Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

CB-A mum of four kids

Contributor

CB-A mum of four kids

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

Fountainstown, Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

After travelling back from overseas in late January we knew it was simmering away through news reports, and actually believe we could have caught it coming through Singapore four days after their first confirmed case. I bet it was everywhere by then. I have never been so unwell, but put it down to jet lag, taking my inhalers up to 12 times per day and waking in the night unable to breathe deeply. I didn’t actually go anywhere for a few weeks after anyway do unknowingly was self-isolating, I felt so tired and the jet lag was hard with the kids. Looking back on messages to family and friends I suspect we could have had it. Once it got really serious here, I started self-isolating on March the 3rd and I haven’t left my property since, I’m so anxious about it. I’m asthmatic and have another underlying illness, so fear the worst. I based all of my decisions so far on intuition and trusting myself, and have been prepared and ahead of what the HSE have been saying, perhaps because i have been watching it since January. I feel some people take it for granted that things will return to normal but I think they will never be the same again.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

Our business was shut down early, after we already had chosen to shut, and that was an extremely stressful period. Our family felt safer once we were all home in our bubble. Since then we have just do what we want on a day to day basis, and meeting people via zoom. We have been making plans to reopen and that has been a bit difficult trying to juggle kids and meetings, boredom, loneliness and the underlying anxiety of the worldwide situation. -Gardening has been a huge diversion, to be self-sufficient food wise -Finishing odd jobs around the house we built last year -kids adventures and free time with them -building a big playground/tree hut -cooking -Playing Lego -having rum at lunchtime -being more in touch with nature We are already more mindful of how we want our lives to be after this, we can reshape it now for the better.

Q. 3 GROUPS

Not really, but I have a bit of guilt around what we do have, which is a pretty standard western life, and I feel very bad for the global south. Our privilege is astounding and we take it for granted.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I enjoy this slow life. I miss interacting with other families of young children the most, and my kids miss them. There are a lot of funny memes online and I laugh at those. Some about Donald trump, some about funny stuff people do in their own homes, some neat music groups and concerts online. It’s connecting us in different ways. I say hi to everyone who walks past our little cottage, and so do the kids.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

I know there are a lot of people looking out for others who are cocooning, also donating to front line workers. I haven’t really tuned into the outside world much; I’ve been too busy with my family and household.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

Using time effectively My death and the impact of that on my family Being on the other side of the world away from my own family Living Self-sufficiently Food shortages Pushing a reset button for the business Potential positive outcome of this for society and the planet.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

For the better Collapse of the oil industry More local support End of capitalism Better healthcare Better environmental policies This is huge I can’t list everything here but things will never be the same again. Some days I can’t believe it has happened, and most days I’m glad it has- something needed to change.

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

I worry about children and adults in abusive households. Anxiety for children after this pandemic Mental health issues for people after been isolated for so long. A possible civil war in America and the civil unrest this will create worldwide. China being the global economic superpower.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

Re focused my life. Positive outcomes because if this. People supporting others. Ireland’s hard work at controlling this. Fear of the harsh realities we will face in the coming year or two. This was always my biggest fear- living in Europe in a pandemic- but I’m not sure why yet. I’m scared of the winter coming and a second wave. It has shown me how my intuition is right, in life and in business. I have had strong de ja vu since this began. I know how to prepare and be frugal. I worry for those who don’t have that skill. Create a circular economy, don’t believe in capitalism. We must end the age of oil now. Smash the patriarchy. We must protect our beautiful planet. A message for the future? We are just like you, this has happened before and we are just like them. Medicine, science and human survival instincts are what you can trust. Look after the animals, look after nature. We are all the same.

age

36-50

gender

Female