C

03/09/2021

Weedsport, NY USA

When the library where I work had to close because of the risks caused by the virus, mid-March 2020, that was when the impact first hit me. Finding out about the first case in my town heightened my fears immensely.

I always wear a mask now. I fear for the life of myself and my loved ones; I'm scared to go to malls and events and to go sit and eat at a restaurant. Not just because of the virus itself, but because of the anti-Asian sentiment that is growing in the United States and around the world. I fear that people will unjustly blame my mother and/or myself for the virus. I fear there are people who will want to do us harm because we are Asian and they blame Asians for the existence of COVID-19.

I am sad and frustrated at people who refuse to follow common sense and wear masks. People who don't respect social distancing rules or who otherwise go about blatantly ignoring those who are at more risk than they of dying from COVID-19, people who even deny the existence of the virus - these people cause me so much anger. To relieve stress, I try to journal or listen to my favorite music. I communicate with online communities with like-minded individuals who share my thoughts about COVID-19, but who will also challenge me to think critically so my beliefs won't swirl around in an echo chamber. I get comfort from being around intelligent people.

I think some people have become more understanding of those who had "less than" before the pandemic started. They know how frustrating it is to not be able to go out shopping or eating at a restaurant because of financial impacts. I'm surprised at how few people I've encountered through my job who refuse to wear masks. I'm sadly *not* surprised at how many people still wear them incorrectly, however.

I'm not considered an "essential employee", but I work at a library where I have to face the public every day. Everyone who enters the building must use hand sanitizer when they enter and when they leave. If they use a computer, they are responsible for sanitizing the area after they are done. Staff cleans shared surfaces frequently. Everyone must wear masks and social distance. I'm making sure that at the very least when I come home from work, I change my clothes, wash my hands, and sanitize my phone and watch.

I am using social media, the Internet, and digital platforms to stay connected to friends and like-minded individuals. This is the only social interaction besides work that I allow myself as it is much safer than meeting people in person right now. I try to avoid the news as much as possible unless I'm looking for specific information because seeing the frankly dumb things people have done during the pandemic is frustrating, upsetting, and depressing.

The birthdays of myself and both parents happened during quarantine. For myself, at least, I was planning on meeting with friends and having a party - something that as an introvert I wouldn't normally do. I had planned for 2020 to be the year that I would be more outgoing and try new things, maybe travel and eat new foods and meet new people. But for obvious reasons, I was not able to do any of this. We celebrated birthdays at home, but luckily we were able to get curbside takeout food.

I own a bird. Seeing their "personality" and silly antics brings a smile to my face.

People I'm friends with online had been diagnosed with COVID-19. I was scared for them and their families because I knew they were suffering from the effects of the virus. I was scared they might die.

I wish I knew just how foolish people would be - I wish I had known that people would refuse to wear masks and social distance. If they had followed rules and common sense, the pandemic would have been over in a matter of a few months instead of extending into a year or more.

I want future generations to know that people will play politics with their health and safety. I would recommend that even if family or friends don't take precautions to guard against the virus, that they themselves should still do their best to ensure their own safety and those of the people around them. Also, don't hoard toilet paper or any other essential supplies. Take only as much as you need and save the rest for people who truly need it the most. Be prepared to confront loved ones who don't take the risk of COVID-19 seriously.

I think the "new normal" will include wearing masks all the time, not just for the benefit of reducing the transmission of germs, but also to protect against allergens and pollution. I feel that some people will have learned important lessons about themselves and what they want out of life, for having been in quarantine/lockdown/having to endure restrictions has given them time to contemplate such things. But others will still go on as they were before the pandemic, sadly.

C

COVID-19 (Disease)

Southern Adirondack Library System

03/09/2021

Finger Lakes Library System

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

English

Covid History

12477370110

Coronavirus Pandemic