Rebecca

62

6/20/2020

Corinth, New York

Of course I was watching the news around the world. Then New York City and the downstate area started blossoming as a hot spot. By mid-March it was obvious that even a small town in the Southern Adirondack mountains was not going to be able to avoid being affected by Coronavirus.

My work was shut down and I worked from home beginning in mid-March. My work life changed dramatically; there were many things I was no longer able to do and many new or different task that needed to be accomplished. Everyone in my household was working from home as well. My father, who is in a small assisted living facility was now under quarantine. I could no longer take him out for a day or visit with him in his room. I did have the option to visit with him outside (masked and distanced) but the weather was not often conducive to that.

At this point I'm hopeful. It has been a very stress-filled and anxious time. Trying to focus on things that I CAN do, not obsessively watching the news, reading, working on household projects, and having a weekly game night in our household has helped greatly.

During the most sever part of the shut down it was eerie to see so few people on the streets. The grocery store seemed to be busy most of the time as people we staying closer to home for necessities. As the weather has gotten better, restrictions have eased, and we have moved into Summer I see more people out. Mostly they are good about distancing regulations and mask wearing, though there are some who, for whatever reason, don't follow those recommendations.

I am now working back in my building. There are many adjustments and it is not business as usual, but I am getting into the new workflow.

I have two adult children who live at home. We all like each other and respect each other's space so it has been fine. It has been comforting to have them close.

I'm working from my computer more than ever. I've had more video conferences, calls, workshops, etc. than I ever thought I would. It has been nice to connect with people occasional through zoom - nice to see familiar faces.

My aunt and uncle had a 50th anniversary. We celebrated remotely via zoom and had cake and flowers sent to them rather than the get together that we had hoped to have.

I've been helping my business work through all the necessary adjustments. I have also been an observer of the local, state, national, and international history that is happening now.

I know one person that had COVID-19. She was hospitalized for 22 days and intubated for 19 days. She is recovered now. While she is not a close friend but rather an acquaintance, it puts a face on the disease and brings it closer.

I would hope any future pandemic has strong leadership from the Federal government. It has been frustrating to see no true overall guidance leaving each state to struggle on its own in fighting the pandemic. I'm grateful that our state took a strong stand and think it has helped to slow the spread of the disease. Many of these strong measures have not been popular in part because there is no unified national guidance.

I think that we'll be wearing masks in public and keeping our distance from others when we are out - at least until there is a definitive treatment or vaccine. I think there will be many more germ-phobic people.

Rebecca

Southern Adirondack Library System

English

Covid History

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