Charlotte
Covid-History Item Type Metadata
Age
63
Date
9/1/2020
Location
Houston, Texas
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?
I had gone to visit a friend right about the time the news was talking about it. When I got there, her daughter, a Physician Assistant, who worked in ER clinics told her to stay home period. She began educating us about the outbreaks. I returned home in a week for work, but our school shut down for virtual learning. It was all new, confusing, crazy with daily updates from the Texas Education Agency. Attendance was not required but our principal did require students to attend virtually so we made it through with good attendance and lots of effort. We were all fatigued from the quick switch to virtual learning. Our students were champs. Our families were great. We talked to Families weekly—every family who answered the phone.
How is your life different now than it was before the pandemic?
I stay home almost completely but work always kept me home. I just retired. Before the virus, I used deliveries a lot because of physical problems. I am almost completely reliable on them now to minimize contact. I wear a mask out but rarely go out. I wear a mask when people come to the house. I cook more, eat out less. I seldom have people here but we sit across the room from each other. I don’t go to church now. I stayed away from my mother (83) for 5 months because I was working and we had lots of cases in town.
How are you feeling? What are you doing to relieve stress?
I feel mostly fine. I get lonely a bit more than I used to. I miss my dog who died. But on the whole I only worry about money. I trust God and use my brain. I listen to authentic medical opinion like Dr. Fauci. I refuse to watch or listen to Trump.
What have you noticed has changed in your community since the outbreak? What has surprised you?
As a teacher, nothing much surprises me about people but I do wish more would be responsible about social distancing and masks. I regret they many can’t tell fact from fiction.
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 retired in June. I would be an essential worker if I hadn’t retired. My former school I’ll be deep cleaning every Wednesday and every weekend. Teachers have to wear a mask. Students do not. Classrooms will be spread and some students will learn virtually. Students will be in the same room all day. Teachers will be teaching live and virtually at the same time. It’s ridiculous. Planning that could be shared and lessons that could be taught differently will all fall on the one Teacher’s shoulders. YEA did not do much to help and bowed to Republican pressure. It’s a shame.
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?
No but the co tracts we signed as soon as the virus erupted here warned that we could be furloughed but there was no plan for who or when that would happen.
Are you working from home? What adjustments or challenges are you experiencing?
Not now. But sitting at the computer all day with one lunch break was physically painful and emotionally exhausting. I love helping kids and teachers. I’m very computer literate (librarian) but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. I only wanted to sleep at the end of the day.
Do you have children at home? How’s it going?
n/a
Did you have to postpone any major life events? (e.g. Graduation, wedding, major birthday) What did you do instead?
I missed a couple of funerals I would have gone to. There were no other events for me.
Do you have animals? Did you adopt a pet? How have they impacted your day?
n/a
What positive things did you contribute to or notice take place?
I got to help my teachers more because of their needing virtual help. I provided more training and teaching of classes.i did not.
Did you or someone you know contract COVID-19? What was it like?
I did not. I had a former principal in the hospital for over 50 days. A forme student was hospitalized for quite a while. Both survived. Two of the librarians under me had it. One is still not able to work yet. I know others but can’t remember them all.
What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?
To but disinfectant wipes. I wish I knew that my government would behave honorably and that we had a president with integrity and leadership. We don’t.
What would you want future generations to know about the 2020 pandemic? How would you recommend they prepare for it?
Learn science, people! Learn to discern truth. Open your minds. Take advice from medical specialists. Look out for quack doctors.
How do you think this pandemic will change how we behave going forward? What will the “new normal” look like?
Probably like it looks now. I would love not to be expected to shake hands or touch and hug strangers.
Is there anything else you would like to add that hasn't already been asked above?
Have hobbies like reading to get you through the pandemic. Listen to music. Don’t be dependent on others for fulfillment. Learn to be quiet and be okay. Appreciate yourself and care for yourself. Drop the business. Replace it with connections to nature. Turn off noise in the house. Meditate on good things. Be grateful. Stop whining.
Dublin Core
Title
Charlotte
Subject
COVID-19 (Disease)
Publisher
Southern Adirondack Library System
Contributor
Southern Adirondack Library System
Rights
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Language
English
Type
Covid History
Identifier
11952856348
Coverage
Coronavirus Pandemic
Collection
Citation
“Charlotte,” Leaving Our Fingerprints on History, accessed November 21, 2024, https://fingerprints.sals.edu/omeka/items/show/219.