Solutions: NA

EJSJB2020 (Story #NA)

When Covid-19 was first being pushed into the American news stream in March 2020 I was a sophomore in high school getting ready for spring break with my friends. Around this time people’s emotions were very mixed, some of us were freaking out 2020 had already been so chaotic (We had a World War 3 scare, several celebrities had died, storms were hitting, etc.). Some of us weren’t all that concerned especially us Floridians. Every year we get storm scares and the like, overtime we’ve adapted so that most of the time it’s hard for the mainstream news to faze us, after all if we let that happen we’d be freaked out all the time. We thought: “This is just another thing they’re trying to worry us about” Let’s not forget that our election for U.S. president was coming up this year and candidates were already dropping out like flies, this was just adding onto the election frenzy. “It’s just another Flu” “It’ll be gone by summer” “It only really hurts babies and elderly people.” These are all things we told ourselves. These are all things we were wrong about. Young healthy people, college students, newly weds still in their honeymoon stage, new mothers, this virus did not discriminate. People were being wiped out! It wasn’t just the virus’ mass devastation that caused this pandemic to become an era for the history books though, people’s behavior in these times will be talked about for years to come. I hope future generations get a laugh out of reading about “The Toilet Paper Mania” for some reason people rushed into any store they could find, thousands of shoppers found themselves fighting over TOILET PAPER! As if that could stop the virus somehow. As chaotic s that was it still feels like 7 years ago rather than 7 months simply because of everything else that’s happened since then. The killing of several black people by police officers causeda resurgence in the black lives matter movement which led to months of protests in which the police fully militarized against people singing in the streets. There were also riots in which people looted local Targets which funded their city’s police department and regularly denied service to black customers. (It’s laughable, even Target is the enemy now). Looking online these days its rare to see a Twitter handle or Instagram bio without BLM or ACAB (which means all cops are bastardized) in it. Does anyone even remember the murder hornets? Or when President Trump basically called now presidential-elect Biden’s son a crackhead on national television? Or when hordes of celebrities got on their cellphones and recorded themselves naked and singing in order to “lift our spirits” during quarantine. 2020 has been an interesting year to say the least. There were some days when we had to collectively grieve together like when beloved actor Chadwick Boseman of “Black Panther”, “Thurgood”, “42” and “Get on Up” fame tragically passed away, and there were days when we all virtually laughed with and enjoyed each other’s company like in the online “Versuz” competitions between our favorite musical artists. In summary, we’ve gone through a lot in 2020 but at least students of the future won’t be bored when it gets to our chapter of humanity’s story.

We need our families and friends.

Initially, COVID really impacted my mental health. I always knew how much my friends and family meant to me but I never expected to not be able to see them from several months at a time. Being in the house, not being able to run at parks or not being able to se my friends really made me feel a b it depressed. I was missing families birthdays and weddings were cancelled. I had recently graduated from college and couldn’t have a proper graduation or celebration. Everything felt wrong. I felt alone and I felt disconnect from the world. That is literally what was happening.

Palm Health story

The request for assistance comes from the lack of funds available to cover the rent due to an injury I suffered and put me out of work for over 3 weeks. I injured my shoulder which left me unable to work and left a big gap in our income. My wife also being pregnant and due to the current pandemic being unable to work, puts us in a tight squeeze in order to make the payment possible. We would kindly appreciate any assistance which can be provided in order to make the payments due. Thank you so much for your time and efforts. We appreciate any help available, thanks.

My Story (Story #945)

This is the story about how my family and I have been affected by covid-19. On July 15, 2020 my wife Carmen Rodriguez, and I Roberto Martinez became sick. We were having high fever, muscular pain, loss of appetite and sense of smell. My wife was getting worst, I had to take her to the emergency room. On July 21, 2020. The doctors diagnosed pneumonia in her left lung and lack of oxygen. The doctors started a treatment on her. Since we do not have any type of health insurance we are drowning in debt. I have been using my savings to cover some of those medical bills. Since I stopped working due to the virus. I haven’t been able to work for 8 weeks, waiting for my wife to get better. I’ve been taking care of my kids. (14, 7 years old). This situation has been very painful, the recovery very slow, but we are positive that things are going to get better and we will be able to go back to work. For now, we need help paying some of our bills. While we can overcome this hardship. Thank you!

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 support to pay my electric bill before they discontinue the service. I am lucky to be alive and I thank this program and other ones that are supporting the community to help those in need. Thank you.

Liefe

I haven bee. Through a lot cling you have been rob by the police beat up and lot of many thing that’s not worth talking about but it’s time for a chase

#10 I AN STILL WORKING FROM HOME

Biana jones is 89 years of age. She was the only black florist in and around the tri-county area for many years. She thought it was a privilege to be that african-american women entrepreneur. Although ,she has had some struggles the floral orders are not always like those in other communities. It has been a blessed experience. I am still working from my home i have osteoporosis but i keep moving. Mrs jones has two(2) sons living with her that assist with her in-home business.

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 away two weeks ago in Mexico and we had to raise money to pay for his funeral. Life has just been so hard for me and my family these past couple of years. I’ve been scammed with credit cards for life insurance loans etc. Thank you so much for everything! I really appreciate it.

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 his employer follows the social distance guidelines and they don’t allow many people people working at the same time. This pandemic has affected us a lot, we are struggling to pay rent and bills every month.

Tough Times

Immigration/Covid-19My name is Yadira, I have 5 children. Ages 16, 11, 9, 5 and 2 years old. Immigration detained me and my husband back in November 2019. I was in immigration detention for 2 weeks, my brother took care of my kids during this time. Once I was released, I was forced to use an ankle bracelet. My husband was detained for 2 months and then deported to Mexico. I am providing for my kids by myself. Before the covid-19 outbreak I used to work cleaning houses. But due to the virus I haven’t been able to work. Everybody is afraid, so my clients don’t want me to go to clean their homes. My brother has been helping me, but he has his own family to provide for. I am going through a serious hardship. And I am grateful to find this program that is supporting me and my family, thank you.