Joanne
Covid-History Item Type Metadata
Age
63
Date
09/21/2020
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 happened fast, my workplace ( a local college) shut down and I had to get my son back from his sophomore year at the University at Albany. He spent the spring doing online classes and the summer doing an cybersecurity internship online.
How is your life different now than it was before the pandemic?
I spend much more time at home. While I did work at home most of the time prior to this ( I teach online college classes) now I work at home all the time. I am definitely more socially isolated. Also , cannot travel to see my elderly mother on Long Island or make plans to get away for a bit over the long winters we have up here.
How are you feeling? What are you doing to relieve stress?
My feelings are mixed. I am somewhat of an introvert so perhaps better able to cope with this than others. I relieve stress by taking a walk in the beautiful Saratoga Spa Park, talking with friends and family on the phone/Face time, and working on my academic projects. Also going through a lot of stuff in my house and donating things I don't need anymore.
What have you noticed has changed in your community since the outbreak? What has surprised you?
Perhaps I see my neighbors home more, but not much seems to have changed.
Are you working from home? What adjustments or challenges are you experiencing?
Yes, working at home but I basically worked at home before. Miss going in once or twice a week to my office for a change of scene and to see folks.
Do you have children at home? How’s it going?
My son is now living in an off campus apartment. He was home from college this past spring and summer. It was fine since he is 20. I have colleagues with young children and it is very difficult for them to juggle work and home schooling etc.
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 my cat, Snow, which helps with the isolation. If I didn't have him, I would definitely have adopted a cat or a dog.
What positive things did you contribute to or notice take place?
That most people here in Saratoga Springs wear masks and seem interested in helping to stop the spread.
Did you or someone you know contract COVID-19? What was it like?
One colleague had COVID 19. She had Lupus prior and this left her with a permanent case of emphysema. She seems OK though.
What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?
That our public health systems would not work. I already knew that Trump was incompetent but this really showed how bad he is at governing this country.
What would you want future generations to know about the 2020 pandemic? How would you recommend they prepare for it?
I would want them to know that they cannot count on government to help during a crisis and they must educate themselves and prepare their own resources to survive. Also, that it doesn't help to turn on others during this time. We really do need to pull together to make it through. Finally, " this too will pass"
How do you think this pandemic will change how we behave going forward? What will the “new normal” look like?
I think that once we have a vaccine and some good treatments, CV 19 will become like the flu... won't go away but can be managed. I think that the new normal will be emphasis on sanitary conditions and public health ( I hope).
Dublin Core
Title
Joanne
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
12005999544
Coverage
Coronavirus Pandemic
Collection
Citation
“Joanne,” Leaving Our Fingerprints on History, accessed December 21, 2024, https://fingerprints.sals.edu/omeka/items/show/233.