ara; Assoc. Prof. Cathy Andrew RN, University of Canterbury; & Jacinda King, RN, CDHB

The research team will talk about their research with registered nurses who worked in the Managed Isolation and Quarantine Hotels. The talk will focus on the personal and social impacts on the nurses. The four themes that will be discussed are: protecting the community while being a risk to the community; the barriers beyond the borders – social stigma; kept at distance - families and social connections; and a part of, but apart from, other health professionals. This study captures a unique moment in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand and highlights how the nurses’ professional and personal lives were significantly impacted.