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 for I’m at risk of losing. It’s only been 4 weeks since I last worked but I already feel the pressure. I wonder what’s next what do I do next. Life was already a struggle before the Coronavirus. But the one thing I do know is that as long as God blesses me to wake up every morning I promise never to give up.

Today I was at the gas station with my husband. We had our masks in my purse for when we would enter the grocery store. I also had hand sanitizer and wipes for when he finished pumping gas. I’m the furthest thing from a germophobe and I was actually impressed that I remembered not one, but two things that could allegedly protect us from falling ill. As I processed the need for these new objects that were now crucial from me to remember when I leave the house in addition to my phone, wallet and keys, I noticed something.An older white woman who was alone was clearly having car trouble. A black man ran right up to her with a smile on his face ready to help. Without hesitation, they shook each other’s hands. Normally, I wouldn’t overthink or probably even notice the interaction. But in that moment of fear and wondering what all of us had to do to or should be doing to adapt to this new world and to keep ourselves safe, I stopped myself and thought…Stop thinking about how the man is at a much greater risk of infection because of the fact that inequity is already a pre-existing health condition. Stop thinking about the fact that the older white woman was also at greater risk being someone of her age. Just breathe. Admire the acts of selflessness that surround you during this time. Remember that if there is ever going to be a turning point in this dark, twisted world, it’s right now. Maybe, just maybe, that handshake between two people who may not have otherwise ever been connected may be a sign of things to come. I don’t want to assume that this is hopeful anymore. For the first time, in a long time, I think that it’s possible.

The way Corona virus is has affected my life is the last past month been very difficult because there’s nothing really open and you can’t really do anything.We pretty much are barricading indoors and I haven’t had anyone close to me affected with it but there are people out there who are and we need to take a situation like this very serious. We should actually listen to what they are telling us about washing your hands, stay indoors and wear a mask when you’re going out.

Covid-19 has thankfully had less of an impact on my life than it has on many others. My family is safe. We are financially secure. Although I would like to visit the beach and parks, I understand that doing so may negatively impact the lives of my family and others. I am thankful to have such a loving family, a safe place to live, and the resources I need to live comfortably. This virus has directly impacted extended family members and community members. I pray for the safety of all.

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.

COVID-19 has impacted me mostly financially. I was laid off from my job as a travel coordinator. Since no one was traveling due to the scare of contracting the virus my company did not see fit to keep me. I have been struggling to apply for unemployment benefits and my case is still pending my pay stubs from 2018. Yes 2018. I just hope that my case would get resolved soon and I will at least have some income coming in making it easier for me to not be stressed.