This post is a reflection regarding the coronavirus pandemic and what my thoughts on it are. As you may know in March 2020, the United States started getting hit with coronavirus cases. Specifically on March 3, it was confirmed a man from the city of the New Rochelle, the city I grew up in and currently live and work in, was diagnosed with COVID-19. I was shocked at this news. For the previous couple of months when I heard about COVID-19 beginning overseas I was automatically thinking to myself, “That won’t happen here and it’s halfway across the world so why would it affect us?” Nothing could prepare me for what was to come in the weeks and months ahead.
When Gov. Cuomo declared the “containment zone” here in New Rochelle and I saw New Rochelle on many news channels, it really hit me. Shortly after the containment zone was declared, a two-week shutdown began. I was relieved and thought to myself that “two weeks is not that bad” and all this would be behind us soon. Many close friends both near and afar reached out to see how I was doing during all this since New Rochelle was considered the epicenter. I appreciated that. I was scheduled to take a Civil Service test the weekend of March 14-15 but it was canceled because the National Guard was going to be cleaning City Hall, where I was scheduled to take the test. Being that the National Guard was deployed to New Rochelle, also hit me because it made everyone realize that this was real and this was a very serious health crisis. The National Guard assisted with food distribution at our schools as well as cleaned several public buildings and schools in New Rochelle. They were also assisting and continue to assist with the testing site that was developed at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle.
When it became apparent after the two-week shutdown was going to turn into several weeks, I was told to work from home starting March 16. I’ve never worked remotely before so this was going to be an adjustment. Working from home was a good experience but it was hard to develop a routine at first. I have been doing my job as Employee Benefits Clerk for the City School District of New Rochelle for several years and I was always up early and was at work by 8am. I was fortunate that I was able to spend a lot of time in the house with my family. My dad, who works in Manhattan was told to work remotely as well and my sister who attended Fairfield University in CT was told that they would be learning virtually for the next several weeks. It was nice to have all three meals with my parents and sister each day and to chat and go about our workday.
I did develop a good routine. I would rise at my usual time, 6:30am and go on a long walk with my mom and my dog. Then when I got back home, I would shower and eat something before starting my work day, which ended at 4:30pm. I did have very busy days. I was on my email constantly and was on the phone, just like I normally am at work. It was different setting up my own home office on the kitchen table. Occasionally I did go into work to check the mail and check my phone messages. It was a ghost town. It was good keeping in touch with several co-workers to see how they were doing.
I am normally someone who follows the news each day by watching some TV and reading up on the news on social media, but to tell you the truth, it was getting to be exhausting. In the weeks following the shutdown and throughout the shutdown, I took some breaks in watching/reading the news. It was depressing to see the number of cases rising and hospitals overloaded with patients, especially here in the tri-state area.
As March turned into April, it was becoming clear that I was not going to be heading back to work anytime soon as the Governor was extending the stay-at-home orders. I was fine with that because we all saw how dangerous and deadly this virus is.
In April, when Gov. Cuomo ordered that masks must be worn, that was surreal. Who would have thought we had to go into places with a mask on? But it later became clear that masks were the only way that we would be able to get ahead of this pandemic.
It such a different and surreal time for all of us. I missed doing the little things, which included going into a restaurant to eat, meeting up with friends, going to Sunday mass and most especially not being able to see my family. It was heartbreaking that I was not able to spend any time with my grandmothers, whom both live locally. But I knew it was for their safety. Occasionally I would pass by their houses and wave from my car just so we could see each other. It was hard not being able to eat and spend time with them as that was also another frequent activity that we missed and something they looked forward to as well. As for most, the last family gathering that we had was during the holidays of 2019.
As the summer approached us, my beach club announced it was going to open and I was more than thrilled. My church was also allowed to have services again which was also a big thing for me as well. My life was getting back to some sort of normalcy. During these difficult times, faith became very important to me and it only grew stronger. Watching Sunday mass on TV was not the same. In July, the school district announced we would be phasing back into in person working, so I started going in twice a week.
When it became clear that the numbers were improving, my family and I booked a vacation to Long Beach Island. It was nice to get away in August. Upon returning to NY, I was told that that we would be going back to work in person, five days a week. I was surprised but it was going to be a nice change of pace and it would be good to get back to some sort of normalcy. My sister also found out that she would be going to school for hybrid learning in the fall.
After a quiet Thanksgiving and Christmas, I was fortunate to get vaccinated on January 30. I was eligible to get vaccinated because I work for a school district. I was on the fence about getting it. After consulting with my doctors, I determined it was best for me to get it, especially since I am going into work every day and I deal with members of the public on some days. I believe getting vaccinated one of the only things we can to do to put this pandemic behind us.
I believe the pandemic is going to change many things for the future. For example, there will probably be no more full snow days, since everything has the ability to go remote or virtual. I also imagine that many companies be cutting down on office space to save on rent and expenses. Hopefully by doing that they be able to hire more workers and put those savings towards things that will benefit the employees. It seems like Zoom is everyone’s new best friend.
For now, the things that I will miss the most while this pandemic is taking place is going to social events, handshaking and spending time with family and friends. I hope that in the future we will be able to get back to these things and develop some sort of normalcy. I felt bad for the individuals who were not able to have a prom or in-person graduation. I hope that the school(s) will be able to make it up to them. I also feel for those who do not have family or friends close by or those who are elderly who could not see their families, especially if they were in nursing homes.
For the future, the start of this decade will absolutely be one to remember. I plan to tell my children and grandchildren. Just like my grandfather would tell me all about his service in World War II. I believe when we get through this, we will never again take the little things for granted. Among the notable moments that I will remember are getting routine COVID tests, clapping every Friday night at 7pm for our healthcare workers and first responders, stocking up on all the essentials like paper towel and disinfecting wipes and being fortunate enough to have a job during these difficult times. As I like to say in any tough situation, take one day at a time and always try and think positive.
Mattricker.org 