Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Mark, Cork

Contributor

Mark

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

15 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Crosshaven, County Cork

USUAL LOCATION

High Street, Capwell, Cork City

Q. 1 STAGES

I originally heard of it on the news as a virus in China. There were worries that this would spread to Europe and across the world and needed to be contained. Didn't think much of it. Even when the first few cases arrived in Ireland from North Italy, I never envisaged the whole country would go into an unprecedented lockdown and all the negative (albeit some positive) consequences; not to mention the rising death toll and associated national and collective anxiety.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

As my father is 91 he is house bound or cocooned. I am staying with him which has its challenges. However as I am in receipt of a part-time carers' allowance and my other part-time income from the Cork ETB is being paid regardless of my being unable to work, I have no financial worries which is a blessing. I get up around 8.30, breakfast and go for a walk. Current government restriction is 2 km but my walk is a little more, 2-3km. As it is through woods, country lanes and near the sea it is a great route. I pass little or no people most mornings. I am tempted to walk further most mornings as I am in the countryside and there is no-one around which guarantees social distancing. However I decided not to for fear of contracting the virus. This is an understandable yet irrational fear. If I walk 4-5km and pass no-one at all I can't contract anything but the 'what if' echoes in my brain so I reluctantly cut my route short. I get shopping in for the day and spend the rest of the time preparing meals for me and my Dad. I do the same chores each day, clean and set the fireplace, hoover the house, wipe the tops etc. We have a small garden so I sit outside reading or stay in practicing guitar in between jobs but it is mind numbingly boring and there is a constant underlying feeling of anxiety and dread. I go online regularly but have stopped this week. The avalanche of bad news and conspiracy theories re the virus is bad for my, indeed anyone’s mental health. I remind myself that my situation could be far worse.

Q. 3 GROUPS

It differs for big families cooped up in houses, even ones with gardens. I can't imagine the suffering that victims of domestic abuse are feeling. Every day must be a nightmare. This is reflected by people phoning into national radio programmes and online news bulletins. People of 70 and over are meant to be cocooned, meaning they have to stay within their house and garden/balcony if they have one. This is a very extreme measure as there are many able and fit 70 year olds and telling them they can't go for a short walk is a bad idea. They end up sitting in watching TV or listening to radio, many alone. This enforced 'helplessness' by an overly prescriptive government (who are merely following HSE/WHO protocol admittedly) will have a long term negative effect on anyone over 70.It is shown that lack of fresh air, exercise and anxiety, extreme loneliness only serves to weaken our immune systems. It may be necessary to impose these measures to halt the spread of the virus but there will be a cost to this. An interesting article by a leading psychiatrist, Patricia Redlich, in a recent edition of the Irish Independent outlined this position in a more in-depth, thought provoking and stark position.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

There is a growing number of people posting and sharing information on social media. Some is interesting and helpful and helps to make me feel; and everyone else obviously, less helpless and isolated. However there is also a huge surge in conspiracy theories outlining the world emerging into a post-covid dystopian nightmare of enforced vaccines and more pandemics. These do not help the situation and as a result I have found myself spending less time online. On a plus side some group Facebook pages where people are encouraged to post their favourite albums or books have appeared. What's funny is how they start off with light-hearted banter about the various posts and are now breaking down into arguing ( 'whaddya mean the 4th Zeppelin album isn't their best!!??) the kind which would normally erupt after a few pints in the pub. In relation to personal contact, I notice that many people don't even say hello to strangers on their walks. I might pass 2-5 people on my morning and evening walks and always say hello. Some reply but others, wearing masks, dark glasses and gloves turn their face away in silent terror, as if saying hello across a wide country road will cause you to contract the virus. It would be laughable if it weren't such a serious situation. It's evident that underlying fear and anxiety which is part of the human condition is amplified in these strange times.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

The local Centra has re-established itself as the hub of social interaction, albeit limited. I remember when the corner shop and post office were the centre of the known universe for people in rural and indeed urban (where I grew up) villages. This was broken down over the past 20 years as so called globalisation took hold especially in Ireland. However the fact that local shops will deliver to vulnerable people in the community and everyone says hello in the shop is a pleasant return to an emphasis on community which is badly needed.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

My main fear is that I contract the virus and pass it onto my Dad, who probably wouldn't recover, although as a chain smoking 92 year old he probably would!! This is understandable and even though I feel it's only me who thinks this I realise that everyone thinks this. However, I remind myself that no-one has control in any way over who gets infected by something that's invisible ,even if you tick all the boxes and wash your hands, social distance and stay home which I like most folk do to the best of my ability. I also remind myself that despite the relatively large number of deaths the level of known infection in the country is miniscule, about 0.01% and most people recover, 97%.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

This event has had easily the biggest seismic change I have ever witnessed in our society. As the virus, the enemy, is invisible and can infect anyone; even professional athletes get it, it has been impossible for people to put it 'out there' like a German Bomber in WW2 or to blame a part of the community as was the case when the AIDS crisis which emerged in the 80s; when gay men were blamed event though it was/is something which any member of society who is sexually active could/can get in certain situations. As a result there hasn't been any discrimination amongst people in my local community although online trolls and certain political leaders will still look to blame other countries. On a positive note, I like to think that many people will reflect on what is really important in life and will no longer look to acquire and accrue unnecessary luxuries as they are utterly meaningless and redundant in the face of a pandemic.

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

No other than a platform such as this is a great outlet and will be a welcome repository of knowledge for people in future generations to reflect on.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

If anyone reads this in 100 years’ time, the age old need for human inter-activeness and interdependence is perennial and cannot be undervalued in times of global crisis. When all is said and done, if you're reading this on a computer or whatever technology is all the rage many years from now the message is simple; be grateful for what you've got.

age

36-50

gender

Male