Over the last 4 months, I've experienced a range of emotions around everything that's been going on. On a personal level, I found myself exploring new hobbies, going on nature walks with my SO and dogs, and generally finding more time to do the things, I supposedly never had time for. I felt selfish, being someone who was enjoying my time at home. My heart broke for everyone that lost their job, housing, security. I felt like I needed to suffer with them, because if this had happened a few years ago, I, too, would have been laid off. I'm working on understanding that my own suffering does not lessen the pain of others, so I've opted to lend my supports in the ways I can - donating, purchasing, and delivering groceries for Boston families and more.
I've found myself really encouraged by the number of people who have teamed up to help their communities, and I hope to see it continue. What angers me, is the lack of response from our government. The way the pandemic is consuming homes, and for my Black brothers & sisters, watching them continue to face a second pandemic simultaneously. The first time I left the house was for a BLM protest, I was scared, I hadn't been around people and was very adamant about not being around people but this felt too important to miss. I've spent a lot of nights lying awake, worried that my partner will be murdered in the street. I spend more time living in these scenarios that I care to admit, and each time I feel more helpless but never hopeless. I'm encouraged by the action going on around the US, but I need the government to take action as well because it's only when they take accountability for these dual pandemics, that the flames in the cities will turn to embers and pass in the night.
Humbling, scary, positive, blessed among other words have been the best way to describe COVID-19. Since the lockdown in March, I have been fortunate to work from home. What took a toll on me was seeing so many of our essential employees being ravaged by this virus. I was in charge of doing the intake process, which added up to 300 employees, including myself. Some stories simply broke my heart, I could envision my mother (70) and my father (77) being affected, luckily that did no happen. These individuals needed to work to provide for their families and were removed from work for weeks. Individuals who live paycheck to paycheck, barely making ends meet, have high city rents but were dealt with this unfortunate hand. What I am grateful for is that many returned to work, got back on the grind and I was their biggest cheerleader. These essential workers are the real MVPs of the pandemic.
As a recovering alcoholic, a routine is extremely important for me. I needed to find time for myself before beginning my workday. I have always exercised in the morning and I never stopped. Without exercise, I doubt I would've been able to remain sober, healthy and happy. My sobriety is extremely important for me and I have lent my hand to help others tackle their addictions during the lockdown. I am blessed to have purpose and to have support but know that not everyone has that, so I am always willing to help others in need.
Keeping with routine, my son, who is in the autism spectrum, demands routine. He is beyond the moon happy to have Mommy and Daddy both home all day and night and we always make sure that he is our top priority. Even as we both contracted COVID and could barely function, we made sure he was loved and happy.
At the end of the day, this pandemic has taught me so much. It taught me to prioritize and to cherish what I have. It brought me closer to my wife, my son, my stepsons, my friends and even my coworkers. We are all in this together and we will persevere together.
COVID-19 for us hit fast and hard and right, dead smack in the middle of our first IVF cycle. One week after the quarantine hit, we had our first miscarriage and it was devastating. There was no outlet, there was no escape, there wasn’t even that much medical care...there was just us. COVID-19 is similar to that worst case scenario that runs through your mind. It became real and it was now, was slowly unfolding. I was stuck at home going through the motions and emotions and my husband (by the way we’re newlyweds) still had to risk his life day in and day out going to work. Where this might have broken others down, it built us up.
We started a non-profit organization, The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative Project (The BLAC Project) and we in essence recommitted to each other and in doing so, vowed to build something together from the ground up so that we would never have to risk ourselves for the benefit of our white employers again. We also recognized the inhumane injustices happening in the black community and vowed to speak out against it for our children to come, so that they would have a better future.
Yea…. 2020 is an asshole but one of those necessary assholes that speak truth when everyone else is quiet and makes you face that mirror. COVID-19 for us was a curse and a gift and we’ve vowed to use this pandemic to empower ourselves and our people.
This time of COVID-19 has been many things for us - scary, sad, disheartening, but we've been able to find the silver lining. My husband and I work opposite schedules and rarely have time together; now that I'm working from home and his hours are reduced, we are getting so much more time together. I have a 2 hour commute to work normally, so being able to work from home has given me those 2 hours back - I'm cooking more, going on long walks with my dog and finding time to do more of what I love.
We are immensely grateful for those on the front lines working tirelessly. We are deeply saddened for those that have been affected by this vicious disease. It's real, it's frightening, but my hope is we can get through this together but separate. Sending love and light to all.
The most important thing that I have learned about myself during this quarantine is that I need to be stronger and have people EARN my respect not just give it bc my kindness is and has been taken advantage of
For me, I have two young beautiful daughters Vivienne (6) and Elise (4). It’s hard to explain to them what is going on currently in the world. My wife, Jen, told them there is a sickness “like a cold” and in order for us (everyone) not to get it, we all need to be with just our family.
I feel bad for both of them, especially Vivienne given that this was her first year in grade school and I don’t want her to think that this is normal. And I sure hope it isn’t a “new norm”. But to be honest, I don’t think they will remember much of this.
All in all, it's been a blessing to spend time with Jen, Vivienne, and Elise more than I was before the pandemic hit. There are times when working I have to tell my daughters that they can't disturb me but the best part of my day, is having breakfast/lunch with Jen and the girls.
The quarantine has taken a toll on me. On one hand, I'm so grateful to be able to work from home, and for all the frontline workers risking their lives for ours. On the other hand, I feel like we as a community took for granted so much: our commute to work, saying hi to strangers, being able to stand next to each other (not 6 ft apart).
I stay home because it is my moral responsibility and because I hope to see my family the moment I can safely fly home. I'm extremely grateful for technology making it easier to feel connected with my loved ones.
My biggest silver lining has been starting to meditate during this time. My morning meditation is a must now, it centers and brings me peace during these uncertain times.
I just hope we can all do our part to overcome this together. And most importantly, to hopefully not let history repeat itself.
I think the hardest part about being quarantined is not being able to see my parents. It has been even harder to see my 3 year old struggling to understand why we can't go to the playground or see abuelo and abuela.
On the bright side, I am lucky to be able to spend more time with my family. We are able to have all 3 meals together as opposed to only one. It has made us realize how happy we can be without having to do much. Of course, we miss going out and eating out (all this cooking can be exhausting) but we are making the best of it!