All posts by Isae Grullon, Editor-in-chief

Arts and Entertainment, Home Page News Bytes

Urine Hell: A short comedic film   

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On Nov. 27 “Urine Hell” premiered on YouTube. The film takes the viewer on just shy of a six-minute quest from the beach to a public bathroom stall, all in search of bladder relief. 

 The short comedic film is the brainchild of NECC freshman Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui, who works under the stage name Gyani Wasp and his friend Anand Fedele. It is the first film for both filmmakers. 

 Both Wasp and Fedele wrote and directed the film together. Wasp served as the cinematographer and editor while Fedele focused on composition and sound design. They both had roles in the film along with feature performances by Quincy Adams as the main character, Will Stomberg and Benny Weedon. 

According to a press release, “While the film is comedic, the directors’ goal was to take something ridiculous and give it a surrealist spin. And the storyline was simple enough that the two directors could realistically film it with limited resources during a pandemic.” 

Fedele calls the film, “a relic of the time we’re living in, characterized by wearing masks.” 

“The pandemic is part of the story,” he added.

The idea for the film came to Wasp after he himself needed a rest room while hanging with friends at a beach during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Wasp presented the idea to his friends. They all agreed to make the film in Easton, Mass., where most of them had spent quarantine together. 

 The movie took three weeks to film in October. Once they wrapped up filming, Wasp returned to West Newbury to work on editing the film. He and Fedele sent the film back and forth throughout the editing process, “tweaking” as they went along.  

The title of the film is certainly a clever play on words.  

“I threw it at Gyani as a joke,” Fedele said. To his surprise, Wasp said, “let’s stick with it.” 

Wasp and Fedele plan to work together on future projects as soon as this coming winter break.  

The short film can be watched on YouTube here.

Features, Home Page Featured News

Redefining relationships during COVID: How the pandemic has changed the way we socialize 

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People are naturally social creatures, so it should come as no surprise that a pandemic which is best fought with isolation, would take a toll on our relationships. 

Jocelyn Avila, 20, of North Andover, has noticed a change in her relationships during the pandemic. Avila, who studies journalism and communications and works at a Digital Federal Credit Union as a customer service representative, says it has been difficult to maintain existing relationships with friends.  

At work she has encountered some struggles in working with clients who are not used to new technologies implemented because of the pandemic and finds herself dealing with frustrated customers quite often.  
Mirrorajah Metcalf, 19, of Haverhill, says that the pandemic has helped her “filter out” her friendships. She has been able to see “the true ones come to the forefront.” Metcalfe recently started a new job at a local Market Basket and has been able to make work a social experience. 
Andrew Venditti, 21, from Haverhill, plays guitar in an alternative rock band called Everything in Green. The band has been unable to meet for rehearsals since the pandemic hit.  
Some people have been able to dedicate more time to family time whether in person or online.  
Metcalfe, who lives with her dad, stepmom and little sister, finds that she spends more time at home with her family and is also able to communicate more with her mom and siblings that live in Nevada.  
Venditti, who lives at home with his mom and sister, says there has been some “passive aggressiveness” but that quarantining at home has “been pretty good, all things considered.” 
He has been spending more time with his beagle, Sherlock. “He’s been my homie during COVID,” he says.  
At home, Avila has noticed her relationships with her mom and older brother improve, “they’re way better,” she says. 
Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui, 18, of West Newbury, has lived with host families since his junior year in high school since his family lives in India, where he grew up. “I have more time to talk to them,” says Sui about his family back home.  
For Sui, keeping up with friends is harder now. As a freshman in college, Sui and his high school friends are now living “separate lives,” and the isolation that comes with quarantine only makes them feel more separate.  
Navigating relationships while in college can be tough for any young adult; trying to manage a romantic relationship or any dating life during a global pandemic can seem nearly impossible.  
Avila and her boyfriend of 3 ½ years, took some time to adjust to the new conditions of dating in the time of COVID-19. They had to get used to not being “together all the time.” It took some work, but they are back to normal now, even “better,” Aliva says. 
Venditti is currently single, “we’ll say it’s because of COVID,” he chuckled. Being 21 means being old enough to go to bars to meet new people, but the pandemic has taken that experience from Venditti for the time being.  
Sui and his girlfriend of 1 ½ years, knew it would be difficult to continue their relationship when she was accepted into the University of Chicago, but they agreed to try and make it work. Sui was hopeful that with the pandemic, his girlfriend would be able to stay in the area, but it did not happen as he wished. The pandemic makes it harder to just catch a flight to visit on a random weekend or holiday, but Sui’s girlfriend was able to come home for Thanksgiving and they took all the necessary precautions to visit safely. 
There is a heavy layer of stress added to in person social gatherings, so many people end up turning to the internet and social media. 
“Life is online,” Sui says.  
“Never had to do everything through this medium,” Venditti says. He is not a fan of dating apps but enjoysonline games and gatherings put on by NECC. “
Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui and his father, brother and mother before COVID-19. Photo by: Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui
Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui and his father, brother and mother before COVID-19. Photo by: Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui
Jocelyn Avila and her boyfriend. Photo by Jocelyn Avila
Jocelyn Avila and her boyfriend.
Photo by Jocelyn Avila
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Social media in the time of COVID-19: How the pandmic has changed the way we use social media in 2020

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Ashmad Conde takes a break from work to check out his social media.
Ashmad Conde takes a break from work to check out his social media. Photo by Isae Grullon

 

 

Social media has been part of our daily lives since the early 2000s. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many of us use it.  

Gyani Pradhan Wong Ah Sui, 18, of West Newbury, is in the NECC Exploratory program. He uses Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp.  
Prior to the current pandemic he used social media “more sparsely,” he says. He would use Instagram for keeping up with friends as well as following various art related accounts.  
Sui started using Snapchat after moving to the United States. “Snapchat is not that popular in India, where I lived before I came here,” he says.  
He uses WhatsApp to keep in contact with his friends and family outside of the U.S. 
Sui says his social media use has “increased, because there’s not a lot of other things to do.” 
During the pandemic, Sui, an “aspiring filmmaker,” discovered a social media app called Letterboxd.  
“Letterboxd is social media for people who really like movies,” he says via Zoom. Using Letterboxd, you can post reviews, ratings and lists of movies you’ve watched and share them with friends. He uses the app to explore and see “different types of movies that I wouldn’t see otherwise.” 
He credits the pandemic for his discovery of Letterboxd and calls it “a plus.”  
Sui says his main purpose for using social media is “passing the time, although I try not to.”  
He also uses social media to communicate “especially during COVID, to connect with friends…” 
Occasionally he will use social media for news.  
“Sometimes I get my information through memes before the actual news article comes out,” he said with a chuckle.  
Sui does not think that social media has “been a solely negative thing,” and added, “Letterboxd, for sure, is like the silver lining. It’s just really fun to explore the artform that is film by finding out what other people think about the movies that they’re watching and helped me understand my own taste better, so I’m more reflective about what I like and don’t like in a film.” 
The one negative thing that Sui find about social media is “the whole ‘life looks better on social media,’ which can be disheartening and difficult to deal with. It’s a big time suck, at times.” 
Journalism and communications major, Mirrorajah Metcalfe, 19, of Haverhill, is aware of a decline in her social media activity.  Before the pandemic she used social media “just for stalking Halle Berry,” she says with a giggle via Zoom.  
She admits to not posting much at all other than “random posts to show you’re alive.”  
Metcalfe does not find social media to be helpful during the pandemic as she uses it mainly for entertainment purposes rather than for news or communication.  
She feels social media has a mostly “negative impact on a lot people because everybody can kind of just see other people living their best lives and doing fun things while the rest of the world kind of has to stay in their rooms and be confined to a certain area and it’s hard not to compare yourself with other people and ‘think what can be,’ so I don’t know how healthy social media has been for everyone.”  
Metcalfe uses social media primarily on her cell phone which she calls “a stress box” and admits to purposefully not carrying it around all day unless she absolutely has to. She encourages anyone that feels they use social media too much to “take a break for an hour at least once and day and just be in the moment and spend time with yourself or your family.”
Ashmad Conde, 28, from Malden is a Unit Coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital. Conde has used social media since 2005 when he created a Myspace account where he is no longer active.  His current social media use consists of Facebook and Snapchat. 
 Before the pandemic, he would check his social media as soon as he woke up. Over the last 10 months he has decided to decrease his social media use.  
“Not using is helpful,” says Conde about limiting his social media use. He has dedicated more time to reading and working out and feels more focused overall.  
He will eventually go back to using social media more than he is now, “this is just a pause…an experiment.” he says, “I will go back to using it, but not at the same rate.”  
A familiar cell phone screen shot.
Photo by Isae Grullon
Features, Home Page Featured News

College in the era of COVID: Students navigate remote learning

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Since March 2020, NECC students have found themselves enrolled in a crash course in remote learning.  For many students this would be their first experience taking classes exclusively online.  Erika Rivera, 19, a journalism and communications major from Lawrence, had never taken an online class before the coronavirus outbreak as she prefers to learn in person.

Mirrorajah Metcalf does schoolwork on her laptop in her bedroom.
Mirrorajah Metcalf does schoolwork on her laptop in her bedroom. Photo by Mirrorajah Metcalfe
“Being at home makes it harder to concentrate.” she said via FaceTime.
Rivera is also an elementary extracurricular teacher and says it is difficult for young children to sit still in front of a screen for hours at a time. She tries to keep her classes lighthearted and fun by “joking” and “not being too serious” with her students.  
Remote learning has certainly put students’ organizational skills to the test. 
Freshman Mirrorajah Metcalfe, 19, of Haverhill says that planning her own schedule and staying organized has been the most difficult part of online learning. 
Metcalfe, who has had previous experience with online learning in the 8th grade, took a year off school and was “hoping to have a real college experience” this year.
She has been working hard at owning her autonomy and is taking the whole process much more seriously now that she is in college. She is making a habit of writing out her schedule every week and has found it helpful to do so even when she isn’t able to follow it exactly as written. She appreciates the weekly reminders sent by some of her professors and wishes all her professors would send reminders as well. 
For Andrew Venditti, 21, a journalism and communications major from Haverhill, having a tangible tool that is not on his phone has helped him stay organized, “It’s made me a better student,” he said via Zoom.
For those who might be struggling with staying organized he recommends using a table calendar, planner, or agenda where you can write down important information about your schedule and keep it in sight, “Staple it to your forehead if you have to.” he joked. 
Communication has been another area where remote learning has caused students and teachers to adjust from what was previously normal. Students long for the days when they could have face to face discussions with their peers or wait until the end of the class period to ask their professor a more personal question.  
“In person conversations, it’s not the same,” says Venditti.  
Metcalfe also feels communication is hindered with remote learning. “Hate to email to communicate,” she says.  
Rivera says that methods of communicating is her least favorite part of remote learning because “it takes longer to communicate.”   
Students also find it difficult to separate school from other parts of their daily lives.  
"Online classes require a surplus of coffee" says Andrew Venditti.
“Online classes require a surplus of coffee” says Andrew Venditti. Photo by Andrew Venditti

“I do all of my homework on my computer that’s in my bedroom. I’m finding myself feeling fatigued by spending so much time at home because of COVID most of the summer, and now because my classes have me confined to my workspace,” says Vendetti in a text message, and added, “…COVID, current affairs, and the election are taking up a significant amount of headspace. That combination can be stressful.” 

Rivera is still trying to figure out a designated spot for her schoolwork. “Whether it’s my kitchen table or my basement, I just need to find a place that works because my room is a no go…I feel super tempted to sleep; my productivity is super low there.” she says via text message. 
Remote learning isn’t all bad. Vendetti appreciates the freedom of having more control over his own schedule and has noticed that teachers are more organized, “they’ve had time to prepare,” in comparison to last spring when schools initially went online full time.  
As far as the spring 2020 semester, NECC has decided to continue with remote learning.
Students understand that NECC is making decisions with everyone’s best interest at heart. 
“They are seeing the forest through the trees,” says Vendetti. 
 However, students are still disappointed about not being able to return to in person classes any time soon. “So bummed.” says Metcalfe. “I was nervous but it’s working out.”  
“It’s got to be weird doing performing arts online.” says Rivera who will be graduating in the spring, “I just want to be done.” 

Throughout the pandemic NECC has maintained lines of communications open to students, faculty and staff with weekly updates via email every Tuesday. NECC encourages everyone to sign up for the school’s Emergency Notification System and follow @NorthernEssex on Twitter and Facebook for the most updated information.  

Features, Home Page News Bytes

Lessons learned from quarantine

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The coronavirus has had its grip on the entire world for the better part of 2020. As human beings it is in our nature to learn, grow, and thrive in the face of adversity. While we continue to fight through this pandemic, many people are noticing things about themselves that perhaps would not have been so evident otherwise. 

Jane O’Connell, 22, of Norwell, works part time as a unit coordinator at MGH. She has discovered that exercise is her “friend”. “I’ve learned that the best part of my days now are when I am out for a walk or jog. Doing so allows me to clear my head and reflect on what is going on in the world and all the things I am seeing at work.” She said via text message.  

Nurse Angela Pagliuca, 33, of Revere said, “The pandemic has taught me that sometimes in life we need to slow down and take care of ourselves.” 

“Pandemic has taught me that I’m more of an extrovert than I ever imagined and that physical touch from other human beings is something I clearly too advantage of,” wrote Melissa Owens, 37, of Los Angeles, Calif. “It also has reminded me that I can actually live off less money if I stay home, cook 99% of my meals, not travel, and not buy and browse stuff in stores ‘cause I’m bored.” 

For others like Kimberley Simmons, RN, BSN, 26, of Arlington, the pandemic has proven to be a sort of confirmation of character. 

 “This pandemic has reinforced for me that there are things you cannot control in life, and sometimes that’s okay,” she said via text message. “This disease has manifested itself as the great equalizer. It has reinforced being thankful for my health as well as my family and friends. Quarantine life is not too different for someone who is a homebody to begin with haha.” 

In the eyes of some, the pandemic has exposed weakness in the government.  

“…I learned how underprepared our government was in handling the situation and how little the working class is cared for in general,” said Samuel Correa, 25, of Everett, Mass.  

“I’ve learned that we are fragile as a society. The seams have unraveled within our outdated government structure,” said Arthur Collins, 34, a software developer from Salem, N.H. in an email.  

There are some that believe the pandemic has shown the faults we hold as intelligent beings.  

“What this has taught me is that we humans are the virus on earth. How much we pollute is awful,” said Jacqueline Fabian, 33, of Lawrence. “Also, it taught me how much we take for granted, the little things like spending time with family.” 

“I’ve learned that common sense is not that common and should be appreciated when you come across it,” said Angel Garcia, 34, of Lawrence via Facebook messenger. 

For many, it’s the social distancing that is worst of all. Not being able to see friends and family or greet them how they are accustomed to is taking a significant toll on a large part of the population. This is especially true for Jonathan Perez, 32, a co-vocational church planter from Lawrence. “I learned the importance of an embrace. The warmth of a loving touch and the insurmountable need of the company of loved ones,” he said via Facebook messenger. 

“The pandemic has taught me how important human interaction is for good mental health,” said Alison Fiscella, 30, of Raleigh, N.C. via text message. 

There are those who have learned to appreciate the small things just as much as the big things in their lives.  

Cindy Mejia, 32, of Lawrence wrote in a text message, “This pandemic has taught me that we take simple things for granted! Such as spending time with family! Not being able to see a family member or celebrate a birthday!” 

“The pandemic has taught me how to enjoy and be grateful for the little things again. Like when we used to be able to buy toilet paper whenever we needed,” wrote Tneesha Jones, 32, of Greensboro, N.C. in a text message. 

Some have decided to take this time to improve their lives for themselves and those around them. “I’ve learned how to telework, be a mom and a teacher all at once,” said Rebecca Pagan, 40, a technical lead at the IRS from Lawrence. “I’ve learned how to eat at home and not buy outside food which is the opposite of the way I was living before. I learned how to garden and that I truly have lots of patience.  

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a greater appreciation for our advancements in technology and all things “new millennium”. 

“…Without technology we really would’ve been screwed,” said Jesenia Torres, 32, of Manchester, N.H. who otherwise is not a fan of her three school aged children using electronics all the time but has found it to be very helpful during this time of quarantine. 

At the end of the day, we are all being reshaped in some way by this pandemic. Our daily routines and thoughts have had to be modified in order to fit this new world. Hopefully we will survive to tell the tale and learn to be better at the end of it all.  

 

           

Features

Digital solace: Local IT support specialist assists with tech literacy

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Angel Garcia
Angel Garcia and family celebrate New Year’s 2020.

Angel Garcia, 34, of Lawrence is using his Associate of Science degree from Middlesex Community College with a focus in computer software and networking to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During the pandemic I’ve been helping friends and family stay or get connected online. Whether it’s getting the kids online so they can attend a class. Helping people pay their bills online. Fill out unemployment, renew drivers and professional licenses and things of that nature,” said Garcia in an email. “I’m also helping people start the offline to online transition and figure out how to monetize their passions.”

Once Garcia’s employer, IFS Core in Billerica, gave the order to work remotely in early March, he decided to set up a Discord server so that he and his co-workers could communicate in a sort of virtual office. This is when he first realized that other people could benefit from his help navigating technology during this time. He advertised his offer to help on Facebook. “I knew this would affect more people and decided to post on my timeline offering help,” he said.

Garcia has always been one willing to lend a helping hand whenever needed and this pandemic would not be the exception.

“…serving the community isn’t new for me. I served on the Greater Lawrence Technical High School Committee from 2014-2017 and I’ve been streaming on Twitch for about a year now and via this medium, I’ve been able to help 3 of my viewers get their A+ certification and improve their lives,” he said.

Garcia has helped over 30 people get acquainted with technology in various ways since COVID-19 first made local headlines. Initially he was comfortable going to homes in person but as the pandemic has progressed, he has decided it is safer to help remotely.

“Everyone is pretty appreciative of the help and happy to get connected and get things done. And I’ve helped across a wide range of ages from 20’s-60’s plus,” he said.

Garcia plans on helping people with their technology needs for as long is necessary, free of charge. “I’ve been blessed to be able to continue to work from home through all this, so I have not had the need to charge for any of my services to the community,” he said.

Garcia encourages anyone who wants to help during the pandemic to do so by finding a way to use their passion to help those in need. “…That way, it doesn’t feel like work. And if nothing else, make a monetary donation to a family in need. Show your neighbor they are not alone,” he said.

If you or anyone you know could use help with setting up or using technology during this time, Garcia would be happy to help. He can be reached by telephone at (978) 566-1707 or email at help@agmoments.com.

Features

The nurse becomes the patient: A personal encounter with COVID-19

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Angela Pagliuca
Angela Pagliuca

Angela Pagliuca, 33, of Revere is a registered nurse. She works on a gynecology oncology and surgical unit at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She also works per diem at Eastpointe in Chelsea. “I do a lot! ” she said with a laugh. 

On March 19, Pagliuca received a phone call. Someone she had been in close contact with at work on the previous Sunday had tested positive for COVID-19 and she would have to quarantine for two weeks. She hadn’t had much time to worry about getting sick as the pandemic was still relatively new in the United States.  

“I was actually still trying to plan a vacation for my birthday,” she said. Her birthday being about a month away on April 17. She expected her quarantine period to be long over by then.  

Being a nurse, Pagliuca knew there was potential for being exposed to the coronavirus. “Working in health care I knew it would be a risk. We’re exposed to so many things,” she said. She felt safe working at MGH and knew there would be enough personal protection equipment available. She admits to being “petrified” of being called to work at Eastpointe which is a nursing home and could possibly not have as much access to PPE as the formidable MGH. Either way Pagliuca wanted to be part of the solution. “I wanted to make a difference and help people through this difficult time,” she said. 

By the time she had been notified of her exposure to COVID-19, it had already been over four days. Pagliuca was feeling fine. “I didn’t think I had it because I felt so good,” she said. With the amount of time that had passed she just couldn’t imagine there would be a chance she’d develop any symptoms.  

Then came day five after exposure. It “started with a sore throat in the morning. Later in the afternoon fever, chills, headache, body aches and cough. I felt like I had typical symptoms,” she said. “Felt horrible, like I got run over by a truck… like I had no control. My body was shivering and I couldn’t stop.”  

Her fever went as high 102.9 degrees. “At one point I was checking every 10 minutes,” she said.  

She would tell her boyfriend, “Check on me to make sure I’m breathing all night.” At this point fear had set in, “I was being crazy,” she said.  

Pagliuca lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her boyfriend Standley Francois and was able to isolate successfully. She stayed in their bedroom while Francois stayed in the rest of the house and slept in the spare bedroom on an air mattress. This strict quarantine went on for two weeks once Pagliuca’s symptoms started. Francois would leave meals outside of Pagliuca’s bedroom door, which she insisted remain open, “I don’t like the door closed,” she said.  

They had to come up with a solution for sharing the single bathroom in their apartment. They followed a schedule for showering and wiped everything in the bathroom down after each use.  

Francois also had to shelter in place for the first two weeks after Pagliuca tested positive on March 21. “He had to be quarantined for two weeks but was laid off anyway,” said Pagliuca. Once his two-week period was over Francois could go to the grocery store and run errands. Fortunately, Francois never showed any signs of being infected with the coronavirus.  

There is currently no cure for COVID-19. However, Francois’s Haitian mother was ready and willing to come to the rescue with home remedies and comfort food. “Standley literally called his mom that night and she sent ginger, garlic and lemon tea and vegetable soup,” said Pagliuca.  

After a week and a half, Pagliuca was feeling better. Her fever had broken but had a lingering cough for three more weeks. She would leave her room and go into the rest of the apartment. She would still wear a mask in the common areas and Francois continued to sleep in the spare room until it was confirmed that the virus had completely left Pagliuca’s body. 

The testing process was “horrible,” said Pagliuca.  However, all her initial tests indicated she was still infected. From March 21 to April 29 she was tested 10 times. Four tests were positive, two were considered false negatives, meaning a negative test followed by a positive test, two tests were inconclusive and her last two tests were negative.  

It was a total of six weeks of quarantine and isolation for Pagliuca, except for those days when she would go the testing site hoping that her results would come back negative.  

The physical part of this disease had come and was making its way out. Mentally and emotionally Pagliuca was still in a battle. Being away from her family, friends, and co-workers was taking a toll on her. “My best friend Sarah and I are always together so that was hard to be apart. Also, I watch my nephew once a week and that was heartbreaking because I would FaceTime him every day and he would read me stories. He’d carry me around everywhere on the phone. He’d forget me in the tent and my sister would call out ‘Where’s the phone?’,” she said through a chuckle. 

 “I felt depressed for a little while, week three was my worst. Felt better but realized that I still had be at home and confined, realized could still infect and hurt someone else,” said Pagliuca. Francois was a vital part in helping her get through the long six-week ordeal. “He’s a good motivational talker. He explained the big picture. I’m not admitted. I have him. I have my phone.” she said. 

Surviving a disease that has taken so many lives could easily leave a mark on someone’s perspective on life. “I feel like it did teach me that I had to take a step back. I’m usually someone on the go even when not feeling well, this forced me not to move,” she said. 

The coronavirus remains an enigma as far as who and how it attacks. The potential side effects once a person has recuperated are also still uncertain. “…my cough wasn’t going away. At week five I felt like my respiratory was normal. I was afraid for a while. ‘Could there be scarring on the lungs?’ We don’t know the long-term effects yet,” said Pagliuca. 

Now that Pagliuca is on the other side of this COVID-19 disease, there is still the lingering concern that immunity is not guaranteed. Part of her feels like perhaps she can’t catch it again, but she is choosing to “act like I can for the safety of other people. I would like to be a case study,” she said. 

Pagliuca said she felt “Amazing!” when she finally tested negative. “I screamed out for joy, texted everyone on my phone, emailed Adele and Molly [her bosses] before calling occupational health. Results came in at 7:30 a.m. I woke up at 6 a.m., you get a letter in your Gateway account with result if negative.” Pagliuca wanted to make sure she was up and ready to see that letter should up on her patient portal.  

Pagliuca’s friends and family were also excited to find out she had finally beat the coronavirus. They were “relieved because I stopped complaining, ‘Oh good, you can go back to work now,’” she mimicked. “My nephew was excited to see me,” she added.  

Pagliuca’s return to work was long awaited by her as well as her co-workers who missed her dearly.  

“So happy to have her back! She is a sweetheart!” exclaimed nurse case manager Ann McKenney-Fruth. 

She was excited to get back to helping people, patients and fellow nurses alike. “I get to be myself again, catch up on gossip and eat all the food,” she paused. “and get to make a difference.” 

“We are delighted to have her back! We missed her energy for the last six weeks,” said patient care associate Kalsang Nangpa. “She is the life of the party. She was back on a Thursday and by Sunday had organized and thrown a baby shower for Em J [a fellow nurse who is expecting a baby in June]. 

Pagliuca can attest to how easy it can be getting worked up over being sick with the coronavirus. Anxiety can set in and be just as damaging as the virus itself. “Try your best to stay as positive as you can, move around, [practice] deep breathing exercises, drink warm liquids– I was drinking hot water with lemon,” she said. 

Pagliuca says that having a “very good support system” helped her get through the illness. “My sister and nephew FaceTime would make me smile. My lovely coworkers checking in frequently, and mother in law made sure I was fed,” she

said.  

Features

The new normal: An essential worker’s efforts to stay safe and sane

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Cindy Mejia and her dog Coco
Cindy Mejia and her dog Coco

Courtesy photo

            Cindy Mejia, 32, is a Lawrence resident, former NECC student, fitness coach and essential employee during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a buyer for Asahi America.

“They are a plastic valves and pipe company, considered essential because we provide materials to hospitals,” she said.  
Mejia’s employer has taken several precautions to protect their employees during this pandemic. Asahi America closed their building for a week and a half to have it sanitized. Upon reopening the building, they staggered shifts and provided cleaning supplies and materials as well as masks to employees.
“We have all been placed on different floors in order to comply with social distancing,” Mejia said.  
Mejia has always been a social butterfly so having to physically isolate during the quarantine has been a struggle for her. 
“I am a foodie and love trying new restaurants or cafes and right now everything is closed. Also being a fitness coach and not being able to work out or help my clients has been hard,” she said.
Technology has been a helpful tool during this time for Mejia.
“I’ve actually posted on my Instagram an at home workout they can follow. If not, we are using Zoom for video chats,” she said.  
As a fitness coach, Mejia understands how important it is to take care of her health and body from the inside out; especially now more than ever since most doctors are conducting virtual visits and seeing only emergencies in person if deemed absolutely necessary. “
I am taking more vitamin C… I’ve upped my zinc intake too,” she said. “My doctors have cancelled all my appointments. I had a dental cleaning scheduled for last weekend and he had to cancel. He said he can only see medical emergencies right now.” 
As has been the case for so many would be travelers, Mejia has had to also cancel several plans including a flight to Texas at the beginning of April. “My friend’s bachelorette was canceled which is next month and I am guessing the wedding will be rescheduled,” she said. 
Mejia and her husband will be celebrating their nine-year anniversary on April 30. Unfortunately, any special celebration for the occasion will have to wait.
“We were going to go to our favorite place in Maine but that also got rescheduled. I guess dinner date at home or bike ride,” she said with a chuckle, “We recently bought mountain bikes.”  
Mejia has noticed she has been spending less money during the quarantine and so is hoping she will be able to take advantage of this silver lining and go away for her birthday in Sept. Assuming things have returned to normal by then of course.  
“Routine” is something that everyone has had to redefine in their lives. “My routine before was work from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., then come home, cook, feed Coco (the dog) and by 7 p.m. would go to the gym until 9 p.m. then come back to eat and shower,” Mejia said. “I was always on the go go go. Now I have to learn to take a breather, sit down do nothing. There’s been times I’ve been angry at home because I was so bored or wanted to cry because I miss being on the go.”  
Perhaps some of these new habits will remain long after the coronavirus becomes more manageable. People everywhere are hopefully being more cognizant of their surroundings and their own actions, potentially making them better human beings.
On the other end of the spectrum some might find themselves developing new neuroses.  
“I think Covid-19 is leaving us with PTSD and we are never being normal again. I believe everyone will always be on high alert and freaked out for years to come,” said Mejia, who has been doing her part by staying home other than going to work and to the supermarket.  
“…I make a list first before I buy. I make sure to only touch the items I am going to buy not just touch items and put them back. I have noticed everyone is scared to being next to each other when I am out grocery shopping.” she said.  
Mejia’s dog Coco has been doing his part as well. “…He is a house dog which helps right now. He goes outside as normal, but he is old and lazy, so he doesn’t like walks,” she said. 
How ever stressful and uncertain our current state may be, maintaining a positive mindset and taking care of ourselves as best we can, should prevail as a top priority. 
Mejia is a good example of someone practicing and promoting self-care during this challenging time. 
 “This is just one of those times when things get hard but remember what is down must come up. Take this moment to learn more about you in a deeper level. Learn what makes you happy, how to maintain happy and stay safe and healthy. Health is really wealth,” she said. 
Mejia has been training to compete in fitness competitions since July 2019. Although she will not be stepping on any stages anytime soon, she is undeterred and continuing her training through the COVID-19 pandemic. You can follow her fitness journey on her Instagram page @cindyivettefit.
Features

An essential worker shares her story

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As a journalism student it is difficult to write about oneself, it’s discouraged really. However, as a student, single parent, essential healthcare worker, potentially high-risk individual in the middle of a pandemic, I am compelled to share my story.  

My name is Isae Grullon. I am 33 years old. I am the mother of a 14-year-old high school freshman who is currently taking classes online. Her voice lessons are now virtual via Skype. Since October we have been going to dance practices twice weekly for her cousin’s quinceañera. It was supposed to be in May but has been postponed for now.

I am a journalism student at NECC, expected to graduate in the spring of 2021.The pandemic hit the US just a few weeks before spring break. Spring break came and went, and we never resumed our normal schedules. It’s taken some time and some discipline but online is how we will see this semester through.  

“Unit Coordinator” is my title at Massachusetts General Hospital. My role is considered essential and unable to be done remotely. At work, policies and protocols seem to change nearly every day. Each shift brings something new to process. Initially it was just hand hygiene and social distancing or “physical distancing” as the president of MGH prefers to call it. On March 19th visitors went from being limited to restricted and only allowed into the hospital under very special circumstances. By the end of March, we all had to wear masks and sanitize our hands before getting past one of the four entrances that were open to only employees.

On April 1st, the COVID Pass app was implemented. We must log in every day before our shifts to confirm that we remain symptom free. When we walk in to the building we must be prepared to show security our ID badge and our COVID Pass. Then and only then are we allowed to move on to the hand sanitizing and mask stations. April 1st was also the day my unit started taking on patients who are waiting on their results but aren’t well enough to be sent home from the emergency room. Those that test positive are moved to other floors designated for positive patients. Patients with negative results are discharged if safe to do so or sent to floors where only confirmed negative patients are being cared for other issues. April 1st…. what an ironically cruel joke.  

I am told MGH is all over the news. Friends text me with their concerns. I remain willfully unaware. It’s hard to watch the news when you are actively living the biggest news story every day. Although I am a unit coordinator and do not have direct contact with patients, I feel like I carry the weight of the floor in my bones. By the end of each shift my ribs hurt, my back aches and the toll of deep breathing through my mask in an effort to control my anxiety is evident. I leave the building and can’t remove my mask fast enough. It’s relief and dread all in one because now I’ll go home and remove my clothes and shoes in the hall, get in the shower, wipe down my purse and hope I’ve gotten rid of any trace of disease that could have potentially entered my home. After, and only after this process can I hug my daughter who eagerly awaits her mother’s embrace. She’s 14 and theoretically old enough to understand but she is a sensitive child who likes to hug everyone she is fond of. In the beginning it was difficult, but she is getting used to our new routine.  

Some days, while I try to escape in my own mind, I go back to December 31st. While everyone was celebrating the new year, “2020 is going to be amazing!”, I was alone in a hospital room contemplating my new diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; a new autoimmune issue to add to the ones I already had. 2020 was so full of hope. It was the year of “perfect vision”. This was going to be the year everyone got their life together.  It was actually quite a rough start to the year: so many deaths, narrowly missing the start of WWIII. I’m sure many folks out there regret uttering, “this can’t get any worse”. It’s mid-April…just look at us now. Hope is but a distant memory of tomorrow.

Features

COVID-19 hits home: What public service looks like during a pandemic

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Joshua Alba
Joshua Alba Isae Grullon, Features Editor

Joshua Alba, 36, is a Lawrence resident, and a Raíz Organizer for Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts. Alba also attended NECC but was unable to graduate due to financial reasons. He has since “focused on working specifically to help create justice in our community.” 

Alba also serves on the Lawrence School Committee for District D. During the COVID-19 pandemic Alba has used his role as a school committee member to help in the community. 

“I support the Lawrence Public Schools and leadership is disseminating information, relaying shortfalls, ensuring open democratic participation for our community,” he said via Facebook Messenger. 

He has been successful in communicating via social media as well as email, phone calls and text messaging. Video conferencing software like Zoom and BlueJeans have also been helpful in working from home.  

Alba’s sense of public service remains strong during this coronavirus pandemic. “I decided to help as soon as I understood that it was a serious concern after having a medical briefing at my job on our new patient in-take protocols, then being told to work from home,” he said.  He’s been sharing information about resources available across the city and state such as food, unemployment, and hygiene.  

In the effort to further help the community, Alba is part of an initiative to launch a mutual aid network called the Greater Lawrence Mutual Aid Network. The network will “help funnel information and resources to the most marginalized in our community, the undocumented, unsheltered, and others,” said Alba. More information on the Greater Lawrence Mutual Aid Network can be found by visiting their Facebook group page.  

Alba understands all too well the seriousness of COVID-19. “I am able to help remotely,” he said. “I actually need to, because I am especially vulnerable to COVID-19, as I have asthma, and this virus attacks the lungs.” 

Assistance has been well received by the residents of Lawrence however, feedback remains very limited.  

“There is the expressed demand for more services for our most vulnerable. We are concerned for safety, of course, as the city and others scale up and streamline services,” aid Alba, “… we’re working on getting hand sanitizer to the unsheltered, right now.” 

Alba urges those who can, to stay home as much as possible. He also suggests that “those who live by themselves, who practice good social distancing and hygiene, to contact the city and see how they can volunteer.” For more information on how you can help in the city, visit their website at www.cityoflawrence.com