COVID-19 Stories, Health-Related

Palm Beach County residents were asked:

Please tell us a story about how the coronavirus has impacted your life.

Some responses were directly about a health-related or medical experience (e.g., a stay in the hospital, safety precautions, etc.). These responses are shared below by date (newest to oldest). Click ZOOM IN to learn more about the resident and how they interpreted their response.


Apr 22, 2020

Single Mother Struggle during COVID19

I have been out of work and unable to pay my bills on time as I also have a hard time feeding myself and my 6 year old son who is also in school remotely.
Apr 22, 2020

It’s Okay To Pause

Instead of becoming consumed by irrational fear (healthy fear is good, as it keeps us safe), the Coronavirus has all but forced me to stop and reevaluate both personal and business goals that I otherwise wouldn’t have taken time to think about. At first, I kept trying to keep up with all of the other business owners who were making massive pivots to adjust to the online switch. I was feeling really stressed out about it, until I realized that this wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing at this time. I was meant to be planning for the post-Coronavirus world. So, I shifted gears and have been spending the time getting my personal and business houses in order. By stepping away from the mad digital rush, I began to notice opportunities and pathways I hadn’t even considered before. I also started focusing on those areas that I had been afraid to look into before (like my credit!). By handling these things now, I put myself in a healthier position to be able to adjust to whatever the economic landscape will become.I say all of that to say: don’t feel like you HAVE to do something at this time. Sometimes ideas/profits do have to be chased down with a club…but often times the best ideas come from just stopping long enough for your brain to process what’s going on. 🙂
Apr 22, 2020

#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.
Apr 22, 2020

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.
Apr 22, 2020

#OverIT

I’m normally inside, so being inside doesn’t bother. What does bother me is when I start running out of items and I go to the store and everyone is bulk buying things so they aren’t In the stores. When this whole thing started, I was on my last roll of toilet paper. Family dollar was empty. I called my sister, she didn’t have a lot, but she was able to give me a few rolls. I don’t like not being able to have access to the things. I don’t think it’s affecting me like everyone else as I am retired. I was worried about whether I was going to get my direct deposit from the bank but that was not an issue. My bills have gotten paid and I’m pretty much where I was before it got started. I did have the flu in February and I have severe sinusitis. For this reason, I don’t like to wear the mask but I have to. This makes me panic because its difficult breathing. I do self checks and deep breaths to make sure I’m good.
Apr 22, 2020

Coronas Unexpectedly inconvenient. J. Charles

Expect the best but be prepared for the worst. Just a simple phrase till it all hits home. This corona virus pandemic has effected so many including myself, in the most inconvenient ways possible. With no money being made, and so many Bills to keep up with, the stress is tremendous. Dont get me started on the anxiety of having to keep up with so many precautions. With the Elderly being more susceptible to this Virus, and me living with Elderly family members under my care is a horrendous mix. The stress of this virus is is putting me into a depression. The effect of Corona virus is not only physical. It’s also psychological. Having to stress about how to keep up with something as simple as a water bill is inhumane.

About the Project | Story Gallery | How Residents Interpreted Their Stories (Data Visuals)