Collected Item: “What day is it?”
Give your entry a title
What day is it?
Creator (put anonymous if you don't want your name to appear)
Anonymous
Date
May 12, 2020
How are you doing?
I am safe and physically healthy, but am starting to get depressed.
Are you isolating with someone else, if so who (relationships, not names i.e.. father, sister, roommates, spouse, your children etc.)?
no
How has COVID-19 affected your home life? How are you passing the time?
Each day is like the one before it. I play computer games, read, go for a brisk daily walk, read Pocket articles, read the news (1/2 hour a day maximum), email/text/call at least one person a day, draw, and do tai chi.
How has it affected your work, education, etc.? Are you an essential worker?
I am disabled and do not work. My face-to-face social life and group recreational activities are non-existant. I miss being around people.
What about the outbreak and response to it has you most concerned?
Will they ever find a vaccine? I am concerned about people who must take the bus, I see them going by and sometimes they are crowded, and people aren't wearing masks. I fear for women and children living in abusive homes. I am worried about the poor, and those in minimum wage jobs (e.g. grocery store workers) who will be impacted the most. I fear for the whole continent of Africa. I think the government's response to it has been good but I still see people not social-distancing and I wish they would fine people for that.
Do you know someone who has or has had the virus? How has this affected them?
No.
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 am impressed how all levels of government are dealing with the pandemic. I trust our leaders and health care system. News coverage has been good but we need LESS Covid-19 news, I want to know what ELSE is going on.
What challenges are ahead? How and how fast do you think normal life should be restored?
Nobody knows what lies ahead and I think that is what makes it mentally so difficult. I don't think they should be reopening things until there is a much higher level of testing of the broader general public. We will be getting another wave of infections once things open. Opening needs to be done as slowly as possible. I think they will open, lock down, open, lock down as we go through waves of outbreaks for possibly years to come.
What do you think will be different after the pandemic? What do you think should be different? What will be better or worse?
I think our nursing homes will get more attention: better regulated, possible nixing of private ownership, better funded, better inspected, and hopefully better staffing levels. Nursing homes should be government owned and run, incorporated into the public health care system. I think after the pandemic there will be a lingering fear of human contact that will take years to gradually subside. I am hoping that the levels of compassion and care for our neighbours that we are witnessing will continue. We will get less colds and flu as we are so well trained in hand washing! People will be slow to take up flying, cruises, and trains again. Crowd numbers will be down when they eventually open up events again (sports, concerts, festivals). We won't depend upon China as much for essential supplies, more will be made here in Canada. Some people will continue shopping online even after the pandemic, even for groceries, having discovered the convenience; retail will suffer. People will be more grateful for what we have in life, and not take things and people for granted.
Do you have anything else to say about the COVID-19 pandemic?
I don't see an end in sight. I'm afraid they won't find a vaccine. I am in a high risk group so a vaccine is the only thing that will make me feel safe. So, it's very hard for me to stay positive. Especially when I need to give and receive a hug, and I cannot.
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