Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Mary, Co. Cork

Contributor

Mary

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

Cobh (rural)

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

When it started in China in late 2019 I thought how awful for the Chinese people but at the time did not think it would affect Ireland. How wrong I was. Not sure how it unfolded with others.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I worked as a florist, gave adult flower arranging classes and worked with adults with special needs, all my worked stopped straight away. I continue to provide video link classes on a voluntary basis for one of the special needs adults. I certainly miss my work. Otherwise I have a large garden so spend a lot of time working on that. All birthday parties cancelled and only 10 people allowed to attend funeral masses.

Q. 3 GROUPS

My daughter aged 24 was teaching in Dubai but was able to return home and continue to teach by video link. All her plans for this year have changed which is hard on her. I think in general it is hard on the young people as their social life is so important to them. Also any very active over 70 s who must remain in their homes, I have several neighbours in this category and they have told me they are finding it very difficult.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

All our conversations revolve around words like pandemic, cocooning, social distancing, to stay together stay apart.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

I suppose the response of our local clergy who are streaming Mass live every morning on face book . This is coming from St. Coleman’s Cathedral Cobh .

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

It has brought people closer together as communities while staying apart. I think humans being humans we will eventually slip back into old ways.

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

Think everything is covered

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

Living in a rural setting staying isolated is not a big problem for me and with so much technology it is easy to stay in touch with others. I suppose everything we took for granted like going to the shop has now become something we have to think about before we head out e.g. wash hands before we leave home, clean the handle of the shopping trolley with bleach, maintain 2m distance from other shoppers, sanitize hands after leaving the shop, wash hands when home.

age

51-69

gender

Female