The Crazy month of May 2020 meme: pandemic experiences

I’ve seen a few genealogists posting their responses to the Covid-19 crisis and how it has changed their lives, so thought I would post my own responses as I restart my genealogy blog after the break while stood down from work.

What are you most grateful for during this covid-19 crisis? 
That I live in Australia, which has certainly fared better than many other countries.  I’m grateful for friends and family, to all the people who have stood up and pulled together during the pandemic, made the necessary changes to their lives to limit the outbreak and keep each other safe.  I’m glad I was able to work during at least part of the stand down, only spending a few weeks stood down from my job, and especially glad to be back at work, even in a somewhat limited capacity as we practice social distancing and keep working to limit risks of transmission within the community.

What have you missed most during the full or partial lock-down? 
Being able to get in the car and go anywhere I please.  Simple things like browsing through shops, having coffee with friends, going to the cinema or a restaurant when I please.

What changes have you seen in your life over the last few months? 
Certainly I am going out less, changing my usual habits to practice social distancing and keep safe.  While I have never considered myself to be particularly social, not being able to go out, meet friends, stroll through shops and chat face to face with workmates has made significant differences to life.

Have you been exercising more or less?
During the time I spent not working I tried to keep busy and keep moving, doing jobs around the house and garden, but not going out has definitely impacted my activity levels.

Has the refrigerator been your friend or foe?
A little of both.

Have you been participating in virtual gatherings with friends or family?
Some, although there are times when my internet connection can be a little slow.  I think many of us have found ourselves using technology to communicate a lot more that before the pandemic.

Have you taken up new hobbies during the lockdowns? 
The ones I have already have been enough, plus the projects around the house I have finally made time for.  Certainly being stood down from work meant more time for my hobbies than usual.

Are you cooking or gardening more? 
I have never been much of a cook – or a gardener – but during lockdown I have definitely done more of both.  Dinners were occasionally more elaborate and I even found myself baking a few cakes and scones.  The garden also shows some improvement from the extra attention.

Have you found the changes and experience stressful/anxious/worrying? 
I think there would be few who have not.  Being stood down from work was certainly stressful, but I was also aware of being much better off than many, knowing my job would still exist afterwards and having enough leave stored to see me through.

How have the closures affected your local community? 
I know many businesses are struggling and some may not survive.  There are too many who have lost their jobs – either temporarily through stand-downs of permanently through business closures, and the losses will continue to be felt for months to come.  While so many have struggled, it has been wonderful to see so many pulling together to look after each other and help out friends and neighbors.

Have in-person meetings been replaced with virtual meetings via Zoom, Skype etc? 
In some areas, yes, it has certainly been a change.  Living in a country town online attendance to meetings has always been an option, but it is much more common now.

Do you enjoy the virtual meeting format? 
Sometimes.  It can be difficult missing out on face to face contact and the ability to chat to friends and colleagues during breaks.  Meetings are all very well, it is the networking and socializing that happens around the edges that I miss.   

Are you working from home instead of in your usual place of work? 
No – after we closed to the public and shut everything down staff were stood down. 

Have you had to cancel travel plans for pleasure or family? 
Yes.  I had been planning a trip for an upcoming significant birthday (50^th!!) and those plans have had to be cancelled.  I will look into something closer to home in the meantime, and look to a bigger trip next year.  Australia has plenty to offer, places I have never been, and I think local travel will be the only option for months to come.

Have you/others been wearing masks when out and about in your area? 
Not many masks locally, but there have been a few around.  I haven’t worn one yet but have used gloves and plenty of hand sanitizer (when I could get it), and am much more aware of things like wiping shopping trolley handles and washing thoroughly when I get home.

Will you change your lifestyle after this experience? 
I think there will be ongoing changes for many people, in the way we live, shop and work.  While many things will return to normal it is very much a case of ‘wait and see’.