Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Anne M. Co. Cork [2]

Contributor

Anne M.

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

05 May 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Cobh, Co. Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE
How has your everyday routine been affected? What is it like to work/study, either remotely or on-site? You might make a general list of your everyday activities. What's your relationship with news media? Then another side of things: what about rituals like birthdays, funerals?
Main change to my routine is having Mass every day which is streamed live at 9.00am from St. Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh. I listen to the radio a lot to keep up with evolving news and never miss the 6.00pm News when the daily statistics are announced. My brother turned 65 in April and we had a small 'garden' party where we were able to maintain social distancing. We had a microwave outside to reheat the food and had bread and butter pudding for dessert - one of my Mother's recipes. She had passed away last June so it was his first birthday without her and we wanted to make it special. Funerals - the Gardaí have been escorting funerals to the cemetery to supervise people at the graveside. I actually find this very offensive as I am sure people could respect the restrictions without the presence of the Gardaí. I actually found it very offensive.

Q. 3 GROUPS

My main observation was when I was speaking with an elderly relation who is in a nursing home. She is 93 and when I asked if she was missing her visitors she said that she didn't mind because she knew that everything would return to normal again soon. I thought that was fantastic to hear. She would be mentally fine and would be following the news including hearing about the deaths in the nursing homes.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I drive past one housing estate where a tree has been decorated and it looks so nice. It brings a smile to my face every time. I also just saw people passing on a 'toast' to some of their 'hero’s' on the news..... This was literally raising a slice of toasted bread as they were calling out the greeting.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

My son and a friend are streaming a concert live to the day room in Cobh Hospital every other week. It is great entertainment and the residents love it. There are also some other musicians playing online concerts to raise funds for various hospitals which is all very positive. I am really annoyed about the response to the virus by the government towards the nursing homes and I am sure this will be a big issue going forward.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I actually injured my back so my mind is taken over with pain at present.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

Challenge for me at present is the lack of access to physiotherapists. They are all closed which seems crazy as lots of people especially those with disabilities need weekly treatments.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

Lots of people think this will change us all. However, my opinion is that we will all very quickly fall back into our busy lives again. It certainly did bring out the best in people for now an there has been a lot of kindness and voluntary work carried out

Q. 10 IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT SPRINGS TO MIND?

No Response

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

My message is that we have to keep going. My elderly relative in the nursing home said to me that you 'cannot be optimistic if you have a misty optic'. Hope that one makes sense!

age

51-69

gender

Female

Relation

Anne M, Co. Cork [1]