Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Rosie, Cork City

Contributor

Rosie

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

20 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

Cork city, north inner city between Shandon and Gurranabraher

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

I first became aware of it in early January because my mother was following the story very closely. She has a long and deep interest in all matters public health related and has an inherited fear of the flu. She seemed to get to grips with the risk involved pretty early while I played it down. She was, of course, absolutely correct, and I was utterly wrong. I started to become more concerned about the virus by early February. Some of this related to the fact that I had a lot of international travel planned. As February progressed, it became increasingly obvious that those plans would have to be shelved. By that stage, I didn't really care about those lost work and holiday opportunities - I started to get very worried about the implications of the virus and what it might mean in terms of loss of life in this country and further afield. Thinking more generally, there probably was a widespread feeling of wilful denial going on. Given how globalised the world has become and how normalised international travel is, this virus was always going to spread. And it's not as if we weren't hearing about it in the media etc.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

I am working from home, which is simultaneously liberating and frustrating. I think working from home would be much easier if everyone else was still at work: now we are all struggling to figure things out together. I am starved of access to the countryside, which is entirely new for me, but I am exploring different parts of the city on foot, while still staying in the 2km zone. I am restricted in terms of being able to visit my mother because she lives in a different county so I am now organising her shopping and prescription medicine remotely. I haven't seen friends for weeks but I have been making an extra special effort to keep in touch by phone or what’s App. Fortunately, I haven't experienced any funerals first hand but I have heard about others' experiences. Birthdays are being celebrated online in the best way we can - sung messages, cheery greetings - but it's all a bit low-key. Presents will have to wait.

Q. 3 GROUPS

Talking with older people, I have seen how they can resent or feel anxious about the constant references to their vulnerability. People I know with limited access to walkable public space are also experiencing extra hardships. Inequality and marginalisation are making this much worse for some people and they cut through every aspect of it. I really hope that the policy makers remember that if they are considering more austerity measures once the first part of the crisis is over - extra sacrifices are already being made by those who have less power and resources.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I find myself standing shouting across the road at neighbours and acquaintances, but there always comes a stage when it feels wrong to be doing so - that it's time to move on. It really feels as if lingering in public is now regarded as 'wrong'. Before the full lockdown I visited my mother and ended up shouting in the name of conversation through the kitchen door and windows. It was depressing and it actually felt better to just talk to her on the phone. There's less of a sense of something being missing.... At the start of the lockdown the what’s App videos came constantly but they are drying up a bit now. I wonder are people just too exhausted to be distracted.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

Every-time I hear the Supervalu-GAA advertisement, I weep. On the other hand, I find it intolerable that domestic violence is on the increase. Every day brings another thing to annoy and another to cheer. I now hate going to the supermarket where I encounter the 'ones who won't be told’ but I always see someone who is stocking up for someone else and just finding a way to help others.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

find myself thinking about people who are dead - people I have lost - and what they would make of all this. It sounds morbid but I think it's just a way of trying to make sense of it from a different angle.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I can't answer that question. I think the future will need to be fought for. Once the restrictions start being lifted we will need to seriously question the kind of normality that is being held up. There might be opportunities to make a more equal and sustainable world but that won't automatically happen. We will need to demand it.

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

Nope, happy to leave it here.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

I am grieving my everyday routines, while now fearing their return, and knowing that they may not be sustainable.

age

36-50

gender

Female