Collected Item: “Sounds of physical distance”
Give your entry a title
Sounds of physical distance
Creator (put anonymous if you don't want your name to appear)
Phil
Date
May 12, 2020
How are you doing?
I'm nervous, more stressed than usual, but otherwise okay.
Are you isolating with someone else, if so who (relationships, not names i.e.. father, sister, roommates, spouse, your children etc.)?
I have a roommate.
How has COVID-19 affected your home life? How are you passing the time?
I find that I sleep more in the afternoons, rely on Internet boardgames and video conferencing to put a bandaid over the feeling of isolation. That should say a lot given that I'm introverted.
How has it affected your work, education, etc.? Are you an essential worker?
I'm a student (pre-college) and care provider. The online live classes have helped a lot in keeping a routine. But at the same time, they change the way we learn and can't prepare us for social challenges, like public speaking, or in person interviews, etc. As for the care provider, that has been severely limited to reduce exposure of at risk individuals. As it stands presently, all that I can do for them is bring groceries to their door and take down recycling or waste. Although i try to manage a brief chat during drop offs, time is more restrictive because busses are a higher risk contact point, so I'm walking everywhere with a hand truck for groceries..
What about the outbreak and response to it has you most concerned?
Asymptomatic spread. Every time I hear someone sneeze or cough, I cringe because it's a possible exposure that could make me unknowingly infect others. And there are those walking around with it silently that worry me most. About a month ago I was out of town in an official capacity. About the only place I could go for fresh air were bike trails wider than 8 feet. On one such trail I heard a group of 12 teens inviting other friends to join by tapping away on their phones. As I got closer I observed that none of them were wearing masks or respecting safe physical distancing. I can't help but wonder if their parents knew and if only one of them had it, how many more could get infected by their family members unknowingly.
Do you know someone who has or has had the virus? How has this affected them?
I do not.
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?
It's a real pickle we're in. Provincialy, I believe we are reopening things too quickly out of economic pressure. Nationally I believe we are scrambling to do the best we can within reason. My primary sources for information are CPAC, CDC and occasional late night piece critiquing the US "response".
What challenges are ahead? How and how fast do you think normal life should be restored?
Too many to count. We need a vaccine and ramped up testing for antibodies before anything can resemble normal again. The borders can't reopen until it's confirmed that neighboring nations are out of the fire.
What do you think will be different after the pandemic? What do you think should be different? What will be better or worse?
I'm not sure much will change to be honest. Humanity has made a habit of complacency before. I think we need a safer distribution method to get the things we need when we need them. Relying on post so heavily isn't the answer, it slows down things that actually are essential (which can really hurt those on a minimal income). I would hope this stress test will improve telecom infrastructure and expose how essential that access is for everyone in times like these.
Do you have anything else to say about the COVID-19 pandemic?
Hope we find a way through and learn from our mistake of underfunding those responsible for detection and containment.
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