Compiled by a La Farge-based group, “True Stories” is a series about important issues in the lives of people residing in the Driftless and neighboring areas. The content does not reflect the views of any publication or political party. Contributors may elect to remain anonymous.
Our lives have been altered in so many ways since the coronavirus pandemic began. As we became unemployed, masked, and gloved shut-ins, we encountered new situations and unexpected consequences. “True Stories” presents news of the ongoing situation.
NO GOOD DEED
My husband’s uncle, who lives alone, got it and was ambulanced to the ER because he couldn’t breathe. Then they discharged him, but he didn’t have a coat or shoes, so my husband gave him a ride. They both wore masks and talked minimally, and he showered the minute he got home. He called his boss, who is literally the best, and who thanked him for telling him right away. He is quarantined for two weeks with full pay. So far, no symptoms, and it’s been seven days, so we’re hopeful that he is safe. — SM
EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE STRETCHED
I was a volunteer EMT on our squad for over 30 years. Now, at my age, I can’t risk going on calls because of potential exposure to Covid-19. In fact, all of our most active members are over 60. This really stretches our small-town squad. We really need younger people to step up. — MAK
CARING FOR DAD
My father ended up in the hospital for a few days when he suffered some severe physical difficulties. Then he was transferred to a nursing home for rehabilitation. All of that time, he was alone. No family. No friends. And now he’s home, but he needs care beyond what my mother can provide. The problem is, because of the virus, there is almost no home care help available. We were told that “the family must step up,” and we have done that, but what about people without families close by who can do this? — LL
HEALTHCARE IN FLUX
Nurses are having their hours cut back, and some are not working at all because many regular services are not offered: hospice house, elective surgeries, physical therapy, for instance. Doctors and administrators have had their pay cut. Everything’s in flux! — ST
DENTAL CARE
Routine dental care was shut down for some time, but emergencies needed to be seen to keep people out of the clinics/walk-in. Routine visits to nursing home and elderly care centers was put on hold. When an emergency occurred for an elderly person in a facility, the protocol for in-center visits changed to include temperature checks, increased protective wear, and minimal treatment. The social aspect of the visits is deeply missed by the residents. — MH
INCIVILITY
A friend of ours and his wife were in a fast food restaurant to get something to go. Most people in line stood six feet apart, but a man came in and went up much closer to his wife. When our friend motioned for him to step back, the man said, “Well, excuse me,” and then, as he left, he turned to our friend and said, “F-you!” Really? It seems that now, even more than ever, we all need to exercise civility. — JAK
APARTMENT BOUND
My son had recently graduated from college and gotten his first job in his field when the coronavirus pandemic hit. He is able to work from his apartment, but he’s new to the city in which he lives and has no close friends or family there. He does communicate by text or phone with us almost daily, but admits that it’s a pretty lonely life. He doesn’t go out for anything but essentials because his city is one of Wisconsin’s harder hit. He says that when this is all over, he wants to visit us and go for a hike in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. — DF
THE UNKNOWN FUTURE
My daughter has a developmentally disabled daughter who is cared for at home. Her ex-husband has been taking care of their daughter since the shutdown began, and my daughter has been working. But now he is going back to his seasonal job, and as they don’t want someone who isn’t a family member coming to the house, my daughter will stay home. Does that mean she won’t have a job at the end of the summer? We do not know. It’s one of the many things where we’re saying, ‘We’ll just have to see what happens.’ ” — BH
RUDENESS
While standing in the checkout line at an area grocery recently, I was shocked when a man who wasn’t wearing a mask rushed past those of us standing six feet apart. He went up to the cashier’s shield, leaned over, and shouted, “What’s this, your Wuhan shield?” I was appalled. The job of clerking in a grocery these days is hard enough without having to put up with such rudeness. — a Vernon County resident
KINDNESS
A neighbor came while I was working outside recently. “Hey, I just made some brownies and thought you guys might enjoy a couple,” she said as she put a bag on the porch. The act of kindness, and the chocolate, made our day. — DJF
VENTURING OUT
As we go out now, still infrequently, we’re seeing fewer people masked and exercising social distance. And it feels like the unmasked glare at us masked ones as if we’re the enemy — some weirdos who believe what they apparently think to be exaggerated warnings. It’s scary. — JK
True Stories will continue this important coverage of coronavirus and other healthcare stories in future installments. To contribute a story, write to Stories, P.O. Box 94, La Farge, WI 54639, or find True Stories — Driftless on Facebook.