Over the past two weeks, we’ve been asking readers to share their perspectives about life amid the pandemic. Here is what some of you wrote:
A family turned upside down
I was hospitalized May 30 with COVID-19. I spent 38 days on the vent at St. Vincent’s; three weeks at Seton Specialty Hospital; and three weeks inpatient at Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana for physical rehab. I have had physical therapy twice a week outpatient since. I came home in August. I have multiple residual effects, including lung damage, mobility issues, neuropathy and brain fog, to list a few. It has turned our family upside down, as I almost didn’t make it. I am no longer employed and have been denied disability. An appeal has been filed. My husband has spent most of his time taking me to therapy and doctor appointments. He’s a trooper.
Nancy Cushman
When the days ran together
After a few days of the county’s stay-at-home order, I had trouble remembering what I did the day before. To help jog my memory, I started writing a few sentences about each day. If I left the house to go to the store, I would write it down because at that time, all I had on my mind was contact tracing. I missed attending my granddaughter’s basketball games after they were canceled. This year, I was fortunate to be able to watch them on the high school’s YouTube channel and attend some of them. I will receive my second vaccination next week and I am looking forward to attending many basketball games in the near future.
Mary Lynn Burrows
Confined at home for a year
Due to health problems, my doctor wanted me to follow a strict set of rules for the duration of this pandemic. These health problems made it more likely I would contract the virus, and it was more likely I would experience a severe course of illness. For one year, I was confined to my house. Exceptions included walks with my dog, trips in my van to see the sights and trips to see doctors. I could also go out in my yard. After receiving my second shot, I am now in a two-week waiting period. At the end of this waiting period, I will then be free to go out in public, with standard precautions. I am very excited for this to happen and I look forward to a trip to a favorite restaurant.
Jim Matthews
Acknowledging grave dangers
Mask compliance is abysmal in Greenfield. We drive into Marion County to buy groceries where mask compliance, though not perfect, is far better because there is some effort to enforce their use. One local establishment here that I used to frequent every few weeks boasts on their entrance that they do not enforce the state’s recommendation to wear a mask, apparently as a political statement. So, we have found that Amazon Prime is more than satisfactory as a substitute for local shopping and Door Dash delivery is almost as good as dining out. We have experienced firsthand that the B.1.1.7 variant (also known as the UK variant) is more contagious, more lethal, and that people in their 30s and 40s are more susceptible. Double mask everywhere, every time and get the vaccine as soon as possible.
Lee Jerger
