audio by jk

Sorted by: Theme: Care & COVID 19

Audio Story by Judith

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English Translation

I want to talk about Corona. It had never existed before and we don’t know what brought it or where it came from. It surprised people and made things really hard, such as schools being closed, places where people worked and stores were closed. The economy was affected because there was no money, and we could not buy any food. People stayed at home, some even were so scared that they locked their doors completely. I saw neighbors who died. I just hope it will never come back. I pray to God that it never comes back, because kids were affected. They never went to school and things were not the same again. There were programs that were affected and not occurring because offices were closed. Also things were not getting done because people were so afraid of one another and the way Covid was easily spreading. We were also left with so much grief because of friends and relatives dying. 

We are saying again that this should never come back, but we also say thanks to [the government] so much for all that has happened. We ask for all the help that we can get and the assistance that we can get because this disease was really bad. There was no work and kids could not play. It really made it hard and life did not carry on well because this is something that has never happened before. We hope that there is going to be more investment in the diseases, so that we do not have to close everything again. Kids need to go to school, people need to work and things have to be bought, so that the economy and life can get back to normal in general. 

Swahili Transcription

Ndashaka kuvuga kuri Corona. Ntabwo yari yarigeze ibaho mbere kandi ntituzi icyayizanye cyangwa aho yaturutse. Byatunguye abantu kandi bituma ibintu bigorana rwose, nko gufunga amashuri, ahantu abantu bakoreraga n’amaduka arafungwa. Ubukungu bwagize ingaruka kubera ko nta mafaranga, kandi ntitwashoboraga kugura ibiryo. Abantu bagumye murugo, ndetse bamwe bagize ubwoba kuburyo bafunze imiryango burundu. Nabonye abaturanyi bapfuye. Gusa nizere ko itazigera igaruka. Ndasenga Imana ngo itazagaruka, kuko abana bagize ingaruka. Ntabwo bigeze bajya mwishuri kandi ibintu ntabwo byari bimeze. Hariho gahunda zagize ingaruka kandi ntizibe kuko ibiro byari bifunze. Ikindi kandi ibintu ntibyakorwaga kuko abantu batinyaga cyane nuburyo Covid yakwirakwiriye byoroshye. Twasigaye kandi dufite intimba nyinshi kubera inshuti n’abavandimwe bapfa. 

Turongera kuvuga ko ibi bitagomba na rimwe kugaruka, ariko kandi turavuga ngo urakoze cyane kubyabaye byose. Turasaba ubufasha bwose dushobora kubona nubufasha dushobora kubona kuko iyi ndwara yari mbi rwose. Nta kazi kandi abana ntibashoboraga gukina. Byaragoye rwose kandi ubuzima ntibwakomeje neza kuko iki nikintu kitigeze kibaho mbere. Turizera ko hagiye gushora imari nyinshi muri izo ndwara, kugirango tutazongera gufunga ibintu byose. Abana bakeneye kujya mwishuri, abantu bakeneye gukora nibintu bigomba kugurwa, kugirango ubukungu nubuzima bisubire mubisanzwe muri rusange.

Themes:

AudioCare & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationGrief & ChangeMental Health/WellbeingTranslationWork/Unemployment

Medium: Audio

Author: Judith

Date Submitted: November 28, 2023

Bio:

I love to be around my family at all times because they are my support system. I love to sing.

Written Story by Hassan

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The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019 unleashed an unprecedented crisis that  has profoundly impacted societies and individuals across the globe. The far-reaching effects of  the virus have upended daily routines, challenged healthcare systems, sparked economic  turmoil, and altered social dynamics. The Covid-19 impacted many things such as heath,  economy , social distance, education and jobs. 

COVID-19 presented an immediate and overwhelming burden on healthcare systems  worldwide. Hospitals and medical facilities strained under the weight of increased  hospitalizations, critical care demands, and shortages of essential medical supplies. This crisis  exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare infrastructure, highlighting the need for better  preparedness to combat future pandemics. The development and distribution of vaccines  emerged as a crucial global effort to curb the virus’s spread and mitigate the impact on public  health. 

The pandemic triggered an economic upheaval of historic proportions. Lockdown measures and  restrictions on business activities resulted in widespread closures, layoffs, and bankruptcies.  Numerous industries, such as travel, hospitality, and retail, faced severe setbacks, with small  businesses being particularly vulnerable. Governments implemented stimulus packages and  financial aid programs to mitigate the economic fallout, but the effects of this crisis will be felt  for years to come. 

COVID-19 brought about substantial social disruption, altering the way people live, interact, and  communicate. Strict social distancing measures, remote work, and virtual learning became the  new normal, transforming the dynamics of personal and professional relationships. Isolation  and prolonged periods of uncertainty took a toll on mental health, leading to increased levels of  anxiety, depression, and stress. The pandemic also exposed and exacerbated existing societal  inequalities, with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by the virus’s impact.  People are social distancing even though families during pandemic. 

The education sector experienced a seismic shift as schools and universities resorted to online  learning. The sudden transition to remote education highlighted the digital divide and revealed  disparities in access to technology and internet connectivity. Students faced challenges in  adapting to virtual classrooms, leading to learning loss and reduced educational outcomes. The  pandemic forced educational institutions to innovate and explore new teaching methods,  accelerating the integration of technology in education. However, students can learn online  even though shut down schools. 

Scientific Advancements and Collaborations: 

COVID-19 spurred remarkable scientific advancements and unprecedented international  collaborations. Researchers and scientists worldwide raced to develop vaccines, leading to the  development and deployment of multiple highly effective vaccines in record time. The global  scientific community collaborated on an unparalleled scale, sharing data, insights, and best practices. The pandemic demonstrated the importance of scientific research and the  significance of global cooperation in addressing global health challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the environment. Temporary reductions in  travel and industrial activities resulted in lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality,  and a respite for ecosystems. However, increased plastic waste from medical supplies and  personal protective equipment posed a new challenge to waste management systems. The  pandemic emphasized the urgent need for sustainable practices and resilient environmental  policies. due to pandemic, environments are so quiet on the road and free way too. 

The impact of COVID-19 on societies and individuals cannot be overstated. The pandemic has  left an indelible mark on healthcare systems, economies, social interactions, education, and the  environment. While vaccines and gradual reopening offer hope for recovery, the long-term  consequences of the crisis will continue to shape our lives for years to come. It is imperative  that the lessons learned from this experience are applied to strengthen global healthcare  systems, address socio-economic disparities, and enhance preparedness for future crises. As we  navigate the aftermath of COVID-19, resilience, adaptability, and collective action will be  essential in rebuilding a more robust and equitable world. Finally, people passed all challenges  after 2022. I Believe, we are safe, happy and healthy our lives now.

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationHealth CareMental Health/Wellbeing

Medium: Written

Author: Hassan

Date Submitted: November 28, 2023

Written Story by Grace

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A Bunch of Thoughts

As I write I am realizing how hard I have tried to unconsciously forget any of those two years ever happened. Everything is back to normal and everyone is just trying to forget. I know I am. Except giving birth, I cannot recall a single event that happened, all the two years just morphed into this thing of bits and fragments of memories, I like to call it a bunch of thoughts, and a few that often stick in my mind I’ll try to write about. 

They always say whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I have grown to believe ever since Covid-19 was at its peak that that saying doesn’t actually hold any water. Because you can’t convince me the reason me and my loved ones are alive is because we were strong. I holed up in the house as the strongest; doctors, nurses and first responders sacrificed their lives for us. I have failed to see the strength in my actions, that’s why I never got the power to complain or second guess them when they advised against taking walks when I had a three-month-old baby. Because I knew what I’d done wasn’t a show of strength, it was resilience and best. But we all pushed through, I learnt that a day at a time is how you survive when the very things you love and cherish like your life and family are threatened by something you have no control over. You just hope like everything you have endured before; it will come to pass. The promise of time which is never broken.

When my job stopped and I was stuck at home pregnant, it was time I found something else to fill my time. I was raised in a middle to low-income family in Rwanda and fantasies and movies were not how food got to the table. Then here I was with an eternity to do anything but work. I signed up for Netflix for the very first time in my life and this is where another unforgettable memory from those two years came to my life. Through my screen I found art, these stories allowed me to forget my reality and fight batters for causes close to my heart. They allowed me to dream of a life I hadn’t imagined for me and my daughter. For although these stories were fiction, their effect on my life was true. They made me dream of a world of plenty, where I could work and provide the life I had never had for my daughter, I was determined to come to the USA.

Even after the pandemic has passed and everything is back to normal, I don’t think anyone is back to normal and that necessarily isn’t a bad thing. The pandemic was a reminder that as humans, at our best the strongest and smartest have sacrificed their energy and time, sometimes even life so that the frail and weak and vulnerable among us can live to see another day and fulfill their dreams with prejudice. That the world is sometimes kind enough to give the “undeserving” the most chances in life. I hope I learned a thing or two about living, because like everything I described as art in movies, life is beautiful. 

For all its downsides I got a thing or two from covid. The love of my life, my daughter. She is a light in my life of how from fire diamonds are forged, for her I will forever be grateful. The second thing was time, as I took a break, I noticed how time is also a privilege for the few. I worked long hours prior and never got time to reflect about my life, what was important to me, what my loved ones were going through. I spent the 2 years with three of my siblings I hadn’t had time to understand since I was the oldest and time hadn’t been kind enough to give me a chance watch them grow into themselves, I am thankful I no longer share only blood with them, we share a friendship strengthened by blood and for that I will forever be grateful.

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationEssayGrief & ChangeHealth CareInspiration & HopeMental Health/WellbeingWork/Unemployment

Medium: Written

Author: Grace

Date Submitted: November 28, 2023

Bio:

I’m Grace, a 29-year-old woman who bravely faced the challenges of giving birth during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a rollercoaster ride filled with uncertainties and isolation, but I never let it dim my spirit. Despite limited support and the constant worries, I tapped into my inner strength and sought solace in virtual communities. Now, as a proud mother, I am determined to share my story and advocate for the needs of other mothers who have experienced similar challenges. Together, we can inspire resilience and overcome any obstacle that comes our way.

Written Story by F.I. Goldhaber

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Eugenics

First published in The Trick Is To Keep Breathing and What Color is Your Privilege?
September, 2022 

She said the quiet part out loud,
people “unwell to begin with”
don’t deserve to live. Just like the
poor, the Black, the Indigenous,
the immigrants, the Queers, the Trans.

Because once they figured out most
victims were marginalized, had
comorbidities, were “others”,
the fight to eliminate the
virus succumbed to the battle
to save the economy god.
in the name of the Profit you
must sacrifice the grandparents,
disabled veterans, nannys’
children, baristas’ mothers, clerks
at the corner stores, restaurant
servers, health care workers, drivers
bringing groceries, carry out.

The U.S. already makes clear
who is not wanted, including
those with disabilities, pre-
existing conditions, other
gods, languages, and cultural
traditions. No skin tones kissed with
melanin or “natural” hair.

Disposable collateral,
oblations necessary to
avoid missing brunch, a concert,
a chance to go out dancing or
cheer for the home team at a pub.
Millions already dead, millions
more permanently disabled to
ensure the privileged’s comfort,
the corporations’ bottom lines,
billionaires’ stock portfolios.

As we tumble into Nazi
sovereignty it’s worth reminding
those gambling with their own health and
risking the lives of others, that
among the first slaughtered in the
German Holocaust were those who’re
disabled by the “Spanish” flu.

 

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationDisability/ImmunocompromisedGrief & ChangeHealth CareIdentity & Social ChangePoetryWork/Unemployment

Medium: Written

Author: F.I. Goldhaber

Date Submitted: November 28, 2023

Bio:

F.I. Goldhaber’s words capture people, places, and politics with a photographer’s eye and a poet’s soul. Paper, plastic, electronic, and audio magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, broadsides, and street signs display their poetry, fiction, and essays. Left Fork press published — 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆? — their collection of political statements in poetic form — in September, 2022. http://www.goldhaber.net/

Written Story by F.I. Goldhaber

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Normal Life 

First Published, August 2020, in CHAOS: The Poetry Vortex

You have a nice home to shelter in,
food to eat, shows to stream, games to play.

You don’t live with an abuser or
parents who misgender you; insist
your orientation is sinful.

Yet you complain you’re deprived of your
social life, restaurants, bars, park visits.

You don’t need to risk your life and your
loved ones for minimum wage
without protection, sick leave, health care.

You’ve enough to pay your bills; credit
cards to order online; connected
devices allowing well-paid work.

But you miss the ball games, parties,
band performances, church services.

You don’t shiver in the cold, snow, and
rain under a tent if you’re lucky,
or just a cardboard box, or blanket.

If your throat is sore, your head feels hot,
you can telephone your physician.

You don’t have to stand in line for a
clinic that sends you home when they run
out of test kits. Or just keep working.

You know what the virus looks like,
how to prevent exposure and illness.

You don’t toil next to those who could be
infected with no information
how, or supplies, to protect yourself.

You fret about event and concert
cancellations, missed graduations.

You don’t worry about untreated
broken bones; forced sex without access
to birth control; deadly pregnancy.

The only people desperate for
life to return to normal are those
privileged to enjoy “normal” life.

 

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationDisability/ImmunocompromisedGrief & ChangeHealth CareIdentity & Social ChangePoetryWork/Unemployment

Medium: Written

Author: F.I. Goldhaber

Date Submitted: November 27, 2023

Bio:

F.I. Goldhaber’s words capture people, places, and politics with a photographer’s eye and a poet’s soul. Paper, plastic, electronic, and audio magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, broadsides, and street signs display their poetry, fiction, and essays. Left Fork press published — 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆? — their collection of political statements in poetic form — in September, 2022. http://www.goldhaber.net/

Written Story by F.I. Goldhaber

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Alone, Now and Forever 

Alone, Now and Forever

 

 

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationDisability/ImmunocompromisedGrief & ChangeHealth CareIdentity & Social ChangePoetryWork/Unemployment

Medium: Written

Author: F.I. Goldhaber

Date Submitted: November 27, 2023

Bio:

F.I. Goldhaber’s words capture people, places, and politics with a photographer’s eye and a poet’s soul. Paper, plastic, electronic, and audio magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, broadsides, and street signs display their poetry, fiction, and essays. Left Fork press published — 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒆? — their collection of political statements in poetic form — in September, 2022. http://www.goldhaber.net/

Written Story by Anonymous

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Covid-19 was a surprise pandemic. I did not think that it was going to last for more than two  years. I was relieved when we had the vaccine specially for healthcare workers and for many  immunocompromised categories. I did not think that I was going to get Covid because I took  precautions by wearing mask, washing hands, avoiding crowds and avoiding travels. It was sad not to visit my family members and friends for two years but it was better not to spread germs  or being exposed from them. Many people were exposed and they were very sick . Many  people lost their lives including friends and relatives.it was very scary for the first year specially  when we did not have the vaccines for everyone. I had Covid and I stayed home for one week  and it was not easy. Many of my friends had Covid and some of them were very sick ,others had  mild symptoms.  

I remember when we were in the house for 3 months and it was the longest time I stayed in the  house without visiting my family and friends. The best experience I had was working from home for 3 months. I spent more money on groceries, vitamins, good water, masks, hand sanitizers  and cleaning supplies. I avoided public transportation as much as I could. I did not plan any  parties for my family and friends for a long time . I avoided traveling over seas for family visit. I  did not like the Covid test at all especially the nasal swab for rapid test and all the advanced  Covid tests.Now the Covid is declining everyday in the different countries. I am so glad we don’t  have to wear masks everywhere even when traveling. We can wear masks at the hospitals but  many places now it is not mandatory anymore because Covid cases continue to decline. It is  nice to go to church , restaurants, parks, movie theaters and many places without masks.I can  take public transportation without masks as well. Some people are getting sick from Covid but  they are having mild symptoms. I am so happy to see few cases of Covid and less cases of  hospitalizations. It is nice to see Covid vaccines being available to everyone and it is very  important and very helpful to have the information available and medical insurance coverage  available for people who can not afford to pay for their health insurance coverage. I would like to thank God for protecting us and all our loved ones. I would like to thank the healthcare  professionals who helped us to get through these tough times and the research employees who  worked really hard during the Covid. Non profit’ organizations were very helpful as well with  helping so many communities with low income families to be able to afford rent, food, healthcare and school fees for their children. Our government did a great job and more people who helped.

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationEssayGrief & ChangeInspiration & Hope

Medium: Written

Author: Anonymous

Date Submitted: November 27, 2023

Bio:

Community member

Written Story by Anonymous

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The first time I heard about Covid-19, I thought it was the same as any flu that will be over in a  couple of weeks. Suddenly, schools were going online, typical school experiences were a thing  of the past. I was anxious out of my mind about my last year of high school. My last year of high  school, as well as my last year in the early college at Portland Community College, had just  begun. I had to take college classes while trying to complete both my high school and  associate’s requirements. When we had to switch to online school, I remembered feeling like  failure was inevitable for me since I had not anticipated not being in an online environment. I  was feeling overwhelmed because I had to adjust to a different learning environment on top of  having to juggle my high school and college requirements. I was unfamiliar with learning online  and did not know how to navigate this new system. It was a lot of pressure for me to learn all  the various tools and techniques quickly. I found myself stuck in feelings of incompetence. I had  to take classes like human anatomy and statistics. I convinced myself that I couldn’t do it and  that I would not be able to get my associate’s like I wanted. I started showing anxiety symptoms,  especially through binge eating because of fear of disappointing myself and my family. I  experienced an increased sense of pressure and feeling overwhelmed because I was constantly  comparing myself to others and believing I couldn’t keep up. I also felt like I was letting myself  and my family down, which led to feelings of guilt and shame. This further compounded my  anxiety and negative thoughts. Due to the lockdown in those early stages of Covid-19, I couldn’t  get out of my house or find a place to do other things that didn’t pertain to schoolwork. This  made it difficult to find a sense of balance and break the cycle of comparison and perfectionism.  It also prevented me from taking much-needed breaks and engaging in activities that could help  me manage my stress, such as exercise, meditation, or talking to friends. Fortunately, Zoom  became famous quickly and a group of people were able to meet online. I had several  opportunities to get together with my youth group from church to talk and go through the word  of God and remind me that I am not alone even when I think I am. It allowed for a sense of  community to remain during this uncertain and isolating time. It gave me the chance to take a  break and speak with friends. This helped take my mind off of the stress of the pandemic for a  time and gave me a sense of peace. It was a great way to share our joys, sorrows, and  experiences with each other. We were also able to use it to stay connected to our church family  and keep up to date with all of the latest news and events. There are still after-effects of my experiences of Covid. I was diagnosed with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder in 2021.  Most people don’t know if the internal issues I suffered during Covid and even now when the  after-effects can be felt. I am glad that I was able to get help when I needed it and found a way  to deal with what I was going through.

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationEssayGrief & ChangeHealth CareIdentity & Social ChangeInspiration & HopeMental Health/WellbeingWork/Unemployment

Medium: Written

Author: Anonymous

Date Submitted: November 27, 2023

Bio:

I am a girl who struggled internally through Covid years. I got the courage to seek help and rebuild the self-competence I had in myself. I started to take care of myself and my mental health. I became more aware of the needs of my body and mind. I learned to put myself first and prioritize my well-being.

Written Story by Emily D.

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The traffic has come to a screeching halt, as it so often does during heatwaves. Portland is a city that doesn’t like extremes; if it got too cold, the city would shut down beneath the 2” blanket of snow. If it got too hot, like today, the tunnel to Hwy 26 would back up all the way to the 217 exit. 

Of course, I was grateful to be stuck in traffic— given just two years ago the road was much emptier as Portland faced a different extreme that would grind us to a halt. Perhaps Oregon wasn’t the worst state to be stuck in during a global pandemic. Especially compared to some of the other states I heard about on the news. I was grateful our lawmakers and state representatives had taken the virus seriously and prioritized worker safety when it mattered most. In some states, martyrs people were not given the same luxury. 

In the beginning of the pandemic, back when the common belief was that in 2-3 weeks “this whole thing would be over”, I was actually relieved to have an extended spring break. The previous terms had been hard as I struggled to adjust to my new college environment. But the relief would be replaced with longing. I couldn’t stay at home for very long, as family tension (exacerbated by the pandemic) forced me to find housing elsewhere. I was alone, barring my cat, in an apartment 200 miles away from my loved ones. The independence that had once tasted so sweet, was now soured by anxiety and depression. 

So, I began to walk. First, just around the neighborhood. Then, I started walking a little further with no real destination in mind. Walking gave me a space to check in with my feelings and talk to myself. In each step, I could feel my fears coming to the surface. What if something happens to my parents? Will I get through this next school year? How do I fight this loneliness? I’m scared. Walking through the wooded hills of West Eugene, I tried to find normalcy in the small things. Like the neighborhood cats that would meow at me from their perch on the front lawn— as though they too knew to keep a distance. I tried not to let my eyes settle for too long on the empty playgrounds or shuttered businesses. 

A lot of the pandemic can be measured in loss. For the longest, loss was the only way for me to mark the passage of time. Oh, this is when I would’ve been travelling for my honor society convention. Today is graduation week— is there a graduation? I would’ve started work today. When I was walking, I could see my progress. Everyday, the walk would get a little longer until I was walking 3-5 miles daily. Walking was the only control I had over my life at this time and I savored every mile. 

Today, sitting in the hot, June traffic, I am grateful to have a destination to attend in the first place. I no longer measure my life through absence but rather I look for the parts that keep my heart full. I am grateful to be surrounded by my friends and family and that they survived the COVID pandemic. I am grateful that I successfully finished school and was able to return to Portland. While I no longer walk miles and miles everyday, I’ve retained the practice of checking in with myself and taking stock of my feelings. I’m scared sometimes but it’s okay. And the traffic begins to ease.

Themes:

Care & COVID 19Community Connection & IsolationEssayGrief & ChangeInspiration & HopeMental Health/Wellbeing

Medium: Written

Author: Emily D.

Date Submitted: November 27, 2023

Bio:

I am a 22-year-old Black woman born and raised in Portland. I was a student at the University of Oregon during the pandemic and graduated in 2021.