Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

C.C, Co Cork

Contributor

C.C

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

04 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Rural location Ballinhassig 6 miles from Cork city. I live on what is usually a very busy road with lorries cars etc.

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

Initially I was very upset but the pictures of the story unfolding worldwide and the huge amount of loss of life and I felt quiet overwhelmed by it. I have cut back on the amount of news I watch and reduced some of my Twitter time to alleviate this. I think I am trying making the most of the situation and not worrying about the future for now. I think many of my friends and neighbours are adopting the same approach. I suppose we are all hoping there will be a vaccine but we realise it won’t happen in the short term. The thought of restrictions being eased is keeping us going at the moment.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I am not a morning person so I sleep in until 9 every morning. I try to tackle study assignments for a few hours a day. I also try to do 2! Walks per day do 8k. Our road is usually too busy walk so it is one of Eden benefits- no traffic. I call to my mother who is 86 and lives locally every day for at least 2 Hours, I try to bring her dinner 3/4!dsys per week also. I usually watch the 6 o clock news and we have a village association what’s app quiz every night at 8.30 for about 30 mins men v ladies a bit of fun!! My husband is working from home do I try give him space!!

Q. 3 GROUPS

I know it is challenging for my elderly mother she can’t to mass, shops, bingo meet her friends. My niece is studying for her leaving cert and much stressed. Another niece can’t get her Hair dyed - a major stress to her!! My younger nieces miss meeting friends they are bored at Home. A friend’s daughter is upset she can’t meet her boyfriend. My husband is working from home and stressed by poor internet and difficulties with trying to arrange work from offsite location.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I am in many What App groups and inundated with jokes sketches etc. Some l look at some I just ignore Donald Trump seems to be creating lots of content for these jokes. Some are funny some uplifting and some just best ignored. We have zoom calls with college CSN - which are a feed way to keep in touch. I have also used the What’s App video for up to a 4 person conversion. A college group I am in we use Microsoft teams and have long chats. We even had a drinks party. They do tend to stress me out over assignments though we have a meeting at least once a week usually by night for about 2 hours a bit of fun.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Our village association organized a St Patricks day drive by parade Great day for young and old over 200 cars. Very uplifting and emotional to see such community response and pride in our village and country. We have set up s group also on village to do small tasks for anyone on need i.e. prescriptions, groceries, bank. Also contact for services or electrician if required. We have a nightly quiz on What’s App with about 30 participants a bit of craic. I have got to meet more neighbours I wouldn’t previously have met when walking the quieter roads. My sister is a guard she delivers medicines to elderly people and collects shopping everyone tries to do their bit. A neighbour in our holiday home in west cork died suddenly of a heart attack and we went to the house to form a guard of Honour as his funeral cortege passed it was so sad the priest led the hearse and 5 cars down the hill. The priest was masked and gloves, the funeral director also masked and gloved as were all the family in cars. It was so sad but the family were so appreciative of everyone’s attendance. It was like horrors show really, the lowest point of the period so far for me. To be unable hug or shake hands with people. So sad.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I can’t wait to meet friends go for coffee go for a few beers just have proper get together. I am disappointed that I will not get on my holidays to Portugal in May and unlikely I will get on my holidays to Spain in September. I have a holiday home in West cork I have been unable to visit.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I hope a vaccine will be found otherwise I feel our lives will be changed forever. I am hoping to be able to go got meals out, coffee, and drinks, shopping done time soon. I also hope I will get to go to Portugal on holidays.

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

Positives. I can Hear the birds singing in my garden and in the ditches when I am walking I am also able to walk along my road without getting knocked down. The guards hold a regular checkpoint outside my mother’s house; they bring the paper to her from the nearby shop and chat with her. I think we are lucky to live in Ireland where our politicians and CMO have shown great leadership and hopefully, it will pay off.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

No Response.

age

51-69

gender

Female