Results
2775 entries
found
Page 14 of 116
Text Only
Talk about what brings you happiness these days.
Happiness comes from little things. Iced coffee in the morning, homemade pulled pork from my slow cooker, watching my girlfriend slowly becoming a professional Youtuber. I woke up at 6:30 am this past Monday to the news my GF was approved to start making money from ads on her youtube channel. She has made all of 2 dollars so far, but she and I went through 1.5 years worth of youtube videos to remove the plethora of ads the algorithm tried to implant into her videos. We kept anywhere from 1-5 ads in a video depending on the length. And the entire process too about 2 hours worth of effort. But it was fun and made me happy. I am happy she is succeeding at her hobby and loves doing something. I am not at that level of love for anything, so I am somewhat living vicariously through her. I will get there one day. Today, I will just accept the small things.
August 26, 2020
Text Only
Do you have any concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on children, either in general or in your life? If so, talk about one or two of your biggest concerns.
I don't have any kids, but as we are in the middle of schools reopening, children are on my mind a lot. I know people are scared about "reopening" schools, but I do believe for those schools that have been going about it the right way, with caution, and taking into consideration their own unique circumstances, as they make their plans, I believe it can be successful. But, it does take everyone to make it a success - to keep everyone well. And, I do believe it is worth it to "reopen" because children need the education, the continued development of their development, not just opening up books, but also the social and emotional development. I think it's more crucial now than ever. But, I also understand, that we are all going to need to be prepared to shut down again and go back to all online as best we can. That is one tool we have now that didn't exist during the pandemic in 1918 - computers. We need to continue to capitalize on that as much as possible. I also keep thinking of all the parents out there trying to juggle their job responsibilities at home, while caring for and educating their kids. That's a lot. Especially, for single parents and for families where both parents are working full-time. Unfortunately, I feel like the way our social systems are set-up for families, leaves so many of them vulnerable and at risk of kids not getting the education they need if schools stay closed.
August 26, 2020
Text & Image
Talk about what is most upsetting or scaring you right now about the coronavirus pandemic.
I make a point of living a life that focuses on beauty that can be found in each day. I try not to actively worry about COVID on a daily basis at this point. I could lose sleep every night nursing my fears related to the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election, massive new virus outbreaks at schools and universities, inadequate hospital staff and medical supplies and more. I could be a bigger emotional wreck about how this fall and winter may turn out, if I let myself, but I do not. I cannot. I try to keep my fears about COVID focused on my own life versus expanding my anxiety out into a vast universe of infinite worry. Thus, I would say that my greatest fear regarding COVID centers around me or any family member contracting COVID and surviving, but then suffering long term, permanent debilitating effects, despite having almost no pre-existing health conditions. Currently healthy as an ox (and challenged only with minor, exercise induced asthma), I do not believe that this virus would kill me or my immediate family. (My parents, close to 80-years old, may be a different story). I am less, sure about whether we would escape the pernicious health effects that so many appear to struggle with long after the active virus is gone. A notion exists that COVID manifests as an intense cold for non-senior healthy people and then disappears altogether “like the flu but just worse.” I have read too many stories written by real people that indicate otherwise. Involved in various online running and triathlete groups, I have read posts that previously strong athletes have made about their experiences with COVID that indicate that healthy people can suffer permanent internal damage. “In 2019 I completed my third Ironman. Now, I struggle to catch my breath after going up one flight of stairs, still, 5 months later. I have since sold my tri-bike because I think my racing days are over,” someone said. A different person in her early 30s said that she and her family are still dealing with neurological issues 19 weeks after getting her first COVID symptoms. NPR reported a story uncovering the existence of ”long-haulers"—younger, previously healthy people who are sick for months with a low level of COVID 19. They may experience effects like bouts of fatigue, memory issues (and more) that existing COVID tests do not detect. In addition to dealing with debilitating conditions, long-haulers report experiencing difficulty getting proper, COVID-related healthcare. Because their symptoms extend beyond those commonly associated with the virus, healthcare providers do not always even believe these patients have COVID. I do not want this to be ME! I place a PREMIUM on being in top-notch health and have made every proactive attempt at keeping myself strong and fit, seven-days a week. Being fit is an essential part of my identity and lifestyle. I aim for lifetime participation in activities like running, swimming, lifting and yoga. These things are vital in keeping me mentally and emotionally healthy and happy as a productive member of society. I fear that COVID could possibly impair the quality of my life permanently, leaving me less active and more prone to anxiety and depression for many years to come. Hopefully, my fears will remain in my head and will have no basis in reality.
August 27, 2020
Text Only
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
It’s been one of the darker weeks. The world feels like it is imploding again with the murder of black and brown people by police, children murdering innocent protestors, teachers scared to go into schools, the economy continuing to collapse, a hurricane. It’s overwhelming. I also feel more isolated as we have been quite conservative self-isolating for 2 weeks after a vacation. I have seen her mood shift. She is lethargic again and we are all just sick of this. We are ending our two week self-quarantine tomorrow and honestly will not self-isolate this long again or again after traveling and being conservative to begin with. (No one has had symptoms - this is just following the suggested rules). We travelled with friends 2 weeks ago. Meaning we brought groceries to a rental and stayed in the same place for a week. Before that we self-isolated for 2 weeks so we could see our friends and then again when we got home out of respect for everyone. We did do one or two errands but that was it. Meanwhile we work at home, our friends work at home and they also self-isolated and are strict with their rules. Most people in our lives work either in healthcare or other high risk fields. When we see them I feel like we are more at risk anyway. I feel like we are overdoing it at the expense of our daughter’s mental health. When we stop isolating we will still social distance - but this is too much. When we get home from our next trip we will continue to distance ourselves as usual but not in this extreme way. And yesterday my daughter and I rode to the library (again we have done some errands) we saw so many kids riding their bikes together and it looked like a regular summer. Then there is my daughter who we keep pretty separate. You can’t help but start to doubt yourself. My husband reminded me we aren’t seeing all of the other kids who are also being safer - because they are doing just that - being safer. I am feeling resentful.
August 27, 2020
Text Only
Do you have any concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on children, either in general or in your life? If so, talk about one or two of your biggest concerns.
I do have grave concern about the COVID world our children and grandchildren are forced to navigate at this time. None of us can picture what the future or the new normal will be, and I'm saddened for the challenges added to the lives of our children and grandchildren. On the other hand, I have great confidence in them - their responsibility, their skills, their value systems, and I'm certain they'll navigate their futures well. What I see in them gives me faith in the future.
August 27, 2020
Text & Image
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The line on this collage says "These unsaid suspensions that refuse us". I was thinking of the suspensions being the droplets of infection in the air - and the refusal they have to allow us humans to exist in our 'normal'. So instead of us humans taking control of the virus, it has happened the other way around.
August 27, 2020
Text Only
We’re seeing dramatic differences in rates of COVID infection, illness, and death in different places. What do you think about these differences?
I think that a lot has to do with the government telling the truth to the people. In NY we have a good governor who spoke to us everyday and gave us the latest facts, advising us what to do. We were able to bend the curve and get out of the pandemic. However, in other places people weren't given the same guidance and people were confused about what to do-- also in some cases government officials lied to people telling them everything was fine but it wasn't. I think the biggest problem is Donald Trump who just creates chaos everytime he opens his mouth. He lies and says stupid things and people got confused and didn't know what was going on. If he had been factual and consistent, we would've seen a better response all around the country.
August 27, 2020
Text Only
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Thanks to the pandemic (thanks? really?) I reconnected with my 6th grade teacher. Sixth grade for me was a good 30 years ago, so it had been a while. We connected because I "ran into" her son in a zoom meeting with colleagues and made the small-world connection and then he gave me her email. I have no idea how old she was 30 years ago when she was so strict that I remember nothing except never to spell her name incorrectly, but today she is a sweet little older lady. She used to only wear brown and dark green, having had her "colors done" in the 80s as so many women did. Now she wore a soft pink and everything about her seemed softer. Did I shake a bit when she insisted I call her by her first name? Yup! But when she heard about my children's interests, her next question was to ask my address so she could send them books that they would like (and she was spot on - they love the books!). She exuded kindness, sweetness (6th-grade-me can't believe that's the word I just used!), and it was the most beautiful thing to be able to share myself and my family with her and to hear about her family (and to respond as an adult, almost a peer!). I hadn't planned this for the end but as our time was running out I looked directly at the camera and said, THANK YOU. Thank you for being my teacher, for being in my life, for dealing with all of those disruptive 6th graders, and for so passionately caring about hundreds of children over decades of teaching. Whether I'm the only person who thanks her ever (which I doubt) or there's a (zoom) line for miles, I'm so glad I had that opportunity. So thanks, pandemic! For this, I thank you.
August 27, 2020
Text & Image
Are you doing anything artistic or creative these days that you weren’t doing before? If so, talk about it.
I make lots of paper cranes. I made a lot of them before the pandemic to hang up this paper crane rainbow waterfall, but now more than ever I rely on folding the cranes to refocus myself, to relax, process, and feel out my own feelings with every fold. I hope yo make more seeing as my workspace at home is full of sticky notes which helps me stay mindful in getting work done and taking care of myself. I also made a few paper crane gowns since I have so many paper cranes.
August 27, 2020
Text Only
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
For the last few weeks I have mostly been staying in my neighborhood which I really like-- lots of trees, people walking, shops and restaurants open, the park, etc. However, a few times recently I have gone down to Mid-town and it has really scared and depressed me. Everything is empty and shops are closed. Poor people roaming around-- homeless lying in the streets. Storefronts boarded up with graffiti and it just seems like a ghost town of the apocalypse. So many empty buildings and it feels like a hopeless and abandoned place. I feel lucky that I don't live down in that area... I would've had a totally different COVID experience. I've been sheltered uptown where things are still pretty nice and life is somewhat normal. I worry and wonder when the whole city will be able to come back... maybe it will never be what it was. Could it maybe be better? What if we knocked down all those buildings and planted a forest or garden?
August 27, 2020
Text Only
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This week, I came down with an extremely sore throat on Tuesday. I was immediately stressed, though I had no other symptoms. I began monitoring my temperature every few hours, but it was always normal. By Wednesday it hurt to eat, so I planned to go to my doctor if a fever emerged, thinking it could either be Strep throat or COVID-19. Because I wasn't sure, I have been staying home entirely, though my sore throat faded by Thursday, and I never had any other symptoms. I therefore didn't get tested for anything; it could've been allergies, a cold, etc, but because my one symptom was on the list, I stayed isolated, canceling a few plans, avoiding going out, and seeing only my roommates. It's crazy how just a few months ago, a sore throat would've meant nothing, and now it results in stress and uncertainty.
August 29, 2020
Text Only
Talk about what brings you happiness these days.
Feeling needed and valued at work helps me feel happy. Having a good workout despite current limitations makes me happy. Finding new things to try and new ways of experiencing my favorite things - like getting takeout from a favorite restaurant and doing a picnic - makes me happy. Seeing my friends while maintaining social distancing makes me happy. It's about the little things these days. We aren't going to big parties, or planning grandiose vacations. I feel like my expectations and needs have been reset.
August 29, 2020
Text Only
Has the pandemic disrupted your plans for the future in any major way? If so, talk about the most significant disruption(s).
We were hoping to go on our honey moon - and that was postponed and probably cancelled. We just started talking about doing a number of mini-moons, that way we are not constantly waiting for 'the right time' which we don't know if and when that will come -- especially if things in our life change. It is harder to find a job - and that means it will be harder to move and buy a house. And then it comes to when would make the most sense to start trying to have a baby. We can't have one if we are still living in a studio and I don't have work. I don't know when I will see my family next, as no one is in the same country as I am. When will it be safe to fly? And if it is safe to fly, will it be safe to be my parents? Siblings? Nephews?
August 29, 2020
Text Only
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
... I'm not too worried about the coronavirus, but I am worried about my father's manufacturing business having to close again because of coronavirus. He only has six employees, including himself. They closed from March until May because of the pandemic but even now, things are slow again because a lot of places are closed and tourism is down. He's been taking off on Fridays because they just don't have enough work to stay busy. I keep reaching out to different businesses hoping to find some new customers, but to no avail. I pray he doesn't have to close again, but I'm doubtful.
August 29, 2020
Text Only
Have people in your community supported one another during the pandemic? Talk about why or why not, and maybe give some examples.
I don't think that people in my community are supporting each other during the pandemic. I have lots of family members who don't really care and are living their lives how they want, regardless of the pandemic. They don't care that we don't want to be exposed.
August 30, 2020
Text Only
Do you have any concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on children, either in general or in your life? If so, talk about one or two of your biggest concerns.
... Two big concerns I have with children and coronavirus are health and education: I worry about children who are being abused or mistreated by parents at home and aren't going into schools where they are safe. I worry about children who hear their parents are laid off and lie awake at night scared for their parents. I worry about children who haven't seen their friends in months and have become depressed. I worry about children who were already at-risk of falling behind and who can't complete assignments. I worry about children who don't have access to computers to log in to classes. I worry about children who are anxious about themselves or their parents getting sick. I worry about children who are developing antisocial behavior. I worry about children who won't be able to function in society without looking at a screen. I worry about children who are traumatized by the death of a loved one due to coronavirus. I keep telling myself, at the end of it all, everything is out of our control and in the hands of God.
August 30, 2020
Text Only
Who do you trust most -- either in the news or in your personal life -- to explain what is going on right now? Tell us about why you trust them.
Honestly, this question is difficult to answer. I tend to critically analyze what the close relatives around me say, given that I often hear strongly biased views-my grandma especially is very socially conservative and does not support abortion. Because of this, she automatically aligns with conservative economic policy (even though she often complains about big business, globalization, etc. which are typically the result of conservative policy.) While I agree with some of what she says, her lack of critical analysis and tendency to jump to conclusions means I do not usually listen to her completely. My aunt is also a huge conspiracy theorist about things like ANTIFA. She also believes that food allergies are made up and that wearing seatbelts does more harm then good. So, I would say I do not really trust what my close family says politically. This is honestly difficult for me, because I am also a follower of Jesus (as they are) and am often confused by how politicized certain topics involving religion are. I also do not tend to use the news as much, because I know that pretty much every site has some sort of bias. If I do, I'll probably use the NYT or Washington Post. I also tend to rely on academic literature, but that can be limiting given the long process of peer review.
August 30, 2020
Text Only
Think about the people closest to you. Tell us about how the coronavirus has affected them, and their life.
My husband was offered a job in California just before the lockdown. We live in England and he is Belgian. He was very excited to be offered this job and as a family we were psychologically preparing for the transition. He began the process necessary to take a job with this organization. After having his FBI check it was time to proceed with the visa application. His job as a highly valued technical position. Then Donald Trump decided to stop processing and issuing any of these visas. Currently this order is in place until the end of the year. This has made our life more complicated along with the challenges of the pandemic. As now he is unsure when and if he may go to California, his moods vacillate as we are generally staying at home or going places where there are few people. We watch the numbers in California with sadness.
August 31, 2020
Text Only
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
I have a friend who threw a housewarming party. She hasn't been quarantining, and she's been making unsafe choices. I didn't go. She doesn't talk to me anymore.
August 31, 2020
Text & Image
How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Over this past weekend, I went to a beautiful spot on the coast of northern MA - Plum Island, pictured above. It is a wildlife sanctuary that includes beaches and coastal habitats. Although I grew up in MA, this is not a place I have visited often. My friend and I went on Sunday - a beautiful, hot and sunny day. We wore masks in her car and had the windows open. We hiked around wearing masks. Much of Plum Island is closed off to the public, but sections of the beach are open. We had lunch in one of these sections, sitting 6 feet apart, unmasked. When we left, we forgot to put our masks on, and didn't remember until we saw masked people coming toward us. It was so nice to take a break from COVID, even briefly!
August 31, 2020