My 92 year old father lives with me full time. His daily routine includes exercising in our community pool at the building where we reside. Unfortunately, there are people coming down to Florida on vacation to escape the pandemic up north or for what reason, I am not sure. But what they are failing to realize is they are putting our elderly and compromised at risk. They are not self quarantined. I have been quarantined for several weeks as I have a responsibility to my father and to the other compromised individuals who live in my building to keep them safe. Together we can, divided we fall. It’s disheartening that people are not learning that right now. Secondly, how important is food security right now? How important is it to teach people to grow their own food at their homes right now and if they don’t have a place to grow food, having a community garden where they can get fresh produce and fruit. How important is it to be able to feed people fresh produce from an accessible green space? It is relevant now, more than ever. Now is the time to provide people who are at home with the knowledge and supplies to be able to grow their own food and if they don’t have a home to grow their food, providing a space where they can grow their own food and learn from those who can teach them! Losing resources at any time is difficult but now, when people do need access to fresh produce and tools to help them manage their stress, it is incredibly difficult. And for me, personally, I am three classes away from completing the Mindfulness Training Course and without the tools provided to me through this class, I am not sure how I would be able to manage my own stress and be able to keep my father safe and our staff feeling secure. I am personally grateful for the knowledge our educators provide and am hopeful that we will reach more people and spread this knowledge that does feel so relevant and important during this crisis.
Vulnerable: The community is vulnerable
Help those most in need in Lake Worth and PBC
Our gallery and studio are closed to the public. I come in most days to a thankfully empty town. The only people, for the most part, who are walking the streets are the homeless and those with cognitive disabilities. I drive past the tent city in John Prince Park and it breaks my heart to see so many homeless in close quarters. If nothing is done to help them it is only a matter of time. I worry about Patrick and the folks he feeds and their exposure. I sent this statement out in a letter to someone who might have the power to help. It is all I can think of. I will edit a few words out- but here is my suggestion: Every day I pass the tent city of homeless in John Prince park. This, and one other spot in Lake Worth is a petri dish of disease waiting to explode. Dave Kerner’s solution was inhuman in nature. This situation must be addressed in a humane way. I think you might be the key to this. I am a nobody when I make suggestions, but you have a voice that can and does make a big difference.Because our tourist industry is now dead- there are hundreds of motel room empty and available. I know some of those living there are bad characters because we canvassed there, but I also know there are scared helpless families. I have watched this tent city grow and grow, as I pass it every day.Could you get the county elected officials to pay motels and cleaning crews to sanitize these rooms and house and feed these families (and individuals) until this crisis is over. When the evasive testing kits become available, social services should test everyone. I am willing to bet many of these folks don’t even know about this crisis.I hope you heard Rodney Mayo’ s testimony before the WPB commission. Rodney’s workers could be employed by the county to feed those who need it most. He just laid off over 600 workers. The county needs food to go out to elderly, and all other hungry people- and his restaurants could be set up to do this. What better way to help a humanitarian like Rodney than to pay to use his restaurants to cook and deliver this food all over the county.
1 (Story #62)
This virus has impacted my life because my 84 year old Mother is unable to receive her continuum of care after fracturing her hip on December 25,2020. Her care has been interrupted due to her not being able to continue the care of physical,occupational and home health care.My Mom was scheduled to continue her therapies at a rehabilitation facility . However, due to the virus the facility has closed its doors.
COVID-19 and Me
The virus hasn’t really had an impact on me. I am just taking precautionary measures when going out into the public. I keep hand sanitizer with me and wipes in my car. I come back home and boil lime peels/orange peels with salt to stand over in order to inhale the steam because I know that the nostrils and the throat are the two places that this virus can reside, it being the coolest two places. I have always been an introvert and just the week before I had got approved to work from home when needed and this was just what I needed in order to do some of the things for my place of employment. I now cook a little more, I walk, I sing and I study the word of God now that I have time. But I am also looking at the people within my reach. I notice that they are not handling this work-at-home thing too well. I in a sense feel sorry for them because it is now exposing what is going on in the homes. It’s exposing that they are not as strong as they appear in the workplace. I am seeing a different side of people that I have never seen before. The worried and frantic looks and hearing their stories. This is what makes me sad when others are not happy.
Rods Story
The corona virus has impacted my work life. My hours have been cut and my work days have been shortened, I have no money to pay bills.
Starting adult life on the wrong foot |EJSLW2020
Due to COVID-19 many youth may be happy or relieved because they can partake in schooling online which means more time to sleep, flexibility and convenience. As for me being an 18-year-old senior I do not posses those same feelings. COVID-19 put me at an odd limbo, I will not only miss out on events that are the culmination (prom and graduation) of high school but college as well. COVID-19 put an unwanted and unexpected gap in my transition from adolescence to adulthood and to add insult to injury the government has yet to devise a plan for college students! Its really deterring to possibly still have to pay tuition for a school I am not attending nor reaping the benefits of. All in all , COVID-19 is making adulting harder and more stressful.
The Unexpected
The corona virus has impacted my life because my daughter isnt able to go to school but my job is still open because I work in the medical field. Therefore I have to find someone to watch her while Im at work. I am also not sure how long my job will be open or if I will get paid.
To hardships
My family income due to the virus is impacted as our only source of income is lyft
Mom & Twins…Netflixing & Chilling
It caused my kids and I to spend more time together at times we wouldn’t.
Confusing,Confusion, Confused.
My family has changed its dynamics since the virus was considered a problem for my community. My son, who was working in a foreign country was forced to leave. Although he had planned to relocate to another country, all borders have been closed, so he is coming back to the U.S.A., and plans to be quarantined for awhile. Of course, he will live with me, his sister and my grand-daughter. This will put a strain on our monetary resources, but, unlike others, we do have a place to live at the moment. At the same time, his brother’s job has been suspended, untill virus complications end. This means that he too, will have no income and will look to his family for help. We are already aware of food pantries, but where do we find additional beds and furniture, etc. for those who may be moving in with family. At the same time, the virus has caused disruption in my grand-daughters schooling. I am not pleased with having to figure out what 5th grade work she is expected to complete. I went on Google Classroom, found her teachers, but no explanation as too which assignments to complete, etc. I did ask her and she could not tell me either. Very confusing, very confusing. Also, my grand-daughter does not have a lap-top. How is she expected to do her work without that tool? Oh, did I add that I have a person with substance abuse that I am responsible for and that I am on Social Security. Indeed, it seems like neither myself nor those around me are handling these disruptions well. However, my family, at least, are doing the best we can under trying circumstances. The information I am getting on all levels, except for the information from the City of Boynton Beach and my doctor, have been confusing at best. But, I realize that this is new, and that everyone is working hard with new territory, but I guess the most frustrating thing is the uncertainty. Finally, We have noticed an increase of drug sales in our neighborhood. I am concerned that job losses and human fear will increase drug problems in my community. So any pointers on how to handle unsettling change will be very helpful.