Untitled
Covid-History Item Type Metadata
Age
43
Date
02/03/2021
Location
Marathon, NY, USA
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?
March 2020 when events we were to be part of were cancelled. However, we are not dependent on Starbucks, McDonalds, and the like, so we were not in any kind of tailspin during the beginning stages of finding out the world around us was shutting down. My reaction did not change when we had our first cases here.
How is your life different now than it was before the pandemic?
We have learned a lot about ourselves. Our expectations are reasonable, our patience level with each other is more acceptable, and we realized what is really important in this time of paring our lives back. God, family, memories, technology are all important parts of our lives and that's what our family has been focused on. Much of the same as it was our focus before.
How are you feeling? What are you doing to relieve stress?
I feel fine. The expectations of my role as a parent, and business owner have stayed the same, though modifications to running a business needed to be made. Because of having less evening activities, I am not driving as much, which saves time and money, and I am able to get adequate sleep. Those two things reduce stress.
What have you noticed has changed in your community since the outbreak? What has surprised you?
Schools are the major difference. Children/teens home for part of the week and at school part of the week has been the most challenging aspect of scheduling. I think this change is hardest on teenagers. When the pandemic first started, it was surprising that many people didn't think it would ever get here or affect our small town.
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?
We are still open, though we don't have a storefront with set hours. Contactless pick up has been a popular way to move goods.
Are you an essential employee? What do you do? What precautions are being taken at your workplace? What precautions are implementing at home?
No, I am not considered essential by the government's standards.
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, I continue to work part time, just less hours than before. And, I'm completely remote (working from home).
Are you working from home? What adjustments or challenges are you experiencing?
Yes, I am running my two businesses from home as well as working my part time job from home. The biggest challenge was setting up our home to accommodate the school day as well as the work day, in separate areas where everyone has the privacy they need to accomplish their day.
Do you have children at home? How’s it going?
Yes, my teenagers are home from school 2 days a week and in person at school 3 days a week. The days are going fine now that we have a set routine.
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?
Not a student.
Did you have to postpone any major life events? (e.g. Graduation, wedding, major birthday) What did you do instead?
No, we did not. We had a graduation party in the summer, outside with plenty of precautions. Some chose not to come as they were not comfortable, but some chose to even travel in for the occasion.
Do you have animals? Did you adopt a pet? How have they impacted your day?
Yes we have animals that live in our home. We did not get a new one during this time. Our old cat spends a lot of time with my teens during the day.
What positive things did you contribute to or notice take place?
Many churches, civic organizations and social groups have taken great measures to help in any way they can. The struggles with that are the social distancing, shared items, and following so many strict guidelines. In general, people will wait their turn in line without complaint, be more courteous with each other in the store, are more apt to say something to a stranger to make them smile or laugh, or show gratitude and appreciation more than before...knowing that the same things that are being accomplished today are that much harder to attain than the same things we did before the pandemic.
Did you or someone you know contract COVID-19? What was it like?
Yes, different degrees of severity. For some, severe symptoms, but not death. For some, runny nose and sore throat, also not death.
If you lost someone during the pandemic, how did you celebrate their lives?
Did not lose a family member during this time.
What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?
Toilet paper would be scarce.
What would you want future generations to know about the 2020 pandemic? How would you recommend they prepare for it?
If you continue to love people, serve God and look to Him for guidance instead of the politicians, you'll be better off, not be stressed and able to enjoy the change of the times. Do not focus yourself on the news or other media, it will be detrimental to your health and well-being. To be well prepared, have your finances in order with a substantial savings account balance in case you lose your job, have a pantry of non-perishable items, not be dependent on conveniences, and be prepared to do more things like they did in the old days.
How do you think this pandemic will change how we behave going forward? What will the “new normal” look like?
Unfortunately, people are somewhat cautious of each other. This is difficult to comprehend after living so many years when you can show your affection when you greet friends. Hopefully we get back to a hug and handshake between friends! The new normal...that is the question many ask. Overall, people listening to the government over everything else for guidance on "what's right" and that's scary!
Is there anything else you would like to add that hasn't already been asked above?
We are a courageous people; study the Bible and know where this country came from and notice how sad it is now having gone through this. People of all ages are suffering in tragic ways because they have been shut off from society through the pandemic. The suicide rates among teen is astronomical right now. The government is not the savior with the vaccine, nor should they be praised like they are. Stand up for your rights and seek the Lord. He can offer protection, strength, and wisdom beyond what man can offer.
Dublin Core
Title
Untitled
Subject
COVID-19 (Disease)
Publisher
Southern Adirondack Library System
Date
02/03/2021
Contributor
Finger Lakes Library System
Rights
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Language
English
Type
Covid History
Identifier
12380025801
Coverage
Coronavirus Pandemic
Collection
Citation
“Untitled,” Leaving Our Fingerprints on History, accessed April 25, 2024, https://fingerprints.sals.edu/omeka/items/show/325.