Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?
So many travel plans were canceled! Between mid-March and May, I was supposed to go to Baton Rouge for a professional meeting, DC to visit friends, Orlando for a conference, and NYC for a fun weekend with a friend (we had 3rd row seats to see Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – this is the trip I’m most sad about missing!). All canceled because travel was being more strongly discouraged in March and then conferences began to cancel and even Broadway closed.
How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?
Classes being online, in a lot of ways, does not change the library services we offer. So many of our resources are available through OneSearch, and our librarians are already in the habit of offering research consultations, reference services, and instruction remotely. But I miss seeing the Library full of students working. Being able to work collaboratively or even study alone together, seeing our students and faculty in a shared community space learning and working together – that’s difficult to replicate online.
How has the virus (and the precautions taken to prevent it spreading) impacted your daily life?
I’ve had to plan better when I do venture out to the store. There’s no running back the next day if I forget something. I’m cooking more…haven’t decided yet if that’s a good thing. Being home all day also has me seeing and interacting more with neighbors (even if it’s just to wave across our yards). I have always described my neighborhood as quiet; but turns out, that’s only if you’re home between 6pm and 7am. It’s been interesting to learn so much about the street I’ve lived on for 5 years…
How worried are you about getting the virus?
Not very – more concerned for family and friends who are in high-risk groups and living in higher risk areas.
Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?
No.
Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?
I am mostly staying in. Work is taking up a lot of time. I’ve been catching up on yard work and no longer have excuses for not keeping up with house cleaning. I’ve been sitting outside as often as I can with a book. It’s a good stress reliever to watch the trees and flowers bloom as the weather gets warmer. And I’ve watched a lot of Hulu and Netflix (yes, I have thoughts on Tiger King).
Are you going out? Where do you go and what is it like?
The grocery store is about the only place I’ve been. I was not prepared for how stressful it would be to see so many people wearing masks. Other than that, walks around the neighborhood are the only other activity.
What is giving you hope and/or strength right now?
Friends and family are invaluable right now. We’re all getting good at video calls/visits. We’ve done a couple of virtual brunches. There are several text chains with different groups of friends going. We’re all home so it’s easy to call and talk when needed. I’ve been thinking about my great-grandmother a lot lately. She was born in 1901 and lived to be almost 90. She lived through so many big historic events, but rarely talked about any of them. In an odd way, that gives hope and strength – these big events feel big (and overwhelming) while happening; but in the grand scheme of things, they’re background to the important things, like friends and family.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?
I am very aware of how lucky I am to be working from home. I know so many people who have been furloughed and are unsure of what they’re going to do if their employer is closed for longer than a couple of weeks.