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.”

No Schooling

Now I focus only football, cause i don’t have any classes. If there wasn’t Covid, I’ll prolly be in summer school right.
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Covid-19 (Story #943)

I Carmela Herrera, have gone through a hard situation. I am 65 years old I live by myself I was in the process of moving out because I cant afford to pay the rent where I live. Unfortunately I was infected with the virus back in June. I was very sick and was hospitalized for almost 3 weeks. I was connected to the oxygen the whole time. After 3 weeks I was released. I couldn’t work, I had to stay home for another 3 weeks before I was to start working. I am behind in my bills, and need some…
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Trying to be still with the virus

The corona virus has impacted my life in many ways:1. I was supposed to have surgery on April 22,2020 to help repair my vision, but it was postponed.2. My daughter now has to do therapy sessions at home with masks on.3. I am also not able to work because due to risk of being infected or infecting my client.4. My family is also affected by the corona virus because everyone is feeling overwhelmed.
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Worst. Spring. Break. Ever.

Friday, March 13, 2020. The rumors are flying. Ironically, it’s the students who tell me that school is cancelled. It hit the Twitter feed and spread like wildfire. Seriously, the students told me a good five minutes before the announcement came over the loudspeaker. I’ve been on lockdown at home since March 13, 2020, when we were told by our administration to grab what we needed to work from home and leave campus. I haven’t been back. The transition to online learning has been fairly smooth for me, as our school was part…
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#73

Testing did not start soon enough.Those that need testing will never be tested.They really don’t have transportation. Therefore, they will not be called back to work if they are working. Many,who need food aren’t receiving it, Why? because, you must have a car to be in lineShe does not have faith in the statistics being provided.The Farmers and migrant workers live clustered(she has an admiration for this group of people).It is here! It will never leave this earth!
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Life on pause

I’m not able to continue my education in the pace that I won’t. Because of what’s happening, I’m taking a leave of absence at work
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Hope

Corona virus has helped me more than hurt me, my body gets to heal I’ve had a lingering shoulder injury so now I get to let that heal. I am sad that I can’t be at school around all my teammates and friends but I hope we get a cure and they don’t cancel the football season nor push it back
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N/A (Story #416)

The Corona virus crisis make everyone scare of each other, now most people are unemployed with no income and unable to huge my friend and family. I pray that everything most gone so we can go to our normal life
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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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# 11… The Freedom Just Isn;t There To Do Like You Wanna

Dan White is a single 69 years old. He was born and raised in Boynton Beach.He loves his community and he has proven it by volunteering with organizations that are close to his beliefs. Dan is a College Graduate and takes no jokes about being a FAMU rattler. He says that the pandemic has been very threatful to Boynton Beach for everyone that has transitioned as a result of the Virus.He has known each one of them since childhood . Dan lives in a retirement community. Dan,sadly,mentions that he has no social life. The freedom just isn’t there to do…
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Help those most in need in Lake Worth and PBC

Our gallery and studio are closed to the public. I come in most days to a thankfully empty town. The only people, for the most part, who are walking the streets are the homeless and those with cognitive disabilities. I drive past the tent city in John Prince Park and it breaks my heart to see so many homeless in close quarters. If nothing is done to help them it is only a matter of time. I worry about Patrick and the folks he feeds and their exposure. I sent this statement out in a letter to someone who might…
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Teachers care during the pandemic

The corona virus continues to impact my life as I am a preschool teacher. Extra work and measures are taken to keep the facility clean and running smoothly. As teachers we work together to keep the children and parents worry free and happy.
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#69 It brings tears to my eyes

Mrs Tucker’s immediate response was America is way over the top! never thought that I would see America looking as a third world country.. This brings tears to my eyes. I came here for opportunity.Now I have lost a husband since being here. I cannot seem to get over the lost I only way out of this is kneeling for prayer.
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Living in Ongoing Emergency Roll

My job tasks have changed, putting aside usual management tasks. I am completely focused on helping keep our programs operational and filling in where needed. I try to keep up to date on changes and new services to share with staff.
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# 31

Brenda Lowe was born and raised in Boynton Beach some 71 years ago. She is married to Eddie Mr Lowe is very cool and mellow.When you see one you pretty much see the other. They enjoy walks,fishing and babysitting their grandchild.Mr Lowe’s are both diabetics. They will have delivered meals from Faith Based CDC BEGINNING July 6.The Lowe’s are willing to except any assistance for water and electric.
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Bad virus

By impacting my education also playing football doing what I do and love best
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#Tellyourstorypbc (Story #249)

The corona virus has essentially ruined my senior year. It took away my opportunity to walk across the stage, attend my prom, and my senior trip. I also recently lost my job due to the corona virus as well.
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A husband needing assistance

Hello. My name is Leroy Merchant and I am a husband who’s wife (Fabiola) is currently battle a diagnosed of stage 4 ovarian and colon cancer and also raising two teenage boys. My mother suffered a stroke in June who also needs my help. Life took us for a ride back in October last year when my wife was diagnosed and my mother’s stroke. Then on March I became unemployed due to Covid19 and it has been a struggle not only before but became more in March, being home have giving me an opportunity to take care of my wife…
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#rip2020seniors

COVID-19 has impacted my life by changing the entire nature of my senior year. The last semester of your senior year is meant to be the most rewarding and memorable part of high school. Having my graduation, prom, senior nights, and grad parties taken from me has been extremely difficult to deal with. I have found myself struggling more and more with what I like to call corona depression, everyday is a challenge but I’m glad to be taking said challenge. Luckily I have been able to go back to work and I feel as though I can finally see…
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# 28 Our Hands Are Cuffed

Miss King is also a lifelong resident of Boynton Beach. Jackie had her house built next door to the home where she was raised. Her sister,Angela, lived in the family home(next door to hers) until 2018. Angela died in the home. Jackie is still reeling the affects of her sister’s death. You ,very seldom ,saw one without the other.Jackie volunteered with the CCC delivering Healthy Meals to seniors,visits them in nursing facilties and hospitals and Jackie is very passionate about the care and self-worth! Mrs King transports them to pick-up medication and grocery shopping.Jackie has two sons Selwyn(39) and…
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Blessing in disguise

Corona virus almost helped me more than hurt me, I get to heal my body but it really hurt everyone else. I am a student athlete so I needed the rest and it give me time to work on things that I lack, hopefully we catch a break with all of this
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7 (Story #199)

The coronavirus has impacted my life a lot. I can’t go to school and I have done learning distance. I find it kind of difficult because I struggle in math and for me to do online class going to more difficult.I have to work during this quarantine, I work with the elderly. I do room service because due to the virus. The elderly people wanted to talk to me but I can’t. I truly feel bad for them. During this quarantine I been planning for college and what going want to do. My senior Activity got cancelled even Graduation….
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Bryant Park W.P.B.

I live in downtown Lake Worth Beach… I’M SINGLE..SENIOR CITIZEN..AND GENERALLY A VERY POSITIVE PERSON…TAKE CARE OF MY MOM IN BOYNTON WHO’S 92.. LOVE MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND LOVE MY LAKE WORTHS BEACHSIDE COMMUNITY… MONEY’S STRESSFUL RIGHT NOW FOR MOST PEOPLE..AS IS THE FEAR OF CONTAMINATION… WE ARE NEAR THE BEACH (JUST A BRIDGE) BUT AREN’T ALOUD TO GO THERE.. I’M A SINGLE SENIOR LIVING ON NOW VERY DIMINISHED RESOURCES OF MONEY..WITH LOANS TAXES ELECTRIC ETC. IN A ONE BEDROOM RENTAL OF ONLY 450 SQ.FT. …I’VE SEEN EVERY MOVIE I OWN .. READ ALOT..FB ALOT.. COOK, CLEAN,FOOD SHOP,…
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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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big body

It really only changed the amount I workout. I probably workout 3x as much as i would normally.
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Corona vs bills

It impacts my life with my bill without my job I have to find away to pay all my bills that’s the point of me getting a job to pay bill
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The new norm

It’s required me work remotely full-time. I’m truly understanding the importance of being technologically knowledgeable and adaptable. Being able to change with the time is important.
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#66 (Story #269)

Ms Northern is a care-giver. She supports the needs of her older brother . He is diagnosed with dementia. She says,her their feelings are pretty bottle up.It’s a struggle to deal with her brother wanting to go to daycare. But, because of the virus he is not presently attending. She is fearful of going to the grocery store so one of her churhc-going friends goes for her.She is a cancer survivor.
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Corona Troubles

Because of corona virus I am working less hours which affects paying bills.
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Cherishing Life of Yesterday While Living The New Norm

My oldest living relative is my Great Aunt Eleanor who is 104. She has seen so much in her life. Her mom had a sister in the early 1900’s who died from the Spanish Flu and her father and sister also had this. The doctor told her mom that she could only save one and that the baby would die. Thankfully the baby (my grandmother) survived. Eleanor still lives independently and is normally very capable, however recently she fell and broke her wrist and ribs. After coming out of rehab she needed help at…
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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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J. Charles Corona Experience

Bills, Stress, worry of the unknown…. all effects this Corona virus pandemic is having on me. As if it wasn’t bad enough to have to panic over a deadly virus, I must be out of work with Bills piling up on me!! Me and so many Others have to suffer as a result of this virus. Mentally and physically, the stress is truly inhumane.
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Budding friendships

My two year old son was really enjoying school and playing with our neighbors outside. He was just starting to play with others and enjoy people’s company. Now, we have to tell him ‘no’ when he sees them playing next door. He wants desperately to join them and it feels awful to deny him that socialization! We’ve tried to play in our backyard while they play in the front. He can still see them through the fence, but we keep a good distance away.
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Together Always

My wife, daughter and I spend more time together than ever. Reason being, is that we work together and now with the cancellation of school, my daughter spends the days at work with us. The coronavirus pandemic has not been all bad.
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Gail’s Story

the coronavirus has impacted my life because I can hardly work on one of my jobs. Sometimes I my go to peoples houses, sometimes I may go to the nursing homes, and sometimes might go to peoples houses. So, It was too much of a risk for me to hold onto that job for now because I have to be home with my grandchildren that I am taking care of right now, and as y’all know there is no school. So, I have to stay home with my grand kids most of the time. Sometimes I go to my…
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Sharing purpose.

Now with Coronavirus waking people up and they are more motivated to explore gardening, growing foods and thinking about food and diet as sources of diseases. Because of this, I’ve connected to new people in ways that feels more purpose driven on both sides, which wasn’t necessarily there previously. I hope the motivation lasts.
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4 (Story #131)

The corona virus has put an impact on everyone’s life losing loved ones , losing jobs and money The corona virus made it bad for me, my job cut my hours short less money more problems
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#10

In my 83 year of living, I have never known so many people that I have a connection with dying from this virus. Ii appears that the government knew of this pandemic way before now. The whole country should have been shut-down months ago. I am unable to get around like I once did, My wife and I are miserable with the company we use to receive on a daily basis. She is one of the best cooks around. So we always had folks stopping in on us. I miss that! However, if we must go out we do…
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Gloves

Covid 19 changed the way people walk around. On my way to florida, we had to wear a mask all from North Carolina.
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2020 When the World Stopped Spinning So Fast

It seems we have fallen down a rabbit hole into some other dimension. Watching the world suffer from a distance and feeling like it is never going to end. My son is missing out on the end of 5th grade, safety patrol trip to Washington D.C., his spring soccer season, and just his regular daily routine. I am fortunate to be able to work from home, but I’ve become a teacher, guidance counselor, recess playmate, and lunch lady too. I am not complaining about one moment, my cousins 24 year old normally healthy son is on…
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25 (Story #308)

The corona virus has changed the way I work on my job . I am a teacher . Schools are closed . I am doing online teaching now . The virus has slowed the progress of my restaurant build out . I can’t visit friends and family Like I use to
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Store without production

There are less customers coming to my store and it’s hard for me to provide fore my family, people aren’t staying home and many are getting sick. My sister lost her job, We aren’t getting new products because of the shipping is refusing.
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Thankful transitions

Normally an active family involved in gym, sports and therapies we have been halted in our tracks. Our lives have transitioned to finding how to do the things we love within the confines of our home. Our youngest son is a transplant recipient, on immunosuppressant medicine for the rest of his life, so the threat is very real to us. It saddens me that more people are not taking this seriously.
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The Unexpected

The corona virus has impacted my life because my daughter isn’t able to go to school but my job is still open because I work in the medical field. Therefore I have to find someone to watch her while I’m at work. I am also not sure how long my job will be open or if I will get paid.
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Surviving corona

Coronavirus has impacted my life in so many ways. Like having to work from home & only working 20 hrs a week.
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Chaneling my mother

The corona virus has impacted my life by limiting what activities I can do outside my house. I have not been able to travel to visit family in other states, requiring utilization of technology such as zoom and facetime to connect to distant family. I am usually active at least three times a week with volunteer activities and since these are community based I have had to limit these to just a few that I can do from home. This virus has caused me to work on, not yet complete, in home projects, which I report to…
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Strange times

While in this pandemic i have lost my job and been at home every-since. I currently the stimulus check and is in no need. I just hope everyone is staying healthy and safe.
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