Portraits of COVID
As California's COVID-19 emergency declaration comes to close March 31, OPAC wants to take a minute to reflect on how the pandemic impacted us all. "Portraits of COVID" is a photography project documenting how the virus affected - and continues to affect - our community members. Meet Samantha, Daniela, Victor, Juan, Angel, Benjamin, Chailey, Larry, and Domingo.
Samantha S.
“I worked at a travel company and lost my job during the pandemic. I handled it poorly and hopped from job to job. It was a hot mess! I got part-time jobs and had to work from home because I wasn’t vaccinated. It was a negative experience from a career aspect but, positively, I did a lot of hiking on the trails of the Santa Monica Mountains!”
Daniela C.
“I worked at a clinic during the pandemic and had to wear a mask all day. All The Time! I had never worked in a setting like this before. In my free time, I walked on the beach or hiked. I didn’t want to be indoors all the time.”
Victor R.
“None of my family got sick; we were very healthy and lucky. I worked throughout the pandemic, but had to minimize personal contact with everyone since I have family members with compromised immune systems. I also tried to keep my distance from everyone by going home after work. We were very lucky!”
Juan F.
“My experience was bad! It was bad. I worked with my dad but he got a stroke at the same time the Pandemic happened. I had two things to worry about: on one hand, I had to look out for my dad… and on the other, I had to take care of myself and others from getting Covid. All of my life I have struggled with health challenges, particularly my lungs. This virus was life threatening. I would like to say to everyone: Be more careful and take care of yourself.”
Angel, 45
“It didn’t affect me too well while I was in custody. Let’s just say, I’m not a bad person, but I was in custody during Covid. Until I got my negative results, I was in lock down for about 20 hours a day for about two weeks straight. I think Covid was made by the United States, to be honest.”
Benjamin F.
“I never got COVID. I’ve already had 3 shots. Two family members got it and died. My brother-in-law and nephew. But it never got me. Once when I was in Mexico they asked me for my Vaccination Card. It was when I was coming back to the United States. They gave me the test and told me I had COVID. But I never felt any symptoms.”
Chailey
“Covid did affect me. I think I got it at least three times. The first time around, I had a four month old and she had it too. It affected her and my work status. I couldn’t work. I was a dental assistant. We had it for about almost a month. It was a lot. I learned that you really just need to stay protected of yourself and care about your own health and your loved ones around you. And, I know that a lot of people lost people. And, just love your loved ones.”
Larry C.
“Thank God I never got covid. But, I lost people from it, you know, friends, inside the hospital. I was in the Christian home and we lost the Mother Housekeeper. Her husband got it. I left and got checked and rechecked and came out good. You guys keep yourselves safe. Don’t eat after nobody. Don’t breathe on nobody. And, you stay really clear of people that you think that have it. Stay six feet apart, it helps. And, God help you.”
Domingo G.
“Covid didn’t bother me. It didn’t bother me because I kept working. Other people passed away. I never got it. I have three vaccines on my arm. People have to get vaccinated. You never know. I recommend everyone get vaccinated.”