Leaving Our Fingerprints

Age

70

Date

03/13/2021

Location

Albany NY

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. Not sure there was much change in this interval..

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

Still not seeing friends or family, no restaurants, movies, stay in touch online mostly. Only shop in person when absolutely necessary. Feeling very lonely. Also more aware of current events.

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

Fearful, isolated, anxious, hard to get along with partner who is less concerned. Meditation, keeping busy to distract myself, is a help. Try to be outdoors as much as possible in warm weather as it relaxes me greatly.

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

More friendliness and willingness to help others in some people, but also selfish and uncooperative attitudes about taking safety precautions on the part of others.

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?

No

Are you an essential employee? What do you do? What precautions are being taken at your workplace? What precautions are implementing at home?

No

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

Are you working from home? What adjustments or challenges are you experiencing?

No

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

No

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?

No

How are you using social media, the Internet, or digital platforms during the pandemic?

Only for email and texting friends and relatives.

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

No

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

Have 2 cats. Did not adopt since pandemic started. They are a great source of happiness. Don't know how I would get by without them.

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

Very little due to feeling quite vulnerable. Suspended one volunteer activity I felt was too risky. There's been fairly good outreach in Albany to ensure needs are met and plenty of virtual events which I'm sure many have enjoyed. Lots of effort to support local restaurants, too.

Did you or someone you know contract COVID-19? What was it like?

No

If you lost someone during the pandemic, how did you celebrate their lives?

No

What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?

How long it would last.

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

Good question! This whole event would have been less traumatic if we'd had competant leadership at the very top in this country from the start. In addition to all the the worrisome issues related directly to the pandemic, I found it terrifying that it seemed that the federal government's response was totally chaotic, and largely uninformed under Trump. So I would say, future generations should listen closely to politicians running for office and vote wisely as if your life depended on it. Also, trust science, and figure out how to differentiate between truth and lies. Also, make sure health care and medical research are well funded. The pandemic in this country didn't have to be so devastating.

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

Don't really know. Hard to imagine I would be ready return to pre-pandemic behavior for a long time.

Is there anything else you would like to add that hasn't already been asked above?

I'm feeling very grateful, even guilty, that my life was not turned upside down as many people's lives were. I'm retired, financially stable, and no kids or parents to worry about. My heart goes out to the many who have suffered in so many ways.

M

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?

Is there anything else you would like to add that hasn't already been asked above?

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