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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Thick plastic separates me from the taxi driver. He speaks with a strong accent, and the plastic muffles the sound so much that we can hardly understand each other. He's taking me home from the airport, where I've just returned from my mother's funeral. She died of COVID a month ago, and with everyone's vaccine schedules this was the earliest we could have a service. When the driver had politely opened the door for me and asked if my trip was for work or pleasure, I didn't even know what to say. I reminded myself that he's from a different culture and language, and it's just small talk after all. But once he was in the driver's seat, it took a lot of shouting and gesticulating through the plastic to get home. A masked funeral, COVID, losing my mom, delivering a eulogy, the awkward reunions with long-lost relatives, all of it is impossible to describe. But something about that plastic was almost as disturbing, and it was hard not to cry.
May 7, 2021
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We know that COVID-19 is hitting some racial/ethnic communities harder than others. Is this something you think about? If so, share some of your thoughts.
I think about the disparities between white neighborhoods and black and brown neighborhoods, especially in relation to receiving the COVID vaccine. It is appalling to hear the differences in numbers of those who are vaccinated vs. those who are not. The detailed information of the race of the human beings in each category simply shouldn't be happening. Black and brown people should have access, in any way, to receive the vaccine and that includes rides to and from, which I know has been a big problem in some parts of the country. While I was able to go online and easily make my appointments, drive there and back without any stress or issues, was a gift I was very aware of. I know there are too many communities where people are simply not able to use the internet, or even the phone to make vaccine appointments. Where is the assistance for these human beings? I feel as if it were there in the beginning, but I haven't heard of it continuing in the same way for the past couple of months. There should be "Vaccine Vans" that go directly to neighborhoods where racial and ethnic communities need the vaccines the most. Go TO them. It's so simple, yet the politics of it continues to block the necessary help for those in need, mostly in black and brown communities. All I can say is, I watch you and I see you - Republicans.
June 23, 2021