COVID-19 Project Story Collection

Residents were asked to “tell a story about how the coronavirus has impacted your life.” Explore 50 responses below, selected at random. Which responses capture your attention? (Some responses were transcribed by youth volunteers.) To learn more about the storyteller and how they interpreted their response, click “Zoom In.”

Traversing Uncharted Spaces

2020 was a year of FORCED creativity as a result of a global health pandemic causing entire countries to shelter at home to prevent the spread of the virus. While shut in at our homes, we witnessed the horrific murder of Mr. George Floyd, a Black man, at the hands of a White police officer which erupted in a racial pandemic which has been suppressed as a result of hundreds of Black lives taken, senselessly. In addition, there was an emergence of technological advancements, proficiencies, and accelerated growth as we shifted our minds and hearts to execute the…
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Social distancing (Story #328)

With this corona virus I haven’t been able to go out and get my medicine from the doctors so my daughter has been trying to get everything i need.
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5

Corona has made an impact on my life and my community , the corona virus is stopping us from having our jobs, getting our money and we’re being stuck inside The corona is hurting us we have loved ones who has pass from the virus
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Home alone

My grandson is unable to attend public school. This is placing alot of stress on him. He is an only child and have very few opportunities to be with other kids his age. This is not natural for a child his age.
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Future not bright

Stressed about the future. America is not handling this well. If something worse happens I’m worried we’ll crumble.
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2020 The Year the World Stood Still

The corona virus has impacted my life in every way as it has impacted the entire World’s population in every way. I feel almost like I did after 9/11. The World stopped for a week. The World changed forever. This time, the World has stopped for months. The World will be changed forever-good and bad. Teaching requires a very interactive relationship with students. I realize how important face to face interaction is for children in a school environment. A smile, a touch on the shoulder, words of encouragement, sarcastic retorts, body language……. I miss them and I know the students…
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The disaster of coronavirus

It has canceled my graduation, grad bash, prom. Instead of going to school, we have to do virtual school. I can’t go outside as usual, I can’t go anywhere unless I’m wearing a mask, and staying 6 feet apart from people. Every object or anything I touch I need to wash my hands
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Ms. Naica Stories

Because of the coronavirus I have to work from home. One of my best friends dad got the virus and its kinda scary to know that someone that I know got the disease.
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No Traveling

It has affected me by the lack of traveling that I could do before the coronavirus. It has also affected me by not being able to take my dog to the dog park. People are not taking the proper procedures and are not wearing protections in local places such as grocery stores.
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#Senior program

When will this all be over. I’m cooped up in the house with my children and I’m ready to leave. The senior citizens program at the youth employment center would help a lot right now.
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Strange Virus

Corona had impacted my life in a very strange way, I did get to graduate since it was in December, I got my dream job but I’m not even able to work because Of the virus sadly.
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Gone

Only down fall i can remember from this virus is not having a chance to see my teammates one more time before I transferred.
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Society is down bad

Brought me closer to the fam, I get to work on all my skills a little more, corona really isn’t what I’m thinking about about tho because racial injustice is much more important
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Impact of COVID-19

Because of the corona virus my wife can not go to work. we feel very stress because we don’t know who has the virus and who doesn’t have it. I am trying to stay away from group of people as much as i can. I am even scare to go to the grocery store. We can not to to church. The kids are at home and the want to eat every minutes, so the food doesn’t last.
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Unemployment shortfalls…

At Macy’s i work on commission… And everyday i must cover my $9.00 an hour draw.. 7 hrs ×9 equals $63 a day that Macys is paying us right now.. I’m one of the lucky ones… That’s $315 minus taxes, fico, and s.s.(at 25 %) equals $227.25 a week… I cannot pay rent food, auto loan, insurance, gas (taking care of mom in Boynton) ,dentist loan, electric, capital 1(when times are tough) and going out( to support our local economy.. Take out etc..)… Made $32,000 in taxable income 1918.. Devided by 50 weeks is $640 per week… Minus taxes…
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Abbeys Story

Having to maintain my job, pick up a second job to help where my wife lost income, and trying to stay mentally and physically healthy.
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My Strength

It was scary not knowing how we would take care of and provide for our families. Especially when not all creditors were willing to work with you. Going from consistent financial means to zero so fast was alarming to say the least. It shocked us. Our family became homeless and divided up and living in separate places which was extremely tough for all us and praying and hoping we were safe and not exposed to viruses of any sort actually. It weighed on us emotionally financially mentally, etc. Not having the means and not knowing when or what you were…
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My story (Story #NA)

When corona first started i had to start working 1 day a week because my store was slow, the only reason i was able to provide for me and my kids was because of my boyfriend lyfe , but on October 10, 2020 he was shot and killed , the person who killed him didn’t know lyfe it was wrong place wrong time , its been almost 2 months since then and now day by day i have to struggle to put food on the table for my kids or how im going to pay the bills . Before lyfe…
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#60 He Leans On His Own Understanding

Ms Sullivan’s story is reflected in her dad’s name SOLOMAN MACK.Mr. Mack has been diagnosed with Dementia for a couple of years.He still has a sense of humor and very opinionated.He has been at the V.A. and JFK hospitals for surgery, He is now home thriving .He does have some issues he says with going out.However,he still continues to play checkers with the neighbors as he always has.’HE LEANS ON HIS OWN UNDERSTANDING OF THE VIRUS. He takes walks every morning.As a way,to receive his therapy. The physical therapist isn’t coming anymore due to the virus..
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my life during the pandemic

Because of the corona virus I am not able to go to work, church and socialize with my friend. I am scared to go to to grocery store because I don’t want to get infected by the virus and bring it to my family. Even though I talk to my family like my mother on the phone but I don’t want to go to her house because since she is old and I am not tested I don’t want to expose her to the virus. I don’t want to be the one to bring it to her. My kids are…
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My friends story

She is moving slow, and I don’t get it. She tells people her business and she doesn’t come outside anymore and there is no air and her house. I am telling her if she is sick she needs fresh air even if she doesn’t wanna spread the virus.
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A New Beginning from The Seemingly End

My mom works in the medical/health field. She goes to private residences everyday and she was over on Palm Beach and she went to see a patient. There are different protocols for people with and without corona diagnosis. She was made aware that neither the patient of her husband had tested positive for it and that they only had pneumonia. She felt fine at first and didn’t think anything of it but the next morning we got a call informing us we were to remain in quarantine for 3 weeks and get tested twice as both the patient and her…
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Family time (Story #765)

Corona has really impacted my life, my mother is out of work the only good thing I get out of it is the time spent with my family
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Community (Story #666)

Coronavirus has put a outbreak on the whole entire world coronavirus is called mini restaurants shops companies stores to shut down or even close at a certain amount of time life has been heavy quarantining quarantine has been the right way to go out and proceed to stay away from catching a virus I truly believe that many people are not quarantined in the right way they’re not listening if there’s not a virus he spread it as a community we should all come together if I find a solution to knock down a coronavirus cases
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Athletes

The virus impacted my time working with class of 2020 and also 2021 athlete by training them before they went off to school and also coming into there freshman year of high school
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Surviving online learning during Lockdown 2020

When we think of fortune, we think of massive wealth, treasure hunts, gold mines, and fantastic hordes of gems and jewels. But this year, my idea of fortune is how I am feeling right now, today. Yesterday, I submitted final grades for my four classes of Speech Communication with 110 students. Also, I completed editing my roomie’s book on graceful aging.Today, I feel accomplished, relieved, and euphoric that, during a pandemic, I am still earning a living by doing what I love. I enjoy teaching young people how to communicate impactfully. In my classes, people age 16 to 50 learn…
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The Impact of the Corona Virus on a College Student

The corona virus has impacted my life in the way that I have been unable to attend church regularly on Sundays nor Youth Group on Fridays and I really miss it. Also, it has been difficult in the transition to online learning last Spring semester, but it has gotten better now at the start of my Summer semester. Also, I really miss going out to play soccer with my friends and eat at restaurants, however, I am thankful for the precautions that the government has taken to keep us safe.
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#35 Social Gatherings

My adult children have been catering to my needs to prevent me from leaving the house I am 72 yrs old with chronic symptoms. I miss my social gatherings with others my peers.MY CHILDREN ARE HANDLING THE GROCERY,ANY OTHER MEALS NEEDED, AND BILLS THAT NEED PAYING.i do miss my meals being delivered.
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Help !

Corona has effect my life so much , I have lost a job I have kids this in the worst of them yet ! Idk when I will be able to find another job due to this virus everybody’s life’s being taken away it’s very sad ! I pray trump fix it noww… my community is upside down nobody being able to pay their bills nobody has any money this is a tragedy.
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ANTIQUE DESK STORY

I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE LAST 2 WEEKS OFF W/PTO & USE THEM WELL. I CLEARED O/AN ANTIQUE DESK THAT REALLY NEEDED IT & NOW AM IN THE PROCESS OF SHREDDING OLD, UNNECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
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Life Interrupted

Well my husband was temporarily laid off and we were applying for unemployment and have had many worries about money but we are grateful to be healthy, we are staying home so we will will stay healthy.
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Hope still lives

During the pandemic I had to stop working but my husband continued to work. Since we were living on one paycheck we couldn’t pay our bills or even take care of basic necessities like food and gas. But youth empowered to prosper started a food pantry that helped us soo much that we didnt need to buy food. We could focus our funds on paying Bill’s and etc. I then started to volunteer because of how they have helped my family. and assist others with getting food. though I filed for both unemployment and food stamps but…
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Anti-Coronavirus

I’m stuck in North Carolina and can’t travel to Florida to see my family and friends.
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Lockdown

It is very tiresome to have to stay isolated. It’s also scary to think I may catch the virus.
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#47

This is terrible at my age (81 yrs old). Our national leader spent a month talking about it was a democratic hoax. We miss our meals because that was only time we went out. We got food today at the Mall. from FSF
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Someone

Unable to make the same paycheck because I belly work
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# 17 A combined imcome of $8556.00

Mrs Wilkins was very disappointed to learn that she and her husband would not be getting a stimulus check. It can be hard to make ends meet for them. The Wilkins make a combined yearly income of $8556.00. They manage with the assistance of their Son(who resides in Atlanta,Ga)
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FAU Honors College Student Contracts COVID-19 While Working as an EMT

I am an EMT who was infected with COVID-19, this experience has forever changed my appreciation for life and my family. Earlier in the year when news of this virus first started emerging, I kept telling myself it would not affect us, that it would only be temporary. I am a neuroscience student at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of FAU. My life was pretty normal at that point, I was attending classes, interning at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and working my regular hours on the weekends. Then spring break came around, my boss briefed us…
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Pandemic (Story #372)

When I first found out about the corona virus, I thought that It was going to stay in China and not spread to the United States, I had no idea the horror that lied ahead. Firstly, I heard that It was in my country, then my state, then my county. Soon enough, a kid that goes to palm beach county schools ended up with the corona virus, so the governor decided to close all schools in Palm Beach County. This news came to me with a shock. I was in my math class when doing my work when my teacher…
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The Least of These From the Fields to Detention Centers

So many of us are utterly consumed with fear and our personal prospects for escaping the contagion of the Corona virus. As we stoke our own anxieties, while we shelter in place, there is precious little else to occupy our thoughts except when this will all be over, and when can we return to some sense of normalcy. It’s human nature I suppose, but these musings will make the leap from self absorption to people in our society who are strangers in more ways than one to us. They live and work among us. Many are integral to our survival;…
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Grandchildren education

My grandchildren are now taking online classes but my daughter is an essential worker she’s a care giver and while she’s working i have my grandchildren the education online is not really hands on so i don’t think it’s really benefiting my grandchildren
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007

Coronavirus continues to impact my life due to the schools being closed down, as well as the colleges. I am an Academic Tutor as well as an Afterschool Counselor, when the schools closed down the pay stopped due to not clocking in as I would before the pandemic. It’s hard to get help with online courses for me because I have multiple questions that I feel need face to face answers, but I still try to do it to my best ability because this is what I have to work with for now. It sucks because you never realize how…
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Peace through the Storm

So far my family has lost 3 members, for the most part everyone is staying safe as possible. Major change to work life.
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Corona Epidemic

The Corona virus has impacted my life by not being able to work; I have no income which is causing anxiety and depression.
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Social distancing (Story #365)

The corona virus has impacted my life in a strange way.I work as a busser at a restaurant and is currently unemployed due to social distancing.
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Corona Virus Impact

The corona virus has impacted my life by making it difficult to find daily essentials such as toilet paper,paper towels,cleaning supplies and etc. at local grocery stores.The corona virus has also affected me by not allowing me to travel and visit family,go to school or even go to the gym.
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My life in the struggle

My struggles started when I lost my child on October 1,2019, my world was turned upside down then this pandemic it does not make anything better my son contracted the COVID-19 and also my cousin who I’m currently living with so it was real scary not knowing what to expect but I prayed and asked God to give me the strength to go through what this pandemic has to offer. Let me back up a little when I lost my daughter I behaved in a lot of my bills .
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