A Mom’s Story! How Covid-19 is affecting everyone

What Coronavirus means to my family

by Sharon Yardley

We have all been knocked sideways by the outbreak of COVID-19. It is so completely unknown to all of us. Yes, we have had pandemic viruses before but none as virulent as this one seems to be, as easy to pass on, especially in a world where travel has never been so easy and so many of the population do travel so much.

It is very scary.

None of my family has travelled overseas in the past few weeks but still, the impact on us has been felt, and that is “hoping like crazy” that none of us actually get sick.

My son is in the travel industry – all of his upcoming bookings have been cancelled and he is left with no income.

My daughter-in-law is in the medical field and has to face patients on a daily basis.

My daughter and my son-in-law are now self-isolating with a 3 year old and a 1y ear old.

I am a tutor and have stopped all tutoring.

My husband is dreading the day that his industry gets affected and another income is wiped out.

My father is in the aged risk category and is a huge worry to us, as he is so vulnerable.

We have not “panic bought” any supplies but are making do with what we have just to avoid contact with any germs. Although we have bought hand sanitisers, we just had to.

We are one of the lucky families, we have resources and each other and hopefully strong immune systems. I absolutely shudder to think how bad things are for all those not as fortunate as us. Each death is a huge blow for the affected family that will last forever, although to us it is just a statistic.

The children who get fed at school as their only meal of the day; the people who do not have the luxury of clean water in which to wash their hands; the people with no medical resources…

This is a time to count our blessings and a time to help anyone that your life coincides with in any way you can.

It is not a time to complain about boredom and captivity and lack of groceries.

I am one of the lucky ones – are you?