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.”

You don’t what you’re missing until you are forced to see it!

The corona virus has made me realize that money and material things are worth nothing if you don’t have the health to enjoy it! I have also realized how precious it is to be able to stay at home and not go to work, allowing me to spend more time with my family. The small things that you really didn’t take note of that matters the most.
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Taking this in stride

Well, like everyone else, it hasn’t been easy, however, I feel that I’m blessed. My husband and I are both able to work from home and my family is healthy. What more can I ask for? We have all the essentials, I love being in my home. Life is good.
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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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#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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#59 They Know They Will Pass

The nation has become unstable. Which is due to a multitude of opinions as to when America should open up for business.You’re unable to go anywhere. I Have lived in my family’s home with my Dad all my life. I am a Middle-School Science Teacher.. Her student population is 94.However,she has only 51 students logging on for distant learning. She saidthey know they will pass this school year.She has some immune issues. So,she has to be extra careful. She is a caregiver for her 81 yr old Father.He has a mild case of dementia and has under gone surgery.
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Keeping Faith, Adapting and Balancing

The CORVID-19 pandemic has completely changed the route of my family’s daily activities. In order to keep our family and community safe from the coronavirus, we’ve had to be receptive and adapt. I’m a single working mom with three children (1, 5, and 8) and I’m an MBA graduate student. Initially, the lifestyle changes were very overwhelming and challenging. In the beginning stages of the pandemic, my family experienced a death in the family. There was concern for the funeral arrangements due to the coronavirus. On the day of the funeral, the executive order of ten…
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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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Anti-Coronavirus

I’m stuck in North Carolina and can’t travel to Florida to see my family and friends.
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Tuff

Soon as I started my own business the virus has impacted my bills less money less items I can purchase I’m so use to hustling until the point the virus impacted everything
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#45

At my home,we have been preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. My house is petrified of the effects of this Virus. we are confined only to the perimeters of our home. In February,we made sure that my daughter (who lives elsewhere),Mother-in-Law and Nephews were taking care of with all the cleansers,disinfects, and supplies needed for a pandemic as discussed with us by my brother-in-law that lives in England.Remember our national leader says that this is a HOAX.
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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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# flower man down

Less and less people are coming to buy my flowers, and the people who do come are so nice. I’m getting worried that we may go out of business.
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Worse

The virus got me away from my job and school which are the only things that keeps me sane. I am very disappointed that the states are opening back up because it will only make things much more worse
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I Needed to Change

Aside from losing my job and having anxiety on and off, from the fear of catching the virus, I have been doing quite well. We have only spent money on food and supplies. It’s surprising how much frivolous spending we used to do. I have had more time to be with my family and to work on myself. I have been doing yoga, writing, and reflecting. I am committed to continuing the healthy habits I am cultivating. My heart hurts for everyone who has suffered from this virus. I believe that it is our duty, to those that have and…
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Pandemic Baby

I had to cancel my wedding twice. It was going to be a 3 day affair with family flying in from out of state and out of country. But we had to cancel. So we ended up just signing the Marriage License. We also found out that my wife is pregnant, so that’s good. But I haven’t been able to go to the Dr. appointments. The baby is health so that the most important.
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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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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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Count our blessings

I am feeling better now and all I can do is to stay focus on the needs of our children, families and staff. I am doing just that while trying to keep up with daily update at the state and local level pertaining to the virus. I attended various online meetings using Zoom and I am enjoying them. This online meeting could be the new normal for us at For The Children Inc. It is a learning curve and we are learning as much as we can to continue to keep our children and parent engage. We are in this…
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Help !

Corona has effect my life so much , I have lost a job I have kids this in the worst of them yet ! Idk when I will be able to find another job due to this virus everybody’s life’s being taken away it’s very sad ! I pray trump fix it noww… my community is upside down nobody being able to pay their bills nobody has any money this is a tragedy.
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# I’m woke Nigga

In my opinion this ain’t nothing but scare tactics. The government tryna scare us into spending money on stupid s*** like toilet paper.
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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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# 24 She is Determined To Walk

Ms Shirley Owens has lived in Boynton Beach since July of 1992. Shirley is determined to walk, She has suffered two strokes. Immediately after.her strokes in 2017. She was wheelchair bound. Mrs Shirley has come to terms with her prosthetic eye. She is involved with one of the best Health Care Systems in Palm Beach County PACE. Mrs Owens is very high spirited and a real conversationalist.especially those talks involving her son. Mrs Shirley’s son retired from the Navy 5 years ago. He is now employed with the California Sheriff’s Office as a leader in Cold Cases. Mrs…
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My friends story

She is moving slow, and I don’t get it. She tells people her business and she doesn’t come outside anymore and there is no air and her house. I am telling her if she is sick she needs fresh air even if she doesn’t wanna spread the virus.
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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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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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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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Corona virus please don’t take more from me

I’m not able to be available to the people I serve in the community . Not being able to visit my father because he’s elderly is disappointing and saddening. My first grandchild will be born soon and there’s a great possibility that I won’t be able to be there. My youngest son graduated from boot camp in the US Army and I couldn’t attend. This virus keeps taking the highlights of my life away from me.
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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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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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Peace through the Storm

So far my family has lost 3 members, for the most part everyone is staying safe as possible. Major change to work life.
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Tree Stump to a Palm Tree

Coronavirus has made a drastic effect on my life but I won’t allow it to defeat me. Earlier this year, I was overjoyed with the news of becoming a father. With my hands tied with school, college requirements, also football workouts; I knew I hand to make a stand for what was to come “my unborn child” . Sacrificing my studying and mental relaxation time, I went out to find a job. When sudden pandemic changes came into affect, I was devastated. My job shut us out and we didn’t know what day we would return. With little to no…
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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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Football

Hi I’m from Miami Florida I go to school at UCFHi I’m from Miami Florida I go to school at UCF him for the bills see you I hope this year coronavirus don’t impact my football season due to the counseling NBA season I would like to play my singing year I truly believe that coronavirus has put outbreak and put a pause on the world freezing everything NFL and NBA season has been a whole NFL has been questionable in college football has taken a toll that I’ve been online classes sense since the virus has hit around…
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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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The virus

Coronavirus an impact in my life amazingly yes cause a big outbreak on the world and causes everything on furloughs for about two months as things don’t open up quarantine I have been taking place in my community and which have been lied to but still maintain there is a large number of cases in my small community of matsuri Belglade Florida I believe that we should I come to get as a community to take some over to come up with better ideas of quarantining because obviously is not happening I truly believe that we have to take this…
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Covid-19 (Story #939)

Fidelina FloresHi, I’m Fidelina Flores I was forced to stop working on March 18th due to the covid-19 outbreak. I have three kids, an 11 month old an 8 year old and an 18 year old. I used to work at a restaurant called “Las Flores”. After a couple of months of staying home I was able to go back to work, but only for one day. My employment income decreased drastically leaving me and my family in a very hard financial situation. My husband also got his work hours reduced. He is working just three days a week because…
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#8

I never thought that I would have to be in protective gear like gloves,facial covering to run to the grocery to pick-up a few items and to come home an cautiously take off all the clothing you wore to the grocery store and disinfect your car, home and more importantly your body after arriving back from the grocery or any place else. This is like a nightmare that could have been avoided by all leaders agreeing to freeze the movement of its people in a timely manner.
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Stay in the house

Due to the virus i have to stay in the house like everyone should be doing. Im over 70 years old so its not safe to be out and about. I just hope these young folks listen and stay inside so it can go away fast.
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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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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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Essential work

I work at the bank and due to the virus i have to be very careful with handling money. Germs spread fast through money and I wouldn’t want to take anything back to my home.
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StayingHome

I can’t go where I want to go or do anything that I want to do. Everyone is staying home. I left my home to stay with other family as my spouse and I weren’t getting along too well. I had health issues prior to the virus and I did not want to stay with someone in and out of the house. I am not worried because I know that God will handle everything.
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#48 Nothing is in our Hands

I am a cancer survivor. I also have respiratory concerns. I have learned during this pandemic to use technology to communicate with my Kingdom Hall family. I an using zoom and facetime . which makes me feel accomplished! The message is to continue to be obedient and working together with and friends, I am 75 yrs of age,I do need assistance with eye medication. I will make a referral for her at a local family owned pharmacy. Her food needs are being met by her sons.Lastly, she says,:Nothing is in our hands.
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My story (Story #NA)

When corona first started i had to start working 1 day a week because my store was slow, the only reason i was able to provide for me and my kids was because of my boyfriend lyfe , but on October 10, 2020 he was shot and killed , the person who killed him didn’t know lyfe it was wrong place wrong time , its been almost 2 months since then and now day by day i have to struggle to put food on the table for my kids or how im going to pay the bills . Before lyfe…
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#73

Testing did not start soon enough.Those that need testing will never be tested.They really don’t have transportation. Therefore, they will not be called back to work if they are working. Many,who need food aren’t receiving it, Why? because, you must have a car to be in lineShe does not have faith in the statistics being provided.The Farmers and migrant workers live clustered(she has an admiration for this group of people).It is here! It will never leave this earth!
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Gratitude Amidst Chaos

As a State employee, it has been quite disorienting. I’ve begun working remotely, faced the stress of many technical issues while trying to process and respond to various incident reports of those with special needs – from covid-19 cases, deaths, elopements, behavior issues, and incidents that are unspeakable as well. Alone. No colleagues to turn around and vent to, a usually very accessible boss is now over her eyeballs with communications with State and Legislature officials. My church family as I affectionately call them, as they serve as a bigger support system than my blood family, we are no longer…
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#23 I need a Haircut

I am my 93 yr old Father’s caregiver. I am 71 yrs old. My Father’s sister is hospitalized with the Corona Virus in South Carolina along with her daugher and granddaughter. I have a cousin in Georgia afflicted with this virus and another cousin in Mew York who died Saturday. His wife is also hospitalized and her condition is grave. I need to loosen up but I am until to do so presently. Safety [s a major concern using wipes , sanitizer and facial mask are as necessary as grocery staples. She is coping with her Father’s Dementia, He is…
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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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14

Well, I witness how we all came together as a community and help each other get through these difficult times. I am forever grateful and i am so thankful and happy to be apart of this amazing community.
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