Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Conor, East Cork

Contributor

Conor

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

16 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

In the countryside of East Cork, about three miles from Youghal, in the parish of Killeagh and close to the banks of the Tourig River.

USUAL LOCATION

This is where I have lived for the past 4 years. I'm a native of Tipperary.

Q. 1 STAGES

I was aware of the news reports about the outbreak in China from early on, back in January. I heard about the virus arriving in Italy and spreading throughout Europe in the following weeks. Even though I knew it would arrive in Ireland, I never anticipated how serious it would get in terms of the restrictions and lockdown or what it would mean for my daily life. It was really around early March that I started to realise what the impact might be. I don't know anyone personally who has been infected (yet).

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I have been working from home for the past five weeks. My 3-year olds’ crèche is closed so he is at home also. And my wife is here along with our 3-month old daughter - she is on maternity leave and off work anyway. I don't miss the one-hour drive to and from work, but I thought I would have more free time without the commute. But looking after the kids takes time and energy. For the last two weeks, I am just doing three days a week at work, so I have a bit more time for gardening and other things. Working from home is fine, but I am lucky we got a decent internet connection in last January, otherwise it would be impossible. While I don't have to drive, I still try to get up early and start work at 8.30 so that I can finish at 4.00 and have time in the evening. I have more time to play with my son and daughter, which is great.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I feel very fortunate that we live in the countryside and that we have a garden with plenty of space and quite country roads around us. It seems from media reports that things are tougher for people in big cities and towns who are confined to apartments and flats. This is the case in Ireland and globally. Also, the virus is more widespread in cities and towns, which must be a worry for those living there. Of course, those living in nursing homes are in a precarious position and there have been many fatalities there already.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

One thing I have noticed when talking to family and friends on the phone is that people have very little news. Social life has been curtailed. There's no sporting events, no parties, no workplace stories. People talk about the virus itself and the fallout but there's not much else happening that you can converse about.
In terms of jokes, WhatApp messages, pictures and videos, many of them crude but still funny, have really taken off and are a source of entertainment. People have been using humour expressed through social media as an outlet to try and cope.
Of course, there is a whole new language around the virus - social distancing, cocooning, cough etiquette, lockdown - these words are in daily use now but were not part of anyone's vocabulary a few months ago. "

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

One incident struck me early on when I went supermarket shopping. A group of people were standing chatting in one of the aisles. Another woman came along with her trolley and gave out to them, saying that they should go outside if they wanted to talk and that they weren't observing social distancing. The only occasions I get out now is to go shopping and it's clear that people are very conscious of keeping their distance and generally a bit more on edge.
Community groups and organisations at local level have been doing a lot to support more vulnerable people, the elderly and those living alone. This is great to see. If I didn't have two young kids at home, I would be more involved in this myself.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I am wondering about the future of my job. I wasn't happy in the job before all this and have been looking at alternatives. I'm already down to three days a week and if the crisis goes on for more than a few months I think I'll lose my job. But I do have an idea for a home-based business and with a bit more time I could look into it some more. So it wouldn't be a cause for despair if I did lose my job. I think I am more fortunate than most in that I have some savings and no big financial burdens at the moment.
More generally, I wonder if our entire social and economic system is under serious threat. People are very anxious to see the restrictions lifted sooner rather than later. But there is always a threat of a second wave of the virus if the lockdown ends too soon. Unemployment is rising and economic activity has fallen off a cliff in many sectors.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

There is huge uncertainty everywhere at the moment. Nobody is sure how long the restrictions will last. There may not be a return to life as we once knew it. Until a vaccine is found, this situation will continue. There is every hope that a vaccine will be developed in the next 12 months but that is a long time away. The big question is will people, economies and societies be able to cope in the meantime.
I hope that all this will lead people to realise that there is a lot that we have taken for granted and that in the future we will appreciate what is most important in life - our health, social interaction, our families and friends.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

No Response.

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

No Response.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

It hasn't been all bad. Yes, people are anxious and afraid but I think as long as we have our health, food in our bellies and a roof over our heads we are doing ok.

age

36-50

gender

Male