Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Pat, Co, Waterford [2]

Contributor

Pat

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; Waterford; 2020s:

Date

28 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Co Waterford

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

Covid19 is a very serious pandemic virus this has now affected every country worldwide and the death rate is very high. It started in China. It killed a very high number there .The next hotspot we heard about was Normandy in Italy and it was scary hearing the number of deaths every day.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

My every day routine has changed dramatically since the lockdown here in Ireland. I am a 73 year old woman with no underlying illnesses I have some osteoarthritis but it doesn't affect me too much. I feel young and am active.my husband is 74 and is also healthy and active. He loves gardening and is very handy can fix anything we live 3 miles from the nearest town in a bungalow on three quarters of an acre. I have two daughters both married and living in cork. I have three beautiful grandchildren. We go to Lanzarote twice a year and were there when the Spanish lockdown started. We had terrible trouble trying to get an early flight home .Luckily we were able to get home a week earlier than planned. It was scary there as the police were on the streets on that 1st Sunday of the lockdown telling everyone to stay in their apartments. The beaches were closed off and the pools closed. We were glad to get home. As I said I have a busy routine .I go to Cork every Monday on the bus. Have a look around the shops .Then collect my 12 yr. old grandson from school. We go to Paul St. He gets a bar of golden crisp chocolate and some yugio cards. Then we get the bus to his home where he does his homework and has some food. His parents are home by 6 and we have dinner. Play some board games . I spend the night with the family. On Tuesday morning I go to the bus station and get another bus to my other daughter who lives near Copeen and spend Tue night with her and my other two grandchildren. On Wednesday my husband comes to collect me. We leave about 3.30 when the kids are home from school.
On Thursday i meet my friend for coffee. Maybe do a bit of shopping. Meet other neighbours. Often put a hair colour in my neighbour’s hair. I play Bridge on Thursday night. Friday I usually do my shopping and meet other friends for coffee. Sat I go to Tipperary to see my 92 year old uncle who lives alone. I usually bring food like Lasagne that he can freeze. I may have to cut and wash his hair change his bed linen etc. I have a sister who lives nearby who does his shopping so I call to see her also. Sunday we go to Mass read the papers have dinner. Go for a walk. My husband likes to cook so I let him at it!!! My routine since cocooning had been very different. When we got home from Lanzarote we had to practice social distancing for 2 weeks but we were able to go for some lovely woodland walks. Now we are doing a hall hour around the house morning and evening. My husband is busy in the garden which he loves and doing repairs around the house. The first week I scoured the house. Clearing wardrobes. Kitchen presses. Cleaning windows .Learned how to do online shopping and kept in touch with the family on Whats App etc. I am handy at sewing so I made some cotton masks and other sewing jobs .also I had some crochet projects .which kept me busy. Sometimes I wonder where the day went..

Q. 3 GROUPS

I'm a very philosophical type of person and wasn’t worried about getting the virus but my nearest neighbour was scared stiff. Had herself tested whish was negative TG. Our neighbour is very good and brings us some shopping Our local games club are available at the end of a phone call to help out too. Our postman has been more than helpful. We talk with our neighbours every day on the phone about How long it's going to last. They are afraid to leave the house. One neighbour who should be cocooning walks his dog every day. It’s the topic of conversation. We listen to news bulletins all day every day!!

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

On line off live its virus virus .Donald Trump and his foolish antics. Whats App jokes all virus related. Luckily we are in to the technology that some of our neighbours wouldn’t be. We have zoom quizzes with our family. And we had a zoom meeting with my 6 siblings on Sat night last. It is hard not being able to see my daughters, their husbands and especially my grandchildren in the flesh.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

I think Ireland’s response has been excellent though I think they were not quick enough in their response nursing homes and community settings. I have a niece who works in an intellectually disabled centre and there are cases of the virus there among staff and patients. She was telling me that two nursing staff tested positive and had no symptoms whatsoever. She tested negative but has to continue working as there aren't enough staff .The Dr phones every day and enquires as to their health. The residents who are positive are not seriously Ill. Other countries responded Uk was very slow to respond and the USA also.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I get a bit bored but I feel this period of time is surreal. we just drift from day to day wondering when it will end. I feel so sorry and proud of all the health workers who are doing Trojan work to keep the hospitals going. I feel sorry for people who have list jobs .some may never open again. Everything is strange. I feel lucky that we are retired and don't have to worry about jobs or mortgages, or have financial worries. I feel sorry for children whose world is upside down.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

I'm coping fine I miss my kids and grandchildren. But I'm keeping busy with crafts and keeping in contact by phone and otherwise.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

Hard to know. But we will never see the like in our lifetime. A lot of businesses will go to the wall. Tourism and travel will be affected.

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

All the people who have died and cant have funerals. Families unable to grieve. I feel I'm living in a virtual world.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

Cherish your family and friends.

age

70+

gender

Female

Relation

Pat, Co. Waterford [1]