Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Laoise, Co. Cork

Contributor

Laoise

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

I live in the countryside near Blarney Co Cork

USUAL LOCATION

As above

Q. 1 STAGES

This is a disease that we have no immunity or vaccine for that started in Wuhan China last December. To date 200k people have died and I would think this number is understated. The whole world is trying to keep their people safe by asking them to self-distance/isolate. We are not allowed to go further than 2k from our homes but are allowed to go further for good and medication. About 40 people are dying in Ireland every Day from this virus. Our government are reporting daily on what is happening and they closed down our schools shops restaurants and pubs in a phased basis. We will be fully closed down for 5 weeks to May 5th 2020. All churches are also closed. All concerts matches and gatherings are cancelled for the Summer.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I stay at home all day. I call to my 93 year old mum every 3 days as she lives alone. My siblings call the other days. My daughter is pregnant so she is staying at home the whole time with her young daughter and her husband who is working from home. My daughter is a teacher so finds it very difficult to teach remotely. We are farmers so the work goes ahead. Plenty about this time of year. I miss meeting my friends though.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I think the elderly people seem to manage the isolation better as they are at home a lot of the time anyway. I think teenagers are the hardest to adjust as they need to be out and about meeting friends. Missing school sports and the routines that they are used too.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

We talk a lot about the virus and the people who are dying. We talk about what we are Missing and how dangerous all of this is. We talk about the economy and the recession we will have. We contact each other by zoom Skype all types of social media. We have no physical contact if I go for a walk and meet someone I talk across the road to them. I have met a lot of My neighbours recently as I am just out and about on the local roads.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

There are volunteers who deliver food. Help people who need help. Donate things that people are looking for. I find shopping no longer an outing. People no longer make eye contact there are no chats in the shop. Everyone is serious dour even.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I get upset about all the deaths and how these people have to die alone. I am glad for where I live and my lovely house and garden I have. I think of my lovely children 3 of whom live nearby but one is in Australia. I hope they will be all safe. I worry about my elderly mother and mother in law. How will we mind them if they get sick.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

Challenges are isolation, not meeting my usual social friends. I miss being out and about but I am keeping myself busy in the garden and walking. I started to watch what I eat at the beginning of all this and walk 6k every day and to date I have lost over a stone.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I think that we will all be more conscious how we interact with people. Personal contact will be reduced and I will be more aware of travelling etc.

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

No Response.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

Stay safe and mind yourselves and others. Listen to what our government are telling us to do.

age

51-69

gender

Famale