Collected Item: “Pandemic - COVID 19”
I agree:
Yes
Name:
PL
Date:
April 10, 2020
Title:
Pandemic - COVID 19
Answer 1 - Work/School:
Initially I started working from home, then a week later my husband followed suit. Two weeks later I was laid off. Thank goodness my husband is still working. One daughter is unemployed at the moment and the other is an nurse working in a long term care home with 6 confirmed cases in the Ottawa area. I worry every single day. The emotional turmoil from being laid off is something I'm still struggling with. The feeling of helplessness is difficult - sleep doesn't come easy.
Answer 2 - At Home:
Working from home was a bit of an adjustment but both my husband and I got into a groove. When one would be on a skype meeting, the other would leave the room. Phone calls would be taken in another room. Thank goodness for laptops, cell phones, technology. Snacking happened more often, and then came weight gain. One of my business calls was an unreasonable request to which my husband started to add his opinion - I had to shoot him dirty looks so he would be silent. We had a discussion regarding boundaries after that. Our dog is enjoying the extra time she sees us but not sure about the extra long walks! My daughters were both supposed to be coming home for a visit at the end of April - that has been canceled. I was so looking forward to seeing them. Any travel plans we were thinking of are now not even a thought. We're no longer going to the gym but are fortunate enough to have some things we can do from our home.
Answer 3 - Concerns:
My biggest concerns are my family catching it, especially my COPD father and my nurse daughter. My other worry is what effect it will have on our economy. I've been laid off and hope to return when this is over, but what at what point will my employer have to close up shop? What if they manage fine without me? I know I'm a valuable employee but the economic hit may be felt for years. My husband was hoping to retire in a few years but now we must build our investments back up.
Answer 4 - Infected?:
My daughters have a relative (on their father's side) who now has COVID. He is in a retirement residence and because of his age (probably around 80), the likelihood of survival for him is not good. His wife is in LTC and not able to see him. They're not good with technology and thus have no contact with each other now.
Answer 5 - Media Coverage:
It seems most of the media is more interested in catching readers through sensationalism. All this does is cause people to worry more. Those who suffer with anxiety and really struggling. My husband likes to watch the US media, whereas I prefer the Canadian media. I don't care what Trump is spewing - he makes everything worse. He is destroying the USA.
Answer 6 - Leadership:
Yes.
Answer 7 - End?:
I am hoping and praying that this will start to improve drastically by the end of April and end by the end of May but realistically it may take longer for people to get back to 'normal'.
Answer 8 - Thoughts:
This pandemic is awful but it does have many positive pluses. On my walks, I have seen pictures and well wishes posted in windows, sidewalks and driveways with positive wishes drawn with colourful chalk, kids playing with their parents/siblings, wonderful family time that children will remember their entire lives. I have seen businesses rise to the occasion by converting their assembly lines from making spirits to hand sanitizer/face shields/ventilators. People are reaching out to help everywhere around the world. This has united the entire globe. Mother earth is getting healthier. Families are uniting. While we may not be able to visit our friends in their homes, we are able to skype/facetime through technology. As devastating as this has been, and continues to be, this has been a wake-up call to every single human being in the world. I hope and pray that this will affect each and everyone of us in a positive way.
Publish Online:
Yes