COVID is a virus that has been affecting the whole world but when discussing with locals living in Massachusetts Jelisa Lopez, Sylvia Lopez and Angelica Ruiz, they share how COVID has affected them in ways outside of it being a virus.
Life before COVID feels nothing short of a dream or a distant memory, the way of life is different than it was now.

Jelisa Lopez who was in the 8th grade during the time of COVID starting describes her life before. “I often reminisce about my life before COVID but to be honest it was great like I was out every weekend with friends, I saw my family a lot and I could be around literally anyone without having to worry about a mask or like if they were sick. To sum it all up it was really nice and I was so careless and happy. I was practically never at my house.”

Sylvia Lopez who was working for a different company during the time of COVID describes her life. “Honestly it was stressful. I was in a job that I hated and really didn’t know that there was another way out. Even though I hated the job, it afforded me a
comfortable life. Though it was really demanding, it caused me a lot of stress.”

Angelica Ruiz who was working at a pharmacy during the time of COVID explains how her life was. “Before COVID I would say it wasn’t as uncertain, I had more freedom to do as I wanted but COVID also gave me a ton of opportunities and played a big role in my getting into the college of my dreams. So mixed feelings about that one.”

Whether or not life was good before the pandemic, soon things came crashing down when a lockdown had been announced.

Many took the news poorly while others accepted the fate of what was happening. Lopez  was one who at first took the news poorly, “I literally thought it was so dumb because I had no eduction on how bad COVID had spread. My school originally was gonna close only for like a few days or so. And I remember being so mad because I didn’t wanna go back to school. But as the lockdown went on I was so lonely and didn’t see anyone at all like it was just my mom, my brother and I. To sum that all up I was annoyed and I hated it but it also gave me time with my family and to figure myself out.”

On the other hand Lopez felt differently, “My first reaction to lock down was well concerned. Being an immunocompromised person it made the thought of leaving home scary. On the other hand COVID did provide an opportunity. I was able to find a job I liked. Was I unemployed for three months, yes, but unemployment helped cover the gap until I was able to start my new job. So I was able to do something I enjoyed instead but things were a bit unstable until the growing pains of the new job ended.”

Ruiz felt similar to Lopez. “My reaction to the lockdown was fear and anxiety. I was in disbelief and I wasn’t even sure if
everyone I loved would get out of it alive.”

While the rise of COVID resulted in a lockdown, many were forced into a new way of life, a way of life they were not used to. COVID had affected millions in terms of sickness but also changing who they once were before the pandemic started.A lot look back on how covid affected them, often describing loneliness, depression, sadness.

Jelisa Lopez describes her mental health taking a huge toll, “My mental health was literal crap like I was so sad because
I went from being with my friends all the time to being stuck in my house all day. I also was sad because I wanted to go to school so badly which is so surprising because I really didn’t care for school at all but I loved my teachers so I was sad I couldn’t see them. COVID affected my appearance, thankfully in a good way. I was able to play around with makeup more and I
got better thankfully”

Sylvia Lopez describes similar feelings, “COVID affected me more mentally than anything. It caused me to be fearful and depressed for a while because everything seemed so bleak. At the same time though it afforded me opportunities to try new things so I had more time to focus on myself. I know it’s contradictory, but it felt like for every good there were 10 bad things.”

Ruiz who also describes similar feelings also brings up masks, “It stressed me out and has made me more depressed, aware of my mortality, I’ve been sicker as of late, wearing masks has affected breathing and I think made me more vulnerable to allergies. I know they’re meant to keep us safe but breathing in the fibers isn’t always good.”

For the locals living in Massachusetts, COVID felt like a never ending nightmare, the way COVID had affected them has had longing affects, some feel as though they were changed as a person.

Jelisa Lopez was one of many who felt she changed due to the pandemic and lockdown. “It’s changed sooo much. Especially back in 2020 with quarantine like my mental health was literally (crap) and I was so lonely. Now everywhere I go it’s such a habit to grab my mask and hand sanitizer and make sure that if I even dare to hangout with a friend I have to make sure they haven’t been around people or maybe even have them take a COVID test. Like I don’t even have people over because I’d rather not have my family exposed to COVID.”

Sylvia Lopez and Ruiz who are romantic partners feel the same way. “Since covid I’m much more cautious about my health
and the health of my partner,” said Ruiz and Sylvia Lopez agreed.

While everything felt dark and bleak, could life go back to normal?

They say there’s always a rainbow at the end of rain but can this still hold true in terms of the pandemic, can life pick up in the way it once was?

Jelisa Lopez felt like things couldn’t go back to normal, “honestly no to be honest because like now we’re all like so scared because I didn’t even think COVID would last this long let alone even make it to the U.S.”

Sylvia Lopez (30) had some difficulty deciding between things being able to go back to normal and things not going back to normal.

“Hmm that is a difficult question to answer. But if I have to choose I would say no it can’t. The reason I say it can’t is because COVID helped highlight some ugly truths about our society. Since we can’t all get on the same page on how the disease should be handled we will be feeling the effects of COVID for years to come. Even when we do finally decide to handle this as a whole it will be too late. By that time the divide will be even larger so if another pandemic hits we will have the same issues.”

Ruiz also felt as though there is no going back to normal, “I don’t think we’ll ever be the same, I’ll be happy to take off the mask one day but I think we’ve been changed forever and people will be more cautious and distant.”

The locals living in Massachusetts have a difficult time navigating through the pandemic and the effects covid has left behind for them to deal with. While COVID is a virus and has spread to nearly every corner of the world, it has also left emotional damage and changed lives for those living in Massachusetts.

When the world shut down in March of 2020, people were left with endless time on their hands. But what were people to do with all that time?

Two current and one former NECC students tell me the intriguing new hobbies the Covid quarantine gave them.

Karen Smith explains to me her most recent and now most favorite hobby she acquired, running.

She tells me, “Well, when Covid first started, I found myself being totally unproductive, lounging around all day and really finding no purpose to do much because of the dreary time.”
That all changed, though, when she purchased the Peloton Treadmill. Smith tells me that this fancy electronic treadmill with on-demand classes at her disposal changed her life.

“As soon as it was set up, I immediately took a class and felt the instant gratification and motivation to move my body, giving purpose to being stuck at home. I also loved it because it helped to make myself happier, it was like checking off a box on a to-do list, and I love that feeling.”

Smith’s COVID blues were cured by running; however, student Olivia Hansen found an affinity for crocheting to help pass the time.

As an avid Tiktok watcher, her inspiration hit when she saw a video of a girl crocheting a shirt.

“When I saw that, I was like, well I can do that!” and so she went to the store and picked up the materials she needed. She explained to me that crocheting was an expressive outlet that allowed her creativity to shine with what she chose to make. She fell in love with crocheting, from shorts to shirts and even dresses.

Fellow classmate Avery Hochheiser found herself diving nose deep into literature to keep her head above Covid’s water. With her former English teacher dad as her inspiration and guide, she began reading.

“I realized that reading was a form of escapism, and during COVID, I was desperately needing to escape the reality of the
current world situation.”

With that, she told me she finished approximately ten books each month and found herself feeling less dull and gloomy being stuck in the house. The endless time given to us by Covid allowed people to look inwards and find out what they enjoy doing with their time, thus the flourishing of hobbies such as running, crocheting, and reading.

As the Covid-19 pandemic began, many people were deemed heroes as the public watched emergency room doctors, nurses, and first responders work tirelessly throughout the pandemic beginning in 2020 to present.

There are endless accounts of the bravery and perseverance that these essential workers exhibited. The dedication to their careers and adherence to their sworn oaths proved honorable beyond belief as they navigated through a time which many would consider agonizing and even traumatic.

However, there are several lesser-known occupations that were deemed essential also. People in these industries too, took substantial risks working through a global health crisis. Three local essential workers shed light on their occupations and why they uniquely qualify as working essential jobs.
David Sweet, a Senior BioProcess Specialist employee at Bristol Myers Squibb in Devens, MA described why his job was considered essential.

“I work in BioPharma in the large-scale commercial production of therapeutic proteins for various human diseases. My job position is considered essential because patients depend on the medicines for survival and quality of life. Global inventory supply would be greatly affected if we weren’t operating the process to manufacture them.”

Production of life-saving medications is crucial, especially during a health crisis. Sweet continues on to describe his experience working in-person when exposure risks were high.

“New company policies were set in place at the onset of the pandemic with regard to personal spacing and the use of face masks.”

According to Sweet, employees still take part in these practices today. In addition to these precautions, Sweet described additional safeguards his company has implemented to keep its employees safe.

“Weekly communication from our site leaders and company senior management provide us with updated company policies.” Similar to those working in a medical setting, Sweet described being accustomed to using PPE. “Because the nature of my job involves working in a clean room setting, I am required to, and used to wearing full PPE, including face masks for the duration of my shift.”

Sweet’s work in pharmaceuticals plays a vital role in maintaining public health; especially in the midst of a health emergency that spans world-wide.

Tyler Slepoy, a Marblehead, MA municipal employee, working in arboriculture and urban forestry on the North Shore, compared the safety risks of working through the pandemic to the risks that already come along with his line of work. “My occupation remains one of, if not the most, dangerous job in the country, with the highest fatality rates. While I would have felt safer health-wise remaining home, I understood why that was not always possible.”

Slepoy shares why his job was deemed essential work. “My work ranges from standard tree care; which is pruning, tree removal, and stump grinding to emergency storm work; which is clean up of fallen or damaged trees and limbs due to inclement weather or accidents. It would not be possible to work remotely in my industry. We need to be physically present. Especially when microbursts, nor’easters, and heavy winds occur. Oftentimes trees fall on cars, houses, and into public roadways and must be cleared immediately.”

In an area prone to severe weather such as New England, Slepoy’s occupation is certainly a necessity.

Another essential worker conveyed the importance of her job, especially during Covid-19 surges. Alyce Slepoy, an Occupational Therapy Assistant working in Lynn, recalls somber moments where she felt called to provide emotional support to her patients. “I knew that it was very important to my patients for me to be there for them and at times holding hands because their loved ones weren’t allowed to come in and be with them.”

Slepoy was asked whether or not she agreed that her job should’ve been considered essential; she responded “I do agree. The elderly population still needed to be cared for on a daily basis and with staffing so short in that type of facility and because of the setting – we lost a lot of lives! It is by far the saddest time I’ve lived through.”

Exposure and transmission rates can be high in a medical setting. When asked if she felt safe continuing to work during the pandemic, Slepoy stated “I would be lying if I told you I felt safe during the pandemic. It was a very very very scary time. I was probably up every night worrying about bringing the virus home to my family and my loved ones. I was saddened by the fact that I couldn’t see my grandchildren or children for months. I do believe my family was afraid of what I would bring home to
them as well and I couldn’t blame them.”

Despite these drawbacks, Slepoy remained loyal to her patients and career throughout these trying times. “I did not prefer to be
home. I knew I needed to be where my job was.”

While many enjoy the weather that winter in New England brings, many others suffer to get the motivation to go about their regular routines. With the confinement indoors due to the cold, excitement of the holidays in the past, shorter days, and COVID restrictions, many people start to lose energy and become sluggish and less motivated. However, there are many strategies people use to help them get out of this funk, such as finding activities to focus their energy, embracing the cold weather and more.

Starting a new semester in the middle of winter can be difficult. One is not yet in the habit of completingchool work, and it is hard to step back and take a break when the weather outside makes it difficult to get fresh air.

Emily Graves, a NECC student, stated, “It’s hard to go out and be active when it is so cold, and it forces me to be inside more and leaves me with less to do and more to think about.”

Motivation can slip and it can feel hard to catch back up.

NECC student Cassidy Smith, said, “The weather literally makes me depressed. I have little to no motivation to do anything, and the cold with the gray skies amplify that feeling.”

The gloomy feeling outside can mirror in one’s moods and make it challenging to drive oneself to complete the countless assignments due.

These seasonal mood plunges have fallen even deeper in the past two years due to COVID. Not only are people staying inside to avoid the cold, but they are even further isolated due to the virus.

“I definitely think that COVID-19 has impacted the magnitude of the seasonal slump,” said Graves. It’s hard enough doing things when it’s winter out, but the pandemic has only elevated that.”

The pandemic can also fuel more stress. Many students wondering if winter will ever end, but they have also been asking the same question about COVID for the past two years.

This lack of a “light at the end of the tunnel” can result in a feeling of defeat.

However, one does not have to allow this funk to control them.

There are many strategies to bring energy and excitement back to one’s life.

NECC student Avery Hochheiser says, “I like to embrace the cold. Dress cozy and drink hot drinks.” .

Graves said she liked to do activities that made her forget how dreary it could be outside. Some of her examples included “painting, listening to music, baking and cooking.”

Smith said listening to happy music or music that reminded her of summer helped her enter a more positive mindset.

Some other tricks and tips include moving your desk towards a window to increase exposure to sunlight, staying active, getting enough sleep, and not pushing oneself too hard.

Knowing limits helps to determine what one can and cannot handle. These strategies can aid in getting through these four to five more weeks of winter until spring comes to melt the snow and lift everyone’s “seasonal slumps.”