The world we live in changed dramatically in 2020.
The events of those first months of the new decade turned our lives upside down. In the medical field, a new challenge emerged, an age-old danger, the pandemic, but one that arose in a world caught off guard. Medicine immediately embarked on a difficult mission. Not only to create an antidote for the new coronavirus, but especially to convince a skeptical population that the vaccine is useful, safe, and perhaps humanity’s only hope.
The field encountered obstacles from all sides, while people of all ages and from all social categories felt the impact of the pandemic. The light at the end of the tunnel was barely visible. Over a year after the outbreak of the pandemic, a vaccine came into existence, fiercely questioned by the most skeptical among us.
Before the Pandemic
Our agency opened its Medical Division back in 2015. The increasing demand for medical translations led us to focus a significant portion of our resources on this life-saving field. At the onset of the pandemic, the preparation before the most disruptive medical event of the century was keenly felt within the department.
“There was a significantly larger volume of work due to the need to conduct studies related to what was happening in the world. Nothing special was felt in those months before the pandemic but during the pandemic, yes, orders increased significantly” Antoaneta Flurchi, Team Leader of the Medical Division at Swiss Solutions.
The Early Months
The “apocalyptic” images emerging from China were initially viewed with skepticism by everyone. In Europe, no one expected lockdowns, halting of activities, or the arrival of such a significant wave of infections that would surpass any grim predictions done by experts.
“At first, the pandemic seemed like something happening on another planet, even though it was in China. We didn’t think it would come here, to us, because it was physically far away. We thought it wouldn’t affect us, never. Then the first case appeared in Timisoara, and that problem from thousands of kilometers away was here, right at our door.”
The agency implemented an action plan to limit the danger. People worked from home for months, and their effort ensured that medical translations, so necessary during that period, were delivered on time to those who needed them the most. Returning to the office was done patiently and gradually, after the appearance of the already-famous coronavirus vaccine.
“We had to translate almost everything related to the coronavirus, such as studies, recommendations, including those about vaccines, all requests came in and we translated them with a great emphasis on protecting sensitive data between us and our clients. We didn’t play around, we never had any problems with that, and we never will,” our colleague recounted.
The Vaccine
The Medical Division and the agency, in general, faced several cases of illness, as expected. The bond among the people was particularly evident during this period marked by strong emotions, fear, and uncertainty. The emergence of the vaccine was a big moment awaited by everyone in the agency and around the world.
“We had a lot of translations related to the vaccine, everything you can imagine. Regarding the vaccine itself, it remained everyone’s choice. Many colleagues chose to get vaccinated, including myself, but it remained everyone’s choice. Some worked from home then, but nothing changed between us. Moreover, I would say that the pandemic brought us closer together.”
The Aftermath
The moment the famous Omicron variant of the virus was discovered was the moment when the pandemic ended. At least to some extent, for all of us. Whether the vaccine helped the world get there faster or not remains to be determined by those who are experts in the field.
The pandemic has taught us lessons about life and death, trust and despair, medicine and spirituality enough for a lifetime. Surely no person on earth would ever wish to go through what humanity went through a few years ago.
“I think we should enjoy every moment because you can never predict what may befall you. Often we are too involved, we don’t have time to call people, to visit them. I think we need to stay close to our loved ones and tell them that they are dear to us. Because there comes a time when we won’t be able to do it anymore,” our colleague confessed.
The pandemic, as people in the translation field, taught us to be patient. But also to hurry up. To listen more and to speak when necessary. It showed us that the truth is the most important. And it must be told in all languages of the world. As soon as possible, before it’s too late for those who we love.
