We are working with the Journalist, Socrates Mbamalu to share stories from people that have been directly and indirectly affected by this pandemic.
#CovidStories is a new MANI series where we interview people whose lives have been impacted by this pandemic. The subject for today’s story is a single lady that is far from home and trying to make new connections to survive through the pandemic.
What are you doing now?
I’m working. I’m done with school, but I haven’t started my internship. So, I’m just working while waiting for my internship.
As a single person, what does being in isolation mean for you?
Well, it was horrible for me, and made my mind think up rather funny things. But that was before I got a job, now, I’m much better.
How are you dealing with basic amenities like food, water, light etc.?
The electricity supply here is quite horrible, but most evenings we use the generator. I’m staying in a family house so I don’t really spend on expenses. I’m really grateful for that.
Do you ever feel alone or lonely? How do you manage it?
A looooooooot, especially since I’m not with my immediate family. Most times I feel nostalgic. I miss my parents and siblings, and thanks to this lockdown, I’m stuck where I am. So, I’m in Lagos right now. But my parents stay in the East. I came to Lagos in March, and I was supposed to go back home in April. But here I am in June, still in Lagos.
Do you think it would have been better if you were stuck with your parents? And were you working there?
I actually wasn’t working there, but yes, I actually think I would have been better with my parents. There’s this sense of belonging one has when he’s with his family. Even though they might vex you sometimes, but you know you’re great. I am actually very comfortable where I am, and I don’t know if I could be more comfortable with any other relatives. However, sometimes, I feel alone and really lonely. And then you start acting too careful so you don’t step on toes, and you take crap that you normally wouldn’t take cos you know it’s not actually your house.
Do you think that this could have been different/better if you were in a relationship?
Well, I would have had someone that I’d be free with who I could gist with all the time, or some of the time. I’m someone that likes talking, and gisting. Unfortunately, I can’t talk to the people in the house, maybe because they aren’t interested.
My only cousin that I could talk with to an extent is a workaholic. He can literally work for 24 hours 😅. So, I used to call my parents and siblings all the time, they understood me better, so they were really there for me. We gisted a lot. Sometimes, we would organize a zoom meeting just to catch up and pass time. Then, I met some people online and we got talking.
Now, my cousin always complains that I’m with my phone, but that’s the thing, if I’m not on my phone, I can’t even gist with them, so why should I not be on my phone?
What has been the scariest moment during this pandemic?
I saw a report of the NCDC that there was a corona patient in Enugu, so I became scared for my parents. Especially my mom who refused to stop going for morning mass everyday despite my pleas. I started developing symptoms of the virus. Coincidentally, I just finished treating malaria with its fever and all that week. Then, I saw an update around Friday night about NCDC on someone’s status. When I woke on Saturday morning, I had a running stomach coupled with a lot of other COVID 19 symptoms. I had this going quietly for a week and a lot of pressure on my chest. I started to keep to myself; I refused to sit around with people. After about a couple of days I had to open up to my two sisters. One of them is a doctor. She was the one who calmed me down and told me that I might be having a panic attack.
Moreover, if I do have the Virus, it’s not a death sentence because she has been treating some COVID 19 patients. After we had this conversation, I calmed down and I figured a lot of my symptoms were disappearing. The whole panic attack saga took about one month.
If you have a story to share with us about your experiences during this pandemic, please click here.
Interview carried out by our awesome Covid Interview team-(Halima, Asma, Tosin and Jeniffer.)