USA, Miami, Ingrid, Dutch-Colombian, 55, Chef/Author/Entrepreneur, –
General
How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
In Florida we passed our second wave already and although most of our country has and had been on complete shutdown, Florida had been unique in the sense that it stayed mostly open the entire time except certain cities like Miami which was locked and is where I live.
How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
It changed very much and largely due to our elections coming up and our ex president downplaying mask use and the severity of the pandemic which caused and added so much more casualties and divide amongst Americans.
How are you and your family?
We are ok, times have been very difficult for all, but we are fortunate and blessed to have it better than most and although emotionally it has not been easy nor financially, I also recognize that most everyone’s situation is way worse and this allows me and my family to be grateful and to realize it was time to help around our communities which we have been actively involved with.
What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
I live alone so my biggest challenge was missing my family and friends and the financial uncertainty of the present and future as well as concern for my elder mother’s health.
Times have been very difficult for all, but we are fortunate and blessed to have it better than most.
Measures
When did you realize how serious the situation is?
I was possibly the first person around my inner group of family and friends to sound the alarms at end of January/ end February and most everyone called me an alarmist and paranoid. At the time I had had reconstructive back surgery in December and was laid up in bed with lots of time to read and I was reading international news as well at the time so I think most everyone was distracted while I was flat in a bed with only a lap top and tv to spend my time.
How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
I explained this best in question #1. Miami was the only city in Florida to force full lockdown so in my building they closed all common areas and people where not allowed to gather or be walking around anywhere in the building except your own apartment. During a period also no one was supposed to be on the street except for medical care, later restrictions where lifted for outdoor exercise. Restaurants where closed except for delivery and pick up for a long time, then they opened up with only outside dining and 6 feet apart so many tables where closed and places with no outdoors really suffered, then indoors started opening with limited capacities and now it is more or less fully open. I will say the rest of the country still is in many degrees of lockdown so we in Florida are unique to our situation.
Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
I think ex president Trump failed us terribly from day one by downplaying the pandemic and lying to our country saying it was a democratic hoax, secondly failing to inforce a mask mandate and turning it in to a political freedom issue had deadly consequences and many lives could have been spared.
What would you like to say to your government?
They have blood on their hands!
Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
President Trump saying the virus is a HOAX, I have cried many times over this injustice and travesty.
I was possibly the first person around my inner group of family and friends to sound the alarms and most everyone called me an alarmist and paranoid.
The Virus
Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes I lost two friends and know of many relatives of friends who died, I would say that 60 % of my friends had Covid, all in different manners some very bad and some barely sick.
Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
I have tested many times and have been in quarantine at different stages for different reasons.
Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
Yes I am terribly scared and more so because of the longterm effects.
I lost two friends and know of many relatives of friends who died, I would say that 60 percent of my friends had Covid.
The lockdown
How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
Full lockdown was 8-10 weeks, nothing was allowed except medical visits and grocery runs at specific hours. All work was remot and residential buildings had all common areas closed.
Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
I spend some of it with my friend and coworker, we worked, exercised on my apartment balcony or in front of my bed with tv on YouTube, I took some online free courses of Coursera which where great and where a highlight as I had never before had the time to take such a course.
What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
I missed family and friends and zoom gatherings helped tremendously.
I spend some of the lockdown with my friend and coworker – we worked, exercised on my apartment balcony or in front of my bed with tv on YouTube.
Changes
How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
I lost a lot of work accounts and did have weird hours, I am used to working from home so that was not that big a change for me.
How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Complete change, generally since I work alone from home my outings always revolved around work or social lunch or dinner meetings. I did date on zoom during the pandemic and found my boyfriend, once he got Covid and got well we where able to get together and its been a few months now and we are happy.
What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
I lost longstanding clients so it has affected me.
Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
I only see my bubble for the most part, my family and boyfriend and when seeing the family we do it outdoors. I work 2 days a week with my coworker in person and we wear masks. I no longer go to a gym and I rarely go to a restaurant and the only times I do is outdoor seating. I now have received my second vaccine two weeks ago due to my medical condition I was eligible, I will still continue wearing a mask and limiting my exposure.
I now have received my second vaccine two weeks ago due to my medical condition I was eligible. I will still continue wearing a mask and limiting my exposure.
Perception
Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
Healthcare workers, essential workers, farmers, teachers, mothers who need to work from home while tending to their children.
What did the crisis show you?
How interconnected we are globally, how fragile life is and appreciation for all that we take for granted in life.
What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Hugging, spending time with our loved ones, simple pleasures like sharing a coffee, taking a walk in nature.
Which images will you never forget?
Freezer trucks with corpses and mass graves.
Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
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The crisis showed me how interconnected we are globally, how fragile life is and appreciation for all that we take for granted in life.
Perspective
What are you afraid of right now?
Another pandemic and food insecurity in the event of another pandemic.
What gives you hope?
Science.
Are you planning to travel within the next months?
Yes, I will be taking my first trip in over a year and a half.
Would you get yourself vaccinated against COVID-19??
Absolutely I did, I believe in science.
What can we all learn from this crisis?
Gratitude & empathy.
If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Hindsight is not 20/20.
Science gives me hope.