Leaving Our Fingerprints

Age

72

Date

8/28/2020

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?

Mid-March 2020; it was simultaneous.

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

Slightly inconvenient now, No very different from pre-virus life. Scary in the beginning with self-quarantine, lots of anxiety due to uncertainty of the future, and suddenly cutoff from daily routines and activities. Silver lining was the quiet and open environment of the city streets around me. Being cognizant of the “poorly-wrapped gifts” of the pandemic mitigated the initial anxiety and promoted gratitude. Now that things have opened up, the quiet has gone.

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

Zoom meetings, dog walking/hiking, fitness practice, Spiritual practice, keeping in touch with friends and family, reading outside, swimming, eating well, being cognizant and grateful for what I have, certain I’ll be okay whatever happens.

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

The number of people who remain dismissive of the virus’s severity, and do not observe the recommended safe practices, thus expressing a gross lack of concern for those around them.

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 am not employed, but I do wear a mask when I interact with service people who come to my house.

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?

Using Zoom meetings and face time, and texting and calling more than usual. Also using food takeout a bit.

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 a dog, Della, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in March. As I live alone, she is my sole companion, so I started cancer treatment for her immediately after diagnosis. She is doing very well. I’m not sure what my mental health would be if she weren’t part of my life. It’s been good for both of us to have more time together.

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

I contributed to causes that concern me, continued to fund membership and consultation fees for activities that were cancelled, kept in touch with loved ones more frequently than usual, volunteered for Zoom meeting duties, got take-out from restaurants. People who weren’t flouting virus precautions seemed okay with expressing their fears and accepting help. The vulnerability was a positive effect to welcome.

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?

With a carefully-planned and participant-compliant outdoor memorial service.

What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?

Nothing; what was there to know?

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

That our president failed, and continues to fail, spectacularly to keep the country safe. That some states took a leadership position to counter the national chaos, while others were part of the denial. That, coupled with the country’s last three years of the erosion of our democracy, came an awareness of all that needs fixing here and in the world, and that courageous people are working together to eradicate the inequalities on every level of our culture.

Janette

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?

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