Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

A Public Health Doctor from Cork City

Contributor

A Public Health Doctor from Cork City

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

13 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Ballinlough, Cork

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

I was most concerned about Covid-19 back in January and early February when reports of a newly discovered virus were coming from China. As a public health doctor, we learn about pandemics, and occasionally have to respond to new and emerging pathogens when they arise (e.g. Ebola, Zika). This new virus seemed like it really had the potential to cause havoc. It seemed like weeks were going by where those of us working in public health were very concerned, and planning as best we could, but it felt like it was taking a really long time for politicians and the rest of society to wake up to the imminent threat. We have always known that a pandemic is possible at any time - every year we fear this for influenza. But at the same time we never really expect a pandemic to occur in our own lifetime. We tend to believe that we can control any medical threat that comes our way because we have a vaccine or a treatment for most illnesses. Now, even though it's still an extremely concerning time, I take some comfort in knowing that the rest of society is taking this public health threat seriously. I am reassured by the fact that our government are listening to, and taking direction from, public health experts. The same cannot be said in every country. I started my public health career in the UK, and I feel fortunate that I'm no longer working there. Their government's blatant disregard for the advice and guidance of public health experts has been appalling. I remain very preoccupied by Covid-19, partly because it is dominating my hectic work schedule at the moment, but also because it is hard to escape from it when I am at home. It's on TV, it's on the radio, it's on Whatsapp - it has infiltrated every aspect of life for me.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

At the moment I am half-way through a PhD in UCC, but that has been suspended for the time being. I have been voluntarily seconded back to working in the HSE public health response. I have rarely been busier at work. Every working day is about 12 hours long, with barely 15 minutes to stop for lunch when you remember to eat. There is huge goodwill at work, and that keeps me motivated. I can see that our responses are making a difference. Our ability to contact trace, and to identify new clusters of Covid-19 in workplaces, residential care facilities and hospital settings is slowing down the spread of the disease and is enabling us to make evidence-informed decisions about where and when to put essential control measures in place. As public health doctors, we often work behind the scenes. It's nice to feel a bit more appreciation from the general public about the work we are doing. Everyday life outside of work involved trying to catch up on sleep, do essential shopping when time allows, and going for short walks near our home. I have started to keep in touch with my own family through Zoom meetings - a first for us, but it works quite well. Thank God for modern technology.

Q. 3 GROUPS

As a public health doctor married to a GP, our experience of Covid-19 feels very different from that of a lot of our friends and family. Many are understandably frustrated by the fact that they have to stay home. They may feel cooped up and bored. At the same time, we are both working overtime, barely getting a chance to keep our own fridge stocked with food, and trying to make sure we have childcare for our baby daughter. About once a week we have a day off together and we embrace the boredom of having to stay at home. It feels like a relief from the madness that's happening at work. Most people are very conscious of the sacrifices being made by healthcare workers and we appreciate that a lot. My wife and I are particularly mindful of our colleagues who are working at the frontline in acute hospitals and nursing homes. At the same time, while there are a lot of public expressions of gratitude for healthcare workers, I do think that the government could be a bit doing more to make life a little bit easier for us right now. We are paying double the usual crèche rate for a child minder (which is essential if we are to continue to go to work), and we are struggling to get any shopping done. Hopefully some additional measures will come in to place soon to ease some of the challenges for healthcare workers.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

One thing I have noticed is that when people are out walking, while they are mostly observing appropriate social distances, they are now avoiding eye contact with each other in a way that did not happen previously. I think it's quite sad. Maybe it's a self-defence reaction, that if you don't greet or make eye contact with the passer-by then you don't have to engage with them and put yourself at risk. But it doesn't cost anything to smile, and it doesn't increase your risk of Covid-19 to greet a stranger from a distance. I think it must be particularly isolating for people who are on their own and can't even make eye contact with passers-by when out walking. I don't really understand it, and I hope it doesn't persist.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

No Response.

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

No Response.

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

No Response.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

No Response.

age

26-35

gender

Male