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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.

My family has been fortunate - we didn't lose anyone in our immediate family and we have been able to stay employed and our quality of life has been maintained. I have been very concerned about the political divisions in our community and how it seems that there are different narratives in different circles. It has been very stressful at work because the management has not had any real concern over Covid - their narrative is that it isn't an issue and we just need to get on with our life - no masking, no distancing, no real concern. When there was an outbreak (Jan. '20) and half of the employees tested positive, management decided not to close our plant - just keep on going - you can stay home (if you dare) - I wore my masks, kept my distance, bought air filter units to use in my area; I did what I could the entire time from March '20 thru May '21 - but I felt very alone and isolated - I would leave work, come home, strip off my clothes and wash - I felt so isolated, but fortunate too because I wasn't completely alone - I still have my partner and our kids - they helped to keep me balanced. Things are returning to 'normal' - we will have a family gathering, my brothers and sisters and parents, for the first time since December '19 - we are all vaccinated, except for the younger children - it feels good to be able to move around again. I still have been masking when I go places, out of respect for the people who have to be out working and for those who may not have been vaccinated yet or choose not to. I think masks will be a part of our lives more now, but that is not all bad. We had very little illness in our household for the past year, which is unusual with younger children. Feels like we can finally start to breath again now.