For me COVID-19 has been one of those life events that creeps in slowly, unaware of the toll it will take until the damage has been done. I am one of those people that looks out for others and takes care of everyone else before I take care of myself. This global pandemic has taught me that behaviors like that take the largest toll because you don’t see the consequences until they’re upon you. In March, at the beginning of quarantine my first priority were my mom & my son. My son was quarantined at home with me and my mother lives across the street. She’s 77 years old, a 2 time cancer survivor that’s on chemo meds that have her immune system compromised. She still works as a hairdresser but my brother and I made the decision to isolate her for her safety. We also decided to take over her household expenses so that she wouldn’t be worried about rushing back to her salon which was ordered closed anyway. Shortly after that, in early April, I took in a former student that was home from college for quarantine and has a strained relationship with her mother. It didn’t take long before I saw a significant increase in my household expenses; utilities & groceries increased greatly. Then, from the additional wear & tear, household items began to give out. First my mother’s air conditioner, then my own. Next a water pipe exploded in my mother’s bathroom causing a flood and her refrigerator conked out too. My brother was soon unable to contribute anymore as his car and his wife’s care needed major repairs. I still didn’t worry as I was on top of all those additional expenses at first but then they just continued to mount month after month. I asked for a reprieve from my mortgage company but by the time the was period was finished, the expenses had piled up and my savings had been depleted. So fast forward to now, I’m currently behind on my mortgage for the month of August ($1280) and it’s time to pay September’s mortgage too. I have a past due FPL bill in the amount of $743.37 as I have only been paying the past due amount to keep afloat. I realize that there are so many others that are struggling out there but I too have found myself in the position of hardship. I hesitated to even submit this story but I figured it may resonate with someone else out there that is the helper who needs help during these very trying times.
Solutions: Solutions to problems
Trusting God through it all.
Corona virus has impacted my life for the bad as well as the good. Ive been out of work twice and hours have been cut. Me being a felon makes it even harder due to jobs being limited which had me wondering how would I pay bills and take care of my responsibilities. Now Im witnessing my little cousin who has asthma suffer greatly which is hurting my heart. Despite the bad that has occurred the one good thing that has happened to me, is me witnessing how good God is. He has shown me all I ever have to do is trust in Him and He will provide and make ways for me when all else seems impossible. I also was able to reevaluate myself with the time I had when I wasnt working. Ive made some changes that were needed and was unaware I even had. Ive Had time to focus on my organization I plan on starting and was even able to do a lot of work around the house I normally wouldnt have time for. Its scary with all those going on, anything can happen anytime to anyone but God is good and able.
Slowed down
2020 put me in a bad position. I was trying to look for a stable place to stay but with the whole virus going on things are slowed down
Unemployment
Living through 2020 was a wake up call. The things I thought i was doing that was important really wasnt so important at all.Unemployment has hit America hard.
Stay woke
I believe that 2020 was planned and everything that is going on nobody has any care for the poor. Its just the beginning wait until they start trying to inject us
#25 (Story #49)
Mrs everlene baker is a native of boynton beach. She is so glad that god has allowed her to see 73 years of age on june 24th. She is a mother to angie,53 yrs old. Who teaches at lake worth high school . She is also her mother’s caregiver. Everlene has suffered from two(2) strokes in the past five(5) years.everlene feels this virus was an act of god due to all the wickedness in the owrld . She believe we must take heed and magnify his name and trust and obey his word.
#21 tHE UNREST HAS BEEN A LONGTIME COMING:
Ms mildred schley is a native of boynton beach. She is a mother to 4 sons and 1 daughter. She now lives with her daughter,jane. Jane teaches at congress middle school. Her oldest son suffers with many health concerns and he is in and out of the hospital.ms schley believes that the unrest has been a long time coming in the black community. She mentions that the baby boomers failed this generation by not standing and staying steadfast to the cause .
#24
Ms eva hollis is the mother of 14 adult children. Her daughter,earline(71) prepare breakfast and lunch for her on a daily basis. She moves pretty slow. However,she is swift in memory. One of her son lives with her. Mrs eva is 96 years young. She says that covid 19 is so sad. Many have lost their lives with this virus. I stay in the house unless i must see my doctor. People should obey and stay home!
#21 THE WADE-INS WERE HISTORIC
I an michelle d white lives born and raised in boynton beach. Historically,i come from a long line of civil-rights activist. Especially when the blacks were trying to integrate the beaches in broward county which they successfully did. The beach today is known as a landmark beach von d mizell-eula johnson state park.eula johnson was my aunt. My aunt eula owned a gas station in the 1960’s. Not many african-americans were likely too not even now. The von d mizell-eula johnson state park was known 60 years ago as the john u lloyd state park colored beach. It is printed that the wade-in demonstrations were epic! My parents met at a historically black college and university as my aunt,uncle,sister and cousins…The great bethune-cookman university founded by a black woman,mary mccleod bethune!
#16
Mrs martha moody is 90 years young and she lives alone in a senior retirement community. Her next door neighbor takes really good care of her.her closest relative is her nephew and he lives in vero beach.the virus has denied her the willingness to worship at first presbyterian church for all of 40 years. She receives meals from the senior care program of cdc. She thinks the day will come when this virus leaves and take alot more citizens with it. Mrs martha also hopes that the policemen are reckoned with all over when they do horrible things to blacks. I cannot stand to see this still happening.