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.”

Budding friendships

My two year old son was really enjoying school and playing with our neighbors outside. He was just starting to play with others and enjoy people’s company. Now, we have to tell him ‘no’ when he sees them playing next door. He wants desperately to join them and it feels awful to deny him that socialization! We’ve tried to play in our backyard while they play in the front. He can still see them through the fence, but we keep a good distance away.
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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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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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#besanitary

I have to wear a mask wherever I go because of where I work. I make sure to use Hand sanitizer after I’m done working and I also make sure to take extra long showers before my family gets home. We all also take our temperatures to make sure everyone is healthy and hasn’t been infected.
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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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#Senior program

When will this all be over. I’m cooped up in the house with my children and I’m ready to leave. The senior citizens program at the youth employment center would help a lot right now.
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10 (Story #64)

The coronavirus have infected my life a lot I am very depressed I do the crossing guard for the school and I’m not getting paid and only the teachers getting paid they say we going to go by April 15th but that’s no guarantee because I’m I got a very good feeling it’s only a month left for school to May 30th so they probably not going to even go back I don’t know how I’m going to pay my next bill I don’t know what the next time you coming from because most of the crossing guards get pensions …
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Sorry for everyone’s loss

I really don’t care about it as long as my family is good, I quit football so like it don’t effect me in that way anymore but it sucks that people have died from it
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Ruinings

The corona virus had ruined everything literally. I can’t work because my job is closed, I feel like the corona will change the world forever and we need to do some thing quick
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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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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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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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#Corona kills jobs

The coronavirus has greatly affected me in my job. I work in a fast food restaurant Mcdonald’s and the side effect of corona is customers are no longer coming to purchase food. So therefore my hours were cut short.5 to 2 days and I still get sent home because of few customers
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Bummer

I had plans to move to Michigan to live with my boyfriend but he had to move home and now we are living with family. It’s not fun.
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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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# 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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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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#29 The Seniors Did What They Asked Of Them

Mr Angelo Perruccio comes to Boynton Beach from upstate New York with his wife (Faith).Mr Angelo was proud to share that his Granddaughter(from their daughter who died) will deliver twin boys in November. What delight that brought to their voices.The Perruccio’s says that the Seniors did what was asked of them. It appears that no other generations were listening to the Leadership following the rules in this pandemic They opened up everything now look what has happened!!!! The entire Palm Beach County is pretty much a hotspot! The Perrucio’s must be careful during this epidemic. They …
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Praying that a change is going to come!!!

Since the pandemic began it’s truly been hard on myself and family these past several months. Before the covid-19 I recently received not 1 but 2 parttime jobs with the Palm Beach County School District. Now I’ve been unemployed since March 13, 2020 all due to that all schools are closed due to this pandemic. Immediately after we were notified that we were going to be unemployed I reached out to all my bill collectors notifying them that I was currently let go due to the pandemic. They said it was fine whenever I can pay just submit a payment. …
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Hardship

Hi, I’m Juanita Hernandez I couldn’t pay my bill this month because I’ve had a hard time since my two sons moved out. They used to help me out but I also became disabled and I cannot work. I have fibsios of the lungs, I’m always in chronic pain. Also, I have a case pending with social security but they haven’t approved me yet. It’s been hard on me and my family. I have a seven year old son, his father died three years ago of cancer and he used to help me out. My older kid’s father also passed …
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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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Nene story

The coronavirus has a big impact on me because I can not going to school
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Serve to Fill

I have been very fortunate to still be able to receive an income throughout this trying time. It has definitely been difficult to not be with my students or visit my loved ones. My mother and boyfriend both work in the hospital so it’s a constant struggle when cleaning and worrying if I got everything clean enough and not making him feel alienated in the home. Wanting to give back as much as possible is my main concern. When I’m in service, I feel my most purposeful.
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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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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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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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#7 Very Fortunate

In all my 63 years, I never thought that I would see Americans let alone my neighbors and people who I grew up with walking around in facial coverings. This corona virus has devastated this Community and Nation. How can a country bring down the prices of oil/gas and food. And not be able to take care of the population of homelessness in times like these. I do not want to point fingers at our national leadership, He does realize a need to stop the spread of this devastating life -threatening virus, I have do mot have any food insecurities,my …
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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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#17 The people are being disobedient

The government has been leading the way. It is the citizens not using their common sense to adhere to the rules and laws of the land. The people are being disobedient. The church has been open exposing the elderly population to the virus. I have an aide that come to my home 4 days e week to continuously assist me with my personal
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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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Before

Everyday I wake up before I go to work, I have to put on a mask and a pair of gloves. I now carry around hands sanitizer everywhere I go. I keep my distance around other people. This is different than before the virus arrived. I didn’t have to worry about things like this. It is scary.
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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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Dynamic Pandemic

It made me realize that hard times are real & life is so much more serious.
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My testimony

well I really don’t know where to start. In March I was laid off do to corona… totally devastated. My son and I were in a world of trouble. In May I found out had cancerous cells on my cervix, also had a special procedure to stop the growth (painful), also in May I suffered 2nd degree burns in my back. In June I suffered a stroke,and it affected my right side slightly. Neurologist suggested I shouldn’t drive until further notice. While in the pandemic and me being in the hospital, my son who suffers from mental illness, attempted …
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EJSEJ20 – Trying to stay positive!

This virus and the hysteria that came with it has came and shock up my entire world. This virus has made me stop and look around at all the things that are extremely important and all the things that aren’t. In other words it has given me a better perspective of what I may have been taking for granted. A good thing that it did was remind everyone of how important relationships are and having a sense of community is vital during times like this. Between work and family I am just trying to stay updated and prepared for whatevers …
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#Staypositive

I know that the coronavirus is causing many people to panic I’m trying my best to stay positive. I will try to remind as many people as I can to where masks wherever they go and make sure they go and make sure they don’t go to places that are packed.
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#SOLOdarity

Change. Nobody likes it. Sometimes though, we have to just go with the flow for the greater good of everyone. By no means is it easy being isolated from seeing friends that we’re used to seeing on a weekly basis or not going into work each day. The strange feeling of knowing that you can’t just go to a movie on the weekend or run to the grocery store to pick up one item with out having to put on a mask and gloves…It still seems surreal even after over 60 days of being quarantined at home. I’m used to …
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#65

Mr Thompson says That he and his Wife aren’t fearful. However,they are witnessing relatives and friends with this fear. The Fear of not knowing how and why is consistently on the World’s mind.He says.people are using the mask and gloves incorrectly. By the way,mrs Thompson is a retired nurse.
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#33

he has lived in Boynton Beach for appx 10 years. He is a caregiver for his wife. She has chronic illnesses and very seldom leaves the house, He is very active with the distributing of foods to locals from his church. He had a cousin living in Detriot that died from the Virus. He says the leadership of this Country has drowned us . I guess we got to pray it out off this Country, he said.
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#22 SHE IS PETRIFIED

Mrs Lovenia Bea McCray has been living and caring for her Father, Elmore,96. as if he and she are husband and wife. There are times she says that he needs chastising. His panic attacks are severe until she walks in the door from out doing chores…five minutes later he is on the phone laughing and joking to the best of his abilities. Mrs Bea was scheduled to take a trip to Jonesboro,Ga to celebrate the High School graduation of her granddaughter the end of June from Elite Scholars Academy. Her granddaughter,Tamara,attends the #1 ranked High School in Clayton County. Tamara …
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#Night job

I work at night. I stay home don’t go out side unless I have to. I take my dog for a walk and enjoy life at home. I spend time with family and friends they come by and see me. I buy paper towels and tissue paper to give to the elderly people that don’t have or can’t go get it.
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Ruined

Corona really sucked and it’s keeping my family out of work and me away from football I feel like my life is ruined.
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#71

Ms Cox is 79 yrs old and gives the impression that she does not have a care in this world!She has been back in Boynton Beach from Ft Myers for 8 months, She has been a Mother to her grandson after his mother left him in the hospital 31 yrs ago. He is in need of medical services for him. Since then, his Mother/her daughter has passed. She boldly said to me that I really don’t have any thoughts on this virus, She encountered an amputation(leg) February 17,2020.
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#FIGHTAGAINSTCORONA

They way corona virus has impacted my life is by making it hard to purchase things to put in my household for my brothers and sisters to eat.
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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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Surviving corona

Coronavirus has impacted my life in so many ways. Like having to work from home & only working 20 hrs a week.
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# 37 Staying Out of the Vius Way

Mrs Beulah Hunt is 85 years young. She has had bouts will some serious health concerns. Mrs Beulah has a strong will which keeps her afloat.Boynton Beach has been her home her entire life..She says that she is staying out of the way of the virus. Ms Beulah only goes out as needed.Where she worship has not opened its doors yet and she saysthat’s fine!There is a need for assistance with Electric and Water.
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#fullcapacity

So many people have died and many been infected. There aren’t enough supplies for hospitals and many hospitals are at their full capacities and don’t have room for any more patients. I try not to think about what would happen if I or someone in my family caught the coronavirus.
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