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.”

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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No Man Is an Island

I am an eighty two old diabetic that lives with my sister and brother in law. I am totally blind and suffer from extreme nephropathy and have difficulty with mobility. I have limited socialization and look forward to the socialization through attending church and the monthly senior activity sponsored by the Community Caring Center. The Stay at Home order has made it more difficult to have the socialization that is needed for elderly people.
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My Story (Story #938)

My StoryI am Janette Lopez, I’m a single mother. I live with my mother, sister and 12 year old son. We all four caught the virus covid 19. Till this day we are still recovering. Unfortunately, I’m not able to work yet because I am still sick and taking medications. My family and I are very grateful for this foundation. Thank you for paying my previous month’s rent. And for continuing to support my family and I through the month of June. I am very grateful, Thank you for everything. –Janette Lopez
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Chilled

Since the virus hit, my life has been pretty chill. I workout when i want and don’t have to wake up early to do so. I don’t have no one yelling in my face. The only downfall is that I cant play football right now.
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Brought Others Together

People are staying in side, taking correct safety procedures. It’s not as overwhelming because I can get off work and still provide for my family.
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Corona suck but social injustice is worse

Sadly corona is the last thing I am worried about right now with all this social injustice going on in the world, all 50 states are protesting literally and no one is worried about corona
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# 39 SHE IS A GRADUATE OF FCC IN COSMETOLOGY

Ms. Kayleen Marti lives in Boynton Beach. She is 37 years old. Kayleen has a 2 year old son. He is very active.Ms Marti takes care of her older her neighbors.Kayleen is a graduate of FCC in cosmetology. She hasn’t taken the licensed yet.Ms Marti says she doesn’t have adequate childcare.She earns extra money by cleaning others homes on Monday and Friday. Ms Marti is very conscientious of the pandemic and she pratice social distancing.Kayleen Marti needs assistance with her ELECTRIC and WATER.
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Love

THe virus cause something I love to be taken away from me, football. Its starting to get hard training for something that might not happen. It caused a little depression.
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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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Coffee shop anxiety

I sometimes work at a coffee shop for family friends on the weekends. I worked this past Sunday to help out over worked owners and staff. A lot of the other staff members have decided not to come into work because they are too afraid of getting sick and not being able to support their family. I am usually a really friendly and happy person, always focused on customer service. But I found myself really anxious the entire shift and I felt angry at customers for coming in. This anxiety lingered with me for several days to the point…
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2

Covid-19 affected my life by causing me to have a virtual graduation and have my football season end on the wrong foot. Because of this pandemic, I was not working out with my workout partner in the gym. It also scared me of my grand-parents life since they are in the age range.
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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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#31 It’s Very sad

She has been at home for appx 2 mos. .Her 61 yr old daughter supplies all her earthly needs.She has custody of her 17 yr old granddaughter,who is a teen Mom (18 mos old) and her 16 yr old grandson, Their Mother died when they were young children. She has buried a husband and now is 74 yrs of age. Her thoughts on the Corona Virus are that It is very sad.
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#effectsofcoronavirus

The coronavirus effects me because I can’t work as much as I used to because I work in the health field and it isn’t safe so I make less money than I used to and also my grandchildren are out of school and they can’t stay home alone.
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#WeStillHere

Many people around me have been laid off. I’m currently looking for a job as I was let go right before the virus took off. However, it’s been difficult being able to do interviews and things because no one is actually in an office. And I don’t want to work a normal job like fast food or anything because I have a college degree. So I have been spending this time looking for jobs. I didn’t really take it seriously until I found out that someone from Riviera Beach died from it Coronavirus has taught me to be more clean…
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Change….

Well, things are very different for us all. This time has allowed My Family to become closer. Not being able to do the normal things you would have taught us how to stay home, cook more, and save money.
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community

Coronavirus has taken a toll on my community stores have been closed for over a month now things are looking bad my community has been on the news with a high coronavirus case within a small community I feel as if that we are not quarantine in the right way and we are taking it for a vintage the government need to seize another we are quarantining in my community I think we should all come together as one and discuss how can we get over this coronavirus and the glaze
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11

I was released from my university and forced to obtain a full time night shift job. I got this job because my mother need assistance with my other 5 siblings who had also been released from their educational institutions. It is unfair, and uncomfortable to not be able to receive my education anymore.
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The walk of biblical Faith

Absolutely everything is turned up side down!!! An entirely new and different way of life!!! But because I am by the grace of God well learned considerably in scripture I am not alarmed none what so ever and that is the gospel truth!!!
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#37 I have A Lung Disease

This lady is 82 yrs old. She lives alone. The Virus has affected her because she has a rare lung disease for 17 yrs. So,She is forbidden from going out. I am going to the grocery store for her on Saturday. This Virus is a problem with not knowing if you have it! She is not optimist when this pandemic will be over. Her neighbors are having parties. Otherwise, this is how the virus tends to spread.
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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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Hope for That Free Get Out of COVID-19 Card

I was first tested on April 17, 2020 with a POSITIVE result. This meant that I could not return to work, Protocol is that need two NEGATIVE tests before I can return to work. On May 2, 2020, I tested POSITIVE again. I was speechless. On May 7, 2020, ditto. What could I say? On May 22, 2020, I was now tested for the fourth time and YES! NEGATIVE!!! I called all my supports with the wondrous news. I spent 45 minutes with my Boss planning out my work schedule (I had not been inside the jobsite for…
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#togetherwecandividedwefall

My 92 year old father lives with me full time. His daily routine includes exercising in our community pool at the building where we reside. Unfortunately, there are people coming down to Florida on vacation to escape the pandemic up north or for what reason, I am not sure. But what they are failing to realize is they are putting our elderly and compromised at risk. They are not self quarantined. I have been quarantined for several weeks as I have a responsibility to my father and to the other compromised individuals who live…
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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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Be aware

The way Corona virus is has affected my life is the last past month been very difficult because there’s nothing really open and you can’t really do anything.We pretty much are barricading indoors and I haven’t had anyone close to me affected with it but there are people out there who are and we need to take a situation like this very serious. We should actually listen to what they are telling us about washing your hands, stay indoors and wear a mask when you’re going out.
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#TryingToAdapt

The virus has affected me in many ways. I have to get used to a new way of life. Working from home. Wearing masks everywhere I go. Wearing gloves to pump gas. Not being able to shop or eat in restaurants without worrying about whose by me. Not being able to cough in public without everyone looking at me crazy. The new norm is difficult to adapt to. It’s a learning process. But I understand that it’s all for our safety.
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Limited (Story #590)

The virus causes limitations. This is the first time i’m visiting Belle Glade/Pahokee, and all i’ve been is in the house. I was hoping to explore more than i seen
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#64 The Mandatory Stay-In-Place

Mrs Fisher has been living in Florida coming from New York about 10 yrs, She was a strong disciplinarian as a mother of six.She was admitted to the hospital on March 28th. She tested positive for the Virus.and she was admitted to the ICU. She was admitted for 4 days and now she is home recuperating. It has been a long process. But she is a God-Fearing woman. She thinks the government should have protected us . The mandatory stay-in-place should have been in place !Her Grandson travels from Miami to prepare meals for her. She received 2 prepared meals…
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School (Story #600)

Coronavirus has stopped me from going to school and participating in summer classes I struggle with taking online classes for the spring or sometime in May and my family decided that we will no longer participate in summer classes in my community Bellglade we have a problem with quarantining and things are turning upside down I truly believe coronavirus I started it operate in my community and only we can fix it.
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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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Recovery (Story #830)

It is bittersweet. It restricts me from being around alot of friends but it also allows me to focus more on my recovery. Last season I got hurt before the first game, so i’m using the time to come back better and stronger
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Rapid Changes

The corona virus has changed my method of teaching to remote, from home. I miss all of my students, but was able to meet with one third of my class this morning on Google Meet. My two college-aged daughters had to move out of their sorority house and dorm to come home and do online courses through the summer. Things have certainly changed overnight!
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Seniors Co’2020

The Corona Virus has impacted my life in many was. It really hit us class of 2020 seniors we not only have to weeks of and tons of school work on line but we won’t be able to enjoy our senior year how everyone else have No grad bash no grad night no prom and the most important thing that ment the world to most of us something that we all worked hard to do was walk across that stage. And because of Covid19 we won’t be able to do any of the following. This was our 2020 senior year…
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I’m talking about essential paces not the beach!

Ms Earlina Hollis has been a native of Boynton Beach for the past 71 years. She is the 4th oldest of 13 siblings. Her mother,Eva Hollis 96 , also lives in Boynton Beach. Ms Earlina, quickly stated, that they are opening up too soon and my fear is that the virus will come back with a vengeance!I don’t own a car and I walk to my Mom’s every morning to prepare her breakfast. This corona virus is very serious, We must give it time to heal. Get out when you need to and do not go anywhere…
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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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#life

I believe that all this is, is fear. You can’t live your life in fear. What is meant to be is meant to be. I can’t wear gloves or a mask, cuz if god wants me gone I’m gonna go. I won’t live my life in fear, cuz your life can all of a sudden…. just stop.
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1 (Story #879)

It has impacted me in ways of not able to work, due to no school so therefore no one to keep my son while i work.
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Confusing,Confusion, Confused.

My family has changed its dynamics since the virus was considered a problem for my community. My son, who was working in a foreign country was forced to leave. Although he had planned to relocate to another country, all borders have been closed, so he is coming back to the U.S.A., and plans to be quarantined for awhile. Of course, he will live with me, his sister and my grand-daughter. This will put a strain on our monetary resources, but, unlike others, we do have a place to live at the moment. At…
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surviving covid-19

The corona has impacted me and my family because my husband hours was cut less money coming in to help pay for bills and financial payments. I was also in school to get my high school diploma but due to the virus i needed to lay off from school
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A New Reality: The Journey of a Second Grade Teacher Through the Pandemic

Hi. I’ll start at the beginning. I’m a elementary school teacher. A little more than two weeks ago I started to feel bad. Like I had the flu times 10. I wasn’t surprised because my children have been sick for over 3 weeks with the same symptoms as we’re talking about now. One I sent to the nurse had a high fever, wheezing, could barely stand up. He went home, and went to the hospital where they kept him overnight. He was out the next two days, then back in school, still…
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Bonding

I get to spend more time with my dad, who played the position i play. This gives us more time to bond and a chance for me to learn.
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Hard work

Due to covid-19 I been working a lot more as an essential employee.The outside is closed but Walmart still has me working.
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Life of virus

This crazy virus impact my life so much until it made my life a little miserable. To the point I wouldn’t even see how it feels to graduate high school in my cap and gown after all the hard work and test I have been taking to get where I need to be now I feel like everything in my power wasn’t worth it all those night I stayed up studying and working on homework
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More than a Virus

Covid-19 not only impacted my physical life but it took a toll on me mentally. Not being able to learn in person is making my grades suffer drastically. As someone who enjoys keeping busy so I don’t have the time to think about my problems. The staying at home order has made my anxiety 10 times worse. I have to face myself everyday And feel every ounce of my pain. Even when I tried to stay productive, I just don’t feel okay. My worry is how many are feeling this way. Most of us are not really worried about the…
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#necessities

Covid 19 has impacted my family financially. I’m extremely careful on how I spend money, I’m prioritizing what bills to pay. At this point, credit scores isn’t important, but my family being feed is.
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Financial crisis

It has severely cut the hours I am able to work. I do not receive pay for the hours I am not working. Therefore, it’s caused a lot of anxiety and stress about how bills will be paid long term. I’m wondering how I can get another job in this time of crisis. Even if it means working at McDonalds.
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The end of the world (Story #411)

Hi My name is Mrs. D corona virus is a devil It’s come like a bigger storm. No one got time to save or collect nothing we can’t get money to buy things to eat and pay our bills . Because I seating at home I don’t know when everything going to be done only God knows.
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