Amber

38

8/7/2020

Ponca City, Oklahoma

I first started hearing about Covid-19 in early March of 2020. To be honest, at the time I didn't think it was something that was a huge deal. Then as my family prepared to go out of state for spring break, I became more concerned. We went ahead and took our trip, however, and it was during this time we got word that our town had received its first case. Simultaneously, everything around us (on our trip) began closing down. Restaurants went to delivery or carry-out only, activities were canceled, and Covid-19 was the top story on every news channel. My anxiety skyrocketed. My family made the decision to cut our trip short, and I was extremely worried we would pick up this virus on the way home to quarantine.

My husband worked from home at least part time for over a month, but even after he went back to work full time, my kids and I continued to social distance. It's been about five months now, and in that time my kids and I have not been to a public place besides necessary medical appointments. We haven't been in a grocery store or a restaurant or any nonessential place in all that time. We do go on hikes, bike rides, nature trails, etc. so that we're not totally cooped up. We have also made the decision to do virtual school for our kids this year, at least at first. Our hope is that the number of cases will drop, and we'll feel safe to put them back in school at some point this year.

I struggle with anxiety on the best of days, so it's no surprise my anxiety has been high during all this. This has extended to my sleep being affected as well. To help combat stress, I keep up with my running routine. It's one thing that I've always found boosts endorphins while calming me at the same time.

In some ways, it seems there has been a division in our community. The lines have been drawn between those who support wearing masks and those who do not. It has greatly surprised me that this topic has been treated in large part as a political issue rather than a medical issue.

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I'm a homemaker, so I've always worked from home, though it is different now. I don't want to expose my kids by taking them to a grocery store, so I'm having to be very organized and plan things ahead of time so that I can order groceries and other household items we need. Some services we received before, such as ABA therapy for my son with autism and violin and piano lessons, are being done virtually in order to limit exposure.

Yes. My kids are 9 and 12, and they have honestly acclimated better than I anticipated. They enjoy the simplicity and quietness of being at home, though we make sure they're still able to connect virtually with friends and family, and we get out at least every weekend to a social distancing activity... such as hiking. My kids are old enough to understand pretty well what is going on. My son, who has Aspergers, has shown some anxiety about returning to school eventually, but it's helped him to know we won't be sending him back to school until we feel it's safe to do so.

I'm not a student, but my children are. They will be starting the year out with virtual school.

This has been a learning curve for sure. My daughter's violin lessons, my son's piano lessons, and my son's ABA therapy have all been carried out through Zoom. We've allowed the kids to have a little more time on electronics throughout this pandemic because they use online games as a way of connecting with their friends.

We weren't able to do a traditional birthday party for our son this year. We did an outdoor social distancing party with a couple family members.

We have pets, and they bring us so much joy through all of this.

I've loved seeing how innovative people have been during this time. We participated in a birthday drive-by parade for a friend of ours, and it was touching to see others come together to make it special.

My friend's father contracted the virus. He was fit, healthy, and in his 50's. He ended up passing away due to complications from the virus. It was shocking and very sad.

I didn't know my friend's father too well, but I do know they had to delay the funeral.

I wish I had known more about the alternative education platforms that exist so that decision would have been less overwhelming. I wish I had known that there WAS going to be a pandemic. I would have used the time more wisely - such as visiting elderly family members whom it's not safe to visit now.

I don't know if there is really knowing how to prepare for a pandemic because it's not something you ever expect to happen. It did become very apparent very quickly, however, that it's always a good idea to have two weeks of meals and household essentials on hand, in case anything like this ever happens. I guess I would say that as crazy as it is to believe something like this could happen to you, it really CAN happen. In a country that is as advanced as we are medically, I always took for granted that pandemics were a thing of the past. And yet it still happened. I'm learning to love and appreciate my family more than ever, and I've found even more meaning in the quality time I have with them.

That's something I've wondered, but I don't know. How long will it be best to wear a mask? To social distance? I'm hoping eventually we can get back to where these things aren't needed.

I think, as horrible as this pandemic is, it's given me a new outlook in some ways. We were a family who liked to be on the go before Covid-19 hit us. Since social distancing has become our new normal, I've come to really appreciate slowing down, enjoying even the mundane moments, finding joy in the simple things like putting a puzzle together with my family or going for a walk. As busy as we are as a country, I think there's a lesson there for all of us to take time to slow down, enjoy the simple things, and focus on the things that truly matter.

Amber

COVID-19 (Disease)

Southern Adirondack Library System

Southern Adirondack Library System

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

English

Covid History

11882918838

Coronavirus Pandemic