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Think about the people closest to you. Tell us about how the coronavirus has affected them, and their life.

My dad and my step mom run a dog boarding business in their home. Their business has taken a huge hit. I don't know the full extent because my dad tends to be cryptic about finances, but I know it's bad. My mom and step dad retired and started collecting social security right before the pandemic hit. The timing couldn't have been better. My mom was a home health aid, and I can't imagine knowing she was at such high risk. My step dad was a manager at an auto parts store, and he has COPD. I worry all the time about how bad it would be if he got it. At least he's not working. My brother already worked remotely before, but I know it was an adjustment to have his wife working from home, too. One of my closest friends lost his job at an engraving shop--via text message, early in the pandemic. It's been hard on him not being able to find work in the area, feeling adrift. Another close friend of mine lost her job at an architecture firm, due to lack of projects to bring in enough revenue to keep everyone. Fellow grad students are especially grappling with lack of access to research materials (fortunately, most of my research is behind me), and remote teaching (I'm not teaching this year), but especially sobering is the uncertainty that international grad students are facing. Many of my friends are young parents, and trying desperately to keep things on an even keel.