File #29: "Covid-anonymous-Ireland.pdf"
Text
Submitted anonymously
We were supposed to have flown to Philadelphia on 13 March and visit with another couple – old
friends. Then, on 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day – the four of us were to fly to Dublin as part of a
travel package purchased in October, 2019. …but for the first time in our 70+ years, we actually
purchased Trip Insurance!
Around 3 March, news of the “Novel Corona Virus” started to permeate the news, and its rate of
contagion seemed alarming. By 10 March, we were having second (and third) thoughts about taking
our planned trip, and on the 11th, we cancelled. We were not only concerned that, if it spread to
Ireland, we’d get there to find that B&Bs and pubs and public attractions would be closed. We also
had become concerned about even being allowed to return to the United States.
Meanwhile, back in Maine, Penobscot Genealogical Meetings, traditionally held at the Bangor Public
Library, were cancelled. Other literary and “public” events held by and at the BPL were cancelled,
as well. This fell in line with other events sponsored by the Bangor Historical Society. The
“cultural abyss” had widened, and only recently were we jubilant that – even on a limited basis –
books could once again be borrowed from Maine’s finest library, fortunately for us located in
Bangor!!
We were supposed to have flown to Philadelphia on 13 March and visit with another couple – old
friends. Then, on 17 March – St. Patrick’s Day – the four of us were to fly to Dublin as part of a
travel package purchased in October, 2019. …but for the first time in our 70+ years, we actually
purchased Trip Insurance!
Around 3 March, news of the “Novel Corona Virus” started to permeate the news, and its rate of
contagion seemed alarming. By 10 March, we were having second (and third) thoughts about taking
our planned trip, and on the 11th, we cancelled. We were not only concerned that, if it spread to
Ireland, we’d get there to find that B&Bs and pubs and public attractions would be closed. We also
had become concerned about even being allowed to return to the United States.
Meanwhile, back in Maine, Penobscot Genealogical Meetings, traditionally held at the Bangor Public
Library, were cancelled. Other literary and “public” events held by and at the BPL were cancelled,
as well. This fell in line with other events sponsored by the Bangor Historical Society. The
“cultural abyss” had widened, and only recently were we jubilant that – even on a limited basis –
books could once again be borrowed from Maine’s finest library, fortunately for us located in
Bangor!!