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.”

I’m Trying Times Don’t Quit Trying

In everything give thanks. I am at risk because of my age and thank god not because I have a medical conditions. One thing I miss is going out to dinner. I ate out at least 3 times a week. I also miss the children at the school where I volunteer. Now, I will share a story. The following week after the Pandemic started there were 3 little boys that knocked on my door this was around 8:30 pm on a Thursday night and asked if I would give them some food. I recognized them from the community but I…
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COVID-19 and Me

The virus hasn’t really had an impact on me. I am just taking precautionary measures when going out into the public. I keep hand sanitizer with me and wipes in my car. I come back home and boil lime peels/orange peels with salt to stand over in order to inhale the steam because I know that the nostrils and the throat are the two places that this virus can reside, it being the coolest two places. I have always been an introvert and just the week before I had got approved to work from home when needed and this was…
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Covid sucks

Corona virus has ruined everything for me literally, parents can’t work so idk how we are going to get money and I am away from school so I’m not doing what I love most
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Athletic Response

Coronavirus has put a major impact in my community. Everything has been shut down for about two months. Athletes cannot get a full workout in parts been close weight room facilities has been closed the economy is just losing money because of this virus. I truly believe you’re doing the right thing but we need to put something in motion that shows we moving in the right direction.
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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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The Helper Needs Help

For me COVID-19 has been one of those life events that creeps in slowly, unaware of the toll it will take until the damage has been done. I am one of those people that looks out for others and takes care of everyone else before I take care of myself. This global pandemic has taught me that behaviors like that take the largest toll because you don’t see the consequences until they’re upon you. In March, at the beginning of quarantine my first priority were my mom & my son. My son was quarantined at home with me and my…
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Shifting for good.

This life altering event has already impacted my life in many ways. Some changes will have a short lifespan, while others will be part of my new norm. As a business owner, I have been hesitant to fully embrace the work from home model. My associates have always had the option, but I was strongly holding onto my office and my in-person meetings. Now I see that there is a better way. A more productive way that allows me to spend more time with my family and spend less time in a car contributing to traffic and pollution. My new…
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#dontfreakout

I was already working from home but now my whole family is with me!
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Virus (Story #658)

Coronavirus has impacted the whole entire world everything has been shut down for over two months things are starting to open up by quarantining need to take a more bigger effect in every community it is there are still cases are there and I feel like the government just need to make sure I stay on track of the cases and let everybody know I also feel as if the government is doing a pretty good job with the stem of this chat so how do I send it out and how people is gone for what the money we…
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#covidstory

My grandfather had a stroke and was in the hospital for 15 days, only my grandmother could visit because of covid restrictions. I have three younger sisters, all who do online school, while my grandmother was visiting my grandfather during the day, I had to watch my sisters. It was an extremely stressful time and he still isn’t 100% recovered.
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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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#63 I don’t Want to leave This Earth As Is

Mrs Johnson is a 95 yr old and she will be celebrating her 96th next week.She is currently living with her daughter, Recently,she was in the hospital with heart failure.She doesn’t want to leave this earth as it is. Prayer is our only key,she said.On Saturday,her grands,great- grands and great-great grands are planning a ride by in celebration of her 96th birthday.She has no fear and believes that America will be resilient/
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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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##hardtovote

I saw on the news that the united states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. Even more than china where it is rumored to have originated in a lab. This makes it very hard to vote because many people like to go and physically vote. However, this could be a problem because while people vote they could be infected with the coronavirus.
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#67

I am petrified and overwhelmed about what we have gotten ourselves into. I am a Bahamian and I have been in Boynton Beach for over 50 years. This, I cannot ,fathom. I came here for the best of everything, I do not enjoy cooking, the virus has made eating out a thing of the past. the government should not be opening up pblic gathering spots sos soon at least until most have been tested.
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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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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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#70

The virus is the nastiest thing that has plagued America.There is no more face to face socialization,no gatherings,events and worship.Who would have thought this?No place should stand alone . States opening their doors should not be. For united we stand divided we fall….. I am bound my other’s caring for me.
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We have to take this serious.

Well to be honest I thought it was a joke and didnt take it to serious. But as the time has gone by it has become a very serious. I myself have be impacted by have to now teach at home, as well as have my second job pretty much cutting hours reducing income into my home.
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Kid-anecdotes

I have been working from home due to the work schedule change with the pandemic. I have a friend who is a single mom, with 3 small children. Mom has not been able to get her wifi service connected and her 3 elementary school children were unable to participate in the virtual classroom setting or get their school work done on time. Mom also had the opportunity to work during those 2 days. I offered to help her for 2 days while she fixed her issue with comcast. In those 2 days I learned so much from…
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The days that have shaken my life

The greatest impact is that it has kept my family away. I can’t see my grandchildren or hug them and that is the biggest disappointment ever. I have had several great friends pass away and I have underlined health issues so I can’t attend church or go to any funeral services. I really don’t want to go out or interact with other people. I already have breathing issues, so coronavirus would not be good for me. A lot of the essential things I need from the grocery stores are out. My friends can’t get them either. Such as Clorox,…
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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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Life goes on!!

I haven’t been sick since 2004 and everything has been the same/Good for me. I still have to pay rent, work etc. Why is everything in a panic when this virus is easier to get rid of then a common cold.
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#53 WE Will Never Be The Same

This Lady has survived the death of two daughters at the same time.She is always known as meek ,soft-spoken and mild,She stated that she has NEVER,EVER seen anything such as this . And when it’s all over we will never be the same.
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The Glades (Story #659)

Coronavirus has put a big outbreak in my community stores shops restaurants even stores have been closed are still open and not in close in early I really feel like to my community is losing a lot of money quarantine it is not the best way to go right now we are not pointing in the right way I think we should come together as a community to talk to each other they find out a better solution I have you go about this coronavirus I truly believe that we need to find a better solution because we have a…
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Quarantine (Story #669)

Coronavirus has really affected a lot of students with their schools near me there are many students taking online classes which haven’t taken online classes in a while or Coronavirus has really affected a lot of students with their schools dammit there are many students taking online classes which haven’t taking online classes in a while or dinner or not used to taking online classes and they are struggling I truly believe that there’s a method is quite on going I can actually help many people but many students had to take for being a position to be in taking…
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Wasted time

12 years of my life I’ve spent in school only to find out that everything i worked for would be on hold or canceled. My senior activities are no longer existent there will be no graduation and the rest of the year will be spent online.
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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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#4 The Only sure thing about the Virus is that it Kills

Mrs Arvila says that her life has been affected minimally by the COVID19. But,I am not as educated as I would like to be on the virus itself. But,what I do know that if we adhere to the ways referenced to US the spread would be difficult to transmit.Like wearing or not wearing your mask . ALOT OF PEOPLE THESE DAYS ARE NOT WEARING THEM. Perhaps,the community needs to give them away freely. Because .this can affect all of us in the community. We must stay on the same page especially the elderly like myself. I have shared…
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Life During Covid19

The corona virus has financially impacted my family. Throughout the course of Covid19, I’ve spent a very large amount of money in continuing hopes of feeding my family at home and making sure that they’re clothes are clean. Due to stock markets failing and stores running out of certain products, it is difficult to get certain things such as cleaning products, toilet paper, paper towel, etc. Many people are also making sure that they’re supporting their loved ones, so they’re buying so much things leaving almost none for the next person. It’s also been a really tough time for me…
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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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Education vs Corona

The corona virus has mostly impacted the way my daughter is learning. I feel like because I work a lot I am unable to give her the proper education she needs and it bothers me a lot.
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#61 Stay Home

Ms. Rowe feels as though the Government can do a little more. Doesn’t know where this comes from. Its’ real out here! People are trying to stay home , The streets are deserted,She is a health Care worker. and sees the devastation of this disease.Her advice STAY HOME!
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The Fierce Women

I’m pregnant and the Corona virus has stopped work for me and my child.. my source of income has been put on hold. I’m afraid to give birth in these circumstances.
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EJSJB2020 (Story #NA)

The Year 2020 has been a roller coaster for me, due to COVID-19 I lost my job and it started to get hard for me to provide for myself or my family, on top of that my mother tested positive for Covid, I spent most of my time taking care of her and making sure she gets better. Even though the majority of the year wasn’t the best, I remained positive and still found a way to keep a smiled on my face, and that’s by surrounding myself with family and friends and always trying to turn this bad situation…
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#god is good

I be having these body problems cuz all this weed I be smok’in. Since the corona virus came they let my a** off so.. you know what that means. I got so high (he went on for an hour straight then he told me he has a disability he has seizures and then he started talking about god )
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#forcefulcoronavirus

Not only has the coronavirus forced people to stay in their homes but it also led to many people losing work and not being able to pay their bills. I hope that everyone gets the money that they were promised by trump. I also hope that people find more ways to work from home because the more cases the harder it becomes to cure.
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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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Menace to society (Story #279)

At target, waiting for my grocery order to be put in my trunk. They have a great system. There is a huge sign saying Anyone going in the store must wear a mask. Person after person is entering the store including a woman with a baby in a cart from the parking lot. I asked the staff why they were allowed to do that and she said they couldn’t really enforce it and they are slammed and don’t have time anyway. We don’t know how to behave as…
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I am going through, moving forward, and discovery new activities.

I have not been able to participate in several of my favorite activities, swimming, Zumba Yoga and walking in the park. But I am encouraged , I read more, clean out my closets, (I am gathering things that I don’t need or want, and I am looking forward to getting them out of my space.) I am journaling, and I crotchet and I reach out to family and friends and friends who are family more frequently. (I text, call and/or email.) I spend quality listening to music.
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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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# 35 I Would Buy The Movie Tickets And They Would Buy The Popcorn

Ms Cleveta Robinson is a 73 year old single woman with a strong constitution. She is a native of Jamaica. Cleveta says she is following the rules for this pandemic. She has been COVID-19 tested Mrs Robinson says that she has warned her family members about the impact of this pandemic and hopes that they take heed. Mrs Robinson enjoys early morning walks and hearing the birds sing. Although, Cleveta would enjoy some romance in her life, She says I would buy the movie tickets and they would buy the popcorn,NOT GOOD!SHE COULD USE ASSISTANCE WITH HER ELECTRIC AND…
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Education (Story #108)

Coronavirus has affected me in many way one of them are me going to school And get my education these online classes are really not effective way for me to learn
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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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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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