A Story of Confinement

On March 13, 2020 Québec declared a health emergency to combat the arrival of COVID-19. It was the start of a long period of isolation and restrictive measures that particularly impacted those who were 70 and older—the most vulnerable victims of this invasive, new virus. The dossier that follows is a collection of observations and first-hand accounts from 12 Sutton seniors after living through 14 months of an unprecedented situation that turned their lives—and those of their families—upside down.

To learn more about the pandemic in Sutton and
the people who lived through it.

Sutton had to go on high alert twice, because it was part of a much larger region called l’Estrie. Locally, however, only 32 COVID-19 cases were recorded since the start of the pandemic, and this despite a surge in population caused by many homeowners choosing to live full-time at their secondary homes here. No cases occurred at the CHSLD de Sutton or in the town’s private nursing homes, such as the Manoir Sutton (which provides long-term care), and the Villas des Monts (a residence for autonomous seniors).

CHSLD de Sutton

Villas des Monts

The pandemic did, however, hinder the taping of interviews that Héritage Sutton had been asked to record as part of a grant from the federal government’s New Horizons Program for seniors. Planned tapings at the Sutton Junction Community Hall had to be cancelled twice when new health rules were imposed.

The third attempt proved lucky, although even then a last-minute shift to Zone Red status for Sutton nearly sabotaged the effort. Happily we found an appropriate spot to film on May 18 and 19 at the Arts Sutton art gallery against a backdrop of Joseph Branco paintings and Marie Côté ceramics.