Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Ka, Cork Suburbs

Contributor

Ka

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

Suburbs

USUAL LOCATION

Suburbs

Q. 1 STAGES

Initially I really thought it was a flu that may or may not reach Ireland. I’m fairly compromised health wise, so I am an avid user of hand sanitizers, hand washing practice etc. but even when we had our first case here, I was still confident continuing on at work, where I am exposed to a lot of people. I felt most everyone was feeling the same.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

Working remotely has been very challenging. My work has always been hands on and this working with technology was / is a nightmare. Though I am cutting myself some slack and doing the best I can.
My father is nearly 99. He lives nearby with my brother and has a live-in carer. I speak to him but can't visit. That is very difficult.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I am so blessed with my circumstances; plenty of space; still have my job. I do feel for parents of teenagers. That's a difficult age, I feel for older people. My 99 yr old dad. He loves going out he is very sociable I feel for lone parents who have to take kids shopping.
I feel for children with special needs who may not understand the shut-down.
I feel for poorer people who may not have the space to allow a bit of personal space.
I feel for families trying to live in hotel rooms.
I feel for all the asylum seekers in those awful direct provision centres - I always feel for them but now more than ever.
Most of all I feel for the refugees dumped in camps like rubbish… that's the worst.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

Lots of humour going around online. I always enjoy this and even if sometimes it can affect me personally I know it's not meant and I praise those talented funny people that give me belly laughs every day.
I find it hard not to greet people on my 2km walk.
I love that people hoot horns as a sign of support, for birthdays and celebrations.
Tho I'm allergic to technology I am so grateful for Zoom and the others that connect people, book groups, families etc.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

My husband shops for my elderly neighbour. We chat on the phone at least 3 times a week. I love that.
Neither of us has news but we have loads to say.
I see my brother being very caring and concerned about my dad, which is a change, I'm grateful for that.
My next door neighbour texted me offering help. She is about 15 years younger with young kids; that was very sweet. I am very grateful for the bus drivers, the shopkeepers that keep things running locally.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

How grateful I am.
Will I get to see my dad, touch my dad?
Living in the now.
Getting rid of the layers that we build up. Physically and emotionally.
This is the new norm and I'm beginning to accept and appreciate.
Will I ever get to Greece again?
As I work on a screen, enjoying no phone etc. times.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

As above, for the near future, hygiene, distancing will have to be maintained.
Hopefully a vaccine will be discovered and we can see our loved ones and give that hug.
I hope we will think of these simpler times.
I hope we will think of those less fortunate and give them a better slice of the cake.

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

I’m glad that the HSE owned this from the start and gave proper information at all times.
I respect that our government were playing catch up all the time as they couldn't predict the future. I respect Leo, Simon H and Simon C for being out there the whole time.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

There are always people worse off.
You can never be sure of what's happening. This COVID19 really caught us off guard.
Always look at a challenge as a way that you can find a solution.
Life is so short, be kind, it's much easier than being cruel and the payback is great

age

51-69

gender

Female