Over the course of the last year, pandemic life has changed quite a bit. In the beginning, few people owned masks; now we have guidance about how to wear two of them at a time. Restaurants have adapted to pandemic dining, and some people have baked their way through entire books of recipes. More than 10% of Illinois has been fully vaccinated, and many are still anxiously awaiting when it will be their turn to get the shot.
We asked readers questions about how their lives differ now from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they view the future. Here’s what they shared.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Did you own a mask this time last year?
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“It’s all routine, except I am no longer obsessive or completely fearful of venturing out so long as I am masked and can distance, and of course I already washed my hands frequently prior to the pandemic (also: who are these people who were not washing their hands?)” — Robin, Hazel Crest
“Yes, now double-masking in addition to social distancing and hand washing. Did start wearing a mask last year when Dr. Fauci recommended it.” — Melissa Lipton, Ravenswood
“As a physician, we were masking in the hospital pretty early on. Outside the hospital, I started making masks for neighbors and friends. I think the government finally realized how useful the home-grown masks could be once people started sewing up a storm and they finally recommended it. I have always been careful in the office about hand washing, but I didn’t use hand sanitizer before the pandemic. Now I have bottles of it all over the place. I am very careful to shop only when the store isn’t busy, to avoid peak hours and to avoid people who are not masked or who get too close to me. I realized that it is much harder to interact with strangers with a mask on. People are more standoffish now.” — Michele F. Carlon, Chicago
Did you start a new hobby during the pandemic?
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“I started making cards. I’ve done scrapbooking, but always resisted card making. I discovered the online craft community and off I went. It keeps my mind off worries. I was an avid reader, but when the pandemic began, I found it difficult to concentrate on reading long-form material. Sadly, that continues. I read newspapers, magazines, etc., but not novels or biographies. So getting my craft on is therapeutic.” — Patricia Luebbe Morton, Arlington Heights
“I’m an artist so I painted canvases, jeans and made a quilt all in the early months while staying at home.” — Jan Wilinski, Gurnee
Have you been out to a restaurant during the pandemic?
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“No personal interaction or meals in restaurants. I really miss attending live theatre and music. Still holding tickets for four highly anticipated concerts in three states.” — Richard Friedman, Chicago
“We used to go out for dinner and drinks at least twice a week. It’s been curbside and carryout the past year.” — George Kosmas, Highland, Indiana
Have you received a coronavirus vaccine?
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“I’ve had the first shot at my hospital. Very crowded and felt unsafe but glad I got it.” — Candace Bailie, Algonquin
“Receiving it was the easy part; finding one was arduous.” — L. Kimmelman, Chicago
“Super-efficient, well-run operation at Triton College. In and out in exactly one hour. I felt a great mental relief after receiving it.” — Richard Ormsby, Hoffman Estates
“Amazing — liberating, like a get-out-of-jail free card! Yet we know as a country we need to still act with care. But we feel less stress about the prospect of the virus killing us.” — Stephen Granzyk, Chicago
If you haven’t received a coronavirus vaccine, do you plan on getting one when you are eligible?
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“I wish I could get the vaccine but that seems a long way off given that my 78-year-old mother can’t find a place near her home to get vaccinated even though she has been signed up for one with her county since January” — Jerri, Palatine
“Haven’t gotten mine yet. If lucky I will get vaccinated when I volunteer at a vaccine drive in my area!” — Curtis, Aurora
Have you lost anyone to COVID-19?
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“Our dear best friend, Frank Dent. Frank was a school teacher. He died of COVID-19 in June of 2020. Frank was the very best friend anyone could have. He would shovel the snow in front of the neighbors’ houses. Frank would take all his neighbors to the store, doctor and to their jobs. He never said no to me if I needed something. He was always there for me and my family! Frank never met a stranger. He was kind-hearted and loved people. We miss you, Frank, so much.” — Patty Howse, Chicago
“Uncle Eddie lit up a room with his kindness and laughter. Everyone loved him and wanted to be his friend. He was grateful for what he had in life even though he had a harder life than most. He was our family’s historian, and he has so many treasures of our lineage in his apartment, it’s so cool. He was a great listener. I spent a lot of time with him over the past several years, and we’d always have an adventure, even if it was just going to the grocery store. It was just fun to see the world through his eyes.” — Marla Grossberg, Highland Park
“I lost my abuelita to COVID on October 2, 2020. She’s from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. My family and I live across the boarder in El Paso, Texas. I moved to Chicago two years ago. It was really hard because I couldn’t be there for my mom when she had just lost her mom due to cases being extremely high at El Paso. I didn’t say bye to my abuelita.. because we really couldn’t travel cases were really high.. last time I saw her was two years ago.. my abuelita ended up getting cremated because Mexico wanted to take ‘precautions.’ She didn’t want to get cremated.” — Priscilla Camacho, El Paso, Texas
“My aunt who passed away was such an amazing light who was taken too soon. To the amazing health care officials who did everything in their power to try and save her, I want to thank you for the amazing work you do everyday.” — Jonni Coyt, Joliet
“My father was the heart of our family. A rare breed. He was there for everyone, even people he didn’t know. He wanted to help and make sure everyone was happy and comfortable. He was the hardest worker I have met, and his colleagues would agree. He was loved by so many because of his kindness. All he wanted was grandkids to spoil, and he finally got them. Unfortunately he passed when they were just 11 months and 4 months old. I’m so happy he was able to meet them. His battle with COVID was rough on all of us. He was the strongest man I have ever known, and we really thought he was going to pull through. The nurses told us everyday how he was their best patient and did everything they asked because he wanted to get better and to be with his grandchildren.” — Felicia Gonzalez, Chicago
“My 87-year-old father. He contracted COVID just before Christmas and just before others got the vaccine in his facility. We thought he did pretty well with it, but never fully recovered and died in February 2021.” — Monica Marcel, Chicago
“Janice Jackson-Rawles was kind, vibrant, brilliant. Loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt. Would give you the shirt off her back. Loved wrestling. Was a Trekkie. Loved her church. I miss her singing. I miss just calling her.” — Birda Jackson, Jolient
“Hecky Powel, who I went to school with from 3rd grade through high school and opened Hecky’s Barbecue in Evanston, Illinois, which is the best barbecue ever.” — Paul Howlett, Evanston
Do you feel more optimistic about the future now than a year ago?
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“I don’t think I will ever take life for granted the way I did before the pandemic. I am happier being alone or with my husband or with a single friend, and I treasure each day, realizing the sanctity of time.” — Susan Hanes, Chicago
“I hope to be able to return to doing the things I love. And I can’t wait to hug people again!” — Kathy Missel, Streator
“I’m hoping that life will get back to normal. Or maybe a new normal. I don’t believe businesses will ever be the same. So many companies have closed down, so many people have lost their jobs that although life after the pandemic will be OK for me, I don’t think that will be the case for everyone.” — Sherry McDonald, River Forest
“We have all changed. It will be strange to put toes back into the public pool.” — Tamara Biggs, Chicago
