Covid-19 Orall History Project.edited
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School
Kenyatta University *
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Course
MISC
Subject
Health Science
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
10
Uploaded by DoctorEagle3419
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Student’s Name
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Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has unprecedentedly impacted individuals and communities across the United States. Navigating both the physical and mental health implications of the virus
has proven to be a difficult task for many, especially in senior populations where age-related vulnerability is more pronounced. The wide-ranging impacts of this virus have yet to unfold fully, forcing those affected to cope with day-to-day inconveniences and long-term worries about
their future well-being.
To gain insight into one individual’s experience living through this period in American history, I interviewed Mr. Cooper, a 65-year-old man from Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his wife and daughter, Mr. Cooper shares his home with a dog and his vivid memories of life before the pandemic outbreak hit in 2020. These recollections serve as historical markers documenting his journey navigating the turbulent waters of COVID-19 uncertainties and preparing for what lies ahead. During our conversation, Mr. Cooper expressed candidly how he and his family have adapted to the most immediate impacts of the crisis while still acknowledging longer-term anxieties regarding unemployment, social relationships, education opportunities, healthcare access, and other measures of well-being needed for everyday life. Mr. Cooper speaks from a
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place of humble honesty and hopeful curiosity about this experience, which he believes yields profound teachings and demands receptivity to our changing environment and understanding of how to find meaningful connections in even the most unexpected places. I hope we will gain insight into what it has been like for someone living through this phenomenon and glean valuable information regarding the impact on generational communities that must be attended to as we move out of this pandemic crisis.
Interview Transcript
2. Describe your household. How many people are living in your household? What are their ages,
genders, and professions? Are there any students in your home?
A: In my household, three people live with me: my wife (age 64), my daughter (age 33), and our dog. My wife is a teacher at the local high school, while my daughter does freelance editing work. Neither are students at this time.
3. Describe the community where you live. What is the economic and racial makeup of your
neighborhood?
A: The community where I live is generally affluent; most residents have relatively high incomes, although it has become more affordable over the last few years since gentrification has set in. The racial makeup of our neighborhood is fairly diverse; there's an equal split between white people and those of other ethnicities.
4. When did you first learn about the coronavirus? What were your initial reactions?
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A: I first learned about the coronavirus around March 2020. My initial reaction was disbelief - like many people, I didn't believe it would get as bad as it did. I thought we could stay inside our homes for a few weeks, and the virus would disappear. Now that we have seen how damaging this pandemic has been to our economy and way of life, it is shocking to see what a global impact this virus has had in such a short amount of time.
5. What impact did the virus and quarantine initially have on you during the initial months of the crisis, starting in March 2020, mentally, spiritually, and economically? A: During the initial months, I think I experienced most of the typical reactions many people had. Mentally, trying to stay up-to-date with news reports was stressful and worrying when things changed so quickly. Spiritually, a sense of helplessness set in as I started to realize just how out of control this virus is and how powerless individuals can be in trying to stop it - or at least slow its spread. Economically, my wife and daughter both lost work because their employers shut down due to the pandemic. We continue to feel these financial implications now since our income is limited.
6. Have you or someone in your household become unemployed or laid off during the quarantine? At the time of this interview, have you gone back to work? If not, what does the immediate future hold for you and your family in terms of income, resources, and mental health?
A: Uh, Yes, yes! My wife and daughter were both laid off due to the pandemic. We have not returned to work yet but are hoping things will start to open soon so they can find other employment opportunities. In terms of income, we are relying heavily on our savings right now since our income is incredibly limited. We also take advantage of any available government aid, which helps us make ends meet. As for mental health, it has certainly been an emotional roller
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coaster throughout this entire pandemic experience; fear, uncertainty, and worry are all feelings that have become part of everyday life for us during this crisis.
7. Describe any events you witnessed that captured your or your community’s response to the virus. (example: a trip to the store, school closing, a conversation with friends)
A: Mmh, let's see. One event that stood out to me during this pandemic was the panic buying in stores. I remember going to grocery stores and seeing empty shelves - people were stockpiling food, cleaning products, toilet paper, and even small household items like charcoal for grills when necessary. Seeing people in such a rush felt surreal, as if they were preparing for an apocalypse. Other memorable moments include cafés and restaurants closed for dine-in customers. Of course, we all wear masks to do basic activities like going to the store or walking around the neighborhood. 8. How has the quarantine affected your closest personal relationships with your parents, spouse, or significant others? If you are a college student, how has the quarantine affected your relationship with peers and close friends?
A: I think the quarantine has been difficult for managing relationships, especially those farther away or with people who are more vulnerable to the virus. I'm unable to see my parents as often as before, and whenever we talk, it's over FaceTime - it just isn't quite the same. Regarding my marriage, my wife and I have had to find new ways to support each other and stay connected during this time. As a college student, my close friends have all dispersed since classes transitioned online, so we try to keep in touch via text, but that doesn't feel quite the same either. It's hard not being able to go out like we used to before the pandemic hit.
9. How has the isolation, in particular, imposed by the quarantine, affected you?
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A: Oh yes! The isolation caused by the quarantine has definitely been difficult. Even on days that
I'm not technically "isolated" since I'm with family, there's still a feeling of being disconnected from people outside my immediate household. We can't socialize or have in-person interactions like we used to, so it leaves me feeling lonely even though I know that isn't actually the case. On top of that, since much of my work and leisure activities have had to shift online, I feel a bit out of touch with what is happening outside our home. It all feels quite disorienting at times and can be emotionally draining.
10. Have you or anyone in your family contracted COVID? Please recount the experience.
A: Thankfully, neither I nor anyone else in my family has contracted COVID. We know of people who have, though, and it's been scary to hear about their experiences, from long hospital stays and being really sick to a general sense of isolation as they are unable to be around family and friends during their recovery process. My family and I take all the necessary precautions like
wearing masks, social distancing, and washing our hands frequently, even when nobody we know has had it yet. It's just something that you have to do now so that we stay safe.
11. How did your community respond to the virus? Did they implement any business/social/educational/financial closures or restrictions? What do you think, or how do you feel about the restrictions implemented by your local community?
A: Our community implemented a variety of restrictions in response to the virus. Businesses had to close, especially those that could be seen as non-essential or primarily social spaces like restaurants and bars. Schools transitioned to virtual classes, with students having almost no in-
person contact with each other or teachers. Financial resources were also made available to help those affected by lost wages due to closures. I understand why these restrictions needed to be put
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into place; we were trying our best to protect ourselves and our community from the virus. It was
still difficult, though, especially for people who rely on interactions outside their homes for work
or just companionship. 12. If there are children, teenagers, or college students in your household, how has the quarantine
affected them on a mental and physical level? Please describe what it has been like for the students in your home going to school online. What challenges have arisen with online schooling? How are the students coping mentally and physically? A: We don't have any college students in our household, so our experience with online schooling has been limited, but overall, it seems like it's been a difficult transition for everyone involved. My daughter is 33, so she doesn't have to cope with the everyday school part, but her normal work environment changed as well; not being able to go into an office and collaborate with other people negatively impacts creative output in certain jobs. As far as physical effects are concerned, the lack of physical activity due to everything happening remotely has been difficult for my daughter, too - she's used to going on hikes or working out at the gym, things that obviously can't be done right now. 13. In what ways has the virus impacted your city, county, and state since the outbreak?
A: The virus has had a major impact on our city, county, and state since its outbreak. We've seen closures of schools, businesses, public parks, and many other places where people would normally gather. There's also been an uptick in unemployment numbers as people have had to file for job losses related to the crisis. These financial implications are probably felt the most by low-income families who were already living close to the poverty line before the pandemic began.
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The local government has done its best to meet these tough challenges; they've provided grants and incentives for small businesses to continue operating during these times and put policies into
place that help residents and local governments stay financially afloat. It will take some time for our state to fully recover from this crisis, but I believe we're all committed to doing what it takes for that goal to become reality sooner rather than later.
14.
In what ways has the virus impacted America since the outbreak?
A: I can say that the virus has greatly impacted America since its outbreak. Not only have we seen soaring numbers of people getting infected and killed by the virus, but it's also had serious economic consequences; millions of jobs have been lost due to businesses closing down or transitioning into remote work, something that doesn't benefit low-wage workers without access to the technology necessary for remote work. We've also seen a lot of civil unrest as people flock to the streets in protest of all sorts of things related to the pandemic, from police brutality towards Black Americans to demands for economic and financial aid for those most affected by job losses. 15. How do you think the virus will impact and affect America in the long term?
A: I think the virus will have a lasting effect on America regarding our health and economic security. Although we may develop treatments or eventually find a vaccine for the virus, people will still be at risk of being infected and suffering from complications; this could mean ongoing medical expenses for those who can't afford insurance or access to quality care. The economic fallout created by the pandemic has also been difficult to recover from, with so many jobs having
been lost. We need financial relief policies, such as more unemployment benefits and stimulus
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packages, to assist during this time so that people don't become desperate enough to take risks they might not otherwise consider before the crisis arrived.
16. What are your thoughts on how the government—from local to federal— has responded to the COVID outbreak?
A: I think the government response to COVID has been decent. Various financial incentives have
been implemented to help individuals and businesses stay afloat, and our local governments have
done their best to provide relief for those most affected by job losses and closures. That said, I still feel like more could be done; there needs to be more resources devoted towards long-term recovery efforts like increased access to quality health care or better unemployment benefits so that we can rebuild our nation stronger than before.
17. How have you personally adapted to the outbreak, from the beginning of the quarantine in March 2020 to the present?
A: Personally, I think I have been doing my best to adapt to the ever-changing environment caused by the outbreak. From the start of quarantine in March, I've had to relearn how to spend my time; I can't go out and do activities like going hiking or seeing friends as often, so I've had to find new outlets for stress relief that don't involve leaving my house. 18. How has the COVID experience transformed you as a person? If you think back on your life before the crisis and who you are now, how has your life changed, or you on a personal level?
A: On a personal level, I think the experience of being in quarantine has made me realize just how precious human contact and in-person interactions with people can be. After months spent mostly confined to our homes, it's easy to take these opportunities for granted - but they really are so valuable when we don't have them anymore. The experience has also taught me not to take
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things like health, economic security, and time spent with loved ones for granted; all of these can
vanish in a matter of seconds, as this pandemic has shown us, and that is something I won't forget anytime soon.
19. What defines America during the pandemic crisis?
A: To me, what defines America during the pandemic crisis is resilience and perseverance against all odds. Despite how impossible a situation may feel at times, we as Americans have always been able to come together and make things better for everyone involved - from fighting through wars to helping disaster-stricken communities rebuild their lives. This crisis is no different; while it's certainly difficult to see people suffering through job losses, financial instability, and emotional turmoil due to the virus. I'm still hopeful that our nation can pull through this crisis together.
20. Do you have any final thoughts?
A: My final thoughts are that this is yet another moment in history where we can choose to rise up out of the ashes and make something better for ourselves. With hard work, dedication, and tenacity, I hope we can all find a way through this crisis together; by working together and taking
every opportunity to be kind to one another, I am sure we can come out of this stronger than ever
before.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this interview with Mr. Cooper provided insight into how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted his family and community personally, economically, and spiritually. He discussed the impact on his immediate household members due to job losses and closures and the
local economy regarding businesses shutting down. Furthermore, he highlighted some of the
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struggles, such as mental health issues caused by isolation, how they had to adapt their lifestyle to adjust to the current reality of living during a pandemic, things such as wearing masks for activities outside of home and curtailing social interactions with family or friends far away.
Mr. Cooper also discussed how people can stay safe during these times, from washing their hands frequently to avoiding places with large crowds since social distancing is necessary for preventing infection and the spread of disease. On a more macro level, he touched upon how both local governments and federal agencies are slowly beginning to provide relief measures for those most affected by closures or job losses while acknowledging that there is still much left that needs to be done if we want everybody involved in rebuilding America stronger than before after all this is over.
Finally, it was clear throughout this interview that though Mr. Cooper's life has been dramatically transformed these past few months due to the pandemic, it hasn't been without a sense of hope and resilience. He expressed his faith that by utilizing the power of collective action through courage and perseverance together, we can all make a difference in long-term recovery efforts for our nation, no matter what hardships this virus might throw at us.