SANDRA PATTERSON

Name: Sandra Patterson 

When did you first begin to realise coronavirus was something out of the ordinary ? 

Beginning of February 

When did it first impact you in a significant way ? 

March 16th 

In what way ? 

First suggested lockdown !! 

How worried did you become and why ? Worried but felt it would be over relatively soon. Sense of the unknown really 

Are you still worried and why ? Yes..... impact on jobs economy, mental health, young people's prospects, still a danger to life etc 

What were the biggest problems coping with lockdown ?

Coping with a new way of working from home. Getting groceries. Frustrations of not seeing people. Everything on hold and cancelled. 

How did you manage ? Keeping busy, keeping in contact with friends and neighbours in various ways. 

Were there times when you despaired ? Yes...misunderstandings at home and with other people sometimes. Frustrations and anxiety for the future 

What kept you (keeps you) going ? Conversations with friends. Sunshine and walking and cycling and my Christian faith with a hope for the future. 

What was your lowest moment ? Worried about the safety of family and their ability to stay positive 

What was your best/funniest memory ?

Ordering 25 Kg of bread flour and receiving 32 Kg!! Realising what a lovely community we live in. 

Do you think the government handled/is handling the crisis satisfactorily? No...lockdown too late ....mixed messages....one rule for us and another for them. Still have very little trust in what they say. 

Please add anything else of your experiences during the pandemic. A sense of what is important became more obvious. A bit of make do and mend mentality and how to survive on what was available was and is a good lesson to learn 

Were you also affected by flooding on the night of February 9 ? 

Not directly