Items
Tag is exactly
family
-
2021-03-09#JOTPYSilver from Christine
christinejwong #jotpysilver I’m grateful I got to spend more time with my kids that wouldn’t haven been possible if I was going into the office 5 days a week. -
2021-03-22#JOTPYLesson from kumarshivani285
kumarshivani285 I have learned that there are so many things in life that we take for granted. There is definitely a difference between the way I view family interactions now and before the pandemic. I always assumed that I would be free to visit and see my family as I pleased and never even fathomed what it would be like to not have that luxury. I now cherish every time I get to see them and make the absolute most of each visit. Small things in life have taken greater precedence. Sometimes it is nice to be reminded of what really matters and go back to the basics #jotpylesson -
2021-03-31#JOTPYFuture from Marissa Rhodes
I look forward to spending time with friends and family that don’t live in our household, and being able them. I’m also looking forward to my kids being in school full time again. Especially my 5 yo whose ability to make friends has been destroyed by the pandemic #JOTPYFuture -
2021-02-27#JOTPYLesson from Linda Mercado-Paulson
All we have is our little tiny family but we are all One and we all love each other😘❤️ -
2021-03-01#JOTPYLesson from Robin Keagle
In retrospect, I have learned that the initial stay-at-home order was an unexpected gift to my husband, daughter, and me. Although the reason for it was unfortunate, it turned out to be a blessing in many ways. Instead of rushing to and from school and work, we had time to eat together more, watch movies, and develop a comfortable but temporary new routine. To be sure, not every day was bright and shiny yet we definitely appreciated this unique time together. Our youngest will be off to college in a couple of years which made it even more special to have those moments with her. Family is everything. PS. I also learned that Zoom has a great HD filter that allows me to wear much less make-up, and how to coordinate a work blouse with pajama pants which is a silver lining indeed. #JOTPYLesson Julie Watters Amber Peters Kim Kimberly Rankin Michele Gable Stefanie Thayer Sinanovic -
2021-02-27#JOTPYLesson from Daniel Lopez
Throughout the pandemic, I've learned the importance of family. My personal challenges during this very difficult period could not have been overcome without the unconditional love and support from my family. Thank you and I love all of you! Linda Mercado-Paulson Isabel Peralta Jay Jay Peralta Jacob Mercado Jennifer Conroy Jessica Linda Mercado Kristina Danielle @covid19archive1 #JOTPYLesson -
2021-02-27#JOTPYLesson from Brandon Kyle Presley
I have learned over the course of the pandemic to be thankful for those around me. As I have seen many lose loved ones over the past year, it has reminded me how important family and friends are in life and that one cannot overcome difficult times alone. Apart from those friends and family, we as individuals can do very little. Jacob Lute Joshua Colson Dakota Presley Whitney Lute Thomas Lovett #JOTPYLesson -
2021-03-04#JOTPYFuture from Clinton Roberts
After the COVID-19 pandemic, my hope for the future is that people appreciate their time with one another. The pandemic has made me realize that virtual experiences and phone calls are not the same. We must remain vigilant and safe, but fully appreciative of our family and friends when those opportunities arise. #JOTPYFuture Lawson Miller Kelly Hoile McDaniel Morgan Keena Shawn McDaniel II Chris Twing -
2021-03-17#JOTPYPhoto from Peter Van Cleave
Our pandemic baby -
2021-02-24#JOTPYLesson from wonmynihilist
#JOTPYLesson I learned how important social interaction is to people. Not just from close friends and family, but also from the daily hellos from acquaintances and strangers. There’s a comfort, I think, in knowing that the world keeps moving as it does everyday. Physical quality time with others feels like they were taken for granted now that we’ve lost that ease and access. @aw.susujahe @banbanlys @superaria18 @soleeriku @aribarzola_ -
2021-02-24#JOTPYLesson from mclissakim
I've learned different ways of continuing communication with my friends and family besides seeing them in person, since all of us are staying home and don't really get a chance to see them face to face in the past year. It's really made me appreciate the friendships that have become strengthened despite quarantine. #JOTPYLesson @a.mlau @how2henry101 @ashes.of.dreams @on_a_kruse @desinistre -
2021-02-21Living through COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of a young 75 year old
Never thought I’d live through a quasi twilight experience in my life time. From being totally free to roam around to try my hand at different social, educational, and faith filled interactions to staying home, sheltering, social distancing, sanitizing, and using technology for daily living within one year was a marathon of changes. I’ve lived an exciting and challenging 75 years. There have been many twists and turns in my life which is what makes me think is the reason for my young can do spirit. The Covid 19 experience is yet another one of those twists that I never imagined. In a matter of weeks our country was practically shut down. The challenge of not being sure who to believe regarding the pandemic was disconcerting. I had just lost my husband and went from living in a beautiful neighborhood, El Dorado Hills, with lots of friends and a wonderful husband at my side who could always help me keep things in perspective. I sold my house and went to live with my daughter in Sacramento. My daughter, Monica, was so generous and tried to make me feel at home and never complained about my “intrusion”. Then when things were getting a tiny bit better for me, Covid rears its ugly head. The news media reported how the Covid pandemic started. But wait, then the news reported the way it started was not the way it was reported. No one knew the best way to protect anyone. It was new and devastating. People were getting the virus from mild to severe symptoms. Many people were in need of respirators and many died regardless. Conspiracy theories were popping up. With all of this confusion people were getting more and more angry. Watching, hearing, or reading about the events around our country were discouraging. Protests and riots were happening. My immediate neighborhood was never in danger of rioters but the down town area in Sacramento was affected. Were we ever going to heal as a nation? Would we be able to trust again? What could I do about anything? I kept my eyes and ears open to whatever I could do to improve our situation. I could no longer visit the elderly in the rest homes by bringing them spiritual comfort and friendship. The rest homes were one of the first hardest hit with Covid. I used to take Holy Communion once a week and would try to make conversation with the patients. It was good for them but it was also good for me to be in a position to bring a little joy into their boring lives. Service to others is a value I cherish. A friend of mine said she started to help making the mandated masks that we are to wear whenever we go outside. It was a great opportunity to help others, keep myself busy, and feel I was contributing to fellow man. The Sacramento Face Mask Project gave me the opportunity to serve again. A group of people donated the materials. Other groups cut the material to standard sizes, while another group delivered and picked up the finished masks. I was able to sew about 200 masks (see pictures). I never met with a person to show me how to sew the masks so I looked on line (something new to me) and figured out how to fold, sew, and press the masks. These masks were put into plastic bags, left outside my door, and picked up by another person. That person would also leave me another supply of materials to make more masks. The finished masks were given at no cost to organizations like the Veterans Administration and other institutions. Our project ended early January since masks are now available for purchase almost everywhere. Wearing face masks is essential but so is hand sanitizing, and social distancing. As a practicing Catholic I went to Mass every day. We social distanced, 6 feet apart, sanitized as we walked into the church building and signed in so that if there were someone infected we could be informed to quarantine ourselves or even get tested. The governor of California eventually closed all churches. We eventually opened for a small limited number of persons in the church building together with the protocol of social distancing, sanitation, mask wearing, and signing in. Opening up for indoor Mass or services again was prohibited. A federal mandate was given in January so places of worship are now able to resume as long as the protocols are followed and a certain percentage of the capacity is enforced. To live my faith and receiving Holy Communion on a daily basis is a privilege I hold dear. It does for my soul what food does for my body. Going to church is important to me but so is being part of a community. Zoom enters my world. I resolved to be “techy”, learn more about how to use technology. It was a steep learning curve but I approached it valiantly. My daughter, granddaughters, and other family members help me navigate the web. The trick for me was to “just do it”. I experiment and did not give up pushing buttons, or keys. Zoom is now a part of my life. I meet with friends and relatives about five times a week through Zoom, Duo, telephone conferencing, internet, email, messaging. I do most of my bill paying by phone or internet. I buy products and gifts through Amazon. Almost all business is conducted by phone or internet. If I don’t know how to do it I just “do it” by calling the company or by asking my daughter, son, or friends how to do it. They walk me through it and it gets done. It’s not always easy or smooth. Scheduling a Covid 19 Vaccination was a long process. After the first targeted group, first responders, was met the next tier was the 75+ yr olds. I’m obviously in that category. Kaiser Permanently got their share of vaccines but not enough. I called several times but they were no longer taking appointments until they got another batch of vaccines. “Don’t call us, we’ll call you” seemed to be the message. I tried two counties and other hospitals that were providing the vaccines. I couldn’t get an appointment for different reasons. Finally my doctor gave me the link to be able to sign up for an appointment. I am one of the people who welcomes the vaccine but there are those who are not comfortable with the vaccine and oppose it. Respecting differences is something I think we are learning to do or at least realizing that it must remain optional. Flexibility of mind is as important as elasticity is for the body if we want to stay young. Greatly limiting our family interaction is heartbreaking. Visiting, hugging, and just hanging out together whenever we want is almost impossible without great risks. Our holiday gatherings and birthday celebrations are kept very small or non existent. Not being able to see our elderly and/or sick family and friends is very sad for all of us. I’ve always been a part of my three eldest granddaughter’s lives. They range from 8-17. I have not been able to visit my fourth granddaughter who is now two years old. She doesn’t know me except through video and Duo phone calls. I am almost a stranger to my youngest granddaughter. I have the hope that after I get vaccinated and our situation improves I can fly safely to visit her in Idaho. We never stop growing. Things are not just black and white. Finding the truth or the best solution for a community takes flexibility. We hear each other. We work together. We take chances. We risk. We admit our failings but we don’t give up. It’s never too late to improve. This world wide pandemic experience has allowed many of us to discoverer our priorities. There are so many aspects in our lives that have been affected by the pandemic that it would take books to describe how deep and wide this affects us all. My immediate surroundings that I’ve described here in this little essay is not all that has affected me. I have friends in other countries that have even less ability to help themselves. I am connected to them. I grieve for them and for us, but I won’t give up. -
2020-08-07El artículo que nunca quise escribir sobre la muerte de mi padre por coronavirus
Natalia Martin Cantero comparte su experiencia con el virus. Describe como llevaba meses ecribiendo de las experiencias de otros y nunca se imagino que estubiera escribiendo de su vida personal. Su padre callo enfermo en Enero, termino en cuidado intensivos y fallecio en Abril de complicaciones a los 75 años. Natalia Martin Cantero shares her experience with the virus. She describes how she spent months writing about others' experiences and never thought she would be writing about her personal life. Her father became ill in January, ended up in an intensive care unit, and passed away in April at the age of 75. -
2021-04-07Little Gifts
My dad is a paramedic currently working three jobs within the EMS field. He's basically only home one day out of the week. I take care of the house and my little sister while he's gone but I know the job is hard right now, especially with Covid-19. When I can, I buy him little gifts I think he would appreciate, like this Hawkeye Funko Pop. I honestly just wish they would pay paramedics and other EMS related first responders more than what they get now, especially since this pandemic has shown how necessary and essential their job is. -
2021-03-23#JOTPYLesson from Jordan Bizal
I've learned that I wasn't spending enough time with my kids and spouse. I have missed so many things this year, but I realized just how much I've missed by prioritizing life outside of my home. My kids are funny, kind, and so smart. It's been a great opportunity to pay attention to the things that they do while they're still little. I've learned that my extended family care deeply for me. The way people have called to check in and set up regular zoom meetings reminds me that in the same way I was missing small regular moments with my kids and spouse, I was also missing mundane conversations with people farther out in my circle. -
2021-03-23#JOTPYLesson from Amy Evenson
I've learned that small acts of kindness, go a long way. When I lost my job due to the pandemic, as the only income for my family, I was beyond stressed. When my unemployment application stalled because of the huge number of people applying for assistance, I vented on Twitter. My friends picked up the thread, started an Amazon wishlist, and within days strangers were stepping in and sending my family food, cleaning supplies, essentials, and even toys for my dog. People continued to check in for months to make sure we were doing okay. For most people who helped us, it was a $5-10 purchase; for us it was a lifeline that kept us safe, fed, healthy, and supported. It made a terrifying time a bit easier and kept us afloat until I could find another job. -
2021-01-21While holding hands husband, wife die from COVID-19 days after 70th wedding anniversary
The increasing death toll from COVID-19 has devastated many families on a personal level. One instance illustrates that like no other. An Ohio couple that had recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary both passed away minutes apart, leaving behind seven decades of memories, five children, 13 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Dick and Shirley Meek celebrated their anniversary on Dec. 22. It was then when they innocuously told their children they were feeling a little under the weather. "They said to all us kids, 'we think we're getting colds,'" said Kelly Meek. But suddenly, things got bad and it was evident this was no mere cold. On Jan. 8, they both tested positive for COVID-19. When things started to worsen for both of them, the family asked for them to be together for their final moments. Hospital staff found a room for two beds and the necessary equipment. Dick and Shirley died in each other's arms on Jan. 16. They were due to get the COVID-19 vaccine on Jan. 19. -
2021-03-01California Parents' Opinions on Schools Reopening
This provides a general impression of California's parents' thoughts towards reopening in-person schools. Surveys selected from the country-wide populace as well as California district-wide populations were considered. They don't only provide demographics. They also provide some context and reasons for why the participants felt a certain way. One of those responses was "Yes (only if the vaccine is readily available)", another being "No (prefer distance learning)" by an overwhelming amount. It helps inform us of the public opinion while vaccines were still in its early rollout stages. -
2021-03-13Mask On F*** it, Mask Still on
There's not much to tell, everyone in this photo (besides my brother, in the white a blue mask) already had COVID but we still wore our masks knowing there's still the possibility of spreading the virus. -
2021-01-25How California's Learning Loss Disproportionately Impacts Low-Income Families
This emphasizes how the pandemic has created a "learning loss", particularly among students in grades 4-10. It helps explain what the most challenging obstacles to this dilemma are as California continues to undergo food and housing insecurity. Low-income families are getting the brunt of the learning loss, and this shows just how damaging it can be to childhood and adolescent education as they "may never catch up." -
2020-07-22The Domino Effect of the California Child Care Crisis
This highlights how much the pandemic has affected child care workers and programs in California as health concerns continue to rise. It's yet another industry that was impacted greatly as many were out of a job and struggling financially. Not only does it emphasize the economic impacts on an industry, along with the needs for more health safety measures and the need to increase budgets for that, it’s effectively keeping those who need the child care services away. -
2021We Stand In Solidarity With Our Asian Family
#streetart #seattlestreetart #pandemicstreetart #streetartsculpture #graffiti #gorillaart #seattlepandemicstyle #pandemicstreetartofseattle #graffiti #graffitiporn -
2021-03-14#JOTPYSilver from Kiki
My silver lining is more time to just play with my kids. My daughter is a 4th grader and I’m guessing the days of Legos, costumes, and acting out plays with stuffed animals will be fading away sooner than later. Having this year at home to enjoy these moments before teenage interests become more fun than playing with her mom, dad, and little brother is something I’m very grateful for. -
2021-03-11#JOTPYSilver from Fernanda L
My pandemic silver lining was staying with my family all day watching movies and playing board games, it was some fun days Red heart #JOTPYSilver -
2020-03-23
My Strange 2020
This picture was taken on October 27th around 11pm. This day changed my life forever, my first child was born. Looking back on 2020 I noticed that it was life changing in many different ways. Experiencing becoming a father in this pandemic was crazy, me and my girlfriend found out she was pregnant a week after quarantine started but we could not be together. We had to stay at home , I couldn't attend her doctors visits, the only one they let me in was the first ultrasound. During the labor process we could not have family there with us so it was just me and her. I'll never forget those moments when my daughter was coming into the world because it was strange but amazing at the same time. -
2021-03-21LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN
During the first month of the lockdown in Santa Monica, California, Catherine Butterfield and Ron West started making short films for their friends and family, attempting to find humor in the very strange situation we all suddenly found ourselves in. Entitled LIFE DURING LOCKDOWN, they assumed it would be a very short lived project. A year later they still find themselves doing it, and in fact are on their 61st film as of March 21, 2021. At one point, having run out of interesting things to say about their own relationship, they started to tell stories using the marionettes Catherine and her mother created when she was in high school. These films fall under the banner BUTTERPOTTS PLAYERS PRESENT, are much more technically advanced, (Catherine taught herself iMovie) and employ the voices and sometimes even the faces of talented actor friends who were willing to play along: Jean Smart, Bob Odenkirk, Richard Kind, Peter Onorati, Priscilla Barnes, Kiff Vandenheuvel, Nancy Youngblut, Nancy Ritter and a host of others. -
2021-03-11Cynthia Jensen Oral History, 03/11/2021
Cynthia Jensen is an executive secretary for a Superintendent of Schools office in a rural town in California. In this oral history, she discusses how the pandemic has affected her workplace, coworkers, family, and community, explaining her disappointment with the official response to the pandemic. She also touches on her experience getting the vaccine, and how she feels about the future now that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Cynthia also discusses her concerns from the start of the pandemic, and how those concerns have shifted or grown throughout the past year. She hopes that moving forward, there will be better preparation for outbreaks such as this, and a stronger unified response from the general public. Looking to the next year, she predicts that it will take time for the schools to recover and find ways to best support students and staff. -
2021-03-17
First hug in a long time
A lot of people probably have this same kind of story, but I'll go ahead and tell my version of it. My wife's 93-year-old grandmother lives in an assisted care facility nearby and, of course, has been forced to be very isolated throughout most of the pandemic. However, because all of us have now been fully vaccinated, we were able to go and see her in person a couple of days ago. The most heartwarming moment was when my wife and kids were able to give her a hug for the first time in a long time. I'm sure as more people get vaccinated, they will have more of these kinds of stories to tell. -
2020-07-19This is What My Community Looks Like
“This is what my community looks like. We are a community and we support all the families that are here.” - Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, at Mother's March (6/12/20) -
2020-08-03Food Service Workers Rally For Justice
"Businesses always like to emphasize the family aspect of working in their space. However, they fail to recognize we can choose who we want to dedicate our time and energy to. Because even family can be toxic and unsuitable for our livelihoods. To be transformative in this industry, it shouldn't be 'here is 50% off your meal 'or 'pizza for working with us for 10 hours today'. Instead they should talk about how we can be a community. Cause in a community, we protect, we listen, engage, act justly, we care, and we work to be better." Brenda Montes, Waitress, Rival House Sporting Parlour Restaurant Opportunities Center of Minnesota is demanding these collective protections for restaurant workers: Worker health and safety to come before profitability and customer expectations Livable and equitable wages for all staff across the industry: no more wage theft Cultural & structural change in the industry that fosters equity, inclusion, dignity for all workers Visit @rocmn612 for more information or to get involved. Photos from Food Service Workers Rally For Justice, July 28, 2020 -
2021
The year that was, pandemic and my mental journey
I live in Cleveland, Ohio. I grew up an hour away in Ashtabula, Oh. My fiancé and I went to a concert they day before everything else closed down. We had no clue it would be the lass mass gathering we would go to in over a year. We moved during the summer and that kept us going. However, after being in lock down and not being able to see our friends and family began to make things harder. We all know the tole that covid has played on physical health but mental health is something the news hardly covers. We have young nephews that we couldn't see. My dad turned 60 this summer and we couldn't have a big party. Summer passed and fall came we thought maybe we can get together for Thanksgiving. Then well if we skip Thanksgiving we can have a family Christmas. That would not be the case. My sister and brother in law had a big family Thanksgiving with his family and they all ended up getting covid. They were around my dad and he got sick. Christmas was a no go. I was worried about my grandma who was 84. It is now March 2021 and we are "remembering" the last year. People without anxiety are feeling the mental affects of a year were we were not able to have parties, gatherings, weddings, and even funerals to remember the lives lived and lost. It is hard not seeing the friends and families that we took for granted before covid. We all need to take a moment, and take a deep breath. Check in with our mental wellbeing. It has been a long year. -
2021-02-13Coronaland -- “Cast Away COVID Island”
With Carnival parades cancelled, somebody had the bright idea to start the Krewe of House Floats to (a) make up for it and (b) to offer work to unemployed float artisans. The results have gone beyond everyone's wildest imagination with 5,000+ people signing up in New Orleans, surrounding parishes, and around the world.“Cast Away COVID Island” on Vallette St. in Algiers Point shows all the craziness we put up with this past year. -
2021-03-09
Covid Saved My Marriage
Before covid hit my marriage was in big trouble, after years of sitting on "little" problems and ignoring relatively big issues I got tired of living complacently. My husband and I were essentially living a lie, we lived and acted like we were the picture-perfect couple living a perfectly happy life. In the summer of 2019, a tiny issue finally broke the camel's back and we separated. A few months into our separation divorce papers were drawn out and signed by me, he was in Arizona and I had moved in with my parents and children in California. By January 2020 we had already begun hearing about covid but we still didn't think much of it since it was an issue halfway across the globe. All signed and ready to file for divorce we got hit with a quarantine order in California. My husband asked me to move back home so he can be with our kids since we didn't know how long quarantine would last. I agreed and he drove to pick us up. Living together was odd, especially because we had both gotten used to being without one another. After thirteen years of being together, the separation made us realize we hardly knew each other. We had to try extra hard to get along in front of the kids and at least be cordial with one another. Our state of amicability turned into an odd level of friendship. Six months later he asked if I would consider therapy. I agreed and we started therapy virtually. Things got worse in therapy before they got better (as expected) but the divorce papers were eventually torn up. A year later, I can't say were picture-perfect but I can say that we're happy in this phase were in. Since there was a palpable sense of fear last March, we were forced to think about the reality of life without one another, how would we cope with life/death issues alone, and whether we truly wanted that? Quarantine forced us to face years of issues that had seeped into the foundation of our relationship. Divorce would have been much easier, but this outcome we are living in today is so worth it. In short, I'd say covid saved my marriage. -
2021-03-10https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/10/health/after-covid-vaccine-cdc-guidelines-wellness/index.html
CNN Medical Analyst Dr. Leana Wen on the new CDC guidelines for full vaccinated people. While Dr. Wen agrees with many of the CDC guidelines, she does believe some are too cautious and others are not cautious enough. -
2021-02-22#JOTPYLesson from Kiki
I learned that despite numerous journalists and politicians bemoaning the deep damage quarantine is doing to elementary aged kids, my two kids are thriving. They love having time to roller blade, bike, play legos, build forts, run around the yard, have both parents home to join in the fun, and end the night by watching an after dinner movie or tv show together (currently, the og Muppet Show) - all things our crammed with activities pre-pandemic life didn’t regularly allow for. I guess I learned a slower pace of life isn’t necessarily a bad thing!@elle_cool_j @alburritvo @tranuwu @bjueinoars @callie.coe -
2021-03-08
Vaccine Reaction
My fiance's mother took the vaccine and had terrible symptoms the day after. Thankfully she is better now. My Grandma took it as well as was tired all day. That seems to be the case for a lot of older people. -
2020-12-25
a COVID Christmas
This Christmas my father unfortunately contracted COVID-19. He was unable to leave his house for two weeks, and it was obvious it hit him hard. My father lives alone and is 71 so my brother and I took it upon ourselves to help him as much as possible and isolate ourselves. We would bring him food and medicine and leave it at his bedroom door to keep a safe distance. During Christmas it was just the three of us eating dinner, but my brother. and I ate in a separate room as our father. It was very lonely but he is all better now with the vaccine so next holiday will be better. -
2021-03-06
This is not how this is supposed to go.
Friday, March 13, 2020, was my last full day in the office before the shutdown. We came home that night not knowing what was next. Then my sister called. Things hadn't been right for a couple of weeks, she said, and when she had been to the doctor that morning he ordered her directly to the MRI lab. And there it was. Cancer. The exact same kind that had taken our mother a few years ago. And our grandmother several decades ago. Dammit. So what do you do? You get on a plane, you go there tomorrow, and you face this thing together, as family, right? Except no. It's COVID time, and only one person was even allowed to accompany her to the hospital for surgery three days later. We all decided that my other sister should be there, since she has medical expertise and also a more flexible schedule. But yeah. Here I am, on the other side of the country, not knowing whether my sister would live through the day and not able to go be with her. It's a year later, and I'm very relieved to say that she's still with us, lasting far longer with this diagnosis than either our mother or grandmother did. Still very much in the fight. But thanks to this damned disease, and to everyone whose stupidity has caused it to last longer and be worse than it had any need to be, I have seen her exactly once in the last year. For about ten minutes. Right before her second surgery. Will I get to see her again? Who knows? We have a trip planned in a few months, if things get better with this pandemic. And if she lasts that long. It's sad and exhausting and infuriating and unchangeable. -
2021-03-05Virtual Funeral
This is my fourth virtual funeral in less than a year. Although covid has been around for about a year, it didn't really hit home until a few short months ago. Los Angeles has been hit hard, and being from a large minority group I have lost a few people close to me. The first was my best friend's dad, then his brother, then another friend's brother. The photo is of a funeral that I am currently watching. I grew up in a large church in Los Angeles, this beautiful lady very well knew in the Hispanic Pentecostal community. She watched me grow up, attended my sweet fifteen and my wedding. She had the biggest heart and loved God fiercely. She was my mom's good friend and in January she contracted covid, by the end of the month she was gone. I've quickly realized that the only thing harder than losing so many people in such a short time span is not being able to say goodbye. -
2020-08-17Surprise Birthday Driveby
It was my 64th Birthday and I was down and out on the couch with Corona Virus. I got a phoncall from my daughter asking me to go to the front window. I told her I could barely get off the couch and I had a fever. She told me to bring my phone and video tape my grandson skateboarding. He had just learned a few new tricks. So I managed to make it to the window and to my surprise horns started blowing and cars began driving by my front window. It was a Birthday drive by ! I was in shock. They truly fooled me ! At first I couldn't tell who all these people were but after they circled around a couple of times I began recognizing people. It was my family and friends. They came from as far as Los Angeles County. Even my 96 year old mother was there ! I truly felt love -
2021-02-18
When Covid is Over
When Covid is over I am going to see my grandkids in Washington State and paint my son’s house and then take my whole family out to dinner in a restaurant. When Covid is over I am going to dress like a rock star and play music in bars. When Covid is over I am going to keep the thrifty habits and good hygiene and good recipes that I learned during Covid. When Covid is over I am going to take my time browsing the hardware store and the supermarket. When Covid is over I am going to visit friends and have parties. When Covid is over I will be thankful that Covid is over. -
2021-03-04
COVID Christmas
My Christmas was the same as always despite COVID. My family ate breakfast and then we opened presents and then watch basketball. We didn't worry about getting COVID just by being around my family so it wasn't that much different than the previous Christmases. -
2020-03-01Mask trash #5
Mondays are "no media Mondays," at our house. I went out with the family to the river walk along Rio Salado. On our way back to the car, I found this black, fabric, reusable mask on the path just down from the Tempe Center for the Arts. -
2021-02-26Black Boston COVID-19 Coalition's Holiday Social Distancing Message
This twitter post by the Black Boston COVID-19 Coalition features a video warning Boston's Black community not to gather with their families during the holiday season. It was also shown on television as a PSA announcement on a local news station. The video shows a family celebrating Christmas dinner with their grandmother, a group of children receiving gifts from their uncle, and a dining room decorated with lots of party decorations. These happy scenes are interrupted by the grandma vanishing (to represent her death from COVID), a child critically ill with COVID in the hospital, and a coffin sitting alone in a funeral home. These stark images are meant to remained the Black community of their vulnerability COVID deaths and encourage them to avoid meeting their families in an attempt to stop their community from getting COVID-19. This twitter post shows the self-activism of Black community by showing how it mobilized to create COVID warnings and resources to help their people be informed and to warn them of the dangers of becoming a source and recipient of the virus. -
2021-02-14My Story: I Got COVID-19 Because of ICE
I am sending a diary style writing where I share my experience during the pandemic. I focus on the issue of ICE during the pandemic. Before the lockdowns, my uncle was detained by ICE and was deported during the pandemic. My uncle has been living in the US for 25+ years and Mexico, my uncle's home country, has changed a lot since he last lived there. For that reason, I went to Mexico to take him home. This made me get COVID. -
2021-02-12#JOTPYSilver submission from Lynn Okiec
We had a quiet and peaceful Christmas! @covid19archive1 #JOTPYSilver @DM_JayKelly @ohsochelly @BernieSanders @BuffaloHistory @NicoTortorella -
2021-02-14#JOTPYSilver submission from Siobhain
I got to take up baking again and spend more time with my family. @covid19archive1 #JOTPYSilver @kher0461 @nicole_perez1 @xoxoxdarlene @momochompers @ChaoticKarma23 -
2021-02-14#JOTPYSilver submission from @grace5star
Spending time with my partner, having lunch and dinners together and connecting with some old friends #JOTPYSilver @LoriMartini @janagram80 @gruffalo4u @SandraSchreiner @martinaf678 #JOTPYSilver -
2021-02-14#JOTPYSilver submission from Rebecca Gupta
#Jotpysilver i got to spend a lot of time with my son! Will cherish these moments @Shivani10516489 @shah_saaya @rajjain88448229 @devadevallama @rani_doshi -
2020-03-20
The Start of a Shutdown
The date was March 20th, 2020. It was my best friend's birthday. Our friend group was preparing to throw a big party for her with lots of guests and food. We were all so excited for her to turn 18, finally able to vote. We were all also happy to be seniors and were looking forward to graduation and prom. March 20th will be forever cemented in my mind as the day it all went wrong. We found out that "Covid-19" was truly something very serious and our classes became virtual, no more seeing our friends in school. We couldn't have an in person birthday party for our friend, we couldn't hang out either. That day was so pivotal in all of our lives. We didn't know we would be stuck in quarantine for the next six months, we didn't know our graduation and prom would be canceled. We didn't know how much our daily lives would change. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to the pre-covid days. Everything seemed so simple then. No major pandemic, no masks, no overfull hospitals. But at the same time, as I reflect, quarantine has changed who I am as a person and has caused a lot of internal reflection and introspection. I feel like having to only see your family for six months makes you a better problem solver because you have to stay in the house and figure the issues out instead of going out and trying to brush it off. Overall, Covid is horrible and has caused so much loss. However, we need to also see the somehow positives that have come from this awful situation.