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.”

Family time (Story #734)

The Corona virus has gave me an opportunity to work from home, this time has let me spend more time with my family.
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EJSJB2020 (Story #31)

I have to find funds to fed my family and going to the stores is a scary thing. Work has been slow and when trying to support others it’s hard because of the distance we have to keep
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No Title

The pandemic caused me to lose my job and cause me to have depression and anxiety. Being alone is one of the things I do not like about the pandemic. I like being around people because that was one of the ways I copped with my anxiety and depression. I would say that it has gotten worse since the lock-down started.
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A lost senior

Hello I’m a senior. I was so excited for my senior year I understand that all the stuff I payed for wasn’t really anyone’s fault but. Every time I look on the news it’s never about seniors. I was a senior with 27 credits and only needed .5 more to graduate. I’m transitioning into signing up for collage and getting ready to pick my path. And all of this is just being left in the air. No one is telling me what to do or how to get ready for the next step. I’m so afraid of missing something. My…
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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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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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I miss graduation

The corona virus made me miss My senior Graduation which sucks, I am transferring schools so it really didn’t effect me that I wasn’t at school with my friends anymore
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Got me a job

The virus has impacted me in a good way sort of . I have found a job at a warehouse due to the need for workers and is waiting on a stimulus check.
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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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Athletes need justice

My name is coach Walker I can say that this virus has impacts a whole lot .Also I’m a track coach for Fast lane track club . I train my athletes for them to compete on a beat level also to get them into a d1 college what that being said I can’t even train them anymore and they all depends on me wow man what a life that sucks I can’t help my athletes out .
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#13

I am 90 years old and continue to wonder why am I still here. In the 1920’s,there were alot of plagues due to a host of diseases that endangered Americans health. I remember my parents speaking of the dangerous health concerns and most of the health concerns would keep one in isolation for months. This so remind me on the Coronavirus, My Community immediately took concern and care over the impact that this would have on us. The clubhouse, pool and all activities were closed. I have the best neighbor in the community,she makes sure that i have all that…
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100 Days of Solitude

I wonder how much unlimited data on my phone plan really means. Ever since the beginning of this self-isolation era, I’m sure people have turned to their phones and their home wi-fi to ride this wave of corona virus-related news. I know everyone must be watching their Netflix, having Zoom conferences, virtual classes and virtual happy hours, and calling their people to ask them what they’re doing for the umpteenth time that day. As for me, I didn’t realize until now how crucial my phone has become to staying connected and keeping sane in a moment where staying home is…
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Staying heathy

The virus has affect alot of my community senior and lot of the kids having to be inside alot .myself lose work and found working is hard to go out and look for work .and trying to keep bills payed and staying healthy.
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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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#postgraduatereflection

The pandemic began a few months after I graduated college, so it impacted my job search. Most on-site internships were canceled, and organizations were now focusing on cutting back. I am very fortunate to be in a situation where I don’t have to pay rent and utilities, so I’m not experiencing a lot of financial-related stress. Before the pandemic, I was the only one that stayed at home during the day, the dining room table was my office and a place where I could accomplish all of my daily tasks. Now there are five of us at home, so we…
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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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I WAS A DRUM MAJOR

The virus has alot of fear in it, You just do not know who has it and who doesn’t have it. I have never been exposed to fear on this level. The only thing I feared was the 25 yd dash as a runner in high school. Other than that,I ran the 50 and 100 yd dash with ease. The leaders have done all they can to help prevent the spread of this frightening virus, But it is the people who do not care that are not following the rules set forth by our local,state lawmakers. I was a drum…
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No home

It’s been very upsetting there’s no where to go. I can’t go home with see my family i have 19 grandchildren.
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Laid Off

The Caronavirus impacted my life by me not working. I’ve been paid off.
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What love Is?

The coronavirus has made me appreciate how valuable life is. Never before this generation experience a global pandemic of this magnitude. We can’t take for granted the seriousness of is situation we are in. To see health workers risk their lives to save others is truly a real expression of love. It must affect them emotionally, pysocologically as well as the fear,concern and anxiety it causes their family. The story of the Doctor facing a custody battle to keep her child in her life is heartbreaking. Yet she is willing to still put forth the effort to help others.
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What’s Next

Hello I am a sophomore at airport Palm Beach State and I truly believe this coronavirus mess is really serious I watch my community take this as a joke take this virus as a joke and when things hit the fan that was a large number of cases floating around my community I want to let my community to know that we need to stand strong quarantine the right way and 30 cases up as well to make the World open up we need to start within our community first and I will help with that would like to help
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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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Hate Corona

It stops me from working out the way I want to because I am a college quarterback. I can’t hang out with my friends that I barely get to see because I’m always way for school
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the fear of life as we know it

The corona virus has made it difficult for myself and my family to stay calm simply because it’s changed the dynamic of life. My family members are older, which makes them more susceptible especially considering they have preexisting conditions. My great aunt, grandmother, mother and grandfather have all recently in some way fell ill. Although there are other forms of illness, the pandemic and lack of knowledge behind the coronavirus has instilled fear that any illness could be fatal. It makes my grandparents afraid to leave their homes, worry about their friends and family and it’s harder to find basic…
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Quarantine with 3 plus me

Being in Quarantine due to COVID-19 is great at times and challenging in others. I am a mother of 3 school age children and am currently working from home. Finding balance between work and assisting the kids with their school work has been challenge that I am currently working. I am grateful for the full support of my kids teachers in providing lessons and following up with their educational needs. The struggle is when I try to focus on my work but still need to facilitate and support the kids learning ( answer questions, work on practice problems,…
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Life of helll right now

the corona has impacted my life so much ! I lost a job I have a family to feed . life has been so stressful . I try my best to keep a smile on my face for my kids but something has to give ….
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Inconvenience

All of my VA appointments have been canceled and I have no way of getting any pain medications for my Leg or shoulder. My surgery has been postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus. Also, the lack of essentials such as toilet paper, rubbing alcohol, bleach, and hand sanitizers at grocery stores. Wearing a mask when going out to public places can be irritating.
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The Coronavirus Journey

Being tested POSITIVE for the coronavirus is a grueling journey.The protocol for this outcome was isolation in my room for at least two full weeks. After that, I would have to be tested until I received two consecutive NEGATIVE results before I could return to the workplace. My room is upstairs and no one was allowed to entire without a mask and gloves on. The sources of nutrition were left at the bottom of the stairs for me, and once I was finishd eating, the dishes were put back on the stairs for removal. I felt like a leper. Slowly,…
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My Family and Our Health

The positive that came out of the pandemic was the family bonding I had with my 1, 2, and 17 year old kids. The negative thing that came out of the corona virus was unemployment, living paycheck to paycheck, no money coming in to support my family or provide decent safety for them. Unemployment is not enough to feed 6 people in the household. I am also a victim of unemployment, since most of all the schools are closed and am in fear of my safety of going out in the medical field.
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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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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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# 26 She IS A GEORGIA GIRL

Vera Jenkins had an emergency procedure on May 29th .It involved her intestines being wrapped around her stomach. She is currently living with her Granddaughter, Tamika Hadley, who is providing care for her. She has lost her husband and 2 adult children within a five year span.Mrs Jenkins has triumphed over those tragedies stronly holding on to God’s hand.She has a 2 year old Great-Grand,Imani, Whom she calls her own. Arriving in Boynton Beach,, Mrs Vera has lived here since the 1960’s. Mrs Vera married a brother as well as her sister I enjoy her her oul dish of…
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HOPE and BRAVERY

My Dad, at 86 years old, tested POSITIVE from the COVID-19 virus and had to be hospitalized for 13 days. Elderly people with the virus are more probable to die from the disease and he almost did. I tested POSITIVE as well and beat myself up for giving him the virus and praying for a healthy recovery. It turned out that I hadn’t given it to him, he had given it to me. So, that guilt faded. In the meantime, my Mother, Super Mom, slept next to my Father who had the virus, cleaned up our dirty dishes, came into…
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6-feet-apart

2 months into the corona virus pandemic, people were ordered to stay about 6 feet apart from each other. When people want to go inside of stores, the have to wait in long lines so that the store cannot be overcrowded. Due to the very dangerous pandemic, people are scared to even leave their homes and go visit their family members. This is very scary because when their family members inevitably pass away from the virus, they have to say goodbye over the phone, and I can imagine that this would be a painful experience.
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Restaurant (Story #645)

Coronavirus has run to pick and pack in my life I’m a big guy and I love to eat I play football at University of Central Florida and with everything I’ve been closed out all the good restaurants I’m currently losing weight which I’m happy and sad about I like to die Nana eat my food so to see some of the restaurants opening up but came down and I still don’t get to enjoy my food I want to quarantine and has been taken at all upon me and I just want to eat good again Can’t can the…
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Elderly not forgotten

I am grateful and appreciative for the support of community in ensuring that the elderly are taken care of. Meals are delivered several times a week by various individuals. Neighbors are calling to offer encouragement and comfort. This is specially needed because some elderly ones live aloneOr no longer have relatives leaving nearly by or because of social distancing to care for their needs.
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To be human together

I’ve been impacted by anxiety since childhood. When I was young, I felt a lot of shame about not being able to tell my brain to stop worrying (as well meaning adults suggested). When my two older children were in their early teens, they were both diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that runs in both sides of my family. Although I had already worked on my anxiety in therapy, my children’s diagnoses motivated me to deepen my research, and do whatever I could to learn to manage my mental health and theirs. When their doctor wrote “mindfulness meditation” on…
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Living through coronavirus

The corona virus has impacted my life through numerous ways:1. I have had to complete my internship remotely2. My aunt became infected with the corona virus, which stressed my family out in the beginning but now we are relying heavily on faith3. I have had to cautious about where I travel and my surrounding because my dad is at risk of catching the corona virus4. I haven’t seen my baby nephew in a month because he is also at risk for catching the corona virus5. I have had walk the bridge for exercise due to the gym being closed6. I…
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EJSJB2020 (Story #NA)

COVID 19 has made an impact on me and my family. We’ve been struggling to keep up with our bills and provide for my family and I. My hours at work have been cut back due to COVID and I don’t get paid as much as I did before COVID. So trying to provide everything for my family is kinda hard.
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A Sad Situation But God is In Control

I can’t work. I was furloughed off of both jobs. I basically have don’t any income. I have no applied for unemployment because people have said it was too hectic and a waste. I don’t like standing in food lines. It’s been an entire change. Cant go to work, you can’t see your grandkids. I miss my friends! Everyone is tense but I’m learning to cope and live with things I thought I needed like hair and nails. There are people doing worse. I’m doing my best to help out my neighbors. Someone at my church had the virus and…
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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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Unexpected

It Has Caused Me Not To Be Able To Work && Not Get Paid
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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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IT’S NOT EASY #2

It has isolated me. Serious breathing problems,asthma,COPD,congestive heart failure and a nerve condition with hands diagnosed as CRPS. If I was deemed positive for the virus,I probably would not live and thst brings tears to my eyes. I am use to going out 3-4 times a week to the grocery store to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables due to a special diet that has been recommended. The grocery stores are now considered to be the wrong places to go! I have recommended her to FSF which will deliver fresh fruit and veggies to her door as well…
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Times call for buying a Gun

Through the year, I’ve been thinking about my home, safety, unrest, what I would do if someone broke in at night. I hadn’t shot or owned a gun in over 20 years but went to a concealed carry course the other day and am looking for a gun to put in a safe place in the house only I can access in case the worst happens.
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College

I was in college and had to pick everything i was doing up and move back home for the while. Its all something new to us so i just hope everyone is staying safe.
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Bored in da house

It is very challenging, it seems like we’re in the same the same day everyday. My social life has decrease.
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