Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Monica, Cork City

Contributor

Monica

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

My own home on Ballinlough Road, Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

From late February, I was following the news and watching what was happening in Italy. When the information about the COVID infections in the ski resorts in the north of Italy & on cruise ships, I hoped the government would shut down our ports & airports & quarantine anyone coming in. This unfortunately did not happen. Once the first patient was diagnosed, I started to get concerned. I wanted a lock down earlier to improve the situation and flatten the curve. Others in work thought similar. It didn’t happen early enough in Ireland and certainly not in the UK. When Cheltenham went ahead in the UK, I felt really angry. A real incubator for spreading the virus.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I work from home on my PC in my kitchen with my husband. We walk every morning for 15 min before work. I find it a great way to kick off the day. I dial into calls regularly. My friend had to cancel her baby’s christening.

Q. 3 GROUPS

I think we are all vulnerable. People living on their own are particularly vulnerable. My parents in their late 60’s aren’t online so they can’t do online banking or pay bills online. Children celebrating birthdays must be tough. Kids without siblings must be quite lonely.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

‘Stay safe’ is said a lot. Social and physical distancing is part of life. On our morning walks, we meet the same people and give them a wave.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Gardaí are delivering shopping to elderly people. I’ve spoken to friends on video through Skype, Zoom, Facetime and WhatsApp.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

The daily number of cases, what’s for lunch and dinner.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I think a lot more will be virtually. Companies may move to allowing more working from home. I think there will be an increase in elderly use of internet (‘silver surfers’).

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

No Respnose

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

People are scared with unknown. I’ve seen lots of friendliness but also lots of selfishness with people who don’t obey the restrictions and put others at risk. I don’t like the cover ups and lies from our and worldwide governments. There is a theory that the covid virus came from a bat in a research lab near the market in Wuhan and not the live market. I wonder is this true?

age

36-50

gender

Female