How Has The Pandemic Impacted Your Life?

I am retired but was working part time to supplement my income. Due to health concerns I had to quit working because of the pandemic. So the impact on the loss of income has made it difficult. Also unable to visit family, friends, previous coworkers, customers that came to the store leaves me feeling very isolated.

— Colleen from Prairie du Chien, WI

I was a department manager at a large retailer. Had insurance, stocks and 401k. Now, unemployed, on food stamps and medicaid.

— David from Stoughton, WI

My husband Erik and I work from home and only go out for groceries, and other essential goods. Had we been able to complete the stay-at-home orders earlier in the year, the numbers of cases, hospitalizations and deaths could have been reduced. We must have mask mandates and social distancing and remind people to wash their hands regularly. Even with the vaccine, we won't get rid of COVID-19 unless we do these things. Lastly, 75% to 85% of us must have the vaccine in order for us to achieve herd immunity.

— Jean from Milwaukee, WI

I feel so bad for many people. I did not lose my job but many have. I can't believe how sooo many people did not care about others. That is how this has affected me. I always wore a mask once they suggested it would help the spread of the Virus. It angers me the ones who won't and how they keep going to bars and others places that are not necessary to go to. This pandemic has shown the true colors of people. Thanks to all who took this seriously!!

— Pamela from Columbus, WI

I don't see family of friends. I live in a one bedroom apartment and can't participate in activities. I am retired and a limited income means that my options are limited. I have all the conditions that make me especially susceptible to covid19. No relief and a Republican state legislature and a federal government that doesn't care if I live or die means life isn't much fun! I am disgusted, angry and disappointed in my state, country and neighbors.

— Linda from Manitowoc, WI

I have come to distrust GOP and most politicians. They have screwed with our lives. Sure isn’t the America that we would all like it to be.

— Eileen from Saint Francis, WI

I have continued to work in the pharmacy and watched as some folks fought wearing a mask, at least two landing in the hospital with Covid. I am grateful for all those who wear their masks. I voted absentee, hoping for someone more capable of managing the virus. I wish legislative pay had been on the ballot; I don’t believe in paying people who don’t work. I would have loved to have been able to say to our legislators, “You’re fired.”

— Bonnie from Hales Corners, WI

My 34-year career as a classical musician went POOF in mid March. I have had zero employment in my chosen profession, ever since. What I am especially sad to see is how all the local performing venues are in danger of being closed forever due to the egregious failures of the Wisconsin legislature and the US Congress in addressing the economic fallout of the pandemic. This is how we steward our shared culture that took centuries to develop? For shame!

— Brek from Fox Point, WI

I live in a Senior Living apartment complex and we are on semi lockdown. We can go outside if we wear a mask but can't go out anywhere and nobody but essential visitors can come into the building, so I haven't seen my daughter or my friend in forever.

— Mary from Tyler, TX

I am a CNA in a large nursing home. From the beginning, we were on lockdown, excepting for those actively dying. For several months we did well. I tested positive in mid-July, remained completely asymptomatic. But, regardless, I avoided going out or shopping, except as needed. I wore a mask everywhere, to protect others should I be asymptomatic and positive. Because I live in a rural, but resort area, we saw many lake people up visiting, without masking. It caused me to seldom visit my family. I haven't seen my older sister since last February. Guess what? You can test positive twice! This time I have a couple of milder symptoms. So, twice I've been off work. Even though we wear fitted N95 masks, after about five months from the first positive, I'm at home. Unfortunately, it really hurts my coworkers and our residents. The positive thing in all of this is seeing how local businesses are being supported better, how coworkers, friends and neighbors have reached out to bring cheer and assistance to others. It is requiring us to reevaluate our lives and what is really important. We have a choice to reach out to help one another, even if it's online or via a phone call.

— Kristi from Weyauwega, WI

As I am retired, I have the ability to keep safe, but I hear of friends being forced to go to work or lose their jobs. We are now seeing the divisions between us more fully revealed by this event. One of the cornerstones of this country has been that we held to a certain level of behavior, that we showed at least some degree of respect for others, that is falling to the wayside now days. When basic levels of respect are held, we can run safe and healthy communities. Without at least a basic platform of behavior we see the eruption of hate. This virus is killing our people, but the rise of disrespect will kill our country.

— Suzi from Appleton, WI

I owned a cleaning business and have to let go 60% of my employees. Our customers are miserly commercial offices and they bare working from home not using the offices.

— Samantha from Verona, WI

I am not struck with hardship, being retired and receiving social security payments and two forms of annuity payments. Have been able, therefore, to contribute substantially to Second Harvest. I remain alone and unconnected, in large part, which is best for everyone concerned.

— Jane from Madison, WI

I walked in the Hospital Oshosh Accesian with a sore back thinking it was a Kidney infection and found out it wasn't it was a emergency Gallbladder. My husband walked in with me and hospital had to turn him out. I'm 58 years old scared and in pain. Looking at him wondering what would happen to my future. I spent 5 days and 2 surgeries because of complications Everyone was nice but everyone was on their last nerve really washing hands and mask and talking to everyone from a phone to your loved ones. It was a scarey time but I was one of the lucky ones and got to leave. At that hospital nurses and doctors were super cautious and on their best manners.

— Anonymous from Oshkosh, WI

It has kept us from feeling safe to be with our family who because of the lack of Trump & GOP leadership has convinced some of my family members to not feel the need to wear masks if they can get away with it. I know many who have contracted the disease & believe my husband & I had it back in January & were sick for weeks. The trump administration has been an utter failure to our country in it's handling of it! If we are suppose to be the greatest country on the planet, being the #1 in cases & deaths world wide is not at all a sign of greatness!

— Teri from Porterfield, WI

I am a retired senior and as such am insulated from the challenges of a daily work schedule and school attendance. I am, however, thoroughly disappointed with the Wisconsin State Legislature's, in particular the Republican majority's, inaction during the pandemic. Their lawsuit presented to a conservative Supreme Court to limit the Governor's ability to mitigtate this pandemic's effect is criminal. Looking at the people that have been infected, suffered and died while their only apparent reasoning was to keep Governor Evers from helping us. Now, before Christmas, with COVID-19 still raging among us they propose even more limitations to locally controlling its effects. I am disappointed that the citizens of this state have not done more at the ballot box to remove at least the worst of them. Having the gerrymandered districting the hired gun law firm they imposed on us is a difficulty., I am a retired senior and as such am insulated from the challenges of a daily work schedule and school attendance. I am, however, thoroughly disappointed with the Wisconsin State Legislature's, in particular the Republican majority's, inaction during the pandemic. Their lawsuit presented to a conservative Supreme Court to limit the Governor's ability to mitigtate this pandemic's effect is criminal. Looking at the people that have been infected, suffered and died while their only apparent reasoning was to keep Governor Evers from helping us. Now, before Christmas, with COVID-19 still raging among us they propose even more limitations to locally controlling its effects. I am disappointed that the citizens of this state have not done more at the ballot box to remove at least the worst of them. Having the gerrymandered districting the hired gun law firm they imposed on us is a difficulty.

— Douglas from Racine, WI

My daughter works as a bartender. I have only seen her a few times during this pandemic because I have COPD and an autoimmune disorder. I'm surprised she hasn't gotten Covid yet because the Wisconsin bars don't seem concerned about the CDC guidelines. This has been partcularly difficult for her. I've had to help her out financially. She feels she has to work because of this. I have offered for her to come to live with us if she quits tending bar abd tests negative before moving in. She just turned 32 and said she shouldn't be dependent on us.

— Sharon from De Pere, WI

No chance to see my loved ones is so lonely. Increased depression due to the lack of leadership from the Wisconsin GOP and no legislative meetings for months leading to no help for our suffering. The GOP has abandoned citizens who are left with nothing. Why can't the legislature provide assistance to us by helping small businesses who could have had some funds to provide outdoor spaces for serving customers. I have put off healthcare due to fear of going into clinics and hospitals and stopped most of my social activities due to COVID-19.

— Sherrie from Spooner, WI

Other than not seeing others, family, friends, just makes one sad! And [the other side has to] be held accountable ! And one more then others, good old Ron Johnson, a DISGRACE FROM WISCONSIN !

— Robert from Sheboygan, WI

Husband has hx. of multiple strokes, Lupus, diabetes and hypertension, and he is bedridden and requires complete care. I have 4 stints in my heart, diabetes and hypertension. Grand daughter has Asthma. Grand son in law worked at a local sandwich shop, and d/t their no mask policy back in Feb and Mar. I asked him to take a leave of absence. I am an RN and knew it could be a death sentence for at least 3 of us if he brought it home. Although the leave was allowed by the sandwich shop, he is not eligible for unemployment, not even the newer Covid related unemployment, not even after contesting it. Plus only HE got the original $1,200, but not his wife. My husband and I both got the check. The hand outs of food accompanied by Donald Trump signed letters yielded 3 gallons of sour cream one week, 12 2 pound containers of cottage cheese another week, 6 gallons of milk another week. Plus cheese, onions, apples and potatoes. Only recently has there been any meat, and that is 12 pounds of hot dogs. My husband and my social security are the only thing between being homeless for the 4 of us. We have self quarantined since March...NO SARS CoV2 in this house. Commando style grocery shopping once a month is the only outing. No gatherings for Thanksgiving. Republican law makers should be ashamed to let their constituents go through this without another stimulus...we are lucky because I had a couple thousand put back from years and years of both of us working our whole lives, and thank god my house is paid for, but would be taken away if I could not pay the real estate taxes due in January so my thoughts are this. SHAME ON WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS for worrying more about and trying to overturn a legitimate election for President Wannabedictator than their own constituents. Furthermore any legislator who signed onto the Texas suit should not be seated.

— Merri from Shell Lake, WI

Taken family & community LIBRARY away. Exposed Wisconsin GOP corruption on horrific scale.

— John from Menasha, WI

Where does one begin? The devastation, heartache and irreparable damage from COVID-19 will have lasting, negative affects on millions, including me and the Special Needs person I cared for from February 1, 1994 through March 17, 2020. Because of COVID-19, my Special Needs person has been in a mandatory lockdown in a small mens' group home that began on the 21st of March. Not being able to speak and having the cognitive abilities of an 18-24 month old child, he has not been able to come home and I have not been able to see or speak with him. Because of his Special Needs, seeing me for a brief visit through a closed storm door would do nothing but put him into chaos, affecting his emotional well-being and breaking my heart even more than it's been ravaged thus far. This will be the first Christmas he won't be home after the past 31 years of being with me and our extended family. This year has removed him from celebrating his birthday and all holiday celebrations that were cancelled for safety purposes. To add salt to these extensive wounds, I had to fight and fight hard, to be recognized as a self-employed person, finally, after 18 weeks of teetering on the edge of a financial cliff, not forgetting the emotional and mental toll this separation had already created, adding indescribable pain to an already painful and fragile situation. Yes, it took 18 weeks to begin receiving PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) and, of course, I was granted the minimum payment allowable. After taxes I received $139.00 a week, supposedly to live on, to thrive on. My last payment of PUA is due tomorrow, the 22nd of December and where we go from here is anyone's guess. The mandatory lockdown that remains in effect at my Special Needs person's group home still keeps him from me and me from him. Without him, the emotional pain is coupled with the loss of income I suffer by not being able to have him home. Will I lose my home? Will I ever be able to pay off credit cards that I was forced to use to keep a roof over my head thus far, to pay utility bills and insurance premiums, insurance premiums that include a mandatory Liability Insurance Premium that I must have in order to care for my long-time client, a client I cannot bring home? How about the the mandatory Recertification Fee I had to pay for being a Certified Adult Family Home Care Provider, a fee I had to pay even though I cannot bring my Special Needs fellow home? The horrific impacts of this coronavirus continue and the level of stress, anguish and pain are only heightened by the lack of response, care and support from our local and Federal governments. The callousness of many in our State Legislature, along with the heartless, inhumane non-actions by the Senate have compounded the impact of hopelessness and loss. To go on is a struggle. I am, however, blessed in comparison to so many others who have been evicted from their apartments or who have lost their homes, who live in their cars or those whose cars were repossessed. Those that struggle to put food on their tables, if they still have a table, to have a job that is sustainable or, as in my case, to have a job they can return to if this nightmare ever ends and their place of employment still exists once the destruction of COVID-19, coupled with the lack of support from our government entities, lessens or ends its destruction. That is how this has affected me, and millions of others who should have been supported by the people who were elected to support us. We, the people, have been left to wallow in misery, heartache and fear. I have never been as ashamed of this State as I am now. May this lack of compassion and care be remembered in the voting booth and beyond.

— Kathleen from Mequon, WI

I have studied the pandemic since the very beginning of January, when Avi Schiffmann launched his COVID-19 tracking site. My family locked down before the state required, and remained home until our savings ran out. I studied and received my certification from John Hopkins to become a COVID-19 tracer and my daughter did the same. I was convinced the US would take tracing efforts seriously and that we would be needed. Instead, our family is back out there working in retail, customer-facing positions in the tourist-friendly (and usually very fun) town of Lake Geneva. When Illinois shut down, we were jam packed of people crossing over the border to "enjoy" less restrictions. Many are still flocking to our town. Now after so many months of strict precautions, our family looks so forward to our jabs. We haven't seen extended family for almost 1 year now. Hoping this summer to be able to hug them.

— Pamela from Lake Geneva, WI

We made a major move to be closer to our sons and grandchildren, but we cannot spend quality time with any of them. We cannot have them for dinner or attend their usual activities. We are limited to home base. However, we have been blessed in many ways. We no longer work, own businesses or have young children. We have Medicare and Social Security so we can eat. We own our home, so we are not worried about eviction. For all those millions of people who have been so adversely affected in any of those categories, we are deeply saddened to watch the national disgrace that has been exacerbated by feckless Federal and State governments.

— Pauline from Appleton, WI

My wife and I miss the personal contacts that we had before. We miss going to church. We miss seeing our grandchildren. We cannot attend soccer games and go to concerts. We shop from home for groceries and other things. We live in fear for ourselves our children and grandchildren.

— Gerald from Luxemburg, WI

Well, my job is gone and the building I was working out of is going up for sale. I've been a massage therapist for 20 years. Our current leaders are not fighting for the people. They are fighting for political power. Ron Johnson needs to resign, as he, like Trump, has betrayed the American people, and especially the people in Wisconsin, by not abiding by his oath to follow the will of the people. Get out Ron!

— Peggy from Boulder Junction, WI

I am fortunate to still have a job and steady income. What has been the hardest is to see friends and family struggle. Also I am a referral specialist at 211, and it is heart-breaking to hear some people's plights. It is also soul-destroying to have to deal with caller who insist on flouting and protesting the rules and acting irresponsibly. Unfortunately we also get the QAnon crazies and trumplodytes who just believe things they see on social media instead of from the CDC or DHS, and need to unload on someone. , I am fortunate to still have a job and steady income. What has been the hardest is to see friends and family struggle. Also I am a referral specialist at 211, and it is heart-breaking to hear some people's plights. It is also soul-destroying to have to deal with caller who insist on flouting and protesting the rules and acting irresponsibly. Unfortunately we also get the QAnon crazies and trumplodytes who just believe things they see on social media instead of from the CDC or DHS, and need to unload on someone.

— Barbara from Appleton, WI

On March 23, 2020 I was furloughed from my career. I worked for 21 years at a local travel management company. I was a corporate trainer. The job was not just a job. It was something I loved and took great joy in. It was never a chore to go in to work or to even stay late. I was also involved in the onboarding of new employees because of how I represented my company. I never had to fake a smile or pretend I loved my company. It's a rare thing in life to be able to find yourself in a career you love. I never planned to go into this line of work. I "fell" into it and it was a match that really allowed me to find myself. In the summer of 2020, I was offered an early retirement package. I took the package, as the long term forecast for my return to the company seemed unlikely. The business model of my company had to change and the company was to undergo drastic downsizing. I was offered 4 months severance and insurance. After 21 years. I lost what I loved most. Now, the severance is almost dried up and my insurance ends at the end of the month. I have been looking earnestly for employment. I haven't been able to find anything in my unique skill set. (I anticipated that.) I currently am looking at jobs that pay half of what I made and they do not offer insurance. I am older, but I am too young to officially retire and collect Social Security retirement. I can't go on Medicare/Medicaid either since I am too young. I wouldn't retire if I could as I have too much left to give in life. I'm intelligent, I'm a hard worker with a strong work ethic and a lot of work experience that is directly transferable to almost any career. At the age of 61, that also has an impact on my employment options. As I said, I am 61, single and live alone. I am a renter. My landlord died in October and the duplex I rented is going to be sold. I have lived here about 20 years. I can't look for another place to move as I have no income. There is no revenue stream. It's a frightening time for me. The pandemic took the career I loved and replaced it with unemployment and now may even take my "home" from me. I am not looking for a handout from the state. I want to work and be a vital member of the workplace. I am incensed to see our lawmakers play politics with the pandemic. Clearly they have nothing to lose as they are insulated from real world life in the world of COVID-19. All they seem to care about is freedom from wearing a mask or if there is a Christmas tree in the closed capital building. I've worked my entire life. I am proud of that. In nine months, it's all undone. The thread is continually being pulled from the fabric of my life. Here I am. Threadbare. Keep the economy open? I soon may not be able to put any revenue back into the economy that is valued more than the lives the pandemic has displaced. Merry Christmas. Enjoy your holiday recess.

— Christopher from Milwaukee, WI