Megan

34

7/20/2020

Clifton Park, New York

March 13th, last day of school for my (3) children. My husband insisted that we not send the kids back to school on Monday; I wanted to wait for guidance from our state (NY). My last day of work (bar manager) was March 14th and I left early, stopping at Market 32 for some essentials (milk, fruit, cereal, flour, eggs, meat). The store was packed, nobody had masks yet. There was a eerie feeling of impending doom and worry. Since NY was hit first, and Saratoga county had cases almost immediately, my family was immediately concerned and completly quarantined for the next several months.

My kids (3,6,10) no longer participate in community sports (gymnastics, swim, soccer). We no longer have playdates with other children. We grew our veggie garden larger than we ever had before. We eat breakfast as a family every day now. I miss my friends deeply, but we text daily. My anxiety has spiked, and my husband is quite depressed. Since we both lost our jobs during the shutdown, money is tight, but we can still afford utilities and food. We no longer shop in stores, opting for food delivery and pick up. We are more likely now to made do with what we already have, rather than shopping for more.

We are stressed. My kids miss their friends, but they are bonding with each other more than before. I have done many home projects (painting, building, gardening, baking).

I see more people walking their dogs in the neighborhood (CKS). I see kids on bikes daily. I talk with my neighbors more often.

My husband owns his own retail business. He was shut down for 4 months (in the mall).

I am a manager at a local bar. When restaurants were shut down, I went on unemployment for the first time in my life. I was lucky to get it almost immediately, but it is still less money than what I was making before the pandemic. We have had to dip into our savings to pay for food and our mortgage. Since my employer doesn't offer health insurance, and my husband is self-employed, we pay for NYS health insurance.

We have 3 children at home (3,6,10). Life with them is hard. They are bored: the pool, library, playgrounds, sports, YMCA, are all closed. We can't see their best friends (their parents can't quarantine because they are essential workers). Life is stressful, but we try to hike, play in the back yard, play board games and cards. We have classic movie nights.

We have 2 kittens, they are a bright spot in a dark time. They were surprised when we started staying home all day, I think we interrupted their daily nap schedule! They help keep our garden free of pests, and they play with the kids often.

My husband's aunt died of COVID in early May. She was already on her way out, but contracted it during her final stay at a nursing home in Warren County. She was on a ventilator and struggled to breathe her last few days. We couldn't visit her, but called her on the phone and said goodbye. Her nurses stayed by her side, but she essentially died alone. Her funeral consisted of 10 family members, who couldn't hug or comfort each other. It was a hard time.

Become self sufficient BEFORE events like this occur. Know how to repair your own car, grow your own food, fix your home appliances. Have a healthy savings account, don't live outside of your means. Spend time with loved ones while you can! Keep a full library at home, and stock up on essentials.

Mask, social distancing, seasonal shutdowns. Shortages of cleaning supplies, less imported junk from China.

Megan

COVID-19 (Disease)

Southern Adirondack Library System

Southern Adirondack Library System

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English

Covid History

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