Item
Katherine Lauersdorf Oral History, 2020/05/07
Media
Title (Dublin Core)
Katherine Lauersdorf Oral History, 2020/05/07
Description (Dublin Core)
This interview was part of the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire Public History Seminar course and UWEC COVID-19 Archive Project led by Dr. Cheryl Jimenez Frei and Greg Kocken.
Recording Date (Dublin Core)
05/07/2020
Creator (Dublin Core)
Katherine Lauersdorf
Nick Eggert
Partner (Dublin Core)
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Controlled Vocabulary (Dublin Core)
English
Business & Industry
English
Economy
English
Healthcare
English
Labor
English
Social Distance
English
Health & Wellness
English
Emotion
English
Home & Family Life
English
Cities & Suburbs
English
Public Health & Hospitals
Curator's Tags (Omeka Classic)
registered nurse
trucker
cancer
essential worker
hospital
introvert
social distance
isolation
treatment
mask
furlough
Collection (Dublin Core)
Healthcare
Date Submitted (Dublin Core)
07/14/2020
Date Modified (Dublin Core)
10/21/2020
11/17/2020
02/24/2021
03/08/2021
05/06/2022
07/12/2022
Date Created (Dublin Core)
05/07/2020
Interviewer (Bibliographic Ontology)
Nick Eggert
Interviewee (Bibliographic Ontology)
Katherine Lauersdorf
Location (Omeka Classic)
Sheboygan
Wisconsin
United States of America
Format (Dublin Core)
Video
Language (Dublin Core)
English
Duration (Omeka Classic)
00:21:39
abstract (Bibliographic Ontology)
Katherine Lauersdorf is a registered nurse. Katherine begins the interview by stating how the pandemic did not change her job a lot, but it did affect her social life greatly. Katherine identifies as being more of an introverted person but discusses how all people need social contact and that the lack of it was felt during the pandemic. Additionally, Katherine works at a trucking company that the family owns and from this they describe how their day to day family contact has not changed as trucking is considered an essential business and they all still see one another. Then, Katherine explains how they believe that the state government’s reaction has been a little excessive, but that federally the government is doing good by allowing the governors to decide if the state is open. Lastly, Katherine brings up how it is important that people are praising the healthcare community for their sacrifice, but that truckers are another important part of keeping the country going and they are not being celebrated the same way, Katherine believes that people should involve everybody who is keeping the world going.
Transcription (Omeka Classic)
Nick Eggert 00:00
Right, does it say recording in the top left corner?
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:04
Yes.
Nick Eggert 00:04
Okay. Perfect. All right. Hello, everyone. My name is Nick Eggert. And today's date is May 7, and it's 3:02. And I'm here with, well, I'll let you introduce yourself.
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:22
Hi, I am Katherine Lauersdorf, I don't know-
Nick Eggert 00:28
What do you do Katherine?
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:30
I am a registered nurse at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Nick Eggert 00:36
Okay, okay. How do you feel about the whole COVID 19 pandemic? Like, what were your initial thoughts?
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:46
At first, I didn't really want to believe it. And then the news just kind of got to me a lot. You kind of gets like, wrapped up into it, you see things on social media. And after a while, like when reports came out, and the numbers just don't seem as intense as what everyone pans it out to be. Then it was kinda like, okay, whatever. You know what I mean?
Nick Eggert 01:17
Yeah-
Katherine Lauersdorf 01:17
Sounds terriblebut, you kind of get numb to it.
Nick Eggert 01:21
So you think it was kind of like a mass hysteria first?
Katherine Lauersdorf 01:25
Yeah, absolutely.
Nick Eggert 01:27
All right. Oh, how like, day to day activities kind of change for you?
Katherine Lauersdorf 01:34
Um, so for work, the only thing that has changed is, because I work at a cancer clinic, we have patients who are their immune systems are very, very down, I guess, you could say, and the chances of them getting sick are a lot higher. So we don't allow any visitors in. So it doesn't seem as busy. But like socially, it's just kind of hard because you can't really, you don't have that option to hang out with anybody or everyone is just scared to meet up with you because of what's going on. You know, so I would say socially, I was more affected than professionally or with my job, so.
Nick Eggert 02:23
And going further with that, with socially, I, you more like an introverted person where you're out and about all the time?
Katherine Lauersdorf 02:32
That depends. That depends. There are some times where I feel like I'm a big introvert where I don't want to do anything. And I'm not gonna lie, this virus kind of helped with that, because it was like, okay, I don't have to go anywhere, you know, I don't need to do anything. But there are times when I need to be around other people outside of work, but I would say overall more, I'm more introverted, so.
Nick Eggert 02:59
I kind of mispoke, I meant extrovert when asked question, but that's okay, we'll go from there.
Katherine Lauersdorf 03:05
Sorry, did I [inaudible].
Nick Eggert 03:07
No, sorry, I messed up. I'm the one that messed up.
Katherine Lauersdorf 03:09
Okay.
Nick Eggert 03:12
And so I just want to go back to your work life then. Has there been any, like huge changes? I know, you mentioned that your clientele are like immunosuppressed people. But is there like a huge change in work life? Like the atmosphere?
Katherine Lauersdorf 03:29
Um, besides? Um, are you talking? Well, okay, like patient wise, yeah there are less people coming in, we had to push back people who I wouldn't say it wasn't necessary, like if they weren't necessarily needed treatment, but like, if they needed something like a port flush, or something simple, I guess that could wait. We push that back. And we just continue to take care of people who would needed treatments or other infusions and stuff like that, so. But as of right now, the amount of new people that we normally get isn't as much because the diagnostic surgeries are down right now. So no one can get tested. So once this opens, I think it's going to be more of a a wave of people, you know, but at work itself. Let's see, like pay wise, we hit furlough, which is kind of nice. So if we don't meet all of our hours, we get furlough pay. So which is nice compared to other times because if you don't get your hours, you know, you just don't get paid. So, um, but other than that, having to wear a mask all the time, and just get your temperatures checked, when we come in. Other than that, nothing has really changed. Actually, I take that back. We have let's see. Two docs, three doctors who kind of rotate, and they have to do video conferences, or you just have to instant message them at work, it's kind of different compared to them just being there all the time. Our cancer, Nurse Navigators are not on site anymore. So I feel kind of bad for them, because they have to figure out who took care of who, you know, versus just trying to find someone physically. So they just have a lot more stress, I think for what they do, but.Other than that, that's really the big changes, so.
Nick Eggert 05:36
You're not like getting tested, normally?
Katherine Lauersdorf 05:40
The only testing that we do is just get a temperature check before we walk in the building, so.
Nick Eggert 05:47
Alright. So overall, would you say like tensions are pretty high within the offices or like how are like you and your coworkers feeling about all this?
Katherine Lauersdorf 05:59
A lot of, in the beginning, it was we got like, closer I feel because it was all new, it was different. And how do you you know, policies are changing all the time, like one minute, you can wear a surgical mask, the next minute, you can wear like a cloth mask and things. So we were just very flexible. And now I think everyone is just getting irritated. Because you can't do anything. You can't really I guess, release like stress. Because normally you can go out with your friends or you can go with, hang out with family and things. And I think that's just really wearing on people. They're bringing it to work, if that makes sense.
Nick Eggert 06:41
Yeah. So you did mentioned like your family. Have you been in touch with them a lot? Have you been doing like zoom calls?
Katherine Lauersdorf 06:51
So with my family, I have a little bit of a different situation. I currently live at home with my family, and everybody's considered an essential worker. So okay, so my parents own a trucking business. So I work at their warehouse the days I'm not the clinic, and my mom runs the warehouse, my sister is there. And my brother and my dad drive truck over the road. And my sister's fiance also lives with us, and he drives over the road. So that really hasn't changed for us. So. But as far as like other friends or other elderly couples, we've been like doing a couple of zoom chats or like, for example, my friend's son just turned one about a month ago. So I drove up to Green Bay to do those parades. You know, but that's pretty much it, so.
Nick Eggert 07:50
I'm just wondering, because a lot of people, myself included, like we aren't able to see our family members as much. And so it's just interesting that you brought the trucking industry. So are you like self quarantine away from everyone else? Knowing that you have to go into the Vince Lombardi clinic? Are you still seeing each other on a daily basis?
Katherine Lauersdorf 08:16
You mean my family?
Nick Eggert 08:18
Yeah.
Katherine Lauersdorf 08:18
Yeah. Yeah, we see we still see each other every day. At the warehouse we have like an office, we have the office with the glass door that's locked, so no one can come in, the windows closed. That's pretty much where we're before it was open, so people can just freely walk in and out of the office. So that's pretty much the only quarantine thing there. But as far as coming home and see my family every day, that has not changed, so.
Nick Eggert 08:51
Alright, I think I'm gonna switch off topics here.
Katherine Lauersdorf 08:55
Okay.
Nick Eggert 08:56
You say you're from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. How do you think the community is reacting to all this?
Katherine Lauersdorf 09:03
How did who react?
Nick Eggert 09:05
The community so like Sheboygan?
Katherine Lauersdorf 09:09
Um it's hard. So like, in the beginning, I think people panicked because they didn't know what to expect. But now I think people are not, they're not really obeying the stay at home order. At least I don't think they are. So I feel like it lost its intensity or its scare or whatever you want to call it, so.
Nick Eggert 09:36
Right, I think a lot of people like you said just want to get out and about they're already tired of this.
Katherine Lauersdorf 09:43
Right
Nick Eggert 09:45
Let's see here, what else I got. Like what kind of, like activities, well actually let me rethink that, hold on one second.
Katherine Lauersdorf 10:03
Yeah of course, of course, no worries.
Nick Eggert 10:10
Um, so who who usually, like does most of the shopping then in your family?
Katherine Lauersdorf 10:18
Thats funny you say that, because, um, at first, it was like my sister and I, my mom would go every once in a while. But again, it was, I would say the majority was me because I was already out and where the clinic is, it's like right next to a grocery store, or I passed myers and stuff on my way home. So it's just more convenient for me to stop. But if it's during the weekend, or whenever, I guess, my sister will come with me. But we try to stick like my, like, one does it my dad went once. My mom went a couple times, but yeah, the majority will be my sister and I so.
Nick Eggert 11:05
Do you know anyone that has gotten COVID-19? Like, through Facebook or anyway?
Katherine Lauersdorf 11:13
Um, let's see. I don't know anybody personally, but I know people who have had, like, for example, my friend's grandma had it, or let's see. Or like a couple of random, my friends, their friends kind of thing. But nobody personally.
Nick Eggert 11:41
Okay, I guess I'm gonna switch off the topics again.
Katherine Lauersdorf 11:44
Yeah of course.
Nick Eggert 11:45
You know, like, how do you think though, like, local government is handling everything? You says kind of relaxed, What do you think? How do you think they're handling?
Katherine Lauersdorf 11:59
How do I think the like,
Nick Eggert 12:00
the government.
Katherine Lauersdorf 12:02
[inaudible] and stuff?
Nick Eggert 12:02
Yeah.
Katherine Lauersdorf 12:04
Um, to be honest, I think how he extended the stay at home was kind of a little excessive. In my opinion. I just find it kind of hard to believe that. Why would you extend something when you really don't know what the rest of that month is going to be like. You know? So, to be honest, I think they're kind of overdoing it. You know, and like, on a federal level, I feel like Trump is doing everything he can to kind of, you know, get the economy going and but still be cautious of it because he's allowing the governor's to like, okay, you decide when your state opens, but at least they have other phases in place where people can follow, but. I don't know, I think federally, we're doing good, but the state wise, I don't think so. If that makes sense.
Nick Eggert 13:03
Right. I kind of get that. And then do you agree with him shutting down all the parks too, like in Wisconson?
Katherine Lauersdorf 13:12
No, I think that's ridiculous, to be honest, because you're outside. If you just stay the six feet away, I don't see it being a big deal. But the fact that he had to shut that down was a little ridiculous. Like, I actually heard a story of there was this group that was outside singing Happy Birthday to this elderly couple. It was in kilo, I think. And the neighbor didn't like it. So the neighbor called the cops and the cops came over because there's more than 10 people. He said if you don't leave I'll have to fine you $1,000 a person which is completely ridiculous, but what do you do?
Nick Eggert 13:56
Right? This is scary times where again everyone's kind of fearful and paranoid with all of it [inaudible].
Katherine Lauersdorf 14:03
Right.
Nick Eggert 14:06
Lets see here, how do you think this is gonna like all pan out and like transpire?
Katherine Lauersdorf 14:23
I feel like this will be our new normal for quite a while. Um, I have a feeling that when like, the flu season hits, it's going to be very, very intense because everyone who comes home and wipes everything down. And you know, you're not allowing to be out in public and do anything your everyday germs and things like that you're not building up to or you're not being immune to it. So really, you're kind of knocking down your own immune system at home. So once the flu hits and you have no immune system I think it's going to hit you harder. Versus a year ago, when you were out and able to do anything you wanted. I feel that it's going to be hitting all the phases, I think it's going to be intense, because it's gonna, to eager to think, hey, can I go? Can we make this plan? Can we plan this because there's only a certain amount of people. I just think it's going to be very hard to get used to. Until all the phases are completed so.
Nick Eggert 15:33
So do you see like, past events now and you're just like, oh, I can't believe you're doing that? Like, say, I'm watching a TV show and you see, no people hugging? Has that kind of like, changed your whole out- like view of a relationship?
Katherine Lauersdorf 15:53
Yeah, I mean, it's kind of weird how we see things on TV or, like, if it's at an event or something, or at a concert, you're like, wow, like, I can't even I can't even picture that right now. You know, especially with, like, even for example, Summer Fest, and like country USA and stuff, that's all being pushed back to August. You know what I mean? So it's, it's hard to see on TV, definitely, I'm actually watching this show, and people are very close. And it's like, wow, yeah, no way. Not for a while.
Nick Eggert 16:27
Right.
Katherine Lauersdorf 16:28
So.
Nick Eggert 16:30
So, I know a lot of people, back to like the government thing. They're, they're opening up the whole, like, debate about the economy and stuff, do you think like we'll be done with in the next, like, end of into the fall? Or you think it's gonna be a couple of years from now that we're gonna have to resituate go back to normal?
Katherine Lauersdorf 16:55
Um, let's, so you're asking, like, for the economy to come back?
Nick Eggert 17:04
More, more, just like that normal interaction with people? Like, how do you think how long do you think it's going to take before we go back to that normal?
Katherine Lauersdorf 17:18
I think it will take quite a while, I would say probably, probably a good year, maybe. Because some people are just so petrified and they don't want to get anyone sick. And I understand that to point. But at the same time, you also have to try to go back to some normalcy. So I think, depending on who it is, to be, you know, to be able to accept and try to go back to normal, you know, so I don't know, I think probably a good year, I would say,
Nick Eggert 17:52
Okay.
Katherine Lauersdorf 17:53
But what do I know?
Nick Eggert 17:58
I know, we've been talking about like some, like, it's pandemic is kind of a dark kind of topic. Is there like anything that you saw on the news that was kind of light and, like, positive and light heartening that you wanted to talk about?
Katherine Lauersdorf 18:14
That's positive? I do really like how the community and just I guess, like different companies and things are just really putting healthcare workers like, hey, that's great. Like, the discounts are like people raising money to help with anything related to COVID. What does kind of upset me though, is like, okay, I understand nurses and like healthcare workers are frontline, and I think that's amazing. But there's other people I feel like we kind of forget about, like, for example, truck drivers. They aren't even allowed to get food inside of truckstops that can't shower especially, or like they have porta Johns or porta potties outside. It's just they seem they feel very, whats the word I'm looking for? They feel like they have the plague. When really they're just trying to deliver supplies to everybody. You know, sorry it's kind of off topic, but I just did seem to notice that. So it's again, it's nice that people are boosting up healthcare workers but I think, I feel like they should kind of involve everybody.
Nick Eggert 19:28
You think that they should be getting that kind of all the time? now people are recognizing their importance?
Katherine Lauersdorf 19:35
Yes. Yeah.
Nick Eggert 19:38
Okay, well, I think I got everything. Is there anything else you want to talk about?
Katherine Lauersdorf 19:49
I do find it very interesting though, with the schools, and like the online learning. So my friend is a English teacher in [inaudible]. And she just told me the other day that they are possibly going to continue, or more than likely continue online learning in the fall and fall sports are canceled. And to me, it's like that is just so insane. To make that kind of a decision this early. You know what I mean? Like, how about you like you're in school? Like how do you? How are they handling it for you guys?
Nick Eggert 20:30
As of right now, it's still up in the air but that topic with heading to school in the fall I think they might, they might have it still all online again, just take away from know that. The COVID getting through all that. So I think it might be more online learning for like the next school year, which is, its just, it's it's tough for everyone. Because people need that face to face interaction with other people. So, you have nothing much more to say I thank you for taking time out of the day to help me out with this. And I hope mentally and physically everything's gonna be okay for you and your family. [inaudible] And have a good weekend and you have a good weekend too.
Katherine Lauersdorf 21:32
Thank you. You too. If you need anything, just let me know.
Nick Eggert 21:34
All right. Sounds good. Thank you.
Katherine Lauersdorf 21:36
All right. Bye.
Right, does it say recording in the top left corner?
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:04
Yes.
Nick Eggert 00:04
Okay. Perfect. All right. Hello, everyone. My name is Nick Eggert. And today's date is May 7, and it's 3:02. And I'm here with, well, I'll let you introduce yourself.
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:22
Hi, I am Katherine Lauersdorf, I don't know-
Nick Eggert 00:28
What do you do Katherine?
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:30
I am a registered nurse at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Nick Eggert 00:36
Okay, okay. How do you feel about the whole COVID 19 pandemic? Like, what were your initial thoughts?
Katherine Lauersdorf 00:46
At first, I didn't really want to believe it. And then the news just kind of got to me a lot. You kind of gets like, wrapped up into it, you see things on social media. And after a while, like when reports came out, and the numbers just don't seem as intense as what everyone pans it out to be. Then it was kinda like, okay, whatever. You know what I mean?
Nick Eggert 01:17
Yeah-
Katherine Lauersdorf 01:17
Sounds terriblebut, you kind of get numb to it.
Nick Eggert 01:21
So you think it was kind of like a mass hysteria first?
Katherine Lauersdorf 01:25
Yeah, absolutely.
Nick Eggert 01:27
All right. Oh, how like, day to day activities kind of change for you?
Katherine Lauersdorf 01:34
Um, so for work, the only thing that has changed is, because I work at a cancer clinic, we have patients who are their immune systems are very, very down, I guess, you could say, and the chances of them getting sick are a lot higher. So we don't allow any visitors in. So it doesn't seem as busy. But like socially, it's just kind of hard because you can't really, you don't have that option to hang out with anybody or everyone is just scared to meet up with you because of what's going on. You know, so I would say socially, I was more affected than professionally or with my job, so.
Nick Eggert 02:23
And going further with that, with socially, I, you more like an introverted person where you're out and about all the time?
Katherine Lauersdorf 02:32
That depends. That depends. There are some times where I feel like I'm a big introvert where I don't want to do anything. And I'm not gonna lie, this virus kind of helped with that, because it was like, okay, I don't have to go anywhere, you know, I don't need to do anything. But there are times when I need to be around other people outside of work, but I would say overall more, I'm more introverted, so.
Nick Eggert 02:59
I kind of mispoke, I meant extrovert when asked question, but that's okay, we'll go from there.
Katherine Lauersdorf 03:05
Sorry, did I [inaudible].
Nick Eggert 03:07
No, sorry, I messed up. I'm the one that messed up.
Katherine Lauersdorf 03:09
Okay.
Nick Eggert 03:12
And so I just want to go back to your work life then. Has there been any, like huge changes? I know, you mentioned that your clientele are like immunosuppressed people. But is there like a huge change in work life? Like the atmosphere?
Katherine Lauersdorf 03:29
Um, besides? Um, are you talking? Well, okay, like patient wise, yeah there are less people coming in, we had to push back people who I wouldn't say it wasn't necessary, like if they weren't necessarily needed treatment, but like, if they needed something like a port flush, or something simple, I guess that could wait. We push that back. And we just continue to take care of people who would needed treatments or other infusions and stuff like that, so. But as of right now, the amount of new people that we normally get isn't as much because the diagnostic surgeries are down right now. So no one can get tested. So once this opens, I think it's going to be more of a a wave of people, you know, but at work itself. Let's see, like pay wise, we hit furlough, which is kind of nice. So if we don't meet all of our hours, we get furlough pay. So which is nice compared to other times because if you don't get your hours, you know, you just don't get paid. So, um, but other than that, having to wear a mask all the time, and just get your temperatures checked, when we come in. Other than that, nothing has really changed. Actually, I take that back. We have let's see. Two docs, three doctors who kind of rotate, and they have to do video conferences, or you just have to instant message them at work, it's kind of different compared to them just being there all the time. Our cancer, Nurse Navigators are not on site anymore. So I feel kind of bad for them, because they have to figure out who took care of who, you know, versus just trying to find someone physically. So they just have a lot more stress, I think for what they do, but.Other than that, that's really the big changes, so.
Nick Eggert 05:36
You're not like getting tested, normally?
Katherine Lauersdorf 05:40
The only testing that we do is just get a temperature check before we walk in the building, so.
Nick Eggert 05:47
Alright. So overall, would you say like tensions are pretty high within the offices or like how are like you and your coworkers feeling about all this?
Katherine Lauersdorf 05:59
A lot of, in the beginning, it was we got like, closer I feel because it was all new, it was different. And how do you you know, policies are changing all the time, like one minute, you can wear a surgical mask, the next minute, you can wear like a cloth mask and things. So we were just very flexible. And now I think everyone is just getting irritated. Because you can't do anything. You can't really I guess, release like stress. Because normally you can go out with your friends or you can go with, hang out with family and things. And I think that's just really wearing on people. They're bringing it to work, if that makes sense.
Nick Eggert 06:41
Yeah. So you did mentioned like your family. Have you been in touch with them a lot? Have you been doing like zoom calls?
Katherine Lauersdorf 06:51
So with my family, I have a little bit of a different situation. I currently live at home with my family, and everybody's considered an essential worker. So okay, so my parents own a trucking business. So I work at their warehouse the days I'm not the clinic, and my mom runs the warehouse, my sister is there. And my brother and my dad drive truck over the road. And my sister's fiance also lives with us, and he drives over the road. So that really hasn't changed for us. So. But as far as like other friends or other elderly couples, we've been like doing a couple of zoom chats or like, for example, my friend's son just turned one about a month ago. So I drove up to Green Bay to do those parades. You know, but that's pretty much it, so.
Nick Eggert 07:50
I'm just wondering, because a lot of people, myself included, like we aren't able to see our family members as much. And so it's just interesting that you brought the trucking industry. So are you like self quarantine away from everyone else? Knowing that you have to go into the Vince Lombardi clinic? Are you still seeing each other on a daily basis?
Katherine Lauersdorf 08:16
You mean my family?
Nick Eggert 08:18
Yeah.
Katherine Lauersdorf 08:18
Yeah. Yeah, we see we still see each other every day. At the warehouse we have like an office, we have the office with the glass door that's locked, so no one can come in, the windows closed. That's pretty much where we're before it was open, so people can just freely walk in and out of the office. So that's pretty much the only quarantine thing there. But as far as coming home and see my family every day, that has not changed, so.
Nick Eggert 08:51
Alright, I think I'm gonna switch off topics here.
Katherine Lauersdorf 08:55
Okay.
Nick Eggert 08:56
You say you're from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. How do you think the community is reacting to all this?
Katherine Lauersdorf 09:03
How did who react?
Nick Eggert 09:05
The community so like Sheboygan?
Katherine Lauersdorf 09:09
Um it's hard. So like, in the beginning, I think people panicked because they didn't know what to expect. But now I think people are not, they're not really obeying the stay at home order. At least I don't think they are. So I feel like it lost its intensity or its scare or whatever you want to call it, so.
Nick Eggert 09:36
Right, I think a lot of people like you said just want to get out and about they're already tired of this.
Katherine Lauersdorf 09:43
Right
Nick Eggert 09:45
Let's see here, what else I got. Like what kind of, like activities, well actually let me rethink that, hold on one second.
Katherine Lauersdorf 10:03
Yeah of course, of course, no worries.
Nick Eggert 10:10
Um, so who who usually, like does most of the shopping then in your family?
Katherine Lauersdorf 10:18
Thats funny you say that, because, um, at first, it was like my sister and I, my mom would go every once in a while. But again, it was, I would say the majority was me because I was already out and where the clinic is, it's like right next to a grocery store, or I passed myers and stuff on my way home. So it's just more convenient for me to stop. But if it's during the weekend, or whenever, I guess, my sister will come with me. But we try to stick like my, like, one does it my dad went once. My mom went a couple times, but yeah, the majority will be my sister and I so.
Nick Eggert 11:05
Do you know anyone that has gotten COVID-19? Like, through Facebook or anyway?
Katherine Lauersdorf 11:13
Um, let's see. I don't know anybody personally, but I know people who have had, like, for example, my friend's grandma had it, or let's see. Or like a couple of random, my friends, their friends kind of thing. But nobody personally.
Nick Eggert 11:41
Okay, I guess I'm gonna switch off the topics again.
Katherine Lauersdorf 11:44
Yeah of course.
Nick Eggert 11:45
You know, like, how do you think though, like, local government is handling everything? You says kind of relaxed, What do you think? How do you think they're handling?
Katherine Lauersdorf 11:59
How do I think the like,
Nick Eggert 12:00
the government.
Katherine Lauersdorf 12:02
[inaudible] and stuff?
Nick Eggert 12:02
Yeah.
Katherine Lauersdorf 12:04
Um, to be honest, I think how he extended the stay at home was kind of a little excessive. In my opinion. I just find it kind of hard to believe that. Why would you extend something when you really don't know what the rest of that month is going to be like. You know? So, to be honest, I think they're kind of overdoing it. You know, and like, on a federal level, I feel like Trump is doing everything he can to kind of, you know, get the economy going and but still be cautious of it because he's allowing the governor's to like, okay, you decide when your state opens, but at least they have other phases in place where people can follow, but. I don't know, I think federally, we're doing good, but the state wise, I don't think so. If that makes sense.
Nick Eggert 13:03
Right. I kind of get that. And then do you agree with him shutting down all the parks too, like in Wisconson?
Katherine Lauersdorf 13:12
No, I think that's ridiculous, to be honest, because you're outside. If you just stay the six feet away, I don't see it being a big deal. But the fact that he had to shut that down was a little ridiculous. Like, I actually heard a story of there was this group that was outside singing Happy Birthday to this elderly couple. It was in kilo, I think. And the neighbor didn't like it. So the neighbor called the cops and the cops came over because there's more than 10 people. He said if you don't leave I'll have to fine you $1,000 a person which is completely ridiculous, but what do you do?
Nick Eggert 13:56
Right? This is scary times where again everyone's kind of fearful and paranoid with all of it [inaudible].
Katherine Lauersdorf 14:03
Right.
Nick Eggert 14:06
Lets see here, how do you think this is gonna like all pan out and like transpire?
Katherine Lauersdorf 14:23
I feel like this will be our new normal for quite a while. Um, I have a feeling that when like, the flu season hits, it's going to be very, very intense because everyone who comes home and wipes everything down. And you know, you're not allowing to be out in public and do anything your everyday germs and things like that you're not building up to or you're not being immune to it. So really, you're kind of knocking down your own immune system at home. So once the flu hits and you have no immune system I think it's going to hit you harder. Versus a year ago, when you were out and able to do anything you wanted. I feel that it's going to be hitting all the phases, I think it's going to be intense, because it's gonna, to eager to think, hey, can I go? Can we make this plan? Can we plan this because there's only a certain amount of people. I just think it's going to be very hard to get used to. Until all the phases are completed so.
Nick Eggert 15:33
So do you see like, past events now and you're just like, oh, I can't believe you're doing that? Like, say, I'm watching a TV show and you see, no people hugging? Has that kind of like, changed your whole out- like view of a relationship?
Katherine Lauersdorf 15:53
Yeah, I mean, it's kind of weird how we see things on TV or, like, if it's at an event or something, or at a concert, you're like, wow, like, I can't even I can't even picture that right now. You know, especially with, like, even for example, Summer Fest, and like country USA and stuff, that's all being pushed back to August. You know what I mean? So it's, it's hard to see on TV, definitely, I'm actually watching this show, and people are very close. And it's like, wow, yeah, no way. Not for a while.
Nick Eggert 16:27
Right.
Katherine Lauersdorf 16:28
So.
Nick Eggert 16:30
So, I know a lot of people, back to like the government thing. They're, they're opening up the whole, like, debate about the economy and stuff, do you think like we'll be done with in the next, like, end of into the fall? Or you think it's gonna be a couple of years from now that we're gonna have to resituate go back to normal?
Katherine Lauersdorf 16:55
Um, let's, so you're asking, like, for the economy to come back?
Nick Eggert 17:04
More, more, just like that normal interaction with people? Like, how do you think how long do you think it's going to take before we go back to that normal?
Katherine Lauersdorf 17:18
I think it will take quite a while, I would say probably, probably a good year, maybe. Because some people are just so petrified and they don't want to get anyone sick. And I understand that to point. But at the same time, you also have to try to go back to some normalcy. So I think, depending on who it is, to be, you know, to be able to accept and try to go back to normal, you know, so I don't know, I think probably a good year, I would say,
Nick Eggert 17:52
Okay.
Katherine Lauersdorf 17:53
But what do I know?
Nick Eggert 17:58
I know, we've been talking about like some, like, it's pandemic is kind of a dark kind of topic. Is there like anything that you saw on the news that was kind of light and, like, positive and light heartening that you wanted to talk about?
Katherine Lauersdorf 18:14
That's positive? I do really like how the community and just I guess, like different companies and things are just really putting healthcare workers like, hey, that's great. Like, the discounts are like people raising money to help with anything related to COVID. What does kind of upset me though, is like, okay, I understand nurses and like healthcare workers are frontline, and I think that's amazing. But there's other people I feel like we kind of forget about, like, for example, truck drivers. They aren't even allowed to get food inside of truckstops that can't shower especially, or like they have porta Johns or porta potties outside. It's just they seem they feel very, whats the word I'm looking for? They feel like they have the plague. When really they're just trying to deliver supplies to everybody. You know, sorry it's kind of off topic, but I just did seem to notice that. So it's again, it's nice that people are boosting up healthcare workers but I think, I feel like they should kind of involve everybody.
Nick Eggert 19:28
You think that they should be getting that kind of all the time? now people are recognizing their importance?
Katherine Lauersdorf 19:35
Yes. Yeah.
Nick Eggert 19:38
Okay, well, I think I got everything. Is there anything else you want to talk about?
Katherine Lauersdorf 19:49
I do find it very interesting though, with the schools, and like the online learning. So my friend is a English teacher in [inaudible]. And she just told me the other day that they are possibly going to continue, or more than likely continue online learning in the fall and fall sports are canceled. And to me, it's like that is just so insane. To make that kind of a decision this early. You know what I mean? Like, how about you like you're in school? Like how do you? How are they handling it for you guys?
Nick Eggert 20:30
As of right now, it's still up in the air but that topic with heading to school in the fall I think they might, they might have it still all online again, just take away from know that. The COVID getting through all that. So I think it might be more online learning for like the next school year, which is, its just, it's it's tough for everyone. Because people need that face to face interaction with other people. So, you have nothing much more to say I thank you for taking time out of the day to help me out with this. And I hope mentally and physically everything's gonna be okay for you and your family. [inaudible] And have a good weekend and you have a good weekend too.
Katherine Lauersdorf 21:32
Thank you. You too. If you need anything, just let me know.
Nick Eggert 21:34
All right. Sounds good. Thank you.
Katherine Lauersdorf 21:36
All right. Bye.
Date Accepted (Dublin Core)
2020/05/22 1:48:43 PM AST