Interview with Bettie Staton
IntervieweeInterview with
Bettie Staton
(American)
InterviewerInterviewed by
Samariya Smith
Date2022 November 10
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 22 Minutes, 22 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
Object number2022.20.47
DescriptionInterview with Bettie Staton. Interviewed by Samariya Smith on November 10, 2022 at Case Memorial Library in Orange, Connecticut. She was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Historical Society's Community History Project discussing her experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
At the time of the interview, Bettie Staton was 78 years old and a retired nurse living in Orange, Connecticut. She described the pandemic as a “dark cloud” and “devastating.” She felt that the biggest disruption to her life was her inability to go outside. She recalled feeling as though the virus was everywhere around her, and that she could catch it in the air. She took many precautions to keep herself safe, such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and making sure she washed her hands thoroughly. She found reliable information from Dr. Fauci and Governor Ned Lamont.
Bettie recalled a good friend who caught Covid-19 and had to be put on a ventilator. Her friend had to relearn to walk and talk, but she eventually recovered. Bettie remembered feeling relieved when she heard about a vaccine, and supported vaccine mandates.
When asked how her community changed during the pandemic, Bettie’s response was that she simply didn’t see anyone. Many of her friends and neighbors whom she used to see regularly have since moved to assisted living. She recalled feeling really sad during the pandemic.
Bettie noted that she spent more time praying during the pandemic and recalled how her church offered sermons remotely and delivered meals to her. She used this service until she received her vaccine, at which time she felt comfortable leaving the house.
When asked what she lost during the pandemic, Bettie responded, “my independence.”
At the time of the interview, Bettie Staton was 78 years old and a retired nurse living in Orange, Connecticut. She described the pandemic as a “dark cloud” and “devastating.” She felt that the biggest disruption to her life was her inability to go outside. She recalled feeling as though the virus was everywhere around her, and that she could catch it in the air. She took many precautions to keep herself safe, such as cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, and making sure she washed her hands thoroughly. She found reliable information from Dr. Fauci and Governor Ned Lamont.
Bettie recalled a good friend who caught Covid-19 and had to be put on a ventilator. Her friend had to relearn to walk and talk, but she eventually recovered. Bettie remembered feeling relieved when she heard about a vaccine, and supported vaccine mandates.
When asked how her community changed during the pandemic, Bettie’s response was that she simply didn’t see anyone. Many of her friends and neighbors whom she used to see regularly have since moved to assisted living. She recalled feeling really sad during the pandemic.
Bettie noted that she spent more time praying during the pandemic and recalled how her church offered sermons remotely and delivered meals to her. She used this service until she received her vaccine, at which time she felt comfortable leaving the house.
When asked what she lost during the pandemic, Bettie responded, “my independence.”
Label TextListen to interview at http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:19646599
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Historical Society’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the impact of Covid-19 on Connecticans, particularly on Black and Brown communities, funeral homes, and on nursing home and elder care populations.Cataloging Note: This cataloging project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-249472-OMS-21.
Status
Not on view
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