Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Chris. Dad from Cork.

Contributor

Chris. Dad from Cork.

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

14 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

At home in Blackpool, Cork City located close to Blackpool Village on the banks of the River Bride.

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

It was a distant problem somewhere else for a while. The news of shocking number of deaths in Italy began to make Coronavirus more real, closer and a real personal threat. The closing of Schools in Ireland really confirmed that things were very serious. Personally, I am more worried about the fallout from the virus rather than the threat of infection itself. I am young and healthy enough (as are my wife and children) to feel that we are not at major risk of serious illness. I worry for my elderly mother whose health is not great at the best of times. I feel some people are hysterical about the situation, allowing fear, fuelled sometimes by ill-informed posts on social media to get the better of them. I feel that the Irish government has handled the situation well.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE


How has your everyday routine been affected? What is it like to work/study, either remotely or on-site? You might make a general list of your everyday activities. What's your relationship with news media? Then another side of things: what about rituals like birthdays, funerals?
I am a stay at home father; I do some work from home. To be honest, in some ways I have never felt in such good form. My family are at home and are safe. We are all getting on remarkably well. I think we all feel a bit closer to each other. My wife who usually works in an office and now works from home (online) feels that her days are much more productive. The kids are watching a lot of TV but we have a garden and for the first time have started to grow our own vegetables. We have a birthday for our seven-year-old tomorrow and I am not worried that it won’t be good because of the restrictions. She will still get presents and we will make a fuss of her. We will put up a tent in the garden for her to play in. We might even make a small campfire and if the weather is good, might sleep in it.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I get most of my information from twitter. I feel that older people and socially isolated people are feeling the effects of the restrictions of movement the most. It helps if you have others around to provide some balance and perspective. If you are on your own, I think the bad news can be overwhelming.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I think the term ‘social distancing’ will be with us for a long time. I don’t particularly miss the personal contact, other than not being able to call to my mother. I have my children and wife with me but if I was separated from them through this that would be unbearable.
The shopping experience is strange. Having to keep distance is strange even with strangers. In the shop for example or walking along the pavement and deliberately keeping your distance. I feel a little annoyed if someone passes too close to me.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

I’m not overly comfortable with the drama displayed by some on social media. This ‘lighting a candle’ stuff and clapping for health and emergency staff annoys me. It doesn’t help the situation – it’s just drama. Pay them more. Appreciate their situation, but what good is clapping?

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS.

The future. How long is the fallout from all of this going to last? Years?

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I feel that people will be less likely to shake hands and embrace non family members. We may all wash our hands more frequently. I think we will forget about it for the most part after a few years. Human beings don’t really change much and history repeats itself.

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

I love the quietness because there is less traffic. Cycling around is more pleasurable and feels safer. It’s not all bad to me anyway...so far. I went for a walk with my seven-year-old and noticed that the dandelions and daisies were growing on verges that would normally have been cut by now. Perhaps I am imagining it or it’s wishful thinking but I feel that nature is thriving as a result of less human activity. As far as the survey is concerned – it’s a great idea.

Q.11 IN A NUTSHELL.

I was never particularly outdoorsy or had a big social circle so I really don’t feel a massive impact but it’s only been a short while. Who knows how I’ll feel in a few months if this continues. I feel sorry for the small local businesses and I hope they can weather this. My message to future readers is not to take life too seriously and make the most of it as you never know what’s around the corner e.g. Covid 19.

age

36-50

gender

Male