Margaret, Co. Cork [1]

Item

Title: Margaret, Co. Cork [1]
Contributor: Margaret
Subject: COVID-19 (Disease)
Coverage: Ireland; Cork; 2020s:
Date: 15 April 2020
Language: English
Creator: Cork Folklore Project
Rights: Cork Folklore Project
Description: GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Doneraile, Co. Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same; Q. 1 STAGES

We have been hearing about Covid 19 since 2019 but when changes happened here they happened suddenly and were drastic. I don't think anyone foresaw what was happening down the line. Many people were in shock and many in denial. Huge changes have occurred in our life and in our way of living. Some very good thinks have happened and some fantastic community bonding has occurred.; Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

My own world has shrunk. I am chairperson of Doneraile Active Retirement Association and we meet twice a month. We have to plan forward but all these plans are now non-existent. I do keep in touch with members and encourage them to stay in touch with each other. I try and write a positive post on Doneraile Active Retirement Association FB page every day. Mother's Day was strange as I usually spend that with family but we had a garden meeting for a short while keeping distances. Churches are closed, but Mass is lived streamed from the Church in Doneraile and the Parish Priest has asked me to give a little talk every Sunday to keep the local news in the public arena. We try to promote local businesses as much as possible. Funerals are very difficult but we encourage people to stand at the turn of the road leading to the graveyard keeping a 2 metre distance.; Q. 3 GROUPS

Older people who do not have IT skills have lost out a lot but the good part is that local shops are doing deliveries and shopping can be ordered over the phone. Cork County Council has set up the Community Call where all state, local and voluntary groups have been brought together under one umbrella. Any groceries or medicines can be delivered to anyone self-isolating or cocooning. Many older people are learning to Skype and face time with grandchildren. It can be sometimes a challenge but our thinking has changed and I hope we take all the positives we have learned into the future.; Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

The biggest thing I have seen is that people are crying out to talk even for a few minutes. People in my area who are usually at work are now outside gardening and chatting and getting to know the neighbours. The light on the window as a sign of hope is a lovely idea. Every Friday the Bells from the Church of Ireland ring out at 12 noon in solidarity with frontline staff and as a sign of Hope that the crisis will end. Many people I know are writing letters again and sending cards; Our local shops have now set up online shopping and delivery. There is a Newsletter especially for Doneraile, Mitchelstown and Kildorrery. These consist of numbers of volunteers, numbers of doctors and chemists and local shops and the contacts for helplines which are important. What annoys me is people always questioning the guidelines and being negative around the restrictions; Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I have limited my news intake as I was thinking too much about the crisis and getting anxious. I am now focusing on myself, my family and friends and what we can all accomplish together rather than what we can't do.; Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.; Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I would hope that we will learn valuable lessons going forward and take these learnings with us. I would hope we will focus on what we are able to do and maybe go back a bit to what we used to do. A more caring community is what I would wish for most; Q. 10 IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT SPRINGS TO MIND?

It is good to write down these thoughts. Social distancing is a totally new concept to us but we have adapted to it. Restrictions have made us reflect on ourselves and our roles in the community and indeed our place in that community; Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

I have always seen the value of community and the role we all play in that. For future readers I would say we are never guaranteed a future as we can only live for the day that's in it. We can plan but be flexible with these plans. Don't make these plans define how you live.
age: 51-69
gender: Female
Relation: Margaret, Co. Cork [2]; Margaret, Co. Cork [3]

Item sets: Questionnaire 1: 2020