Back in 2008-2011, I used to purloin quizzes for this blog from something called Sunday Stealing. I recently discovered that the site still exists.
And while there were some repetitive questions in the day, I obviously never did any COVID-related ones. Until now. There were actually three quizzes in 2020. While some are going to be dated, I thought I’d answer some of them. The first few are from March 2020.
2. How are you feeling about the Coronavirus?
As though God has a warped sense of humor.
5. Have you changed any of your personal habits due to the pandemic?
Until recently, I saw almost no one.
7. Do you think our politicians are doing enough to curb the crisis?
While I think the current ones are trying, the mixed results of the recent mask mandate rules are oddly unsatisfying. I’m good at being outdoors without a mask, but I’m not feeling comfortable in stores, even if the stores don’t require them.
8. Have you stockpiled anything because of the crisis?
No, and other people’s hoarding made me rather… grumpy.
13. Have any of your plans been upset by the outbreak?
Most of them.
16. Has the Coronavirus upset your mental health in any way?
Undoubtedly, in almost every way. I’m still not singing in the choir, e.g.
April 2020
1 – What is something you are doing due to the pandemic that you normally don’t do? After the pandemic will you continue to do this?
Possibly ZOOM with my sisters. They’re in NC and CA.
3- What is one of the first things you will do when the pandemic is over?
Even before it was all over, I went out to eat on April 6, after my second shot, with my friends Carol, Karen, Bill, and Michael. The former three I’ve known since kindergarten. And in a restaurant rather than takeout. I mean it was technically outdoors, but it had an overhang, so it FELT like indoors.
December 2020
1. Day 1 of serious isolation behavior.
Not going to church was huge.
2. First trip you had to cancel.
I was about to meet my friend, the aforementioned Carol (not to be confused with my spouse) in Binghamton in late March 2020. She was going to visit her mom. I was going to do research on my grandmother Agatha. That blew up. I’m planning to try again in September 2021.
3. Other trips canceled.
Uthaclena and I were going to see a concert with members of Jefferson Airplane and other related groups.
4. Last trip out of town before isolation.
Is Schenectady out of town? Then going to Proctors, but then staying overnight in January 2020.
5. Farthest from home since isolation.
Oneonta, my MIL’s house, about 70 miles.
6. Last Meal sitting in a restaurant before Isolation.
Almost certainly on Valentine’s Day, Sam’s Italian Restaurant?
7. How many books have you read?
Not many. A couple of graphic novels, We Return Fighting. Lots of magazines that had been accumulating.
8. First event you didn’t attend due to virus.
See above.
9. Date and event of last over 200-person event.
See next.
10. Last live music event. Cheap Trick, February 7. Unless you count the kids doing Once on this Island on March 8.
11. Things you are eating more of since isolation.
Wheat Thins.
12. Things you are eating less of since isolation.
Nothing.
13. What restaurants have you gotten take-out meals from?
Subway, all of the restaurants on the last block of Madison Ave, mostly pizza, Indian food, and bar food. Also Sam’s Italian, Caffe Italia.
Also
14. Have you found yourself bored in isolation?
Not bored. Never bored. But frustrated and depressed.
15. Have you gained or lost weight?
Yes. Yo-yo.
16. Do you drink alcohol?
Occasionally.
17. If so, more or less in isolation?
Although the IDEA of getting a little (or a lot) drunk was appealing in theory, it just didn’t happen. Some breakers in the psyche are still working.
18. What entertainments have you explored?
Movies online. Inferior to in-person, but that was the option at the time.
19. Gotten into anything new?
Not really.
20. Have you done crosswords? Board games? Jigsaw puzzles?
No, yes, no. But this was true pre-COVID.
21. Have you cleaned out some cabinet, drawer, closet, etc. thoroughly?
A few.
22. Are you spending about the same amount of money?
Generally less.
23. Done Zoom, Facetime, etc. meetups?
WAY too often.
24. Had a social occasion with a small group of people you consider safe?
There were a couple of people on my front porch last fall, distanced and usually masked.
25. Did you vote? In-Person? On Election Day?
Always. Yes. No, early.