Be a COVID Memory Maker

Soon after the pandemic started here in the U.S., I asked my mother if she knew how her parents’ families weathered the 1918 Spanish Flu crisis. She didn’t know. Only a few very distant relatives died from it. Her parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all lived. We don’t know if they had the flu and lived or never got it.

 In 2020, what was first predicted to take just a few weeks, turned into lasting a year plus. On the one-year anniversary of the COVID pandemic, it seems appropriate, and maybe even a little fun, if we, family historians, reflect on 2020 and leave behind some stories and thoughts about the year, as part of our history.

Here are some prompts: 

Mid-March 2020 many events suddenly closed down (March Madness college basketball, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, professional hockey and basketball to name a few.) What sudden closing did you miss the most?

Did you rush to buy something or do something in particular, just before stores, restaurants, and other activities closed?

 Did you buy something that later your realized really helped? Did you buy something you thought would be useful, but never used? Did you buy too much of something? What was it?

Look at your phone. What was your last text before the shut down? What was the last photo on your phone?

How did you change the way you shopped for groceries?

How did you get your first mask? What was your favorite mask or mask type? (pleated, paper, cone shaped, straps for ears or around head) Does your mask reflect something special? (Sports team etc.)

What old hobbies did you return to? What new hobbies did you embrace?

Did you change physically? (Gain/lose weight?)

Did you change how you dressed?

With hairdressers and barbers closed, what did you do about your hair?

What did you eat or drink more than normal? (It’s okay, most of us did.)

What was the craziest thing you did?

What new or creative ways did you try to keep yourself physically healthy? Mentally healthy? Spiritually healthy?

Did you reach out an intentionally help others? (This includes take-out meals at local restaurants or donating so others could be helped.)

Did your income change drastically? (Up or down.) What did you do?

For those of us that closely followed the guidelines (staying home etc.), what exception(s) if any did you make?

What activities were you grateful that continued (although perhaps in a different format such as zoom?)

Any “heros” you want to name? (Personal or nationally known.)

Describe your first zoom meeting. Who and why did you meet? Did you prepare a background?

What was the funny or odd thing that you saw or heard while on zoom?

What was something small that you surprisingly missed?

Pre-2020, most of us had a list of projects to work on “when we have the time.” In 2020, we had the time! What projects did you work on and/or complete?

What are some new ways of doing things that you hope to continue?

What did you stop doing, that you’ll probably try to not do again?

Could you see family? Parents? Children? Grandchildren? Friend? Were there restrictions?

What was the farthest distance you traveled? Where and why?

Did you do anything that resembled a vacation?

In the summer of 2020 some normalcy returned, outdoor dining, meeting friends outside etc. Name something you did or were happy returned, even if only for a few months.

How did your work change? If you temporarily worked from home, also describe what the return to work was like.

Many workers were recognized as essential. What occupations did you realize were more important than you previously thought and you were grateful for their continued work?

How was your family’s education effected?

Did you change the way you vote in elections? Will you continue the new process or return to the old?

Did you get COVID? If so describe your experiences and symptoms.

Did you care for someone with COVID? Were you ever exposed? Did you ever take a COVID test? Describe your experience.

Did you or someone you know become very ill or died due to COVID? Write about him or her.

Were family celebrations postponed, cancelled or re-imagined? (Weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries?)

How did you schedule/receive your vaccine? Did you intentionally try hard to find one?

How did you feel after getting vaccinated? (Physically and mentally.)

Who is someone not on your quaranteam that you really can’t wait to hug?

Who on your quaranteam helped you get through the long days? Did you thank them?

What advice would you pass on?

(Answer the questions that speak most to you. Feel free to pass any questions on to others - you have my permission. If you don't feel like writing, use some of these to as a converstation starter at dinner. Enjoy!)