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.”

Story #630

The coronavirus has impacted my life in many ways. It has taken the life of my loved ones in Switzerland, Italy and England. Due to the distance between my family members, it made it even harder to support each other during this time.At the same time, my family in Florida have been in the midst of moving during this pandemic, which affected my classwork and mental health.
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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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Family apart

My son who normally goes back and forth between our house and his moms house isn’t around and it’s tough on me and his little brother and sister. His step dad still works in construction and both houses agreed it was best not to take any chances right now.
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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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Devastation

My job recently closed and I am unemployed. My house is very cramped because the kids can’t go to school. The stores don’t have the materials that I need to provide for my kids and family.This is devastating and I pray this would be over soon.
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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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#FindingHopeinthePerilsofCorona

The Coronavirus has majorly impacted my family and I. We are active members of our church and I am a teacher that enjoys the presence of my students. I have been teaching for over 16 years and I feel that I impact the lives of my children at work. Many of them come from homes that are not so pleasant. Me not being able to love on them and be that much needed hope, love and encouragement that they need to be able to be in the harmful home. My heart is so bothered by the fact that school was…
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A New Beginning from The Seemingly End

My mom works in the medical/health field. She goes to private residences everyday and she was over on Palm Beach and she went to see a patient. There are different protocols for people with and without corona diagnosis. She was made aware that neither the patient of her husband had tested positive for it and that they only had pneumonia. She felt fine at first and didn’t think anything of it but the next morning we got a call informing us we were to remain in quarantine for 3 weeks and get tested twice as both the patient and her…
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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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Let it stop

I can’t believe how long this has been going on. I’m ok I go where I need to. The only thing I really concerned with, is when the open up the beaches again. I just hope that number doesn’t go any higher.
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hunkered down

I’m holed up with family at my parents house. No contact with anybody outside immediate family. spending lots of time online. Was going to the beach until public beaches were closed by County order.
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Gone

Only down fall i can remember from this virus is not having a chance to see my teammates one more time before I transferred.
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Education (Story #494)

The corona virus impacted my life whole education career I was into school of being a pharmacy and also working at cvs it’s suck that I’m not getting the proper education I need which what I worked for
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#75

Mrs Taylor boast about her experience with coming to AMERICA FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR herself.She feels like the government on a national level is responsible for this getting out of hand.Testing requirements for all. A stricter stay at home policy and tell the truth to the people that pay taxes!
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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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Housing Assistance

Hello there. I am a recently divorced Mother of three beautiful Daughters. I have been a long time business owner in the county of Palm Beach. I am at my wits end. Due to COVID19 The Beauty Lounge that’s my business is inside of was temporarily closed. That was my only income. I do not receive child support or any other help financially. Furthermore, As of this evening I have not received my stimulus check, have not received any type of Covid unemployment although applying numerous times. Although my business is allowed to re-open this week I am an…
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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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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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Corona Troubles

Because of corona virus I am working less hours which affects paying bills.
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Pandemic (Story #372)

When I first found out about the corona virus, I thought that It was going to stay in China and not spread to the United States, I had no idea the horror that lied ahead. Firstly, I heard that It was in my country, then my state, then my county. Soon enough, a kid that goes to palm beach county schools ended up with the corona virus, so the governor decided to close all schools in Palm Beach County. This news came to me with a shock. I was in my math class when doing my work when my teacher…
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10 (Story #681)

I was forced to move out of my housing at my educational institution. I had to stay with friends that I met while in school, Alcorn State University, until I gathered enough money to afford a plane ticket back home.
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#25 The Outbreak of Diphtheria and Malaria

She is a 92 yrs old …worked for the Dept of Health in Palm Beach Co.for over 30 yrs. She remembers the outbreak of diphtheria and malaria. When those became an epidemic everyone she said, had to be tested and were given medicine to take at home. But this is a mess. no breakthrough with medications nor vaccines,I don’t go like I use too. So being at home watching T,V. works for me ,When I am outside it is now for paying bills ,banking and sometimes grocery with my adult children.The Leadership of this country needs to be replaced.
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I need help

Are used to work under the table when I can’t work under the table because I have a son and I can’t bring him with me that was the extra money to make me get through the whole month I’m not good at school work and I have anxiety issues and I’m not good at math or anything they gave him less it’s just really stressing me out and then I’m worried about my family health is a lot
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In need of help

I recently have been going through a lot I’m behind in my water bill I have 5 kids with me I been laid off of work and don’t have any income coming in.
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Keeping my daddy safe..

I missed 3 weeks of work when it first started because of all the uncertainties. My father has severe asthma. He is also COPD. I care for him and was afraid I would catch it and bring it to him. He is already having a difficult time. My daughter is also asthmatic.I work as a transit driver for mentally and physically disabled individuals. Its impossible to not come in contact with them. Some dont understand that they must wear a mask and constantly takes it off. I transport individuals in wheelchairs and on walkers who need my hands on assistance.
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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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A Cheerless Pandemic

The sudden and unexpected orders of community and business shutdowns brought about by COVID-19 have had tremendous effects on me, my family, and our small business during this time. Our passion for sports and children is expressed through East Coast Flames Allstarts, our competitive cheerleading and training facility that serves approximately 65 athletes and their families. We are open yearly for athletic training and team building, and travel through the months of December-May for competitions and performances across the state. We’ve been running this business, meeting and training new athletes and children of all ages for the last 20…
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The Impact of the Corona Virus on a College Student

The corona virus has impacted my life in the way that I have been unable to attend church regularly on Sundays nor Youth Group on Fridays and I really miss it. Also, it has been difficult in the transition to online learning last Spring semester, but it has gotten better now at the start of my Summer semester. Also, I really miss going out to play soccer with my friends and eat at restaurants, however, I am thankful for the precautions that the government has taken to keep us safe.
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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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Savings

My job has completely stopped. I have been out of work for about 2 weeks, and been living off my savings and stimulus check. This money was suppose to be used for my daughter car as award. This sucks
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COVID 19 struggle

The beginning of 2020 started of great and then as we got more and more into 2020 everything went down hill. COVID 19 came around and changed everything. My family and I have been struggling ever since. Bills have been piling up and hours have been cut from our jobs so we’re not making as much money. We make it work here and there but sometimes it gets hard and we can’t make it work. We need some other form of financial assistance to help provide for me and my family.
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Help (Story #660)

What they need to mites quarantine and have became a major impact in my community coronavirus has taken a toll on everybody across the room and then leaving Aurora on froze for a minute stores company shops everything I’ve been on freeze for the ability to open up you still got a think about your life being on the line with catching the coronavirus this outbreak has spread all across the world and nobody can seem to have a good solution into slowing it down quarantining has became a major impact and we hope to feed on it as we…
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# 18 She hails from Lake Wales,FL

Mrs Eva Bowers is a divorced 79 year old, She has become a pastor in the AME church. And she is a white woman. Mrs Bowers has lived in Alaska,South Dakota,Clewiston and Belle Glade as a public school Teacher with 4 children to raise. She recalls it being tough with those 3 boys and 1 girl.to guide them on the right path as a single Parent. She is a Florida girl and hails from Lake Wales Florida. Mrs Bowers,brother William Keen,passed in 2011 as a 5th generational Rancher. Since his passing,Mrs Bowers is a partial owner of lots of acres…
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#21 She called Me Today

Mrs Erma Christie,89. called me today. She called to let me know that things just have not changed for her. Mrs Christie say that she was out on Friday> This was a visit to an orthopedic surgeon for an opinion on hip surgery. She has agreed to have this surgery. I spoke with her on her resilience and determination to conquer anything adverse situation. Mrs Christie comes from Jamaica and is very rooted in her culture. She and her daughter,Yvonne Jack, have lived together for many years. Ms Jack recently retired from Morse Life. She is currently working a part-time…
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Surviving

Corona has impacted me and my family member life because some have been laid off their jobs and can’t afford things already I’m also having a difficult time because me being home I don’t have internet to complete my college work good thing I’m a member of student aces and they help me get a laptop and access to WiFi.
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Mommy sorry

I have 5 kids I can’t get to see all of them due to the virus I work 24hrs everyday for security and 2 of my girl’s birthday coming up this month this would have been the perfect year I could have celebrated with them and it hurts them so bad that I can’t see them due to the virus ugh it’s sucks
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Starting adult life on the wrong foot |EJSLW2020

Due to COVID-19 many youth may be happy or relieved because they can partake in schooling online which means more time to sleep, flexibility and convenience. As for me being an 18-year-old senior I do not posses those same feelings. COVID-19 put me at an odd limbo, I will not only miss out on events that are the culmination (prom and graduation) of high school but college as well. COVID-19 put an unwanted and unexpected gap in my transition from adolescence to adulthood and to add insult to injury the government has yet to devise a plan for college…
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#Tellyourstorypbc (Story #255)

The pandemic Corona Virus has made it extremely hard to experience the typical senior year and college life . It has made income shorter due to closing of jobs .
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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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Bigger than corona

The corona virus made me miss my college senior graduation which really sucks, but I feel as if there are way bigger problems in the world today .. hopefully we get a cure for all of this but the main problem is injustice
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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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Working from Home

I am a first year Elementary Education major at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and when the Coronavirus was first talked about we (the students) thought nothing of it. Then the week before spring break, the university’s president announced that students were supposed to stay home until April 5th to ensure no one would bring the Coronavirus to the Campus. Within the second week of staying home he announced that students could no longer come back in Campus unless it was to move out of their dorms. So, now it has been almost two months since I have been self…
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my life during the pandemic

Because of the corona virus I am not able to go to work, church and socialize with my friend. I am scared to go to to grocery store because I don’t want to get infected by the virus and bring it to my family. Even though I talk to my family like my mother on the phone but I don’t want to go to her house because since she is old and I am not tested I don’t want to expose her to the virus. I don’t want to be the one to bring it to her. My kids are…
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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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Grandma babies

By my grandma passing away and only could have 15 people to show up also we could only have the funeral at the viewing that was so sad only 15 people was allowed to come to the funeral
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#18 The Great Unknown

Her favorite cousin’s husband transitioned at a Nursing Home in Chicago,ILL from the Corona Virus.The impact right now is extremely overwhelming for her. She is unable to see her 11 yr old and 13 yr old Grands. Her Son,who is unemployed, due to the Virus, Because,he is employed as an entertainer.This virus,she says, has changed her entire life! she is so baffled. This has so swiftly taken over our lives, It.s like a World War …The Great Unknown! So,she continues her gardening to attract the most beautiful Florida butterflies including my favorite,The Monarch. This is a hobby that…
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# 20 He is Cute

Mrs Lillie,88, says that she cannot go to Church nor Wal-Mart. She has lost a cousin Lue Green,66 to the virus. Mrs Darville is proud to say that she beat one of the deadliest cancers Pancreatic Cancer.She cares for her only son,Virgil Darville,56,,who is paralyzed. He is as independent as he can be. you might see him in his motorized chair riding around Boynton Beach.Mrs Darville talks about how we are being punished the cause and effect of hatred and cruelty towards each other. She enjoys watching CNN with Don Leonard. He is cute
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