Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Louise, West Waterford

Contributor

Louise

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Waterford; 2020s:

Date

19 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Outside of Dungarvan, very rural, west Waterford

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

Awareness, disbelief, characters in a play, story, sudden reality, it all happened so quickly in the end I suspect most people were taken by surprise.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

Isolating alone, leave home once at most twice a week, studying remotely is difficult, lacking stimulation, with a sense of disinterest and detachment from the subject matter, slightly irrelevant. Daily wash, eat, study, the radio is on most of the time RTE., cook, feed the birds, maybe do a bit of work In the field, Facebook etc.

Q. 3 GROUPS

Some people seem to find the lack of chatting difficult and try to engage, I don’t know but would imagine that families with special needs will be having a very hard time with assistance especially single parents, listening on the radio, discussions and phone ins.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

Stay safe, keep well, are key phrases. People seem to have dropped the phrase "hows it going?” Also, emphasis on the fact that it's not forever, that it will end. Living without physical contact, hugs, kisses, arm Pat's is strange, it feels as though you’re disliked even though you know it’s not personal and it’s lonely.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

The 9pm light up and the hand clapping was good nationally although it didn't affect me as I have no nearby neighbours.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

My boyfriend, one day at a time, I'm being treated for breast cancer, will be having my 3rd chemo this week, so remembering to do mouth washes, take drugs, routine.

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

Just to remember that we are just humans, we are not in control of earth, she is way bigger and more organised than we as species could ever hope to be. We must learn to work together globally.

age

51-69

gender

Female