Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Geraldine, Douglas

Contributor

Geraldine

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

10 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Douglas, Cork City

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

I heard about it on the news in early March and saw what was happening in China/Korea and Italy. I did not take it seriously. I work in UCC and so was profoundly shocked when the president announced a two-week lockdown on Thursday 12th March. I was doing a two-day first aid course in a room in the Student Centre with no windows or WIFI and so it was only at lunch time when I returned to my office to pick up my wallet that I heard the news. My colleagues were calm but quiet as they decided what files to bring home. I was excited at the novel aspect of working from home but found the rapid emptying of campus sad and sobering. Even the student protestors in their Aldi tents packed up and went home.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I could not attend my uncle's funeral who died in the UK on March 30th. My son who works in Dublin came down on Thursday evening 26th March to spend the weekend with me for my birthday. The family were watching Rocket man on TV Friday evening when the house telephone rang. We knew it was Granny Duggan, she is the only one that rings on that phone. She was anxious and told us to watch the news. We turned on the news to see that Leo Varadkar was telling everyone they could not travel more than 2km from home from midnight that night. My son became concerned. I need to get back to Dublin. The next day, my son and I drove to Cinnamon Cottage on the Rochestown Road just slightly outside the 2km allowance, bought their last curly wurly cake a giant of a thing and then headed home. We saw a Garda squad parked diagonally half way up Maryborough Hill with full head lights on. We had our lunch at 11 am and then my son got on the road. He made it to Dublin. He saw loads of Gardaí around but no-one stopped. He had originally planned to return Tuesday but given the short notice of the lockdown, he reckoned the earlier he attempted to leave the more lenient the Gardaí would be. I think he's right. Before he left he asked if I was sad that he was leaving. I said that I was but if I was his age and faced with two weeks with my parents or my boyfriend - I would do exactly the same thing.

Q. 3 GROUPS

It seems harder for my 20 year old son. He misses his friends and plays video games all day. My 22 year old son goes out on his bike every day and gets plenty of fresh air. He's opening cookbooks and whips up something new and amazing most days. He cuts the grass, paints the fence, declutters his room, re-organises the shed and makes sure we do something family centred everyday like playing a game of Uno/Trivial Pursuit or watch a movie.
My mother 82 she's getting more calls from family and neighbours than before. I do her food shopping every week. She says she is happy. She loves WhatsApp and Facebook and Zoom. She couldn't go to my uncle's funeral - her brother - but she was ok about it. The thought of travelling to the UK with all its dangers at her age was too much.
My husband and I are working from home. I found it very hard at first and hated the lack of clear boundaries and division between work and home. This is week 4 and I'm used to it. I think this will change the world of work forever. Going forward I would like to work from home two days out of five. I am less stressed, less irritated and more tolerant of my family and the state of the house. The lovely weather and longer days help.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I talk on the phone to my sister, via Zoom with my family and communicate via WhatsApp 1000 times more than before. I love to write and have resurrected my blog. I have gone from posting in batches a couple times a year to daily diary entries and share it on Facebook. I've met my sister and sat two metres apart in Centra Rochestown which is exactly 2 kms from her house and mine.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

No Response.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

No Response.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

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

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

It might make people more grateful for the ordinary. It will definitely change our work habits.

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

No response.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

On the community I don't know. We have to stay two metres apart but we don't have to be frightened. A smile, a wave and a hello never killed anyone. I lived in HK during SARS in 2003. It's not as serious as Covid 19 but realistically I will be fine. I think the Irish government are doing a good job. For a country that is known for its rebellious streak I think we are remarkably compliant. I think everyone is taking this seriously and are great.

age

51-69

gender

Female