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2020-06-13
Lovelace Hospital's Secret Coronavirus Policy
Lovelace Women’s Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico implemented a secretive policy that racially profiled Native American mothers. As expecting mothers who “looked” Native were admitted into the hospital, staff would compare their area codes to a list of zip codes belonging to Native lands such as Reservations or Pueblos. After being identified as “a person under investigation for COVID-19”, mothers were often misled or were forced into signing a wavier that gave permission for hospital staff to remove the newborns from their parents after birth. The families were only reunited once the pending coronavirus test results came back negative. Test results took up to three days to come in, thus leaving the mothers in fear and uncertainty about the wellbeing of their child. Lovelace, Native American, mothers, healthcare, newborns, separation, New Mexico indepth, ProPublica, racial profiling, New Mexico -
2020-05-01
Untitled
Crowd control presses forward to end the assembly before it escalates further. A woman stayed seated as the world moved around her, and she nursed the child in her arms as her form of protest to the world happening around her as she knew it. Strangers joined her, seating themselves and protecting her and her child from being trampled by the swelling crowd. Twenty two people were arrested. The woman with her child walked home free. A surreal contrast in the beauty and innocence of children and chaos. -
09/18/2020
Victor Madsen Oral History, 2020/09/18
Victor Madsen is a freshman at Northeastern University. He went to a high school in Florida, and he shares his experiences since the beginning of the pandemic. Mr. Madsen shares his story about how he was stuck in the Bahamas for a long time due to changes in traveling policies during the pandemic. -
2020-09-15
Constant interruptions
Developmental milestones always throw off the routine. I deleted the “Wonder Years App,” so I couldn’t look up what is happening at about 30 months that makes it unlikely a child will nap, and very likely that they will cry and cling to you over the seemingly smallest of issues. It has been weeks of no naps or naps only in the car. This means that I don’t get my normal break in the day, when the 2yo naps for 2 hours and I can let the 6yo have her media time. This was our routine; this was when I got to knock out work in peace without interruptions. That precious window has been gone for weeks. Until today, finally for the first time in what feels like for freaking ever, Julian napped in a bed at home. Did I have to lie next to him to make it happen? Yes, was I anxious that it was too good to be true and he’d wake back up any second? Also yes. The 6yo, unaware that anything was different walked in the room and started chatting. I waved her away, and she ran off, presumably delighted that her media time was a go. The dog, ever aware that food was on the stove and that her dinner should occur in about 1.5 hours pushed open the door and trotted in. She’s stuck now. No one goes in or out until this nap concludes naturally. Maybe I shouldn’t be this worked up about a nap, but the extra layer of pressure has felt much more present ever since the school year started. There are more meetings to attend, and they all seem to last more than an hour. Emails can stress me out easily if they’re filled with questions. And the 6yo needs about 2-3 hours of support in the morning with distance learning and homework. Which is fine, that’s my job, I’m supposed to help her, but it also means that an important chunk of my workday is interrupted. And it’s hard to recover or snapback from constant interruptions. I feel like it's not possible to get it all done, and then I think...not getting it doesn't feel like a choice I can make. It all feels like it's my responsibility. -
2020-09-06
Just like Mom
In 2020 I was extremely excited to see VP candidate Kamala Harris on the ballot. It was revitalizing to see that in 2020 while all the protest were occurring, racial disparities were brought to light, and the urging to pass social reform in our major cities. When Kamala went on an interview to discuss her early life this picture came across the screen. My mom had an identical pose and hair style she wore as a teenager. This was the first time it really hit home that I could possibly have someone who looks like my mom and other black mothers that looked like mine. That as an African American we had the opportunity to see someone like us hold such a high office was very impactful and motivated me. -
2020-08-06
First day of Kindergarten
We had been counting down this day for over a year. My oldest daughter could not wait to start kindergarten. The full impact of Covid had not hit me until her first day of school. It was nothing like I thought it would be. I snapped this picture of us (myself, my kindergartener, her little sister, and her dad) walking to the front of the school. There was no walking her to class to meet her teacher, no in class-pictures, no watching her take a seat at her desk. Instead, we walked her over with our masks on, waited while she got her temperature taken, and then watched her be escorted to her classroom since we were not allowed in class. A week after this photo was taken, her school decided it was best to do 100% remote learning. Since she is only five, she cannot understand the severity of Covid and has a hard time understanding why she can't be in class with her friends. -
2020-08-20
Helping my little brother move in
Starting college can be hard at any time, and it's even harder for kids starting school during the pandemic. Since only so many people are allowed to help people move in, my brother had to pick between my mom and myself to be the last person to see him the night he moved in. He picked me, and my mom told me over the phone that she cried. Not being able to visit him has been hard because I don't even know how he's feeling during all of this. Being seperated from him because of coronoa for the first time this summer is horrible, and I know there are so many others out there separated from their loved ones because of Covid-19, as well. My brother and I hung out in each other's rooms all day over the summer, and now we can only see each other by appointment. I just hope my brother's first day of college was alright. -
2020-04-01
Caring Mums - Powered by NCJWA Vic
The Caring Mums program is a service providing emotional support to mothers of babies and pregnant women. The program matches trained volunteers, all of whom are mothers themselves, to new mums with the goal of developing a secure trusting relationship. Through regular weekly meetings for up to a period of 12 months, mums’ feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression decrease, while their parenting confidence and sense of belonging grow significantly. Caring Mums adapted its program so that its aims and values can still be upheld during the current pandemic. We continue to see mums in our current catchment whilst growing our service into new areas, using technology, as we understand the impact this reality has on vulnerable and isolated populations, including mums already facing many new challenges. -
2020-08-10
The New Normal
I uploaded pictures as to how the COVI19 has impacted my everyday life. The first picture shows me working out of my room because we are all working from home now and this is the quietest place in my home. I basically do everything from my room now, sleep, work and eat, it really doesn’t feel like my sanctuary anymore. The second picture is with me and my children around the kitchen table. I feel like I am losing my sanity because I now play many different roles such as: teacher, employee, student and mother. It is hard for me to hold everything together nowadays but there is no other option. This is the new normal and we are trying to get better acquainted to it. I included a picture of my children waving to their great grandmother from our truck. In the beginning of COVID19 my children were not able to see their great grandmother because no one knew who may have the virus. We had to quarantine ourselves for about a month before my children were able to see their great grandmother. Me and my children are more appreciative of my grandmother now. We really did not pay attention to how much she meant to us until we weren't able to see her whenever we wanted to. The COVID19 pandemic has taught me to appreciate the things that I hold close to me like my family, friends, health and my job. I am very fortunate that no one near me has been infected with the virus and we are all healthy. I am very fortunate that I am able to work from home, still have my job and a roof over my head. My family is getting used to the new normal and everyday it does get easier. I just hope I still have my hair and my sanity by the end of this pandemic. -
2020-08-09
I'm sorry my love.
Dear son, I am so sorry you are having to live through these crazy times. You are only three and don't understand why we can't go see your grandparents and your friends. I know that it sucks that we can't play outside and living in an apartment makes it even worse. It will be over some day soon. I am so proud of you wearing your mask anytime we have to go somewhere. I am so glad you're in such good spirts at all times. When all of this is all over we will go and visit family and friends. We might have lost a year but my love we will go on vacation and see our family and friends. Just a little longer and we won't have to wear our masks. Until then my son keep strong and we will get through this. -
04/13/2020
Laura Spindler Lempke Oral History, 2020/04/13
Oral history interview with Laura Spindler who lives and works in Indianapolis, Indiana. She shares she just got married, bought a house, and a puppy. She works as a biologist at Eli Lilly and while she hasn't worked on the virus, she has assembled test kits. As an extrovert she is really missing time with family and friends but between walks with her new puppy and time spent playing games via Zoom she is managing. She also credits virtual therapy appointments with maintaining her mental health. She also discusses her mother who is alone and her grandparents who were wintering in Texas but drove back to Indiana anyway. -
05/08/2020
Greta Oral History, 2020/05/08
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2020-05-20
Making My First Sourdough Starter
I decided to start making a sourdough starter a couple months into quarantine like just about everyone else. I had a fairly large stockpile of flour in my cupboards because I bake fairly often, so I didn't have to worry about dwindling supply at the supermarket too much. My grandma taught me how to bake from a pretty young age, and my mom made bread with an electric bread maker for years, but I'd never attempted my own loaf without a bread maker, let alone a sourdough starter. A starter always seemed like something out of reach and far too difficult for an inexperienced bread maker, but with armed with encouragement and tips from some friends via Discord, I set out to make my own. These are photos of my process, from my beginning mixture of flour and water to my first sourdough loaf (and my starter's permanent 'home'). I'm fairly proud of it. It took me about 2 weeks to get the starter to really start; I'm guessing in part because I only had all-purpose flour and not the suggested rye flour. There was a lot of troubleshooting involved before it really started to mature. It's been an interesting process, and I'm really glad I tried it. Starters are far more resilient than I had previous believed, and the bread is fantastic. It's been a somewhat calming respite from everything, even though I feel fairly selfish giving myself that with everything that's happening. -
05/21/2020
Josh Wright Oral History, 2020/05/21
This is part of a undergrad/ grad project for a public history course taught at UW - Eau Claire taught by Professor Cheryl Frei -
2020-06-24
"I am not a silver lining kinda person, but..." tweet
A tweet from author Anne Thériault talking about the silver lining to the disruption to routine brought on by the pandemic. She and her son have been staying with her mother in Kingston instead of their home in Toronto. -
2020-05-30
Hospital Wristband
My elderly mother had to go to the emergency room. As a visitor I was screened at the entrance, asked several questions about my health, exposure to Covid-19, and recent travel. Nothing like this has ever happened to me in a hospital before. I'm glad they are doing this, but it was sobering. My community has not been hard hit by the pandemic, and it's hard to remember sometimes that this invisible virus is always potentially present. This object was a tangible reminder. -
2020-05-30
Life Didn't Stop for COVID-19
While COVID-19 kept many at home over the last few months it didn't stop the inequalities and injustices faced by many across the United States. Many protestors in Fargo, ND marched through the city while also wearing their masks and being aware of social distancing protocols. The two women pictured, Janna and Marissa Diggs are a mother and daughter who are relatives of my mother. -
2020-05-24
Upbeat ‘cancer dancer’ lifts souls
A story about a cancer patient who uses the internet to post hip hop dances from the hospital in order to chear people up during the COVID crisis. A bit of fresh air during a very difficult and fearful time. We could use more of this. -
2020-05-18
MADRE E HIJA MUEREN POR PRESUNTA ASFIXIA TRAS INHALAR EUCALIPTO A VAPOR
Justina Condori Apaza, madre, (42) y Rosmery Romero Condori, hija, (24) fueron encontradas sin signos vitales el baño de la vivienda en día lunes 18 de mayo. La Policía, Ministerio Público y sector Salud acudieron al lugar para certificar los decesos. Justo Romero Copare (47), esposo y padre de las fallecidas, llamó a la Policía para indicar que halló los cuerpos luego de percatarse que las mujeres demoraban demasiado en el baño. Asimismo, reveló que el ‘sauna casero’ tenía como fin purificar el ambiente hogareña y evitar contagiarse con el COVID-19. Policías de la comisaría Alto de la Alianza verificaron el lugar y notaron que había una olla con agua caliente con eucalipto, una especie de fogata con troncos y más materiales sospechosos que están en proceso de investigación. Asimismo, El fiscal Marco Mayta Larico dispuso la participación de los agentes de Homicidios del Depincri, pues uno de los sospechosos de la muerte de ambas mujeres es Justo Romero Copare quien tendría antecedentes por violencia familiar. -
2020-05-20
Sanford Lake Flooded amidst COVID-19 Pandemic, 10,000 people evacuated.
I’m having a hard time putting into words what I feel. My mom lives on Sanford lake in the house that belonged to my grandparents. After excessive rain, the three dams that regulate the Tittabawassee River broke one by one. The lake level rose, and flooded homes and roads. The city of Midland also flooded. My mom, brother, and uncle evacuated. Initially, my mom went to the designated shelter- Meridian Highschool. But my brother called her and said it was a bad idea because it was upriver from her home, probably would flood too, and there’s COVID-19, so being packed in a highs school with a bunch of people isn’t the safest place to be. She ended up going to my brother’s in Midland, which was not part of the flood zone. This morning her house is completely flooded. -
04/07/2020
My COVID-19 Story
My name is Christian Weisse, it is Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 at 2:00 am, and I have been in self-quarantine for the last three weeks. I am writing this from my bedroom in the early morning because I can’t sleep. I haven’t been able to sleep for the last few weeks due to my anxiety surrounding COVID-19. I stay up worrying: worrying about my mom, worrying about my dad, worrying about my family, worrying. The only other time I have experienced anxiety was during loss or trauma. Even though this pandemic has not caused physical loss to me directly, COVID-19 has created mental and spiritual decay, traumatic dreaming when I am able to sleep, and constant emotional distress. My mom is a nurse working in a local hospital. She has been in the field for over thirty years. There have been other health crises prior to COVID-19, but she has never seen anything like this before. My father is a police officer at a local college. Growing up, it was certainly difficult to see my parents go through their experiences as first responders. There were times when Christmas was with Nana and Papa because Mom and Dad had to work on Christmas Eve, times where Dad missed my concert for chorus because he needed to work overtime during a crisis, and times when Mom couldn’t get me off the bus because she was home sleeping after a 12-hour shift the night before. As a kid, I knew we had to make sacrifices so that my parents could save lives. As an adult, I never saw this coming. Every day, I see my parents leave for work as one person and return as someone different. This virus has mentally and emotionally drained my parents each day. Nothing is more difficult in this world then to see your parent’s stress and not be able to help them. I feel helpless. I feel empty. We are a family-centric house and faith-based as well. We need to get back into our routine as a family. We miss going to mass every Sunday. This week is Holy Week and we won’t be able to attend Easter services. This virus needs to leave. I need my parents back. I have always tended to be the pessimist in the room. However, this pandemic has taught me to be optimistic and to slow down in life. I am taking one day at a time. That is all I can handle at this moment and time. My new discovery of optimism has me conducting “The 5 Things Countdown.” To help me calm my anxiety and to stay positive each day, I tell myself 5 things I can see, 4 things I can feel, 3 things I can hear, 2 things I can smell, and 1 thing I can taste. I do this whenever I feel my anxiety rising. When my parents come home from work, I see my Mom, my Dad, my sister, my dog, and the couch. When my mom tells us about the stress of work, I feel the floor beneath my feet, me trying to slow down my breathing, the vibrations of laundry from across the hallway, and my scarf around my neck. When my parents leave for work, I hear the dog barking across the street, the birds chirping, and the newscasters on the television. When my parents talk about COVID-19, I smell the chicken my sister is roasting in the oven, and the candle in my room. Whenever I lay awake at night worrying about my family, I taste the mint from an icebreaker I had. This situation is local, state-wide, national, and across the globe. I can’t go out there and fight the virus myself to make my anxiety go away. However, I take each day at a time. I focus on the blessings I have that I take for granted. I am blessed to have both of my parents, alive, healthy, and around. I have a roof over my head and food to eat. I have schoolwork to focus my time and energy on. I have my sister to talk to. I have my dog for comfort. I have friends and family checking in. I have things to be grateful for. I just need to stop, breathe, use “The 5 Things Countdown,” and take one day at a time. To all of the first responders, healthcare professionals, and folks who are helping during this pandemic, thank you. They are the true superheroes and my Mom and Dad are my superheroes. UPDATE 4/21/2020- This past week has been one of heightened anxiety, stress, and emotion. My family learned that my mother was moved from the clinic side where her permanent job was and “deployed” to the hospital side. The hospital uses the term “deployed” and it carries multiple meanings. For my Mom, it symbolizes going off to war; no say, no choice, follow the order. For me, it creates a drastic increase in anxiety. She was told that they will put her in a COVID unit. Currently, we are still waiting to see if they will since she is on a clean unit for now. At first, she was going to self-isolate in our home so that she would not get my Dad sick, who is at high risk. However, we saw other households doing showers before leaving for work, and as soon as healthcare workers came home from work. We decided to try this before taking the drastic measure. I feel helpless and sad. I know my Mom is strong, smart, and capable of doing the job, but I worry each day about her. I can’t focus on my school work. I can’t focus on my laundry. I have never felt this much anxiety. “The 5 Things Countdown” is helping temporarily, but I just need this pandemic to be over. I see the anti-lockdown protests in Virginia, Michigan, and other states. It doesn’t sadden me...it pisses me off how people can be so arrogant, ignorant, and pathetic. They’re protesting for their right to get a haircut while my mother is being “deployed” to in-patient units and possibly a COVID unit?! I have some words for those people, not very nice words. However, I don’t want to give them the power of attention. Let them complain all they want. My Mom and my family are the epicenters of my world right now. I know this pandemic will be over eventually. I just have to keep my faith, continue to do “The 5 Things Countdown,” and try to focus on what I can control. My school work, my laundry, me. -
2020-05-06
Mama, cómo se apaga la videollamada?
Small child walks in asking mom how to turn off the video call. This meme captures the idea that sometimes as a parent we let our kid have a bit more access to devices than usual, letting them make video calls to friends and family. This lets them maintain their connections to the outside world, but it also means they're not totally able to handle all the technology. -
05/06/2020
Email exchange between my mother and I
This is an email exchange between my mother in Randolph NJ and myself in Taylors, SC. My mother and I have a strained relationship and have only started to communicate again recently in light of the Coronavirus, the fear and uncertainty it has caused, tho I still do not speak with my father or brother. The strained nature of our relationship makes this read almost like a cross between a brief note and a newsletter of current events. It covers so many of the current pressing issues. My mother mentions the schools being closed, being unable to babysit for fear of the virus, fostering cats from the shelter because most animal shelters have closed or severely reduced their indoor kennels and seeking food for those animals from a pet food bank. She also references my son who is in a long term hospital and whom we have been unable to visit since the outbreak. In my reply I talk about being supported in our need for a substantial plumbing repair by our church community but needing patience because there are just so many people in need right now and express similar about our need to go to a food bank at the moment, stating that I want to make sure that people who really can't get food at the moment are able to and expressing fear that we could be exposed to the virus by interacting with the volunteers who are working on overburdened lines. Additionally I tell her that I have donated money to a local domestic violence agency in her name for Mother's day as they helped me years ago and are suffering from a lack of ability to fundraise at the moment. The entire exchange covers so many of the ways that our lives have changed and been affected by the pandemic. -
2020-05-03
Mother Health Care Professionals and their children
This image displays a baby, reaching out and touching the face shield of what seems to be her mother all gowned up and dressed in PPE. The woman in the picture who seems to be a health care worker who is also a mother is crying as she is torn away from beating able to hug and kiss her child because of the possibility of being infected after working in the hospital with coronavirus patients. This picture is especially special because it touches upon the hardships that health care workers are facing after working with patients all-day and not being able to have that relief of coming home and being comforted by their family members. This post was also made right before mother's day. The caption to this picture was in Portuguese and said "Mães. Hoje é o vosso dia. Esta ilustração vem ao encontro das mensagens que fui recebendo de profissionais de saúde que anseiam voltar a abraçar os filhos. Continuem com a mesma força de sempre. A cuidar dos filhos, dos pais e dos avós de alguém. O coração dos vossos filhos está carregado de orgulho. 🖤 a todas as mães um grande beijinho, um especial à minha. ✨ ©️2020, Sofia Pádua." When translated to English it said "Mothers. Today is your day. This illustration is in line with the messages I have received from health professionals who want to hug their children again. Continue with the same strength as always. Taking care of someone's children, parents, and grandparents. Your children's hearts are filled with pride. A big kiss to all mothers, a special one to mine. ✨ © ️2020, Sofia Pádua." -
2020-04-20
Reflections on reflection
Visiting my mother through the window at her assisted living facility. -
2020-04-10
Notes From an Essential Worker Series #3
The COVID-19 virus disrupts life, particularly our relationships with those we love. But, relationships are flexible and adapt to circumstance. Any other year, my mom would stay home from work on Good Friday and bring us to church, so we can see the stations of the cross. This year, the churches closed, and my mom could not afford a day off due to COVID-19. Instead, she used her morning note to remind us to celebrate in our own way: remembering her parents, "grandma and pap," and doing something kind for each other. In keeping with traditional however, we celebrated the end of another week in quarantine with a "Pizza Payday." My mom gets paid on Fridays, so we always have pizza to celebrate. COVID-19 has caused many changes, but I am glad that has stayed the same. #FordhamUniversity #VART3030 -
2020-04-30
Gardening to keep busy
My mom has been gardening as a hobby for as long as I could remember. Since we're in quarantine together, I have been helping her with her gardening recently. It's been a good way to keep busy and not feel like we're locked in all day. The image attached is a sunflower that recently bloomed. #REL101 -
2020-04-30
Gardening
My mom has been gardening as a hobby for as long as I could remember. Since we've been in quarantine together, I've been spending more time with her helping her with her gardening. It's been a good way to keep busy and not feel like we're trapped inside all day. The image attached is a sunflower that recently bloomed. #REL101 -
2020-04-28
Marika Carter
A poem or story about a mother's dream. -
2020-04-09
The virus took my mom.
Text -
2020-04-28
Sewing Masks
This image shows a mother sewing masks for her and her family to use while in public areas, while going to the bank or getting groceries, so as to not get sick from Covid-19. -
2020-04-20
Apr 27 Topic: My Take on This Moment in History 2: Noticing the Small
Description of having birthday parties during the COVID-19 pandemic -
2020-04-19
One ASU Student's Transition
A student's account of their transition to online school -
2020-03-28
Grace Papagno
I have spent the first half of my life being angry at my mother, and the second half forgiving her. She was insensitive, narcissistic, and at times, downright cruel. There were, of course, reasons, explanations, and perhaps understandings of my mom’s behavior and I have made a lifetime study of her so that I would not be like her as a mother. And I was not. I even published a memoir about life with her and after her. Now, in the time of Corona Virus, I find myself attributing many of my strengths to my mother. I have not been frightened by this pandemic. Rather, I think I’m coming into my finest hour. I am strong, positive, and yes, even happy. When I was a child, my mother would not “allow” me to be sick. There was no sympathy for illness. If I “chose” to be ill, I would have to stay in bed, eat nothing but tea and toast, and there was absolutely no TV nor friends. I was, after all, “sick.” With that scenario, I did not miss a day of school from third grade throughout high school. Now it is as if my body refuses to harbor a virus. I do take the prescribed precautions, but I do not even entertain the thought or fear of this virus. I do sense that if I did contract it, I would not be stopped by it. My mother would not allow me to watch TV if the sun were shining, and so I learned the joy of the outdoors. “Go outside and play,” was her mantra on the non-school days. As an adult, I quickly learned that gardening is “playing in the dirt for adults,” and so now, isolated, I spend the sunny days – even the cold ones, out in my yard, either cleaning it up, laying down compost, or planting seeds. I do not turn on the television until after I’ve practiced my piano lesson and cleaned up the dinner dishes. Even then, I am so tired from the day, I only watch TV for an hour or so before I am off to bed. Busying herself with her job and caring for her home, my mother had little or no time to share with me. “Get busy. Do something. Read a book or something,” was her order of the day. At age seven I taught myself to use the sewing machine; at eight I learned to knit. I embroidered and did crewel work. Later in life I took watercolor painting classes and resumed piano lessons with a magnificent teacher. I got busy. I seem not to have enough time in each day here, isolated at home, to catch up on my pastimes. Now in the day of COVID-19, I finally have time to do all the things I love to do without being interrupted for social events or volunteer promises. And whom do you think I attribute all the myriad interest, health, and self-sufficiency I find myself graced with – my mother, who unwittingly gave me the tools to find joy in isolation and meaning in the mundane. I am doing fine in this time of the pandemic. Thank you, Mom. -
2020-03-28
OpEd from an ASD Mom
As the general population contemplates their loss of physical freedom and financial uncertainty there is an entire population of people being overlooked- the disabled. As a mother of a teenage son on the autism spectrum I am struggling to help him navigate a new world that I myself can barely comprehend. The basic routine and structure that all ASD children need to thrive has all but disappeared. In its place is only chaos and uncertainty, with parents desperately trying to hold things together. On a normal day my son attends a non-public special needs school with primarily ASD students. That school is now closed for an undetermined amount of time. That school does not just provide a special educator but desperately needed occupational therapy, speech-language therapy and behavioral support. My son also receives various outpatient services, many of which he has attended with the same physicians for most of his life. But, for the public safety, those have now closed- so they have been taken from him as well. As we try to maneuver to telehealth to supplement some of those supports the overwhelming truth of it all is clear- I will now be his teacher, OT, SLP and behavioral therapist. I am a fierce mother, but I am but one woman. How will I balance the need to work with his need for structure and medical care? How can I be at all places at once, doing jobs I am unqualified for? And while I am trying to juggle all professions at once, when will I ever just be mom again? My son is afraid. He is uncertain. But the reality is that there is no way for me to truly make him understand. My only solace is the strong community of ASD parents that have rallied to try to bring some sense of normalcy back to daily life. Our children miss their friends. Friendships are not easy to come by for this community, particularly among neuro-typical peers. So, the friendships formed among this group, within this non-public school, are crucial to their mental/emotional well-being. We all know it and we are all worried. Our children are prone to depression and self-harm. How can we keep them from isolating and regressing in a situation where isolation is required? One parent offers daily Zoom meetings. Every day at 3:00pm. If we can get all of the children to join we can only hope that it will fill the void, and help them feel like they are not alone. But we are all we have. The truth is we are all alone. The services we rely on are gone. The teachers are gone. Our routines are in shambles and the world is crashing down around us. We all understand the seriousness. We all understand the why. But as the world now turns to meet the needs of the pandemic the needs of our disabled children lay in the balance unseen and unheard.