Leaving Our Fingerprints

Date

03/10/2021

Location

Lake Pleasant

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 first heard about Covid in December of 2019 and initially thought it would be like Ebola or Swine Flu were it would be localized in poorer regions that could not afford proper healthcare. It wasn't until February 2020 where I saw the global ramifications of COVID-19.

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

It has hit me hard financially. I perform at local restaurants and with COVID-19 shutting places down and the restrictions that came soon after. I lost a substantial amount of income and that put a lot of pressure on me to skimp on medical treatments, food and other areas just to pay the bills. Life is still hard now even as restrictions are slowly being lifted

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

During the winter, things were very difficult with some COVID-19 scares and precautionary quarantining even during the holidays. Although we had a Christmas miracle when my father who was quarantining as a precaution was told he was cleared and what looked to be a lonely Christmas became a family Christmas again. As the snow melts and things get warmer, walking and hiking have been my main way to relieve stress along with music and reading.

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

With the lack of bars, I have noticed a dramatic dip in seeing people I would see almost everyday at the pub. What has surprised me is the amount of people who have taken the time to revaluate their lives and change for the better now that they had the time to really work at it while things were shut down. It will be interesting if this trend continues as we continue to lift restrictions.

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?

I own an internet radio station and it has been a difficult year. Although listenership is at an all-time high, people don't have the money to spend on ads and merchandise to help support the station. I have mostly had to rely on contracts to keep afloat.

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

I was laid off for a few weeks until we could figure out how to distribute books safely. I don't work enough for partial unemployment and luckily I have Medicaid

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?

I work at the local library as a library aide and we have taken some precautions such as glass barriers, hand sanitizers for employees and patrons and quarantining books that have come in.

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

Trying to get broadband internet is like trying to pull teeth so I have not been able to work at home because of it.

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

I do not

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?

I was not

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

We are currently trying to raise money by doing a music tournament on Facebook. It has gone very well.

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

I got to attend a Facebook wedding which was fun in its own way because we got to drink beer just like the groom would of wanted.

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

I have two cats and unfortunately my dog died during the pandemic and it really affected my mood.

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

I am trying to donate money to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. I have read much more and have connected to people I haven't talked to in years.

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

Luckily everyone in my family has not gotten COVID-19

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

I have not lost anyone to COVID

What do you wish you knew before the pandemic began?

How to better prepare for a pandemic.

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

Listen to the CDC and scientists, they know what they are talking about. Do you research with peer reviewed studies and medical journals. Things will get better.

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

I think that we will be more conscious of others when we are sick, possibly adopting the Japanese policy of wearing masks when you are sick.

Gary

Covid-History Item Type Metadata

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?

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