Leaving Our Fingerprints

Age

790624

Date

6/24/2020

Location

Hadley, 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?

Sometime in February I noticed that they had a virus that was killing people in China. I didn't worry much about it since we have had other viruses in Africa that never killed many people here. Then I heard about people who were dying here in the USA and next I read in the newspaper that a person I used to know when I was a teenager had died. I then started shopping just once a month, wearing a mask when I did and washing or sanitizing my hands often. I even stopped wearing my rings since it was easier to wash hands without them.

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

We used to go out to eat two or three times a week. I saw my granddaughter and great grandson frequently. Now they are afraid of giving us the virus.

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

I don't have much stress since my SO and I have a nice small town where we can go for a walk or bike ride.

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

The local market has changed a lot. You now have to wear a mask. If you want to, you can order by phone, pay with a credit card and pick up the groceries from a window in the side of the market. I have noticed that many teenagers don't wear masks when the go by groups past the house. So far I haven't heard of anyone getting the virus.

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?

n/a

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

Retired. My granddaughter who lives in Albany still is working in a fast food place and, since my daughter is working from home my great grandson has been living with her.

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?

Retired and on medicaid.

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

n/a

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

n/a

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

My daughters, my granddaughter, my sister and her children, and I get together on line with messenger just to keep in touch.

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?

We have a cat and nothing has changed except when we go to the vet to get his special food they just leave it outside (we pay over the phone by credit card) so we don't have to interact with anyone.

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

Yes someone did but it was a mild case.

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

Keep some paper goods bought ahead. Luckily I have always done this because I refuse to but toilet paper unless it is on sale. TP is one thing you really need.

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

I think we will be wearing masks a lot, we will be cautious about being in large crowds, and we may hug our grandparents more.

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

Some people are more cautious about shopping than I am. They pick a time they can pick up groceries, order and pay for them online and then go to the store at the designated time phone and let them know where they are parked and a store employee will bring them out. The buyer then pops their trunk and the employee loads the groceries. That way nobody is ever within the 6 feet that is the recommended distance that we should stay away from others.

Anita

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?

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?

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

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?

Dublin Core

Title

Publisher

Language

Type

Identifier

Collection

Tags

Citation

Output Formats

Geolocation