It’s twelve months and more now,
since we heard of the existence
of a terrible virus which would wreak havoc with
our bodies, our minds and with our health system.
They told us it was called Corona,
which sounded lovely, it could be a ‘girl next door’.
But then they referred to it as Covid-19
and somehow, that sounded much more forlorn.
Originating in Wuhan, China in 2019,
where initially, health carers were alarmed at what they’d seen,
and they tried to warn the rest of the world, in time,
of what was coming down the line,
a doctor there, was called a whistle-blower
when he tried to spread the word to other medics the world over.
Soon the virus was on the move and transmitting day and night,
with anyone who was unfortunate enough
maybe through travel or on a flight.
For once out there, no one could stop it from travelling, it was such a pity,
and soon we heard on the news one evening,
that it was already in northern Italy.
With updates coming fast and quickly from across the world,
and by this stage there were plenty,
who among us will ever forget that fateful day on the 12th March, 2020.
The darkest day and more to come, we’d have a St. Patrick’s Day like no other.
They closed our shops, our schools, our churches,
and put out a call for more doctors and more nurses.
As ever, we were not seen wanting, we all took up the plight.
We gave it our best shot, and we put up a good fight.
But sadly, many of us were unable, to battle,
such was the horrendous war on hand,
and we lost many who contracted it.
Gone now, hopefully to a better land.
The elderly, and the vulnerable were the ones who suffered most.
Younger people too, were affected and afraid to leave their doors.
Many will suffer long-term effects, and we’re learning every day,
of variants and different strains that may be on the way.
We took on board, the hand washing, how to sneeze and wear a mask,
but never did we think that it would be such an enormous task.
To rid the world of this terrible virus, which is now in every land.
all the while, knowing that we’re not there or nearly there,
until we all have the vaccination in our hand.
So, we won’t travel yet or take that well-earned winter or summer vacation,
until the whole world, as one, has received their vaccination.
We are all so very different now, as a people, and as a nation.
We will never forget the efforts made by all, and the sacrifices we have taken.
Most of all, we will never forget the many who didn’t make it,
and their families and their friends.
Not one of us escaped it’s effects and we’re trying now to mend.
So, think twice before we imagine that we are in fact there yet.
Hold tight and fast for now, lest we ever forget,
as we can see the light in the distance,
but it’s a bit away yet for us all.
So, let’s answer, staying apart and all together, what we hope will be one last call.
We will hold hands and hug and get together once again.
We will stand side by side and look each other in the eye with pride.
But for now, let’s all wait for ‘some summer evening’,
which we were promised, last year, but unfortunately, it didn’t come.
Maybe this year it will arrive, and we can get back to having fun.
I long to hear on the 6.01, that the virus is no more,
That we’re now at Level 0
and that we can invite friends and family around and open up our door.
We’ll have the party of all parties and dance around the floor.
We’ll say, “come one, come all, let’s celebrate, this sickness is no more”.
Now, that will be something to look forward to, when we are all well rid.
We’ll say “goodbye” to Corona and “don’t come back again” to Covid.
]]>
The Pandemic
It’s twelve months and more now,
since we heard of the existence
of a terrible virus which would wreak havoc with
our bodies, our minds and with our health system.
They told us it was called Corona,
which sounded lovely, it could be a ‘girl next door’.
But then they referred to it as Covid-19
and somehow, that sounded much more forlorn.
Originating in Wuhan, China in 2019,
where initially, health carers were alarmed at what they’d seen,
and they tried to warn the rest of the world, in time,
of what was coming down the line,
a doctor there, was called a whistle-blower
when he tried to spread the word to other medics the world over.
Soon the virus was on the move and transmitting day and night,
with anyone who was unfortunate enough
maybe through travel or on a flight.
For once out there, no one could stop it from travelling, it was such a pity,
and soon we heard on the news one evening,
that it was already in northern Italy.
With updates coming fast and quickly from across the world,
and by this stage there were plenty,
who among us will ever forget that fateful day on the 12th March, 2020.
The darkest day and more to come, we’d have a St. Patrick’s Day like no other.
They closed our shops, our schools, our churches,
and put out a call for more doctors and more nurses.
As ever, we were not seen wanting, we all took up the plight.
We gave it our best shot, and we put up a good fight.
But sadly, many of us were unable, to battle,
such was the horrendous war on hand,
and we lost many who contracted it.
Gone now, hopefully to a better land.
The elderly, and the vulnerable were the ones who suffered most.
Younger people too, were affected and afraid to leave their doors.
Many will suffer long-term effects, and we’re learning every day,
of variants and different strains that may be on the way.
We took on board, the hand washing, how to sneeze and wear a mask,
but never did we think that it would be such an enormous task.
To rid the world of this terrible virus, which is now in every land.
all the while, knowing that we’re not there or nearly there,
until we all have the vaccination in our hand.
So, we won’t travel yet or take that well-earned winter or summer vacation,
until the whole world, as one, has received their vaccination.
We are all so very different now, as a people, and as a nation.
We will never forget the efforts made by all, and the sacrifices we have taken.
Most of all, we will never forget the many who didn’t make it,
and their families and their friends.
Not one of us escaped it’s effects and we’re trying now to mend.
So, think twice before we imagine that we are in fact there yet.
Hold tight and fast for now, lest we ever forget,
as we can see the light in the distance,
but it’s a bit away yet for us all.
So, let’s answer, staying apart and all together, what we hope will be one last call.
We will hold hands and hug and get together once again.
We will stand side by side and look each other in the eye with pride.
But for now, let’s all wait for ‘some summer evening’,
which we were promised, last year, but unfortunately, it didn’t come.
Maybe this year it will arrive, and we can get back to having fun.
I long to hear on the 6.01, that the virus is no more,
That we’re now at Level 0
and that we can invite friends and family around and open up our door.
We’ll have the party of all parties and dance around the floor.
We’ll say, “come one, come all, let’s celebrate, this sickness is no more”.
Now, that will be something to look forward to, when we are all well rid.
We’ll say “goodbye” to Corona and “don’t come back again” to Covid.
Cathy Hogan
May 11, 2020
TWO MONTHS OF LIFE IN LOCKDOWN
This Friday, May 15th, marks two months of strict lockdown in Spain. We celebrate each small lifting of restrictions but know that more lives are put at risk with every step.
From the end of March I starting seeing the hashtag #lovinglockdown but I’ve never used it, feeling guilty for being happy despite the pandemic. The truth is I’m loving life, as I’ve always done – not life in lockdown per se, therefore I think it would be misleading for me to use that hashtag. Sometimes I even feel guilty for sharing positivity when so many are in mourning or barely surviving mentally or financially. But as an Irish Catholic, I may be genetically predisposed to feelings of guilt.
People who have spent their adult lives harbouring positive relationships, rewarding work, and healthy and happy lifestyles tend to survive and, dare I say it, thrive during testing times such as these. Resilience is the key and hopefully many have learned to play the long game. The rest of the population is busy Googling 'When will the pubs open' - the second most Googled question in Ireland of late.
ONLY FOR LOCKDOWN I WOULDN’T HAVE...
Searching for and spreading positivity is essential these days and I was wondering about the things that, only for lockdown I wouldn’t have done. Like, tasting our own home-grown fruit and vegetables, and buying a brood of hens. I reconnected with some international friends who have since become part of my circle of strong, supportive people. I also wouldn’t have seen sides of some friends and family that have come to the fore: resourcefulness, humour, and an appreciation for the important things in life.
I put the question to my friends and here is what some of them shared with me:
SCOTT: ‘I’ve always been good in the kitchen but now I enjoy being forced to cook every evening since there is no other option available here in New Zealand.’
ROSEY: ‘I have been watching plays regularly on Zoom with a friend that I used to go the theatre with and I literally live for those calls. I also got virtual acting coaching and that was so much more diagnostic than the usual sessions. I spend much more time walking with my dog, and I learned how to use a sewing machine which I have wanted to do for an age.’
AILISH: ‘Only for lockdown I wouldn't have appreciated the frontline workers saving lives.’
DYMPHNA: ‘We’ve really bonded as a family, and we have adopted some nice new habits, such as our eleven o’clock coffee break on the patio where mobiles are banned. We’ve taken up tennis on the front drive and we also built and planted a huge polytunnel - I hadn’t envisioned us getting around to that until our retirement in fifteen or twenty years’ time!’
BREDA: ‘I planted a large new flower bed and bought a sustainably made picnic bench for my back garden. It was produced in Co Offaly from 6,000 recycled plastic bottles.’
LIAM: ‘Only for lockdown I wouldn’t have had the interest to doubt politicians and their informed decision-making. I had the time to think and wonder why in Ireland it is taking so long to form a Government. If the pandemic is so scary and urgent, and it is, why isn’t a new government rushing to take over. Did we elect only an opposition?’
JOHN: ‘I wouldn't have developed a fitness regime with my daughters. They have free time from work and university now and every morning we put the lead on the dog and clock up over 10,000 steps on our Fitbits. As a family, it's brought us closer together.’
SARAH: ‘Only for lockdown I wouldn’t be organising our second Beours Digital Open Mic Night to raise funds for the Sexual Violence Centre Cork this weekend. And I wouldn’t have dug up that huge creeper that has been choking the garden for the last two years.’
JITKA: ‘I’ve been reminded of how great the people I have around me are - I feel blessed! And I’ve had the chance to spend so much quality time with my family. I also got around to spring cleaning. I realised that we took for granted the endless supply goods, our healthcare workers, teachers, hairdressers, local shops etc. It has also been great to see how the creative half of the Czech Republic took out their sewing machines and made masks and scrubs for those who needed it. Donating is huge here now - from coffee and goodies for medical stuff, to supporting local producers and shops. Or just giving a bar of chocolate to our postal service lady.’
ALAN: Only for lockdown, I wouldn’t have started a cooking blog.
SABINE: I wouldn’t have shone a torch into certain corners of my mind, and I’m glad I did. It’s not all pretty but I’m figuring out what parts of me that I like and what parts need work.
TRISH: Without lockdown I wouldn’t have been able to focus on writing my thesis.
MARIA: I recently convened a session at the European Geophysical Union meeting from my music room at home. The annual event usually takes place in Vienna and it’s the largest meeting of geo scientists in Europe. About twenty thousand normally travel to share their findings, learn from each other, network and create new collaborative projects in hundreds of environmental disciplines. For years I thought that these large conferences needed to move online for the most part; the cost to the environment, as well as financially to our agencies is huge. This year, instead of cancelling it the organisers switched to the internet. Now topical sessions, like mine on seabed mapping was facilitated via an online platform. Co-convenes and I introduced and questioned each author and their work is accessible for the rest of the month.
‘It worked out so well that all conveners, speakers and the audience were praising the new system. Moving to an online platform would never have happened if not for the pandemic, not even for environmental scientists who are responsible for monitoring & educating the public on global warming!
‘This pandemic also made it possible for me to attend. Being currently out of work I would never have made it to Vienna to carry out the convening, keep up with the latest research and interact with my research colleagues.
The return to the old way of life is not an option for many so here’s hoping that our ‘new normal’ will be as half as good as it can and aught to be.
Now, to get going on that list of ‘Things to do before lockdown ends.’
End
Surviving Coronavirus in Spain
Cathy Hogan
May 11, 2020
TWO MONTHS OF LIFE IN LOCKDOWN
This Friday, May 15th, marks two months of strict lockdown in Spain. We celebrate each small lifting of restrictions but know that more lives are put at risk with every step.
From the end of March I starting seeing the hashtag #lovinglockdown but I’ve never used it, feeling guilty for being happy despite the pandemic. The truth is I’m loving life, as I’ve always done – not life in lockdown per se, therefore I think it would be misleading for me to use that hashtag. Sometimes I even feel guilty for sharing positivity when so many are in mourning or barely surviving mentally or financially. But as an Irish Catholic, I may be genetically predisposed to feelings of guilt.
People who have spent their adult lives harbouring positive relationships, rewarding work, and healthy and happy lifestyles tend to survive and, dare I say it, thrive during testing times such as these. Resilience is the key and hopefully many have learned to play the long game. The rest of the population is busy Googling 'When will the pubs open' - the second most Googled question in Ireland of late.
ONLY FOR LOCKDOWN I WOULDN’T HAVE...
Searching for and spreading positivity is essential these days and I was wondering about the things that, only for lockdown I wouldn’t have done. Like, tasting our own home-grown fruit and vegetables, and buying a brood of hens. I reconnected with some international friends who have since become part of my circle of strong, supportive people. I also wouldn’t have seen sides of some friends and family that have come to the fore: resourcefulness, humour, and an appreciation for the important things in life.
I put the question to my friends and here is what some of them shared with me:
SCOTT: ‘I’ve always been good in the kitchen but now I enjoy being forced to cook every evening since there is no other option available here in New Zealand.’
ROSEY: ‘I have been watching plays regularly on Zoom with a friend that I used to go the theatre with and I literally live for those calls. I also got virtual acting coaching and that was so much more diagnostic than the usual sessions. I spend much more time walking with my dog, and I learned how to use a sewing machine which I have wanted to do for an age.’
AILISH: ‘Only for lockdown I wouldn't have appreciated the frontline workers saving lives.’
DYMPHNA: ‘We’ve really bonded as a family, and we have adopted some nice new habits, such as our eleven o’clock coffee break on the patio where mobiles are banned. We’ve taken up tennis on the front drive and we also built and planted a huge polytunnel - I hadn’t envisioned us getting around to that until our retirement in fifteen or twenty years’ time!’
BREDA: ‘I planted a large new flower bed and bought a sustainably made picnic bench for my back garden. It was produced in Co Offaly from 6,000 recycled plastic bottles.’
LIAM: ‘Only for lockdown I wouldn’t have had the interest to doubt politicians and their informed decision-making. I had the time to think and wonder why in Ireland it is taking so long to form a Government. If the pandemic is so scary and urgent, and it is, why isn’t a new government rushing to take over. Did we elect only an opposition?’
JOHN: ‘I wouldn't have developed a fitness regime with my daughters. They have free time from work and university now and every morning we put the lead on the dog and clock up over 10,000 steps on our Fitbits. As a family, it's brought us closer together.’
SARAH: ‘Only for lockdown I wouldn’t be organising our second Beours Digital Open Mic Night to raise funds for the Sexual Violence Centre Cork this weekend. And I wouldn’t have dug up that huge creeper that has been choking the garden for the last two years.’
JITKA: ‘I’ve been reminded of how great the people I have around me are - I feel blessed! And I’ve had the chance to spend so much quality time with my family. I also got around to spring cleaning. I realised that we took for granted the endless supply goods, our healthcare workers, teachers, hairdressers, local shops etc. It has also been great to see how the creative half of the Czech Republic took out their sewing machines and made masks and scrubs for those who needed it. Donating is huge here now - from coffee and goodies for medical stuff, to supporting local producers and shops. Or just giving a bar of chocolate to our postal service lady.’
ALAN: Only for lockdown, I wouldn’t have started a cooking blog.
SABINE: I wouldn’t have shone a torch into certain corners of my mind, and I’m glad I did. It’s not all pretty but I’m figuring out what parts of me that I like and what parts need work.
TRISH: Without lockdown I wouldn’t have been able to focus on writing my thesis.
MARIA: I recently convened a session at the European Geophysical Union meeting from my music room at home. The annual event usually takes place in Vienna and it’s the largest meeting of geo scientists in Europe. About twenty thousand normally travel to share their findings, learn from each other, network and create new collaborative projects in hundreds of environmental disciplines. For years I thought that these large conferences needed to move online for the most part; the cost to the environment, as well as financially to our agencies is huge. This year, instead of cancelling it the organisers switched to the internet. Now topical sessions, like mine on seabed mapping was facilitated via an online platform. Co-convenes and I introduced and questioned each author and their work is accessible for the rest of the month.
‘It worked out so well that all conveners, speakers and the audience were praising the new system. Moving to an online platform would never have happened if not for the pandemic, not even for environmental scientists who are responsible for monitoring & educating the public on global warming!
‘This pandemic also made it possible for me to attend. Being currently out of work I would never have made it to Vienna to carry out the convening, keep up with the latest research and interact with my research colleagues.
The return to the old way of life is not an option for many so here’s hoping that our ‘new normal’ will be as half as good as it can and aught to be.
Now, to get going on that list of ‘Things to do before lockdown ends.’
End
Cathy Hogan
May 18, 2020
LIFE IN LOCKDOWN LIMBO
I have been living in limbo in many respects since moving to Spain last September so, life in lockdown isn't very different in many respects.
When I first arrived in the town of Vera in the Almería region I didn't want to get set up officially as I didn't know if I would stay a few months or a lot longer. The move was supposed to be straight-forward because my sister owns an apartment on the coast, plus I have rented out my apartment in Kilkenny so, as long as I live modestly I don´t need to work here.
My motorbike dying within hours of landing in the country ensured that life here started with a bang, and more bureaucratic learning curves than I ever wanted. It took a week of dogged persistence to be able to buy a new motorbike in my sister´s name; she has official Spanish ID from her apartment purchase fifteen years ago.
Lesson One: If you want to buy property here every door will be open to you; otherwise every obstacle will be put up for you.
Needing a monthly prescription for sleeping tablets is a challenge even in my home-town so, I´m used to it being a nightmare when I move abroad, which I have done quite a lot. But I have been dealing with this situation for twenty years so I know I will get there eventually. It did mean spending my first month in Spain in another bureaucratic loop, which tested my patience further. Many more hours were spent filling out forms in the city hall and medical centre so that I could visit a GP.
My situation baffled officialdom: what was a single middle-aged female doing moving countries on a whim, alone, to a near-deserted beach resort off-season, with limited language skills and no paperwork or research done ahead of a stay for an unknown amount of time? And they weren't shy about telling me as much.
The upside to these challenges is that they force me to work harder on my Spanish, which was acquired a decade ago in university, thus giving me a copious amount of nouns and verbs but less knowledge or confidence in forming coherent sentences.
Meanwhile I began renting out the spare room, often to touring Spanish couples, forcing my language skills further on. One day I took a booking from a Swedish person called Raghnid, who was flying in for a month while searching for an apartment to buy. I feared the arrival of a young Viking, coming to this seaside resort to wreck my new hermit-like life. But I was pleasantly shocked when a little lady in her seventies got off the bus. Not that my new house-mate (and ultimately, friend) addict of cigarettes, coffee, novels, and the chats with a large glass of wine and cake, didn't bring her share of distractions. But I´m a sucker for older people who live independent lives to the full – they make me hope that, when my time comes, I will be seen as eccentric as they are.
Eventually I did settle into a quiet routine of writing from dawn until the winter dusk. Then I would take a long walk along the deserted coast, via a lake bird-sanctuary, stunned by the exotic flora, fauna and the sun setting into the Mediterranean. How lucky I felt to be able to grant myself this time out of normal work-life back in Kilkenny, as I walked home, backpack full of squid, octopus and anchovies, or melon, peaches and kaki.
That´s when I met Alan, a British-born biker farm-sitting in the Catalonia region. Thus began a romance that saw me move up north ´for a while´. Soon the State of Alarm was imposed and the rest is history in the making.
LOCKDOWN DE-ESCALATION PHASES
Two weeks ago most regions in Spain entered Phase Zero in a four-phase de-escalation plan. This meant that my Alan and I could walk up to a kilometre from home together. Such a modest victory step but its impact mentally was enormous.
I´ve now gone so long without many items that I preferred to spend this valuable time away from home just walking around the quiet town or along the river, instead of waiting in line wearing a mask for half an hour outside each small shop.
If lockdown has taught us anything, surely it´s the real meaning of the word essential, when it comes to shopping, travel, or any activity.
End
Surviving Coronavirus in Spain
Cathy Hogan
May 18, 2020
LIFE IN LOCKDOWN LIMBO
I have been living in limbo in many respects since moving to Spain last September so, life in lockdown isn't very different in many respects.
When I first arrived in the town of Vera in the Almería region I didn't want to get set up officially as I didn't know if I would stay a few months or a lot longer. The move was supposed to be straight-forward because my sister owns an apartment on the coast, plus I have rented out my apartment in Kilkenny so, as long as I live modestly I don´t need to work here.
My motorbike dying within hours of landing in the country ensured that life here started with a bang, and more bureaucratic learning curves than I ever wanted. It took a week of dogged persistence to be able to buy a new motorbike in my sister´s name; she has official Spanish ID from her apartment purchase fifteen years ago.
Lesson One: If you want to buy property here every door will be open to you; otherwise every obstacle will be put up for you.
Needing a monthly prescription for sleeping tablets is a challenge even in my home-town so, I´m used to it being a nightmare when I move abroad, which I have done quite a lot. But I have been dealing with this situation for twenty years so I know I will get there eventually. It did mean spending my first month in Spain in another bureaucratic loop, which tested my patience further. Many more hours were spent filling out forms in the city hall and medical centre so that I could visit a GP.
My situation baffled officialdom: what was a single middle-aged female doing moving countries on a whim, alone, to a near-deserted beach resort off-season, with limited language skills and no paperwork or research done ahead of a stay for an unknown amount of time? And they weren't shy about telling me as much.
The upside to these challenges is that they force me to work harder on my Spanish, which was acquired a decade ago in university, thus giving me a copious amount of nouns and verbs but less knowledge or confidence in forming coherent sentences.
Meanwhile I began renting out the spare room, often to touring Spanish couples, forcing my language skills further on. One day I took a booking from a Swedish person called Raghnid, who was flying in for a month while searching for an apartment to buy. I feared the arrival of a young Viking, coming to this seaside resort to wreck my new hermit-like life. But I was pleasantly shocked when a little lady in her seventies got off the bus. Not that my new house-mate (and ultimately, friend) addict of cigarettes, coffee, novels, and the chats with a large glass of wine and cake, didn't bring her share of distractions. But I´m a sucker for older people who live independent lives to the full – they make me hope that, when my time comes, I will be seen as eccentric as they are.
Eventually I did settle into a quiet routine of writing from dawn until the winter dusk. Then I would take a long walk along the deserted coast, via a lake bird-sanctuary, stunned by the exotic flora, fauna and the sun setting into the Mediterranean. How lucky I felt to be able to grant myself this time out of normal work-life back in Kilkenny, as I walked home, backpack full of squid, octopus and anchovies, or melon, peaches and kaki.
That´s when I met Alan, a British-born biker farm-sitting in the Catalonia region. Thus began a romance that saw me move up north ´for a while´. Soon the State of Alarm was imposed and the rest is history in the making.
LOCKDOWN DE-ESCALATION PHASES
Two weeks ago most regions in Spain entered Phase Zero in a four-phase de-escalation plan. This meant that my Alan and I could walk up to a kilometre from home together. Such a modest victory step but its impact mentally was enormous.
I´ve now gone so long without many items that I preferred to spend this valuable time away from home just walking around the quiet town or along the river, instead of waiting in line wearing a mask for half an hour outside each small shop.
If lockdown has taught us anything, surely it´s the real meaning of the word essential, when it comes to shopping, travel, or any activity.
End