Item
Karen Porter Oral History, 2021/12/04
Media
Title (Dublin Core)
Karen Porter Oral History, 2021/12/04
Description (Dublin Core)
Karen Porter was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and still resides there, where she works as a custodian in the Bridgeman dorm at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. In this interview, Karen gives critical information on what it’s like working as a custodian during the pandemic, being the person the community relies on to keep things clean and safe. Karen also reflects on how COVID-19 has affected her life, including her job, family and friends, personal life, hobbies, and mental health. Karen shares additional insight on hot topics of the pandemic, like vaccines, government response, the healthcare system, and collective memory.
Recording Date (Dublin Core)
Creator (Dublin Core)
Contributor (Dublin Core)
Partner (Dublin Core)
Type (Dublin Core)
video
Controlled Vocabulary (Dublin Core)
Curator's Tags (Omeka Classic)
Collection (Dublin Core)
Curatorial Notes (Dublin Core)
Date Submitted (Dublin Core)
05/01/2023
Date Modified (Dublin Core)
05/28/2023
05/30/2023
Date Created (Dublin Core)
12/04/2021
Interviewer (Bibliographic Ontology)
Madeline McCrae O’Brien
Interviewee (Bibliographic Ontology)
Karen Porter
Location (Omeka Classic)
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
United States of America
Format (Dublin Core)
video
Language (Dublin Core)
English
Duration (Omeka Classic)
00:30:20
abstract (Bibliographic Ontology)
Karen Porter was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and still resides there, where she works as a custodian in the Bridgeman dorm at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. In this interview, Karen gives critical information on what it’s like working as a custodian during the pandemic, being the person the community relies on to keep things clean and safe. Karen also reflects on how COVID-19 has affected her life, including her job, family and friends, personal life, hobbies, and mental health. Karen shares additional insight on hot topics of the pandemic, like vaccines, government response, the healthcare system, and collective memory.
Transcription (Omeka Classic)
Madeline O’Brien:01
Ok, so my name is Madeline O’Brien. It is currently December the fourth, 2021. The time is 11:54 am. The current total number of COVID cases in the United States is 48,377,531. The current number of deaths is result of COVID in the US is 778,489. The current vaccination rate with one dose in the US is 74.7% of people over the age of five. The current total number of cases in Wisconsin is 986,229. The current total number of deaths in Wisconsin is 10,048. The current fully vaccinated rate is 56.1%. So, would you like to state your name, age, race and gender?
Karen Porter :40
Yes, my name is Karen Porter. My age is 57. I am white. I am a female and I am been married for 25 years.
MO :51
Oh, that’s awesome. So do you want to describe where you live in your respective state and what it is like to live there?
KP :57
I've lived here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin my whole life. So it's 57 years. [laughs] Great town. Awesome rivers, lakes around here. It’s just a awesome place to be. I- That’s why I’ve never left, so- yep.
MO 1:14
Oh, that’s really awesome. So when you first heard about COVID-19, what were your thoughts about it? Were you concerned?
KP 1:20
Definitely. I was actually very scary. It's just like, one day, everything was going fine. The next day, everything was totally shut down. Right. It was- couldn't go anywhere. People just locked themselves in their homes. It was very, very scary, I thought. So-
MO 1:39
And then have your thoughts changed from that over the course of the pandemic or [what?] the scary thoughts, or have they stayed the same?
KP 1:47
Well, I feel safer now since I've been vaccinated, and I got my booster shot. So I don't feel quite so scared about things. But I thought we were going down the hill. But now there's more stuff going on. And now we're going back up again. So that scares me.
MO 2:04
Right. Definitely. And then what about that is most concerning to you about the pandemic? Is there anything like a specific aspect that just scares you the most?
KP 2:18
Just that I wish it would pass. I don't know.
MO 2:24
Yeah, just the uncertainty?
KP 2:25
Yeah. Just still a little iffy about everything. Like I have some friends now. They've been vaccinated, and they just got the COVID. Yester- just a couple days ago.
MO 2:38
How’s that been?
KP 2:38
So I talked to her and they seem to be okay, they just get more of a headache. So I'm hoping that's all that they get out of it.
MO 2:42
Have they had it for a while now, or is it still really new?
KP 2:46
Just new. Just got it, yep.
MO 2:46
Just new?
KP 2:47
Yeah, yeah
MO 2:50
That’s not good. So then, knowing that we're going to kind of move into your employment, I really want to set up what it was like before the pandemic to kind of get a grasp of that. And then we're gonna move into what has changed as the pandemic has kind of rolled in. So do you want to state your job?
KP 3:05
I am a custodian. You want to- do I have to describe what I do, or?
MO 3:11
If you want to, yeah.
KP 3:12
Well, my duties are I work from 7:00 to 3:30, 8 hour shift Monday through Friday. My duties are taken care of my dorm room here this building. So, garbage, vacuuming, dusting, I have to go through and do the bathrooms daily. There's laundry rooms, lobby areas, they do have a student hired, that he'll help me out on weekends, to do the bathrooms, which is nice. There's another student that comes around and she washes- at first, it was real important that they were going around and washing all the touch spots. Now, I think she just kind of goes around on certain days and just those tables and check spots.
MO 3:57
Oh, gotcha.
KP 4:00
Yeah.
MO 4:00
Were those students here before the pandemic or were they more a new addition? Oh, ok.
KP 4:02
That I don’t know, cause the hall director, they hire them. So I don't really the one girl I don't even know her. he kind of hired ‘em. And the one boy at least I was able to train him in. And so I like that idea. So then the student least he knows what he's doing when he does work on weekends. So that helps.
MO 4:18
Right, right. That makes sense.
KP 4:20
Yep.
MO 4:20
And then what were the biggest challenges of this job before the pandemic? Like what were the biggest tasks or if they had any challenges with that-
KP 4:30
Before the pandemic?
MO 4:30
Mhm, did you have any challenges?
KP 4:32
No, It's- it's pretty, like pretty easy. It's not brain surgery around here. [laughs]
MO 4:40
So then, since- since it's relatively stable routine, when the pandemic first started, did your task and procedures change at all in the very beginning when COVID was first announced?
KP 4:51
Yes, we were more they set up all these wipe stations, you know that? They cut down on all the furniture They took away pretty much half of the furniture.
MO 5:03
Oh, wow.
KP 5:04
Tried to distance everybody. That was a big thing. Still back to washing everything wash your hands. Signs went up everywhere, in the bathrooms, in the hallways, and the doorways. Wear a mask and yeah, so.
MO 5:17
And then did any of your tasks change? Did they cha- create new procedures? Or have you do anything different?
KP 5:23
No, not really just keep on everything and just keep washing and wiping things. And- so-
MO 5:29
And how did you feel about the change in the dorm when that happened when they took the furniture away and put in the signs and stuff?
KP 5:37
Reality hit in [laughs]. Holy cow, here we go. So yeah, I don't know what to say on that-
MO 5:47
No you’re good, yeah, that’s perfect.
MO 5:48
So then did your perspective on your job change? Did the way people interact with you change at all?
KP 5:54
Well, it's sad because you're wearing masks now. So when you see- and I'm kind of a greeter, when I'm in the hallways cleaning upstairs, you know, the students come out of their dorm rooms. And you know, you- you don't know if they're smiling or they're grumpy or half asleep, you can't see ‘em because everybody's wearing a mask. I'm always like, good morning. So I got to use more my hand gesture now, and so-
MO 6:18
Right, so did you say that you're pretty interactive with the students? And-
KP 6:22
Yes, I am.
MO 6:23
And- so has that been really tough? Now, that pandemic has kind of happened?
KP 6:26
Yeah. Because, [like?], I mean, people still will stop and visit and talk with you. But like, say you got mask on? And it's hard to understand people or you're like, Excuse me? I can't hear you, so uh-
MO 6:37
Yeah that’s tough, definitely.
KP 6:48
Yeah, it’s difficult.
MO 6:41
So did- I mean- I know you said, you have those two student workers, but did like your relationship with your coworkers change at all? And how so, if it did?
KP 6:47
Not too much, because there's a few that I still we get together and talk or we can communicate with text messaging or on the phone? A couple of them. I've known for quite a while here, because like I said, I've been here over 21 years. I call ‘em on weeknight when you get home, just to bullshit with them. [laughs] sorry.
MO 7:06
No, you’re good. Completely free speaking here.
KP 7:09
Yep.
MO 7:10
So you’d say you're pretty close to those coworkers?
KP 7:11
Yep, There's a few here that we can all- can communicate and talk about it. And you know, it is all frustrating. What's going on. So-
MO 7:20
Definitely, and then you kind of have that support system if things get rough?
KP 7:25
Yeah, talking with them. Yep. Or I have my husband.
MO 7:28
Ah, a husband too? Yeah.
KP 7:28
Yep.
MO 7:28
And then. So I mean, have you like heard of that the term essential worker quite a bit?
KP 7:36
Term?
MO 7:37
[unclear] [yeah?] term essential worker.
KP 7:38
Have I heard of that?
MO 7:38
Yes.
KP 7:40
Hmm, no.
MO 7:41
So I guess during the pandemic, they started paying more attention to like nurses, people who kind of were still had to work when a pandemic-
KP 7:49
Oh, the [fire department?].
MO 7:49
Yeah, and so custodians were considered essential workers as well. How do you feel about that term? Kind of being used at the start of the pandemic towards your job?
KP 7:57
Well, I have no problem with it. Like when we first found out about it in March, it was like, parents came in and just pulled pulled their kids out of here. And it was just like a ghost town. It's like, holy shit, what's going on? Yeah. And then April, then they just, well, you have to go on unemployment. So we're all like, whoa, so we thought oh, my god, we're all gonna lose their jobs. Then march, [or?] may came around, and they said, All right, everybody back full time. So that's how we kind of do we pretty much dove in and we've been here ever since. So we're right up in there with the fight with the rest of them. [laughs] if that’s what you want to say.
MO 8:40
No, yeah.
KP 8:40
Is that kind of answer your question?
MO 8:41
No, yeah it does.
KP 8:41
Ok.
MO 8:50
I'm curious about how the unemployment thing kind of happen. Where you really uncertain or whether or not you just don't have a job or they kind of keeping you here when everyone else was gone?
KP 8:51
Yeah, they were. I think in March they just I think we work two weeks, and then two weeks off. And then they said well then April came because it was like I said it was a ghost town pretty much everybody left. So like sudden an April they just signed us up, go get on unemployment. So two weeks [we were on?] unemployment. Two weeks, we worked. It was kind of odd-
MO 9:14
[Yeah, that kind of is?]
KP 9:14
Yeah, I don’t- But they had to keep so many people work- And what we did is we went around and covered other people's buildings. Okay, so that's what we did. And then beginning of May then they said well, just everybody go back to work.
MO 9:27
And it was- it was just you guys that were back at work? No one else was?
KP 9:26
[Yep, it was?]
KP 9:30
I don't think the students came back so we just started just spring cleaning sooner. So and that was fine, because we always after spring break anyway, we all just have assignments anyway that we kind of do group cleaning anyway. So- Yeah, we just got to hit start on it [last year?].
MO 9:50
And how did that make you feel with the whole unemployment and then working like what kind of impact did it have on you?
KP 9:58
Well, it screws up your life a little bit. You gotta wait for this so called unemployment check to come. So you kind of got a if people are desperate for money or relying on their local, their annual paycheck, [so?] that kind of can stink, So yeah, it can kind of drain on some people. But I had at that time my husband was still working, so he's got money coming in. So I just figured, well, we're okay till this unemployment kicks in. And then before you got to- then we're back to work anyway. But then you're out two weeks, so then your paycheck behind. So it is a little stressful. Like I say, some people say they don't have any backup money, or any support. So-
MO 10:41
Right, and with like that stress and that unknown, did you have any coping mechanisms that you had to like, employ while you were-
KP 10:49
[Any what? Coping?].
MO 10:49
Any coping mechanisms?
KP 10:50
Oh, coping.
MO 10:50
Or like support that you use while you're trying to figure out what was gonna happen?
KP 10:53
Well, just my husband. And then like I said, talk to a few of my co workers around here, and just seeing what they're up to. And what are you gonna be alright are a lot of them. Most everybody around here is pretty much married and [has?] a spouse. So, we have that as a backup.
MO 11:11
And then how did you feel like with working when no one else was? Were you ever concerned about getting COVID? And like, were there any measures in place to protect you while you were here working still?
KP 11:21
Well, they didn't really. At first, it was kind of freaky, because [everyone was?] thinking well [are we?] supposed to be wearing suits? And do we cover [our] hair? We were all like-
MO 11:33
[unclear?].
KP 11:33
What's going on? And they didn't support us with nothing.
MO 11:37
They didn’t? I’m sorry.
KP 11:37
Nope, no they didn’t. So go, they give us a couple of the cloth, little cloth, mask and wear gloves. Finally, I think they came around and they gave us like a shield if you wanted to use it. But a few of us did some didn- I didn’t. So they weren't really supportive on that.
MO 11:57
Yeah, it just has that changed at all?
KP 12:00
No, no. [Unclear?]
MO 12:02
And how does that- does that impacted you?
KP 12:05
I just deal with it.
MO 12:10
Yeah, that must be really tough.
KP 12:11
I- I don't want to sit and slam the university.
MO 12:14
Oh, no! Here we can we can move on. I just want to know, with like your job.
KP 12:19
[supervisor?]
MO 12:19
Yeah, we can move on.
KP 12:21
Yeah, enough of that.
MO 12:21
So then-
KP 12:22
You’re going to edit some of this, right? [laughs]
MO 12:25
If you- If you feel uncomfortable with anything, we can definitely go back if you- if that's what you want.
KP 12:30
Yeah, I don't want- because, like I said, they weren't gonna give us anything.
MO 12:34
So then, I guess with the essential worker term, the custodian was kind of seen as that frontline worker, kind of like, kind of almost, I wouldn't say put on a pedestal like you guys were more recognized in society when the pandemic hit. [Did that-?] How did that affect you? Or I guess, let me rephrase that.
KP 12:55
Yep, you already-
MO 12:57
I think-
MO 12:58
Do you think that will continue? Do you think historians will continue to be thought of as like an essential work? Or do you think you guys will still kind of live in memory after the pandemic? Or do you think it will change?
KP 13:08
I don't- I don't know if it will change or not. I- The- I have a good building. I don't know about the rest of my can't speak for everybody else. But I have a very good building here. Everybody's very nice to me. They're always write me a nice note saying things Karen, you're doing a good job. So that's my pat on the back for myself, my supervisor, they don't really come around and they don't really say, Hey, you're doing great. So that's all I got to say about that.
MO 13:36
Sounds good [laughs] no, you’re good. So then we'll kind of see that- we've kind of covered your job, we'll kind of move more into family and household questions and then community questions.
KP 13:45
Okay.
MO 13:46
So how is COVID-19 affected your day to day activities?
KP 13:49
Not much. Nothing's, I still got to come here and come to work, they- still do my stuff. And then I leave out of here and now that I'm vaccinated, I was feeling a little safe about going into stores without a mask but now this other stuffs coming up again, now this whatever that new disease-
MO 14:07
Oh, right, the new variant [omnicron variant].
KP 14:09
Yep, so- now it's like my girlfriends like, get back to wearing your mask when you go in places and wipe your hands and-
KP 14:16
So, that I'm a little concerned about.
MO 14:21
Right, and then how did you like manage your day to day activities in your household? Just because we had all that kind of quarantining or staying at home did that kind of change how you manage your day to day activities at all?
KP 14:32
Well, at first when I come home because my husband's still work it too. It's like everybody says, Well, as soon as you come home, peel off your clothes and take a shower. That's how freaked out everybody was at first. I did it for a little bit, but then I thought, well, I guess if I get it, I get it. I did as much as I could [unclear?] I covered up, I wore gloves. I wash my hands. I wash my hands. I wash my hands. So I [feel?] when I got home. I figured I'm done. I mean, I changed my work shirts every day. So what- what more can I- yeah-
MO 15:01
Right, exactly. And then as the COVID-19 outbreak affected how you associate or communicate with your friends and family, and if so in any way?
KP 15:12
Has it? Well, at first, of course, you can't see nobody. So that was kind of awkward. No Christmas, no holidays. It just the whole summer. couldn't go anywhere, we had to cancel a lot of our plans. So yeah, that's it was a big adjustment for that.
MO 15:33
Right, that must have been really hard.
KP 15:33
Yep.
MO 15:35
Right, and then, has been like being a custodian and being in contact with COVID, so frequently has that affected any of the ways that you communicate with family or friends?
KP 15:46
No, it hasn't really changed- It’s still- still kind of the same. I don't really have- like my husband side, his family's pretty much all gone. He's got two, three brothers left, but they all live somewhere. So mostly we do is talk on the phone with them. My husband's got a new fancy phone now. So now he knows how to do the video. So he can, [laughs] like have it go on and show his brother like [hey here’s my house? Hey here’s my garage?]. He's getting used to doing that. I only have a few siblings left too. And we just speak on the phone. Or I was meeting my sister for a little while. But now everything's, and she's in the health care department. So she's been wearing a mask ever since this stuff is started to so I'm sure that's getting old on her too.
MO 16:29
Right, definitely.
KP 16:31
Yep, so
MO 16:32
So and then what are, oh we’ll move on, what have you, your family or friends done for recreation during COVID-19? And this can include like, did you start watching new shows, games, books, anything like that?
KP 16:44
Well, January of this year, I had a new hip put in. So I was pretty much out of work for a few months. For sure. Two months. So yes, I watch some a movies. [laughs]. When I watch it was shameless. That was awful. [laughs]. It was a good show. But yeah. So yes, did a lot of that. But during the summer, like I said, me and my husband, we have a Harley, we ride, we go canoeing, we go camping, we have a fishing boat. So we just kept going up north and camping and getting away from people.
MO 17:14
Oh, that’s nice.
MO 17:19
So would you say like going outside kind of became more frequent for you?
KP 17:22
Yes, yes. And then I said, I have my yearly checkup with my doctor. And she even said the best, best thing you can get and it's free is Get outside and walk and breathe the air. So-
MO 17:32
Right, right. Definitely. Especially for mental health, too. Just getting outside.
KP 17:32
Yep, yep.
KP 17:34
So yeah, just get this thing off your face. [It gets?] kind of old after a while. [laughs] We're in it all day long, so-
MO 17:40
Definitely. So then how has COVID-19 affected your community? So like any community that you're a part of? Has that changed at all? Is there anything about that?
KP 17:50
Well, I like Tuesday night blues, and couldn't do that all last year was all canceled, and a lot of concerts. I like to go to plays. And very-, I try to support the arts. So as I like to go over to Haas [performing arts building on campus].
MO 18:07
They have really great stuff.
KP 18:08
Yep. And now everything's done at the Pablo center. So we’re- we’re kind of going to that before all the pandemic hit. So, yeah, stuff like that.
MO 18:17
Right. So then with that, the there's this term called self isolation or flattening the curve that's been used to so basically, kind of choosing to stay indoors instead of going out to kind of help limit the spread of COVID has been two key ideas. Have you your family, friends and community responded to the request to self isolate?
KP 18:39
No.
MO 18:41
No? Ok, With your guys’ jobs, it just wasn't an option?
KP 18:45
Yeah, yeah, so.
MO 18:47
And then, like you talked about, like going to the Pablo and stuff. Have you been able to do that more recently? Or?
KP 18:51
No, I haven't. Since I've still not really feeling too safe about going into big, big things like that. Later this summer, I did go to a couple outside concerts, but you're outside. So I did you know, like Tuesday night Owen Park started back up like in July. I think so at least we got a couple months to listen to music there.
MO 19:12
Yeah, that's good.
KP 19:13
I haven't really been [to anything in?] the theaters. I- I figured just being contained. I don't know if they have spacing between. I don't know how they're doing that, yet.
MO 19:22
Right. So you want to make sure it's safe for you?
KP 19:24
Yeah, yeah. I got to kind of stay away from that for a while yet. I think it's kind of sad. But-
MO 19:29
Yeah, that must be really hard.
KP 19:30
Yep.
MO 19:31
And then kind of moving. We're going to kind of shift a little more into health questions. So has you or anybody you know, gotten sick during COVID 19 outbreak, and what has been your experience responding to the sickness?
KP 19:43
Family or just anybody?
MO 19:44
Anybody. It can be family or anybody-
KP 19:45
Like I just said earlier, Just a good friend, her husband. They went somewhere for last weekend and a family member got it and wasn't vaccinated. So now, now, they didn't know about it, and then they got it. And that's my latest earliest. It's a little scary. But I talked to her again, like I said last night and she said all I got really out of it right now it was just really bad headache head cold. So I thought, well, that's the worst that they'll get. They're not gonna go on a machine, keep them breathing or try to keep them alive, hoping that they’ll be alright. So-
MO 20:22
Definitely. And then, in what ways do you think COVID is affecting people's mental or physical health, especially those in your family or friends? Or even your co workers?
KP 20:31
I’m sorry- [unclear?]
MO 20:35
No, you’re good! [laughs]
KP 20:37
[Can you repeat it back to me?]
MO 20:38
So do you think- how do you think it's- a COVID has affecting people's mental or physical health, so maybe more especially mental health, I don't think we've talked about that as much in your family or friends or even your coworkers?
KP 20:48
Well, mental-. It's frustrating, and scary. Have some friends like our neighbors to the north, they were coming over all the time. Now, they won't even come near us. The husband won't even shake-. And when he does come around, he won't even shake Bob's hand and you just like stay away. Stuff like that. Yeah. Family wise, it's still kind of the same. I still talk to my siblings on the phone. So-
MO 21:19
And do you think like, mental health at the beginning of the pandemic versus we're two years in now, how do you think that's kind of changed?
KP 21:24
Not really much, like I said, with at first, it was scary and not seeing anybody. And then it loosened up a little bit. But now all this other things starting again. So now everybody's kind of-
MO 21:41
Kind of back where we started?
KP 21:42
Yep, starting up again. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Here we go. And like I said, I was talking my co workers this morning. And she's like, Well, I heard this new viruses is in Minneapolis already. It's like, well, here it comes. So-
MO 21:56
Right, yeah, that’s definitely hard.
KP 21:57
Yep.
MO 21:53
And then, [paper rustling], So this is kind of more into vaccine questions. So have you or anyone you know, have questions or concerns about the vaccine at all?
KP 22:07
No, not that I-
MO 22:13
Did you feel confident when the vaccine first started to get produced in kind of distributed? Did you feel confident about or did you have some reservations?
KP 22:18
I felt comfortable about it, I figured, they know what they're doing. Otherwise, they wouldn't be given it to us. So, and I know a lot of friends, like I said, our neighbors don't- or they refuse, they think it's poison into their bodies. So, I thought well, okay, that's your point on it. Me, I'm, I prefer to get the vaccine and then try to stay alive. So-
MO 22:42
And when you received the vaccine, if you did, did you receive any side effects?
KP 22:48
Nope, just a sore arm. I have a couple friends that you know, they were sick the next two days and drained out and my husband got this, you know, I got the Myrna- Moderna [one of three vaccine options], and he got the Pfizer. So I think he had like a little bit of a headache on his but I felt fine. Just like, just like somebody slugging [me in the arm?] [laughs]. Yep.
MO 23:11
Yeah, it did feel like that [laughs].
MO 23:11
So if you have been vaccinated, which you said you did, What was your experience trying to get access to the vaccine? Was that a challenge? Or was it pretty easy?
KP 23:21
It was pretty easy. I just call my regular doctor and they said, Yep, you can go ahead and then they just sign you up. And then [I?] went right over to [Marshfield?] Clinic and [had a?] date and they'd signed a card, stamped it and come on back for a second dosage. And same with the booster shot. I called over there and they said, well go to this. Then at that time, they had a church set up and [lake Kelly?]. I went out there and it was just like [an?] assembly line walking through a cattle line. You know-
MO 23:50
It did feel like that. [laughs] [unclear?]
KP 23:53
That one actually hurt! The booster one.
MO 23:54
Oh, did it hurt-
KP 23:55
The lady, like, jammed me in the arm, and I’m like, ow!
MO 23:59
Did that- was that worse than the first two?
KP 24:00
I think so. Geez. Either that, or I just had a terrible lady shoot me in the arm. [laughs]
MO 24:04
Did you get any more side effects than that one versus the first two?
KP 24:07
I was just kind of drained the next day. I was [out beatbopping?] and going shopping early in the morning and I was like, like, Oh, I'm kind of drained. I'm like, oh, man, I don't feel good. Then I got thinking Oh, that's right. I had that shot yesterday. [laughs].
MO 24:21
Right, Did you take like a couple- like a day or rest or anything?
KP 24:24
Just the rest of that day. Yeah. And then Sunday I was ok again.
MO 24:28
So then what kind of like what have been your primary sources of news during the pandemic or even like getting information about the vaccine? Where do you usually go to get information?
KP 24:38
Actually, [it’s] terrible but I listened to the TV. [laughs].
MO 24:43
Yeah, do you have a channel you listen to, or?
KP 24:44
Channel 13. [WWEAU?]
MO 24:27
So is that your main source?
KP 24:48
Yeah, I know. We shouldn't really listen to news because they kind of don't know if it's really all up to date on stuff but no, That's pretty much TV I don't really listen to or I mean, I don't read the newspaper didn't really have nothing on that doctor didn't really send you nothing about it. So you just either you did it or you didn’t. So-
MO 25:14
And do you use social media at all? Was that any time a factor in how you got your news?
KP 25:18
Nope. No, I do not have a phone glued to my hip. [chuckles]. So I don't really go by that either. So mainly the TV.
MO 25:28
And- How confident did you feel in the channel 13 news that you were listening to?
KP 25:33
Okay, because they've been around a long time. So yeah, yeah.
MO 25:35
Right, Definitely felt pretty good about that? So then, did you while you're listening to that? Did you feel like they were covering the most important issues? Or did you feel like they were maybe missing some things that could have been discussed?
KP 25:49
No, I think that covered everything. And then, they just repeat it and repeat it and repeat it. So and then you got the national news, and then the listen to them again. So in a way, actually, this is getting kind of sickening, because turn on TV, and then all sudden COVID-19 update. So here we go again, now what's going on? So-
MO 26:06
[Did you feel?] like there's a really big difference between the national news and the news channel that you were watching?
KP 26:11
No, they’re about the same.
MO 26:14
Okay, and then kind of like going off that with the national news, kind of going more into some government questions, how have municipal leaders and government officials in your community responded to the outbreak? And how did you feel about that?
KP 26:30
Oh, trying to think of who was our locals around here?
MO 26:34
That’s always hard to remember.
KP 26:35
I’m trying to think of who we got [laughs]. I don't know if they really came much on TV. If they did, they seen them. And then that was it. So I don't even know who they are. [laughs] I’m sorry!
MO 26:45
That’s totally ok! Totally ok. Totally ok. [laughs]. Okay. But do you I guess, like not even knowing who they are. But do you have any thoughts about how like, if you noticed any, like decisions being made, whether it was local, state or federal responding to the crisis? Did you feel like there is big differences and maybe how the your like City was responding versus maybe what you saw on the news with the nation? And did you? How did you feel about that? If you did?
KP 27:09
No comment. I- [unclear]
MO 27:11
Ok, that’s fine! And if you want to, if you notice anything, did you think how did you think the healthcare system respond to the outbreak?
KP 27:19
I think pretty good. Because they're like, right in the front line. I've- kudos to them, you know. So I know a few people that are nurses, and it's a lot of toll on them. And- I wish you can give them a years break, but I know they never will. So-
MO 27:32
Exactly.
MO 27:37
Yeah, that was really tough.
KP 27:40
Yep.
MO 27:41
And then we'll kind of move this is our last set of questions is more about future questions. Has your experience transformed? How you think about your family, friends and community? And if so, in what ways?
KP 27:51
Oh, I think uh- be more caring and thoughtful. And we should be, you know, get together more now. After all this crap. [laughs] Yeah.
MO 28:09
For sure. And then knowing what you know, now, what do you think individuals communities or governments need to keep in mind for the future?
KP 28:20
They should keep in mind. Well, health stuff. Other countries- we should be aware of, and but like, I say, this pandemic, so it's been going on for many, many, it's just not the [latest?] flu here. But there's always something so we just need to try to keep ahead of it somehow. Make people aware of it and be more cautious. Yeah.
MO 28:48
Yeah, for sure. And then it kind of going off that you mentioned the flu. So there was that flu epidemic in the early 1900s.
KP 28:56
Yep.
MO 28:57
Immediately after that there was kind of this culture of forgetting it kind of leaving it in the past and moving on. Do you get the sense that that might happen with the pandemic? Or do you think people around you or just in general, are more willing to remember this?
KP 29:09
I think people around me are going to remember this, because we don't want to go through this again. [laughs]
MO 29:14
Right, Do you? Do you think there is kind of like an atmosphere though, even like, in the community of wanting to move on outside of your family? Or do you think that there's definitely something that they're like, We need to, like, keep remembering this keep this?
KP 29:28
Well, that's Yes, that's good. We should keep remembering this and keep pounding in people's heads like, you know, don't keep your guard down. So yes, I support that.
MO 29:38
Right, right. And then do you think the health care system, hospitals, ope [term for exclamation of surprise], no, sorry. That was the- that was the last question.
KP 29:45
That’s ok
MO 29:45
Yeah. So do you have any like last, like thoughts or concerns that you want to convey at all like anything I didn't talk about that you want to mention?
KP 29:53
Not really, just that people are aware of what's going on and try to be safe and think before you act. And- God bless. [laughs]
MO 30:05
I really appreciate your time and your thoughts and opinions are really valuable so I really appreciate you taking the time. So I’ll end the record-
KP 30:10
Thank you.
Ok, so my name is Madeline O’Brien. It is currently December the fourth, 2021. The time is 11:54 am. The current total number of COVID cases in the United States is 48,377,531. The current number of deaths is result of COVID in the US is 778,489. The current vaccination rate with one dose in the US is 74.7% of people over the age of five. The current total number of cases in Wisconsin is 986,229. The current total number of deaths in Wisconsin is 10,048. The current fully vaccinated rate is 56.1%. So, would you like to state your name, age, race and gender?
Karen Porter :40
Yes, my name is Karen Porter. My age is 57. I am white. I am a female and I am been married for 25 years.
MO :51
Oh, that’s awesome. So do you want to describe where you live in your respective state and what it is like to live there?
KP :57
I've lived here in Eau Claire, Wisconsin my whole life. So it's 57 years. [laughs] Great town. Awesome rivers, lakes around here. It’s just a awesome place to be. I- That’s why I’ve never left, so- yep.
MO 1:14
Oh, that’s really awesome. So when you first heard about COVID-19, what were your thoughts about it? Were you concerned?
KP 1:20
Definitely. I was actually very scary. It's just like, one day, everything was going fine. The next day, everything was totally shut down. Right. It was- couldn't go anywhere. People just locked themselves in their homes. It was very, very scary, I thought. So-
MO 1:39
And then have your thoughts changed from that over the course of the pandemic or [what?] the scary thoughts, or have they stayed the same?
KP 1:47
Well, I feel safer now since I've been vaccinated, and I got my booster shot. So I don't feel quite so scared about things. But I thought we were going down the hill. But now there's more stuff going on. And now we're going back up again. So that scares me.
MO 2:04
Right. Definitely. And then what about that is most concerning to you about the pandemic? Is there anything like a specific aspect that just scares you the most?
KP 2:18
Just that I wish it would pass. I don't know.
MO 2:24
Yeah, just the uncertainty?
KP 2:25
Yeah. Just still a little iffy about everything. Like I have some friends now. They've been vaccinated, and they just got the COVID. Yester- just a couple days ago.
MO 2:38
How’s that been?
KP 2:38
So I talked to her and they seem to be okay, they just get more of a headache. So I'm hoping that's all that they get out of it.
MO 2:42
Have they had it for a while now, or is it still really new?
KP 2:46
Just new. Just got it, yep.
MO 2:46
Just new?
KP 2:47
Yeah, yeah
MO 2:50
That’s not good. So then, knowing that we're going to kind of move into your employment, I really want to set up what it was like before the pandemic to kind of get a grasp of that. And then we're gonna move into what has changed as the pandemic has kind of rolled in. So do you want to state your job?
KP 3:05
I am a custodian. You want to- do I have to describe what I do, or?
MO 3:11
If you want to, yeah.
KP 3:12
Well, my duties are I work from 7:00 to 3:30, 8 hour shift Monday through Friday. My duties are taken care of my dorm room here this building. So, garbage, vacuuming, dusting, I have to go through and do the bathrooms daily. There's laundry rooms, lobby areas, they do have a student hired, that he'll help me out on weekends, to do the bathrooms, which is nice. There's another student that comes around and she washes- at first, it was real important that they were going around and washing all the touch spots. Now, I think she just kind of goes around on certain days and just those tables and check spots.
MO 3:57
Oh, gotcha.
KP 4:00
Yeah.
MO 4:00
Were those students here before the pandemic or were they more a new addition? Oh, ok.
KP 4:02
That I don’t know, cause the hall director, they hire them. So I don't really the one girl I don't even know her. he kind of hired ‘em. And the one boy at least I was able to train him in. And so I like that idea. So then the student least he knows what he's doing when he does work on weekends. So that helps.
MO 4:18
Right, right. That makes sense.
KP 4:20
Yep.
MO 4:20
And then what were the biggest challenges of this job before the pandemic? Like what were the biggest tasks or if they had any challenges with that-
KP 4:30
Before the pandemic?
MO 4:30
Mhm, did you have any challenges?
KP 4:32
No, It's- it's pretty, like pretty easy. It's not brain surgery around here. [laughs]
MO 4:40
So then, since- since it's relatively stable routine, when the pandemic first started, did your task and procedures change at all in the very beginning when COVID was first announced?
KP 4:51
Yes, we were more they set up all these wipe stations, you know that? They cut down on all the furniture They took away pretty much half of the furniture.
MO 5:03
Oh, wow.
KP 5:04
Tried to distance everybody. That was a big thing. Still back to washing everything wash your hands. Signs went up everywhere, in the bathrooms, in the hallways, and the doorways. Wear a mask and yeah, so.
MO 5:17
And then did any of your tasks change? Did they cha- create new procedures? Or have you do anything different?
KP 5:23
No, not really just keep on everything and just keep washing and wiping things. And- so-
MO 5:29
And how did you feel about the change in the dorm when that happened when they took the furniture away and put in the signs and stuff?
KP 5:37
Reality hit in [laughs]. Holy cow, here we go. So yeah, I don't know what to say on that-
MO 5:47
No you’re good, yeah, that’s perfect.
MO 5:48
So then did your perspective on your job change? Did the way people interact with you change at all?
KP 5:54
Well, it's sad because you're wearing masks now. So when you see- and I'm kind of a greeter, when I'm in the hallways cleaning upstairs, you know, the students come out of their dorm rooms. And you know, you- you don't know if they're smiling or they're grumpy or half asleep, you can't see ‘em because everybody's wearing a mask. I'm always like, good morning. So I got to use more my hand gesture now, and so-
MO 6:18
Right, so did you say that you're pretty interactive with the students? And-
KP 6:22
Yes, I am.
MO 6:23
And- so has that been really tough? Now, that pandemic has kind of happened?
KP 6:26
Yeah. Because, [like?], I mean, people still will stop and visit and talk with you. But like, say you got mask on? And it's hard to understand people or you're like, Excuse me? I can't hear you, so uh-
MO 6:37
Yeah that’s tough, definitely.
KP 6:48
Yeah, it’s difficult.
MO 6:41
So did- I mean- I know you said, you have those two student workers, but did like your relationship with your coworkers change at all? And how so, if it did?
KP 6:47
Not too much, because there's a few that I still we get together and talk or we can communicate with text messaging or on the phone? A couple of them. I've known for quite a while here, because like I said, I've been here over 21 years. I call ‘em on weeknight when you get home, just to bullshit with them. [laughs] sorry.
MO 7:06
No, you’re good. Completely free speaking here.
KP 7:09
Yep.
MO 7:10
So you’d say you're pretty close to those coworkers?
KP 7:11
Yep, There's a few here that we can all- can communicate and talk about it. And you know, it is all frustrating. What's going on. So-
MO 7:20
Definitely, and then you kind of have that support system if things get rough?
KP 7:25
Yeah, talking with them. Yep. Or I have my husband.
MO 7:28
Ah, a husband too? Yeah.
KP 7:28
Yep.
MO 7:28
And then. So I mean, have you like heard of that the term essential worker quite a bit?
KP 7:36
Term?
MO 7:37
[unclear] [yeah?] term essential worker.
KP 7:38
Have I heard of that?
MO 7:38
Yes.
KP 7:40
Hmm, no.
MO 7:41
So I guess during the pandemic, they started paying more attention to like nurses, people who kind of were still had to work when a pandemic-
KP 7:49
Oh, the [fire department?].
MO 7:49
Yeah, and so custodians were considered essential workers as well. How do you feel about that term? Kind of being used at the start of the pandemic towards your job?
KP 7:57
Well, I have no problem with it. Like when we first found out about it in March, it was like, parents came in and just pulled pulled their kids out of here. And it was just like a ghost town. It's like, holy shit, what's going on? Yeah. And then April, then they just, well, you have to go on unemployment. So we're all like, whoa, so we thought oh, my god, we're all gonna lose their jobs. Then march, [or?] may came around, and they said, All right, everybody back full time. So that's how we kind of do we pretty much dove in and we've been here ever since. So we're right up in there with the fight with the rest of them. [laughs] if that’s what you want to say.
MO 8:40
No, yeah.
KP 8:40
Is that kind of answer your question?
MO 8:41
No, yeah it does.
KP 8:41
Ok.
MO 8:50
I'm curious about how the unemployment thing kind of happen. Where you really uncertain or whether or not you just don't have a job or they kind of keeping you here when everyone else was gone?
KP 8:51
Yeah, they were. I think in March they just I think we work two weeks, and then two weeks off. And then they said well then April came because it was like I said it was a ghost town pretty much everybody left. So like sudden an April they just signed us up, go get on unemployment. So two weeks [we were on?] unemployment. Two weeks, we worked. It was kind of odd-
MO 9:14
[Yeah, that kind of is?]
KP 9:14
Yeah, I don’t- But they had to keep so many people work- And what we did is we went around and covered other people's buildings. Okay, so that's what we did. And then beginning of May then they said well, just everybody go back to work.
MO 9:27
And it was- it was just you guys that were back at work? No one else was?
KP 9:26
[Yep, it was?]
KP 9:30
I don't think the students came back so we just started just spring cleaning sooner. So and that was fine, because we always after spring break anyway, we all just have assignments anyway that we kind of do group cleaning anyway. So- Yeah, we just got to hit start on it [last year?].
MO 9:50
And how did that make you feel with the whole unemployment and then working like what kind of impact did it have on you?
KP 9:58
Well, it screws up your life a little bit. You gotta wait for this so called unemployment check to come. So you kind of got a if people are desperate for money or relying on their local, their annual paycheck, [so?] that kind of can stink, So yeah, it can kind of drain on some people. But I had at that time my husband was still working, so he's got money coming in. So I just figured, well, we're okay till this unemployment kicks in. And then before you got to- then we're back to work anyway. But then you're out two weeks, so then your paycheck behind. So it is a little stressful. Like I say, some people say they don't have any backup money, or any support. So-
MO 10:41
Right, and with like that stress and that unknown, did you have any coping mechanisms that you had to like, employ while you were-
KP 10:49
[Any what? Coping?].
MO 10:49
Any coping mechanisms?
KP 10:50
Oh, coping.
MO 10:50
Or like support that you use while you're trying to figure out what was gonna happen?
KP 10:53
Well, just my husband. And then like I said, talk to a few of my co workers around here, and just seeing what they're up to. And what are you gonna be alright are a lot of them. Most everybody around here is pretty much married and [has?] a spouse. So, we have that as a backup.
MO 11:11
And then how did you feel like with working when no one else was? Were you ever concerned about getting COVID? And like, were there any measures in place to protect you while you were here working still?
KP 11:21
Well, they didn't really. At first, it was kind of freaky, because [everyone was?] thinking well [are we?] supposed to be wearing suits? And do we cover [our] hair? We were all like-
MO 11:33
[unclear?].
KP 11:33
What's going on? And they didn't support us with nothing.
MO 11:37
They didn’t? I’m sorry.
KP 11:37
Nope, no they didn’t. So go, they give us a couple of the cloth, little cloth, mask and wear gloves. Finally, I think they came around and they gave us like a shield if you wanted to use it. But a few of us did some didn- I didn’t. So they weren't really supportive on that.
MO 11:57
Yeah, it just has that changed at all?
KP 12:00
No, no. [Unclear?]
MO 12:02
And how does that- does that impacted you?
KP 12:05
I just deal with it.
MO 12:10
Yeah, that must be really tough.
KP 12:11
I- I don't want to sit and slam the university.
MO 12:14
Oh, no! Here we can we can move on. I just want to know, with like your job.
KP 12:19
[supervisor?]
MO 12:19
Yeah, we can move on.
KP 12:21
Yeah, enough of that.
MO 12:21
So then-
KP 12:22
You’re going to edit some of this, right? [laughs]
MO 12:25
If you- If you feel uncomfortable with anything, we can definitely go back if you- if that's what you want.
KP 12:30
Yeah, I don't want- because, like I said, they weren't gonna give us anything.
MO 12:34
So then, I guess with the essential worker term, the custodian was kind of seen as that frontline worker, kind of like, kind of almost, I wouldn't say put on a pedestal like you guys were more recognized in society when the pandemic hit. [Did that-?] How did that affect you? Or I guess, let me rephrase that.
KP 12:55
Yep, you already-
MO 12:57
I think-
MO 12:58
Do you think that will continue? Do you think historians will continue to be thought of as like an essential work? Or do you think you guys will still kind of live in memory after the pandemic? Or do you think it will change?
KP 13:08
I don't- I don't know if it will change or not. I- The- I have a good building. I don't know about the rest of my can't speak for everybody else. But I have a very good building here. Everybody's very nice to me. They're always write me a nice note saying things Karen, you're doing a good job. So that's my pat on the back for myself, my supervisor, they don't really come around and they don't really say, Hey, you're doing great. So that's all I got to say about that.
MO 13:36
Sounds good [laughs] no, you’re good. So then we'll kind of see that- we've kind of covered your job, we'll kind of move more into family and household questions and then community questions.
KP 13:45
Okay.
MO 13:46
So how is COVID-19 affected your day to day activities?
KP 13:49
Not much. Nothing's, I still got to come here and come to work, they- still do my stuff. And then I leave out of here and now that I'm vaccinated, I was feeling a little safe about going into stores without a mask but now this other stuffs coming up again, now this whatever that new disease-
MO 14:07
Oh, right, the new variant [omnicron variant].
KP 14:09
Yep, so- now it's like my girlfriends like, get back to wearing your mask when you go in places and wipe your hands and-
KP 14:16
So, that I'm a little concerned about.
MO 14:21
Right, and then how did you like manage your day to day activities in your household? Just because we had all that kind of quarantining or staying at home did that kind of change how you manage your day to day activities at all?
KP 14:32
Well, at first when I come home because my husband's still work it too. It's like everybody says, Well, as soon as you come home, peel off your clothes and take a shower. That's how freaked out everybody was at first. I did it for a little bit, but then I thought, well, I guess if I get it, I get it. I did as much as I could [unclear?] I covered up, I wore gloves. I wash my hands. I wash my hands. I wash my hands. So I [feel?] when I got home. I figured I'm done. I mean, I changed my work shirts every day. So what- what more can I- yeah-
MO 15:01
Right, exactly. And then as the COVID-19 outbreak affected how you associate or communicate with your friends and family, and if so in any way?
KP 15:12
Has it? Well, at first, of course, you can't see nobody. So that was kind of awkward. No Christmas, no holidays. It just the whole summer. couldn't go anywhere, we had to cancel a lot of our plans. So yeah, that's it was a big adjustment for that.
MO 15:33
Right, that must have been really hard.
KP 15:33
Yep.
MO 15:35
Right, and then, has been like being a custodian and being in contact with COVID, so frequently has that affected any of the ways that you communicate with family or friends?
KP 15:46
No, it hasn't really changed- It’s still- still kind of the same. I don't really have- like my husband side, his family's pretty much all gone. He's got two, three brothers left, but they all live somewhere. So mostly we do is talk on the phone with them. My husband's got a new fancy phone now. So now he knows how to do the video. So he can, [laughs] like have it go on and show his brother like [hey here’s my house? Hey here’s my garage?]. He's getting used to doing that. I only have a few siblings left too. And we just speak on the phone. Or I was meeting my sister for a little while. But now everything's, and she's in the health care department. So she's been wearing a mask ever since this stuff is started to so I'm sure that's getting old on her too.
MO 16:29
Right, definitely.
KP 16:31
Yep, so
MO 16:32
So and then what are, oh we’ll move on, what have you, your family or friends done for recreation during COVID-19? And this can include like, did you start watching new shows, games, books, anything like that?
KP 16:44
Well, January of this year, I had a new hip put in. So I was pretty much out of work for a few months. For sure. Two months. So yes, I watch some a movies. [laughs]. When I watch it was shameless. That was awful. [laughs]. It was a good show. But yeah. So yes, did a lot of that. But during the summer, like I said, me and my husband, we have a Harley, we ride, we go canoeing, we go camping, we have a fishing boat. So we just kept going up north and camping and getting away from people.
MO 17:14
Oh, that’s nice.
MO 17:19
So would you say like going outside kind of became more frequent for you?
KP 17:22
Yes, yes. And then I said, I have my yearly checkup with my doctor. And she even said the best, best thing you can get and it's free is Get outside and walk and breathe the air. So-
MO 17:32
Right, right. Definitely. Especially for mental health, too. Just getting outside.
KP 17:32
Yep, yep.
KP 17:34
So yeah, just get this thing off your face. [It gets?] kind of old after a while. [laughs] We're in it all day long, so-
MO 17:40
Definitely. So then how has COVID-19 affected your community? So like any community that you're a part of? Has that changed at all? Is there anything about that?
KP 17:50
Well, I like Tuesday night blues, and couldn't do that all last year was all canceled, and a lot of concerts. I like to go to plays. And very-, I try to support the arts. So as I like to go over to Haas [performing arts building on campus].
MO 18:07
They have really great stuff.
KP 18:08
Yep. And now everything's done at the Pablo center. So we’re- we’re kind of going to that before all the pandemic hit. So, yeah, stuff like that.
MO 18:17
Right. So then with that, the there's this term called self isolation or flattening the curve that's been used to so basically, kind of choosing to stay indoors instead of going out to kind of help limit the spread of COVID has been two key ideas. Have you your family, friends and community responded to the request to self isolate?
KP 18:39
No.
MO 18:41
No? Ok, With your guys’ jobs, it just wasn't an option?
KP 18:45
Yeah, yeah, so.
MO 18:47
And then, like you talked about, like going to the Pablo and stuff. Have you been able to do that more recently? Or?
KP 18:51
No, I haven't. Since I've still not really feeling too safe about going into big, big things like that. Later this summer, I did go to a couple outside concerts, but you're outside. So I did you know, like Tuesday night Owen Park started back up like in July. I think so at least we got a couple months to listen to music there.
MO 19:12
Yeah, that's good.
KP 19:13
I haven't really been [to anything in?] the theaters. I- I figured just being contained. I don't know if they have spacing between. I don't know how they're doing that, yet.
MO 19:22
Right. So you want to make sure it's safe for you?
KP 19:24
Yeah, yeah. I got to kind of stay away from that for a while yet. I think it's kind of sad. But-
MO 19:29
Yeah, that must be really hard.
KP 19:30
Yep.
MO 19:31
And then kind of moving. We're going to kind of shift a little more into health questions. So has you or anybody you know, gotten sick during COVID 19 outbreak, and what has been your experience responding to the sickness?
KP 19:43
Family or just anybody?
MO 19:44
Anybody. It can be family or anybody-
KP 19:45
Like I just said earlier, Just a good friend, her husband. They went somewhere for last weekend and a family member got it and wasn't vaccinated. So now, now, they didn't know about it, and then they got it. And that's my latest earliest. It's a little scary. But I talked to her again, like I said last night and she said all I got really out of it right now it was just really bad headache head cold. So I thought, well, that's the worst that they'll get. They're not gonna go on a machine, keep them breathing or try to keep them alive, hoping that they’ll be alright. So-
MO 20:22
Definitely. And then, in what ways do you think COVID is affecting people's mental or physical health, especially those in your family or friends? Or even your co workers?
KP 20:31
I’m sorry- [unclear?]
MO 20:35
No, you’re good! [laughs]
KP 20:37
[Can you repeat it back to me?]
MO 20:38
So do you think- how do you think it's- a COVID has affecting people's mental or physical health, so maybe more especially mental health, I don't think we've talked about that as much in your family or friends or even your coworkers?
KP 20:48
Well, mental-. It's frustrating, and scary. Have some friends like our neighbors to the north, they were coming over all the time. Now, they won't even come near us. The husband won't even shake-. And when he does come around, he won't even shake Bob's hand and you just like stay away. Stuff like that. Yeah. Family wise, it's still kind of the same. I still talk to my siblings on the phone. So-
MO 21:19
And do you think like, mental health at the beginning of the pandemic versus we're two years in now, how do you think that's kind of changed?
KP 21:24
Not really much, like I said, with at first, it was scary and not seeing anybody. And then it loosened up a little bit. But now all this other things starting again. So now everybody's kind of-
MO 21:41
Kind of back where we started?
KP 21:42
Yep, starting up again. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Here we go. And like I said, I was talking my co workers this morning. And she's like, Well, I heard this new viruses is in Minneapolis already. It's like, well, here it comes. So-
MO 21:56
Right, yeah, that’s definitely hard.
KP 21:57
Yep.
MO 21:53
And then, [paper rustling], So this is kind of more into vaccine questions. So have you or anyone you know, have questions or concerns about the vaccine at all?
KP 22:07
No, not that I-
MO 22:13
Did you feel confident when the vaccine first started to get produced in kind of distributed? Did you feel confident about or did you have some reservations?
KP 22:18
I felt comfortable about it, I figured, they know what they're doing. Otherwise, they wouldn't be given it to us. So, and I know a lot of friends, like I said, our neighbors don't- or they refuse, they think it's poison into their bodies. So, I thought well, okay, that's your point on it. Me, I'm, I prefer to get the vaccine and then try to stay alive. So-
MO 22:42
And when you received the vaccine, if you did, did you receive any side effects?
KP 22:48
Nope, just a sore arm. I have a couple friends that you know, they were sick the next two days and drained out and my husband got this, you know, I got the Myrna- Moderna [one of three vaccine options], and he got the Pfizer. So I think he had like a little bit of a headache on his but I felt fine. Just like, just like somebody slugging [me in the arm?] [laughs]. Yep.
MO 23:11
Yeah, it did feel like that [laughs].
MO 23:11
So if you have been vaccinated, which you said you did, What was your experience trying to get access to the vaccine? Was that a challenge? Or was it pretty easy?
KP 23:21
It was pretty easy. I just call my regular doctor and they said, Yep, you can go ahead and then they just sign you up. And then [I?] went right over to [Marshfield?] Clinic and [had a?] date and they'd signed a card, stamped it and come on back for a second dosage. And same with the booster shot. I called over there and they said, well go to this. Then at that time, they had a church set up and [lake Kelly?]. I went out there and it was just like [an?] assembly line walking through a cattle line. You know-
MO 23:50
It did feel like that. [laughs] [unclear?]
KP 23:53
That one actually hurt! The booster one.
MO 23:54
Oh, did it hurt-
KP 23:55
The lady, like, jammed me in the arm, and I’m like, ow!
MO 23:59
Did that- was that worse than the first two?
KP 24:00
I think so. Geez. Either that, or I just had a terrible lady shoot me in the arm. [laughs]
MO 24:04
Did you get any more side effects than that one versus the first two?
KP 24:07
I was just kind of drained the next day. I was [out beatbopping?] and going shopping early in the morning and I was like, like, Oh, I'm kind of drained. I'm like, oh, man, I don't feel good. Then I got thinking Oh, that's right. I had that shot yesterday. [laughs].
MO 24:21
Right, Did you take like a couple- like a day or rest or anything?
KP 24:24
Just the rest of that day. Yeah. And then Sunday I was ok again.
MO 24:28
So then what kind of like what have been your primary sources of news during the pandemic or even like getting information about the vaccine? Where do you usually go to get information?
KP 24:38
Actually, [it’s] terrible but I listened to the TV. [laughs].
MO 24:43
Yeah, do you have a channel you listen to, or?
KP 24:44
Channel 13. [WWEAU?]
MO 24:27
So is that your main source?
KP 24:48
Yeah, I know. We shouldn't really listen to news because they kind of don't know if it's really all up to date on stuff but no, That's pretty much TV I don't really listen to or I mean, I don't read the newspaper didn't really have nothing on that doctor didn't really send you nothing about it. So you just either you did it or you didn’t. So-
MO 25:14
And do you use social media at all? Was that any time a factor in how you got your news?
KP 25:18
Nope. No, I do not have a phone glued to my hip. [chuckles]. So I don't really go by that either. So mainly the TV.
MO 25:28
And- How confident did you feel in the channel 13 news that you were listening to?
KP 25:33
Okay, because they've been around a long time. So yeah, yeah.
MO 25:35
Right, Definitely felt pretty good about that? So then, did you while you're listening to that? Did you feel like they were covering the most important issues? Or did you feel like they were maybe missing some things that could have been discussed?
KP 25:49
No, I think that covered everything. And then, they just repeat it and repeat it and repeat it. So and then you got the national news, and then the listen to them again. So in a way, actually, this is getting kind of sickening, because turn on TV, and then all sudden COVID-19 update. So here we go again, now what's going on? So-
MO 26:06
[Did you feel?] like there's a really big difference between the national news and the news channel that you were watching?
KP 26:11
No, they’re about the same.
MO 26:14
Okay, and then kind of like going off that with the national news, kind of going more into some government questions, how have municipal leaders and government officials in your community responded to the outbreak? And how did you feel about that?
KP 26:30
Oh, trying to think of who was our locals around here?
MO 26:34
That’s always hard to remember.
KP 26:35
I’m trying to think of who we got [laughs]. I don't know if they really came much on TV. If they did, they seen them. And then that was it. So I don't even know who they are. [laughs] I’m sorry!
MO 26:45
That’s totally ok! Totally ok. Totally ok. [laughs]. Okay. But do you I guess, like not even knowing who they are. But do you have any thoughts about how like, if you noticed any, like decisions being made, whether it was local, state or federal responding to the crisis? Did you feel like there is big differences and maybe how the your like City was responding versus maybe what you saw on the news with the nation? And did you? How did you feel about that? If you did?
KP 27:09
No comment. I- [unclear]
MO 27:11
Ok, that’s fine! And if you want to, if you notice anything, did you think how did you think the healthcare system respond to the outbreak?
KP 27:19
I think pretty good. Because they're like, right in the front line. I've- kudos to them, you know. So I know a few people that are nurses, and it's a lot of toll on them. And- I wish you can give them a years break, but I know they never will. So-
MO 27:32
Exactly.
MO 27:37
Yeah, that was really tough.
KP 27:40
Yep.
MO 27:41
And then we'll kind of move this is our last set of questions is more about future questions. Has your experience transformed? How you think about your family, friends and community? And if so, in what ways?
KP 27:51
Oh, I think uh- be more caring and thoughtful. And we should be, you know, get together more now. After all this crap. [laughs] Yeah.
MO 28:09
For sure. And then knowing what you know, now, what do you think individuals communities or governments need to keep in mind for the future?
KP 28:20
They should keep in mind. Well, health stuff. Other countries- we should be aware of, and but like, I say, this pandemic, so it's been going on for many, many, it's just not the [latest?] flu here. But there's always something so we just need to try to keep ahead of it somehow. Make people aware of it and be more cautious. Yeah.
MO 28:48
Yeah, for sure. And then it kind of going off that you mentioned the flu. So there was that flu epidemic in the early 1900s.
KP 28:56
Yep.
MO 28:57
Immediately after that there was kind of this culture of forgetting it kind of leaving it in the past and moving on. Do you get the sense that that might happen with the pandemic? Or do you think people around you or just in general, are more willing to remember this?
KP 29:09
I think people around me are going to remember this, because we don't want to go through this again. [laughs]
MO 29:14
Right, Do you? Do you think there is kind of like an atmosphere though, even like, in the community of wanting to move on outside of your family? Or do you think that there's definitely something that they're like, We need to, like, keep remembering this keep this?
KP 29:28
Well, that's Yes, that's good. We should keep remembering this and keep pounding in people's heads like, you know, don't keep your guard down. So yes, I support that.
MO 29:38
Right, right. And then do you think the health care system, hospitals, ope [term for exclamation of surprise], no, sorry. That was the- that was the last question.
KP 29:45
That’s ok
MO 29:45
Yeah. So do you have any like last, like thoughts or concerns that you want to convey at all like anything I didn't talk about that you want to mention?
KP 29:53
Not really, just that people are aware of what's going on and try to be safe and think before you act. And- God bless. [laughs]
MO 30:05
I really appreciate your time and your thoughts and opinions are really valuable so I really appreciate you taking the time. So I’ll end the record-
KP 30:10
Thank you.