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.”

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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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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#14

I ,actually, feel that I had the virus after a 10 day cruise in December of 2019 which took me and my girlfriends to Aruba and Panama. I got home immediately saw my Doctor and was given antibiotic with bed rest…I was unable to leave the house for two weeks. So,now, I feel immuned to this virus. I am self-quarantined and have no fear. I am appalled at our government for there lagging feet to stop the spread.
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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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#storelimits

Many of the restaurants that I got to allow pick up and delivery which makes it convenient because we won’t have contact. Many stores end up getting so crowded that now many stores have limits on the number of people allowed in stores.
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Triple C

Only thing or way corona virus has effected me is by having me work from home which is harder for me because I lose focus but hopefully we can get a cure and everything opens back up
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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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“Corona Changes”

I’ve become more cautious about what I touch and I even started washing my hands more than I usually do .
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No job

I just got my job and was excited about being on my feet but then this virus came and everything went crashing Down. Im currently waiting on the stimulus check to get things in order in my life.
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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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My struggle is real

I live in Delray Beach but I work in Boca Raton my job temporarily closed because of the Coronavirus pandemic.So I filed for unemployment it’s been 3 weeks now since I filed unemployment. Still no word from them. Still no stimulus check I check my bank account every morning. For a person who lives paycheck to paycheck how do you survive with no paycheck? This is not a choice this is just me trying to be the best person I can be. I’ve worked hard my whole life and now the reality hits. And everything I spent a lifetime working…
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#dontfreakout

I was already working from home but now my whole family is with me!
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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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Struggling through the pandemic

My household is made up of my four children ages 11,8,4 and 7 month old along with my husband and I. I stay home to take care of the kids while my he works. My husband works in landscaping, but his hours have been shortened more and more due to the pandemic. This has left us unable to catch up or pay rent. He has been trying to find work and was able to work twenty three days but his boss did not pay him for the work he did so now we are six months behind in rent. This…
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The Big Chill

It is allowed me and my family the ability to slow down and take a breathe. I hope the rat race never starts up again.
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#NEEDHELP

The way COVID-19 has impacted me is by not having needs or goods to feed my family.
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Solution

Coronavirus has taken a toll of the whole entire world things are being shut down it kind of miss has been losing money government has been sending out stimulus chats I truly believe that we are in this war zone – dad is going down in history and what is being said I hope I make it to my family has been doing good quarantine thing has been going to right way I truly hope that in a couple months we all look outside and look at what has been in the past and how quarantine has been delivering us…
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#46 All of Sudden It came up in Our face

As for me and my house,we will adhere to all rules for the safety of our family. I don’t have the opportunity.to fellowship.socialize and attend events like I use to.It appears that all at once the Virus came up in our face.. This started and we just didn’t know all the details and still don’t !It will get better!God will carry us through and HE willshield and keep us!
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It don’t stop nothing

The corona hasn’t stopped anything for me due to the fact that I am a agricultural worker. It makes my son be home from college which I like but also don’t because he’s away from football and his friends
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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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Crazy (Story #552)

I would have been the 1st in my family to graduate and go off to school but the virus had pushing everything back to the the point I’m really not even going to college nobody have faith in me anymore
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The Great Depression

This epidemic has made me realize to not take anything for granted. My life has been changed. I’m unemployed, and very sad . I am spending more time with my family then before which is great . On the other hand my school is now online school & it’s very hard . Especially because I didn’t sign up for online classes. On top of that this semester I’m taking 6 classes. Life is hard right now. God is good and will help us get through it ! Stay safe guys & stay clean.
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27 behind god

I was laid off from work, March 20th due to the covid 19. It’s been over a month out of work and I filed for unemployment. I haven’t received my taxes yet it’s a 6-9 week wait for that, and I haven’t got my stimulus check either. I have about $100 left to my name and I have a few bills due at the house to help out with my portion. Struggle to pay bills and keep food in the house, I take care of my mother because she’s partially blind, she’s get SSI every month but even with that…
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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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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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Growth

It has allowed me to better myself physically mentally and spiritually.
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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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Selfless act

As a essential worker this pandemic have impact my mental being because I have to work more and give time and also take care of others around me. I have to neglect my niece and nephew because of this virus no hugs or kisses from them.
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#36 Better Days Ahead

My family prevents me from going out. Mainly,because of my high blood pressure and being a stroke victim. So,they are scared for me ! She believe if you experience any symptoms and visit your Doctor you will die. She says atke ginger,cloves,lemon with warm water to improve your health.She is responsible for her 17 yr old Granddaughter who attends Atlantic High’s International Baccalaureate Program and her studies online daily.She is praying for better days ahead!My son,that lives in Boston,is taking care of his newborn daily.
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Half full (Story #798)

Corona virus has bought me closer to my family more than ever before, it cancelled my spring which sucked because I really wanted to prove myself to coach but it’s all good
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#LifeDuringCorona

I haven’t worked in over a month. I stopped working on March the 13th. I am so used to going to work and now I’m not. Luckily I was able to pay all of the bills for April and March but God knows for May. I’ve been using this time to relax and brainstorm ideas for my business proposal. I’m working on my brand. This virus has given me a good time to do that. I am a busy body and I’m not used to being home and this is new for me and tiring and aggravating and overwhelming. I…
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Corona trap

The corona virus has put me out of work with pay though, so I’m good just worried bout my family and friends
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Rona

The virus has affected me because I have to be more cautious of the things i touch and making sure I wash my hands more often. This virus affects a lot because for us seniors we have no graduation no prom, everything is cancelled but on the bright side im saving money. The viruses is affecting me in a great way because im still doing what I want when I want I just have to be careful.
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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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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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My story (Story #560)

The coronavirus has clearly affected everyone in so many way. In my case, I have had a lot of time to truly think about myself. Before this pandemic started, I was not in the best mental state. I had a lot of family problems and really needed a break from all of it. While the quarantine is making me stay home with my family, I have a lot of time to decompress and focus on me and what really matters. Family problems still happen but I feel I am able to cope with it all a little better due to…
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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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Corona (Story #910)

Hello my name is Michelle Rhoden since Corona had came along I had been forced to leave my job to watch my grand baby my husband work all day and he manage to pay all bills for the house due to me having no income coming in I have a hard time paying for things that we need for the house baby clothes and diapers. I would love to be able to help my husband out for our household I have no help from my daughter what’s so ever.
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My scarry life

The corona virus impacted my life,I was scheduled for my nclex exam at the end of March.The virus shut off the nursing examination,I was so determined to study.Now,with unemployement stayed everyday at home stressfull watching the news,make me more scared also the future of my children in this world.In my community, the office is shutted down,the people are scared each other.
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No Track. No soccer.

The corona virus affected my life because it cut off my track season for school and soccer season for the AYSO organization. I know have to work twice as hard to get a track scholarship to schools and now have limited school options because many colleges/universities cut their track programs.
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Challenging

The Corona virus keeping from joining correctional academy I want to join so it’s holding me back and I’m little scared coming out my house everyday knowing my life at risk.
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Bills

My job was making things and product hands on THATS how I was making money by making clothes and plenty other things but less movement and stores clothes less money
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Money

Covid 19 has allowed to do something I wanted to do for awhile, and that is get a job. The reason I wanted one is because there is a lot of stuff I want but it is not going to come for free. I could ask my mom but I don’t like the feeling. So now I can provide for myself and her a little.
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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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#42 Going To Chruch Means A Lot

She is an 89 yr old lady that hss seen more hard times than good. You can hear it in her voice. She states that she resonates from a third world Country,Jamaica. And she has seen alot of political,enviromental issues,droughts and food shortages. She feels due to this pandemic her independence has been taken away from her, She says she sits in her backyard pondering what this world will be soon….She likes watching the birds chirp and even saw a cardinal this morning. This plague has made her feel down , Not allowing her to fellowship with those she…
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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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Recovery (Story #654)

I truly believe that the government has a curve in a faster way of quarantining but they just want to tell us macaroni to be in my city is so small I think that this outbreak is causing a big impact in my community and we has worn out we are really not quarantining right way and people are losing their jobs money being lost and people are praying on the government stimulus chats I feel as if we need to come together as a community to talk over things and try to have a better way of quarantining because…
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Quarantined (Story #686)

This virus has affected my life because I am not able to go out into public as often as before. I was not able to take courses in-person at my college. My family and I have been cooking at home instead of going out for food. My gym is closed so I haven’t been able to workout. It has been a complete change in my lifestyle.
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