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

<strong> My family has been fortunate</strong> - 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<strong> very stressful at work</strong> because<strong> the management has not had any real concern over Covid</strong> - their narrative is that it isn't an issue and we just need to get on with our life -<strong> no masking, no distancing, no real concern.</strong> <strong> 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</strong> - 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 -<strong> 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.</strong> <strong> Things are returning to 'normal' - we will have a family gathering, my brothers and sisters and parents, for the first time since December '19</strong> - 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.<strong> 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.</strong>