Leaving Our Fingerprints

Age

37

Date

7/24/2020

Location

Saratoga Springs, New York

When did the impact of COVID-19 first occur to you? How did your reaction to COVID-19 change between then and the first case in your town?

The impact first hit around the 20th of March. I work at the hospital and when all elective surgeries were cancelled and people were afraid to go to the ER there was this sense of the calm before the storm. It was eerie. It was like we were waiting for the hammer to come down. Work days were tense and full of anxiety for what might come. It was all the unknown. As the days went on we found that what did come in was okay. We grew in knowledge on what to do, how to triage, how to be the best clinicians for our patients. We gained courage. As we started to go back to regular scheduling I found that I can (and am ready) to jump in for the front lines. I grew in my medical knowledge, we grew as a team. I'm ready when I'm needed and have courage to do all the things necessary to help patients.

How is your life different now than it was before the pandemic?

Our lives stopped. We are now always together. We are almost still always home. We are learning to be adaptable. We've redone spaces in our home to make them better suited for our needs.

How are you feeling? What are you doing to relieve stress?

I'm feeling good. I'm exercising more than I ever have and pouring into garden and arts more than I've ever had time for.

What have you noticed has changed in your community since the outbreak? What has surprised you?

Our community really supported the local businesses to help them to succeed. I'm so proud of my community for rallying around each other.

Are you a business owner who has had to close? If you are still open, how have you had to adjust how your business operates?

n/a

Are you an essential employee? What do you do? What precautions are being taken at your workplace? What precautions are implementing at home?

I'm an essential employee. I'm a pharmacist. Our workplace has adapted to screening, promoting distance, limiting visitors, etc. At home we were more strict in the beginning but have relaxed some now. We used to wipe everything from the store - not as much anymore. The good thing is we changed how we shopped and buy things and really use what we already have before buying something new.

Are you an employee who has been laid off or furloughed? Were you able to get unemployment? Were you able to retain your health insurance?

n/a

Are you working from home? What adjustments or challenges are you experiencing?

My husband is working from home and finding quiet space where we can all work simultaneously has been difficult.

Do you have children at home? How’s it going?

Yes we have elementary kids. School was VERY hard. I had to be mom, housewife, teacher, disciplinarian, cook (etc etc). I found it overwhelming. Since summer - its better. Being outside helps a ton.

If you’re a student, was school canceled? Were you able to complete your studies online? Do you think you’ll be back on campus in the fall?

n/a

How are you using social media, the Internet, or digital platforms during the pandemic?

We've used Facebook to keep connected. Although I think it became an obsession. What was changing day to day I felt like I had to plug in all the time. I'm trying to do less of that now. All that screen time is not good for me. I'm not an arguer but many online are and it gives me anxiety and anger - so its better to just log off and pour into those in my home in a positive way instead.

What positive things did you contribute to or notice take place?

Community rallying around each other. We are spending more time together as a family than we ever did. We are caring for our garden and flowers and it makes me happy to see them grow. We shop more frugally and really spend our money intentionally. We are much less frivilous.

Did you or someone you know contract COVID-19? What was it like?

n/a

If you lost someone during the pandemic, how did you celebrate their lives?

We lost my uncle and have had to postpone his memorial. I'm not sure when that will be.

What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?

I wish I knew what the signs were so I could have had more at the house and not panic in the beginning. So much was a mental adjustment and emotional juggling that added to the stress.

What would you want future generations to know about the 2020 pandemic? How would you recommend they prepare for it?

The 2020 pandemic wasn't all bad. We were forced to make life simpler and slow down and that has been really beautiful. Sometimes the thing we think we are missing out but it is just a new opportunity to slow down and listen to the quiet.

How do you think this pandemic will change how we behave going forward? What will the “new normal” look like?

The age of birthday candles is over. We will continue to need to adapt as this goes so I'm not sure "normal" will ever stay as it was again.

Frieda

Covid-History Item Type Metadata

Age

Date

Location

When did the impact of COVID-19 first occur to you? How did your reaction to COVID-19 change between then and the first case in your town?

How is your life different now than it was before the pandemic?

How are you feeling? What are you doing to relieve stress?

What have you noticed has changed in your community since the outbreak? What has surprised you?

Are you a business owner who has had to close? If you are still open, how have you had to adjust how your business operates?

Are you an essential employee? What do you do? What precautions are being taken at your workplace? What precautions are implementing at home?

Are you an employee who has been laid off or furloughed? Were you able to get unemployment? Were you able to retain your health insurance?

Are you working from home? What adjustments or challenges are you experiencing?

Do you have children at home? How’s it going?

If you’re a student, was school canceled? Were you able to complete your studies online? Do you think you’ll be back on campus in the fall?

What positive things did you contribute to or notice take place?

Did you or someone you know contract COVID-19? What was it like?

If you lost someone during the pandemic, how did you celebrate their lives?

What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?

How do you think this pandemic will change how we behave going forward? What will the “new normal” look like?

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