Collected Item: “Feels Like a Dream”
Give your entry a title
Feels Like a Dream
Creator (put anonymous if you don't want your name to appear)
Laura Johnson
Date
April 29, 2020
How are you doing?
Mostly well, all things considering--though I haven't been sleeping right--my mind keeps thinking of COVID and I've been having nightmares.
Are you isolating with someone else, if so who (relationships, not names i.e.. father, sister, roommates, spouse, your children etc.)?
I am isolating with two roommates--I have two other roommates, but they're isolating elsewhere.
How has COVID-19 affected your home life? How are you passing the time?
I try to keep a daily routine. Sometimes the days blend together.
For most weekdays, I wake up around 7:45 am, even if I don't have to. Two days per week, I work for my paid internship, which I can do remotely. I've set up a desk in the basement so I can focus better and keep my room for sleeping (sleep hygiene!). My roommates are very respectful of my work hours. After I wake up, I "commute" (i.e., set up my workspace for the day) and then make coffee, just like I would if I were going to campus to work on my thesis, or going into the office for my internship. I've been exercising daily, just like I would if I could still go to the gym. Sometimes a personal workout, sometimes a live workout hosted by a coach at my gym, sometimes with my roommates.
That's been fun, in some ways--getting to know those two roommates better. We've had a board game night, a movie night, walks together. Usually, we'd go out to socialize. Instead, we're really the only physical company we have. We've set up a daily cleaning schedule so that we disinfect high-touch areas (e.g., doorknobs, microwave buttons, faucets) as well as the floor.
But I'm *very* glad I don't have kids right now. I think I'd go crazy without the ability to retreat into my own space. In some ways, this has been relaxing? I'm able to read and game without any obligation to go anywhere and socialize with people. There's no commute for anything.
For most weekdays, I wake up around 7:45 am, even if I don't have to. Two days per week, I work for my paid internship, which I can do remotely. I've set up a desk in the basement so I can focus better and keep my room for sleeping (sleep hygiene!). My roommates are very respectful of my work hours. After I wake up, I "commute" (i.e., set up my workspace for the day) and then make coffee, just like I would if I were going to campus to work on my thesis, or going into the office for my internship. I've been exercising daily, just like I would if I could still go to the gym. Sometimes a personal workout, sometimes a live workout hosted by a coach at my gym, sometimes with my roommates.
That's been fun, in some ways--getting to know those two roommates better. We've had a board game night, a movie night, walks together. Usually, we'd go out to socialize. Instead, we're really the only physical company we have. We've set up a daily cleaning schedule so that we disinfect high-touch areas (e.g., doorknobs, microwave buttons, faucets) as well as the floor.
But I'm *very* glad I don't have kids right now. I think I'd go crazy without the ability to retreat into my own space. In some ways, this has been relaxing? I'm able to read and game without any obligation to go anywhere and socialize with people. There's no commute for anything.
How has it affected your work, education, etc.? Are you an essential worker?
My worklife is mostly unchanged. I have been fortunate in that I can work from home for both my paid internship and my graduate school research. But the conferences I was going to attend were cancelled, so I'm disappointed that I won't be able to disseminate my work in the same way.
What about the outbreak and response to it has you most concerned?
I'm worried that the effects of social distancing measures, while needed, will hurt small business owners who can't operate during this time. I'm worried that so many things are going to close forever. I'm also concerned that people who don't respect the risks of COVID-19 (e.g., protesters) are going to prolong this situation further. I'm asthmatic, so if I got COVID I'm not sure I'd live.
Do you know someone who has or has had the virus? How has this affected them?
No, thankfully
How well do you think the government and other leaders are responding to the pandemic? What do you think about the local, national and international media coverage?
I'm not sure. I try to avoid the coverage aside from the daily London numbers because it's been making me anxious and impacting my sleep.
What challenges are ahead? How and how fast do you think normal life should be restored?
I think there's a high risk that it will rebound if we "open up" too soon.
What do you think will be different after the pandemic? What do you think should be different? What will be better or worse?
People may see flu season differently... hopefully we will be practicing good habits so that fewer people get sick. And appreciating social gatherings more.
Do you have anything else to say about the COVID-19 pandemic?
I just wish it were over.
What is your address? [private]
[private]
I agree to the Terms and Conditions of submitting to COVID-19 in London, Ontario: capturing the local experience.
Yes
I give Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections permission to show my submission online
Yes