Chronicles of COVID-19

Title

Sascha, Cork City

Contributor

Sascha

Subject

COVID-19 (Disease)

Coverage

Ireland; Cork; 2020s:

Date

08 April 2020

Language

English

Creator

Cork Folklore Project

Rights

Cork Folklore Project

Description

GENERAL PHYSICAL LOCATION RIGHT NOW

St Luke's, Cork city

USUAL LOCATION

Same

Q. 1 STAGES

As a teacher where students come to me in my home space, I was keeping up with the latest news. Rolling news was unavoidable at first to try to make sense of it all, but very quickly I found I needed to limit my news intake.
My main focus was on the UK and my family there, and the more relaxed approach over there. It made me very anxious and frustrated with family members who told me not to be 'alarmist' and 'we don't live in a police state!' And it wasn't just the Brexit voters in my family it was also the baby boomer Remainers who were hard to convince that they needed to follow us. In fact I wasn't able to persuade them, and was much relieved when they also went into a kind of lockdown mode.
Everything changed for us when Varadkar made the announcement to the nation that schools were closing as from 6pm Thursday 12th and the closure of pubs after that. The following Monday I had to arrange alternatives via technology to continue with my students, and so the new norm began.

Q. 2 EVERYDAY ROUTINE

My routine is little changed in that I work from home anyway, but the one to one video calls with often stressed and overwhelmed students is really proving to be more draining. I've had to change my work times and reduce hours per day. But I do feel fortunate that I can still work, and it keeps me motivated and occupied. It is interesting to see what my students are dealing with - different schools, different teachers and all using different technology. The work is being piled on them without much thought of their having to adjust to a new way of working and to be self-disciplined and self-motivated.
In terms of other routines - I always bring my mini bottle of hand sanitizer out with me whenever I leave the house. I am making sure I have a walk every day, and take photos of things that catch my eye.
I'm watching the birds in my garden with binoculars and I have a Birdsong Recognition App. And I'm doing art like I haven't done for many years.
I look forward to my trips to the M&S food hall, and I've got some pampering stuff from Boots. What else is there to do!

Q. 3 GROUPS

I would have to refer to the differences between UK and Ireland in the speed of reaction to this. I spent about a week telling the older generation of my family to cancel this, don't do that, no I won't be cancelling my flight it just won’t be happening, no that wedding won't be happening next month, don't let the workmen in, no you won't be volunteering at the library etc. etc. !!
Sometimes the most vulnerable are the most likely to not do social distancing - my elderly neighbour gets close to hear what I am saying, and wants to hand me money when I get her things from the shop. It's hard to explain to her.
I have also observed angry men, mostly middle aged / older men. They are ranting in Dunnes, it seems at the whole situation. I particularly saw one day on my main road a man shouting that it was 'only a fucking flu' and then he shouted at a girl wearing a mask walking up the street 'take off that fucking mask' and repeated it. This was earlier on when masks were not the norm that they are now. I think these men are frightened and that's how the fear comes out.

Q. 4 WAYS WE TALK

I notice signs on shop windows and I take photos - they are encouraging and a boost for the community. People are kinder and more patient. We stop and talk more with people we know and see in the street (at a safe distance). The whole elbow greeting thing was very short lived as an option. My chosen greeting is hands in prayer and saying Namaste, as in the greeting you give in Nepal. I feel I want to acknowledge in some way when I can't hug an individual.
I had never heard of zoom until now and now it's everywhere! We are doing quizzes and chats via zoom. There are more calls and texts with friends in other countries and family in UK. In some ways we are more in contact and closer now than before. We are appreciating each other more. Every musician is giving a live gig in their living room. I don't know when I am supposed to have the time to do a virtual tour of a gallery in Europe I'd love to visit, or watch the play at the National Theatre!
Rumours, rumours and speculation all the time - my students have their own ideas of when they will be returning to school. Everyone has an opinion and on how life will be changed afterwards. But always We seem to end the conversation with well we just don't know, so we have to just take each day.
There are a lot of political jokes at the expense of the British government, and that is light relief. People say to me - We are doing ok here, but jeesus over there they are in trouble.

Q. 5 COMMUNITY RESPONSE

I've seen the changing situation at my local shop. The sudden appearance of stickers and then more official signs on the floor for queuing at a distance. And the sign stating 8 people limit inside at any one time. One day this week I saw a friend there and we chatted, these conversations outside the home are valuable now. And then we were told off by a staff member and reminded that people were waiting to enter the shop so hurry up. We understood of course and felt admonished.

Q. 6 THOUGHTS AND PREOCCUPATIONS

I think about who I'm particularly concerned about as vulnerable members of my family and friends. I think I would be enjoying this more if I didn't worry about them.
I try to see every day as its own entity, and how am I going to stop and relax- what film, what art, what cooking etc. what walk to take within my 2kms limit.

Q. 7 SIMILARITY TO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

No Response.

Q. 8 CHALLENGES AND COPING

No Response.

Q. 9 THE FUTURE

I certainly see positives. We are experiencing the benefits of lower pollution. The fresh air was one of the first things I noticed, that and the quiet and the ceasing of endless sirens in the city.
We all talked about the water in Venice and the dolphins. However, I don't know if we are going to learn from this experience - the world will crank up its production to turn around the economies. Pollution will sky rocket.
I'm hoping we will continue to be kinder and appreciate each other more, and that we fully experience events in the now, our travels, festivals etc.

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

It certainly gets one thinking, and quite a lot to cover. More will come to mind
I feel that my images from my walks will tell their story too.

Q. 11 IN A NUTSHELL

No Response.

age

51-69

gender

Female