Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Feidhlim, Cork

Contributor

Feidhlim

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

26 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

I first read about what came to be known as Covid19 in Dec 2019. It was then reported that, as a result of some people in the city of Wuhan consuming a dish consisting of Bat meat etc., a sickness developed which led to a virus. There was no inkling in the report of the subsequent wide ranging consequences. My wife and I went to Australia to visit our daughter and her family in mid Jan 20. Within a week of our arrival, we were more than aware of the turmoil the virus was causing in Wuhan which was now in lockdown. I was surprised and, indeed, disappointed when the Australian Authorities allowed a fully laden Jumbo jet from Wuhan land in Sydney. There is already a large Chinese population in Sydney. As a result we became a little more than conscious of our surrounds and the people therein. We arrived home in mid Feb and felt relieved to be out of, what I felt to be, a danger area. Maybe the excitement of being back home anesthetised our awareness of the deadly approach of the virus. Within a week, when the first cases of Covid19 in Ireland were reported, I was certain that the country was headed for a downward spiral. Other than the disgraceful Cheltenham episode, when I thought that the Irish authorities could have been a little more strict, the Government, and in particular the health authorities and personnel, have performed outstandingly well.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

As I am in my mid 70's, I have been cocooning as recommended. In truth, my routines have not been hugely altered. My major disruption has been the absence of Golf which I played 3 - 4 times weekly. That, to an addict like myself, is a serious loss. However, since I also do a fair bit of gardening the previous loss is somewhat diminished. Since I spent my work life on shift work, I feel better inured than most to deal with singular activities. I miss the regular visits of our children and grandkids, and also the ability to visit our sons and their family’s resident in Dublin. Thanks be to God for the relatively recent advent of What’s App, Zoom etc. This has alleviated some of the pain of absence. I have become less than interested in print news media with some time and utilise radio and TV, both local and foreign, for information, though not necessarily for opinions. Birthday rituals can be postponed, but funerals cannot. One of the saddest sights I witnessed, before I was cocooned, was a funeral entering St Finbarr's Cemetery with a single accompanying car containing five mourners.

Q. 3 GROUPS

Whereas the elderly are the most at risk age group, they appear the best able to cope with the general constrictions. I feel most sorry for those who have small children and are resident in a high-rise apartment in a city. The educational gap between children who have clued in parents and who go to industrious schools, and children who are not so fortunate, will widen. It may be difficult to bridge this gap in the long term.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

Other than the fact that the Covid19 is the alpha and omega of all conversations, online offline or in the media, it will pass in the fullness of time. I grew up shortly after World War 2 and I never remember that event dominate conversations etc. My late parents would have been teenagers at the outbreak of the Spanish Flu and other than being aware of it at the time, its significance diminished in the fullness of time.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

I believe that the positive response by retired healthcare workers in returning to, what they must have known to be a hazardous situation was an incredible act of heroism. The positive response by younger neighbours in volunteering to assist with shopping etc. for their more elderly neighbours has been most heartening. In fact I believe there now to be a greater sense of generosity of spirit in society at large. I have been singularly unimpressed by the Governmental response in the UK and in the USA. I am more worried by the situation in the UK as we share a land border. The ramifications of their earlier laissez faire approach to the virus (Cheltenham, major football games etc.)Have had far reaching consequences here and elsewhere. The basket case that is Donald Trump is beyond comprehension.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

This is very selfish, but I damaged my right knee very recently and that is impeding progress. I have also had dental problems (mechanical) and that has given me food (???) for thought. My wife and I have a good relationship and that obviates the other problems.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

I suppose that I am relatively content in myself and feel that I am well able to cope with the minor travails that beset me at the moment. I know that this dark period will pass and If what follows is different, then so be it. Adaptability is the warm cloak of mankind.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I suspect that Universal healthcare will be one of the major changes in the new revamped Ireland. I would love to think that this Covid19 episode will induce a significant mindset change in society. That material values and aspirations would give way to loftier notions etc. But, alas, history debunks that notion.

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

Nil

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

Not wishing to denigrate the trials and tribulations of those who have suffered in any way from this deadly pandemic, I believe, and have every confidence, that mankind will defeat this awful scourge and blight on humanity - Covid19.

age

70+

gender

Male