When your kids give you hope

England, High Wycombe, Michelle, British, 39, Interior stylist, Married/Kids: Both

General

How is the situation in your city/ country? Is there a 2nd wave yet?
City is fine, but it appears that northern England is worse than the southern areas. A second wave is just about to start.

How did the atmosphere in your country change within the last months?
Everyone was very afraid at first, but now they are much more relaxed, too much I think! Masks are compulsory in indoor areas, not outdoor though.

How are you and your family?
All fine.

What was the biggest challenge for you within the last months?
Home schooling.

A second wave is just about to start.

Measures

When did you realize how serious the situation is?
As soon as Boris Johnson announced lockdown, or maybe a week before that.

How did your government react to the crisis? Which measures/restrictions were taken first?
Lockdown to prevent the health service from being overwhelmed. Make shift hospitals built. Enforcement of hand washing.

Are you satisfied with the measures of your government? What was good/bad?
Not enough protective equipment for health workers, and lock down should have been enforced sooner.

What would you like to say to your government?
Should have acted faster, as we knew what was coming, due to Italy being weeks ahead of us.

Which sentence of a virologist/politician did you memorize the most?
Stay home, protect the nhs, save lives.

There was not enough protective equipment for health workers.

The Virus

Do you know anybody who was infected with COVID-19 or even died?
Yes.

Have you already done a Coronavirus test or have you been in quarantine?
No.

Are you afraid of getting infected with the Coronavirus?
No.

I´m not afraid of getting infected.

The lockdown

How long is/was your lockdown and what was allowed/what wasn´t?
End of March, and still on furlough from work. Only essential trips to the supermarket or an emergency were allowed.

Did you spend the lockdown time with somebody and what did you do during this time?
My children – Home schooling.

What did you miss the most during the lockdown? What helped you?
Lots of playing and spending quality time together.

Only essential trips to the supermarket or an emergency were allowed.

Changes

How did your work situation change within the last months (shorter hours, working from home, etc.)
Furloughed.

How did your social life (relationship/friendships/dating) change due to the Corona crisis?
Lots of zoom meetings with friends and work colleagues.

What impact has the Corona crisis on your financial situation?
None so far, but redundancy is looking more and more likely for a lot of people.

Social distancing: How does your daily life look like at the moment?
Back to normal.

Redundancy is looking more and more likely for a lot of people.

Perception

Who are to your opinion the heroes of this crisis?
NHS workers.

What did the crisis show you?
I need a bigger garden!

What will you appreciate more after the crisis?
Food, nothing should go to waste.

Which images will you never forget?
An image of a Spanish hospital that had patients on the floor in the corridors, with nurses crying from shear exhaustion.

Which stories/incidents/experiences touched/shattered you the most?
As above.

I´ll never forget an image of a Spanish hospital that had patients on the floor in the corridors, with nurses crying from shear exhaustion.

Perspective

What are you afraid of right now?
Losing my job.

What gives you hope?
My kids.

Are you planning to travel within the next months?
No.

If they find a vaccine, would you take it?
No.

What can we all learn from this crisis?
Family means more than working all the time!

If you could give 2020 a headline, what would it be?
Enjoyed lockdown with my family!

Family means more than working all the time!