Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

C H, Dublin

Contributor

C H

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

Dublin City Centre

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

I feel like I was aware of it but really thought it wouldn't happen here, similar to SARS. When it started to get serious in Italy I became more concerned. I was in denial up until then I think.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I have been re-deployed in work; I have had to re-adjust quickly to a whole new set of skills. I combine this with working from home. It's not too bad working from home but I find it hard to focus. I usually go to yoga, the gym and orchestra rehearsals. I play music for weddings - all of these activities are not happening. I haven't had to think about funerals thankfully. Birthdays haven't been a big issue yet either, just a quiet time of year for that for me.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I am concerned for children who are in difficult family situations, and for women and men in homes with domestic abuse. I also worry about people who are experiencing homelessness and those who are living in direct provision. I can't imagine how hard it must be. I actually enjoy getting some extended time at home to de-clutter, organise etc. I don't know how I would manage if home was not a happy place; I'm very concerned for people in these situations.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

New phrases that I find myself using more now; "strange times", 'self-isolation', 'PPE', 'infection control', social distancing', 'physical distancing', 'come together by staying apart', 'at-risk groups'. I make lists and talk about what we'll do "when this is all over" quite a lot - go for dinner, go to the cinema, sit in a pub, sit in an actual yoga class. I think the jokes/memes shared are so creative (most of the time...). I love the commentary one of two dogs sitting next to each other, or the commentary on marble racing :) I have used zoom, a platform I had never heard of until recently. Drive-by greetings yes, objects through windows. I miss my family so much but yet I'm in contact with them daily which is more than ever. Physical distancing is very difficult.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Someone projecting films onto the side of their house and using FM radio so everyone could watch together is so good. I think someone set up a website that you can contact if you need assistance. I think the Late Late show has been useful for broadcasting about supports for people experiencing domestic abuse. I think Ireland has been really great at community initiatives.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I find I can't stop thinking about COVID-19; I worry that I have it, that someone I love will get it. I worry about work, what it will look like by the time I get back to it. I think about the future a lot more - it has made me more introspective as I have the time. I feel more anxious than usual (sometimes).

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I think working from home / different work set-ups will have to be explored more, particularly if we have to do rolling lockdowns if the virus continues. I am happy about the positive effects it has had on the environment (less air pollution). I think it has forced us all to slow down and focus on less, think about others more. I hope that it will increase hand hygiene and infection control in general, making things safer for people in general. I am concerned about the economy and how people will manage.

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

I think this is a great initiative :) it's so important that we learn from this experience to help us for the future.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

This experience has shown me how resilient I can be and what I can cope with, even though I'm finding it hard. I hope the community feeling generated from this continues. I would say to future readers to be prepared, don't be in denial like me :) be prepared but don't panic. You can't control the situation but you can control how you react to it. Try to make the best of situations. Value your outside time; enjoy what you can do every day!

age

26-35

gender

Female