Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Catherine Retired, Cork City

Contributor

Catherine Retired

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

12 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Cork City, North

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

Initially we thought this was an epidemic in some far-flung place called Wuhan and paid little attention to it. The rapidity with which things changed in a short space of time was startling.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

Everyday routine is turned on its head. There is no normality anymore. The fear is palpable especially where shopping etc. is concerned; queues everywhere, people wearing masks and a general eerie atmosphere. We cannot attend funerals and relatives find the grieving process very difficult.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I can only speak from the perspective of someone who lives alone. This can be very isolating but on the other hand there is an advantage in the fact that I am not afraid of someone bringing it into the house. I talk with people with families; teenagers etc. in the house and this is a huge challenge to keep them occupied. If there is any positive it is the wonderful sense of community which is evident in many ways.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I suppose the most common phrases are social distancing and cocooning. Regarding the future people are very apprehensive with some suggesting that life will never be the same.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

The initiative called Feed the Heroes is just one that springs to mind. The wonderful sense of community which is evident in many ways e.g. people doing shopping for neighbours or elderly.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I suppose the thoughts foremost in all of our minds is the fear of getting the virus. Also we cannot but be affected by the constant stream of bad news; daily death rates coming at us from all angles. This is quite disturbing

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

It has both positive and negative effects currently but I would fear that in the future there may be much negative outcome particularly with mental health issues.

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

I haven’t mentioned the economic impact which of course will be huge with so many job losses etc., but I think right now what we are most preoccupied with is the fear of getting the virus and just staying healthy and safe.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

The streets are bare and quietness all around. Buses are running mostly empty. On a positive note people are more friendly and helpful towards each other and a general sense of community is evident.

age

51-69

gender

Female