Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Brendan, Cork

Contributor

Brendan

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

20 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Model Farm Road, Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

Don’t know about my understanding of the various stages but I do remember when it hit home that we had a problem and that something that was serious on the other side of the world was now impacting on us. I remember when the realisation of how our lives would change hit. Running out to buy paint, knowing that we would now have plenty time to be doing up the house. Interestingly, some of my neighbours were outwardly blasé about it at the beginning but spoke openly after a while about their concerns.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

Routine is gone out the window. I am in college but not under pressure as I was up to date on everything. Still not under pressure as I am a mature student and my career or life choices aren't dependant on college results. At the moment, I paint for 2 hours daily, walk for one or one and a half hours with the dog, read at night, watch the odd documentary but I get up later in the morning and go to bed later at night.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I am involved in a Housing association where we manage 25 apartments for the elderly. I'm there 3/4 times every week and hate to see how cocooning affects some of them.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

What’s App has gone crazy. I am in a few groups and get about 50 posts daily. I have some good friends and we talk in a telecall on Microsoft Teams for about 2 hours twice a week. It's a highlight for me.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

No Response.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I am involved in delivering meals so I meet people there. What really annoys me is the amount of people I meet out walking who play 'chicken' coming against you on a footpath. Some of the walks locally need to be avoided because of the stupidity or ignorance of some people. I also have noticed that the council markings on some of the walkways ensure that people walk into one another. All Council walks should have road markings and signs that say proceed left and pass right. Currently many of the walks have all pedestrians on one side and cyclists on the other, encouraging more games of 'chicken'.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

I think less and less. Gradually going asleep.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

Life will definitely be different after this. The manner in which we greet one another will change. Society was already changing because people (especially young people) don't greet one another on the road. Few pleasantries. That will become worse after this. Social gatherings will take a long time to revert to where they were (if ever).

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

No Response.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

Humans are by nature social creatures. What we are going through isn't natural and I hope we can revert to the way we were. I think that society, business, workplace practices and expectations will all change a bit after this. Society has hit a speed bump and received a shock. Humans won't change hugely but societal norms will move.

age

51-69

gender

Male