COVID 19 Journal Entries Part 4
By: Destiny Pifer
Tags: Journaling, Pandemic, Pandemic Diaries, Covid 19, Protesting

Journal Entries 3

April 15, 2020

My continued attempts at making a homemade mask for my son and I is not going well at all. I have found that while I am good at certain things like writing and art I really suck at sewing. I finally had to reach out to those on Facebook to help me out with a couple of masks. It’s gotten to the point where masks are being enforced in the community and you are denied entry if you are not wearing one. I have found myself afraid to go out. Perhaps it’s because everything has become much clearer to me. This virus is indeed real and people are indeed dying and yes I am scared. I don’t show my fear because I have learned to hide it well. I have always had to be the strong one in my family and I can’t show any weakness now. As I continue to do research and educate myself I remain an advocate for my fellow healthcare workers who are still putting their lives on the lines. Unfortunately I am beginning to see a world that is becoming divided.

April 16, 2020

People are starting to protest and my fears are coming true. I have seen reports of people carrying guns and demanding that the ban be lifted. It’s amazing to me that during a crisis such as this pandemic that there are still people who believe that violence and intimidation is the answer. I know people are upset because they want to get back to work. People are scared. Many such as myself are still waiting to hear from unemployment. Many are starting to panic. Yes many of us received a stimulus check but by the time you pay your rent and bills there is very little left. We are indeed struggling to survive. Though I am just as scared as everyone else and though I am trying to budget my money carefully to get through this I remain determined to make it through this battle.

April 18, 2020

I am slapped in the face by the cold reality of this virus and the fear it is spreading. When your own father is afraid to get close to you and afraid to be near your son it becomes more real. It began when I had to take my car to the garage after discovering that the brakes were bad. I needed someone to follow me to the garage so I could drop it off then take me and my son back home. My father wore a mask the entire time and barely spoke. He was afraid to get close to us. My son didn’t understand why grandpa was so distant and I explained to him that grandpa is just practicing social distance but even at twelve my son just doesn’t understand. I can’t blame my dad for his fear but it’s something I am not used to. Just as I was feeling low however I was notified by the garage that a person who asked to remain anonymous noticed my vehicle outside the garage and decided to stop in and pay on my bill. I was blown away by this person’s kindness and whoever they are I want to say thank you.

April 20, 2020

Hatred continues to spread across our country. It isn’t that surprising to me anymore for I see so many posts on social media stating that this virus isn’t real. People believe it’s the government’s way of controlling us. That’s the thing about being forced to stay home your mind begins to wander. You begin to question what is real and what isn’t. A large group of people protested in Harrisburg demanding that the ban be lifted. However, this wasn’t a pleasant protest. Healthcare workers were being verbally assaulted by strangers. Healthcare workers were being reduced to tears as hatred was tossed at them from every angle. I have been told that even those who go into stores or gas stations wearing their uniforms are being harassed. I can’t understand what is happening to this world. It’s so frustrating because I am still considered a healthcare worker myself and I work with a lot of hardworking nurses, aides and first responders. They don’t deserve to be treated this way. No one does.