Leaving Our Fingerprints

Age

46

Date

8/7/2020

Location

Northumberland, 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?

First effected at the beginning of March, as a cancer patient with a compromised immune system I had to stop going to work. I was out of work for over 2 months. Some of the first cases in upstate NY were in my town, which added even more fear. I was taking my temperature up to five times a day and constantly thought I had a sore throat.

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

I went back to work at the end of May. Being that I work in retail I am fortunate that my employer is allowing me to work overnight. Being on active chemotherapy treatment, the general public is too much of a risk for me.

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

I feel a lot of anxiety. My grandma is in Wesley in Saratoga and I have not been able to visit since the beginning of March. She is 93 and has dementia. I am terrified she will forget me (I know, Selfish) and that I may not get to visit her again. It breaks my heart.

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

I am surprised that people are unwilling to follow some simple guidelines for the greater good. It saddens me. I just don’t understand the folks who think the virus is a hoax.

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?

Yes. My workplace has many cleaning protocols in place. As well as plexiglass to protect employees. Masks are provided. Gloves and hand sanitizer are provided. We will have to start taking our temperature before we started our shift. We are encouraged to stay home if ill.

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?

n/a

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

n/a

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?

I use social media for positive things. I do not discuss politics or the virus for the most part. Dealing with cancer already I’ve developed a solid support system through social media to help stay positive. I also take breaks from it if it starts to seem too negative, which happens.

Did you have to postpone any major life events? (e.g. Graduation, wedding, major birthday) What did you do instead?

n/a

Do you have animals? Did you adopt a pet? How have they impacted your day?

I have two cats. My one cat (Pepper) became ill during this. He had to go to the vet several times and it was hard not being able to go with him. He is doing better now. They are a huge sense of positivity and comfort.

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

Zoom meetings have been a huge positive. We have a support group for my form of cancer and it was so good to be able to still connect as well as with my brothers and my nephew.

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 two members of our cancer (myeloma) support group. It has been challenging not being able to attend services. We are working on a scholarship in the honor of one member.

What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?

That this is something that was possible in my life. I never imagined or believed anything like this would ever happen.

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

Work together for the greater good. Do not become divided like we are now. Unite. Care for each other.

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

I wonder this a lot. When you have cancer “new normal” is terminology used frequently and to be honest, I dislike the term. I truly hope we will learn to work together and to care for one another despite or differences. I pray for this.

Traci

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?

Did you have to postpone any major life events? (e.g. Graduation, wedding, major birthday) What did you do instead?

Do you have animals? Did you adopt a pet? How have they impacted your day?

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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