COVID-19 has changed and reshaped the lives of people living in San Joaquin County. Since March 2020, the pandemic has, at baseline, has meant physical distancing, lack of interaction with others, temporary business shutdowns, permanent closures, and nearly 600,000 deaths nationwide.
Limited interactions due to sheltering-in-place, though, have taken a toll too on individuals in and around the area. The reality of the pandemic has never been far from our minds, even as we adjust to a “new normal.”
For Spring 2021, the Multimedia Storytelling course has asked friends, family, and strangers what the cost of COVID-19 has been in their lives through socially distanced and virtual reporting.
These are the stories they’ve gathered.
COVID-19 takes away high school rights of passage
For one member of the class of 2020, the COVID-19 virus stripped away the final months of the big year as schools shut down in the middle of March 2020.
Matriarch talks about pandemic family dynamics
Mistii Lagorio is the matriarch of the Lagorio family consisting of her, patriarch Kevin, adult children Devin, Adrianna “Adri,” and Gianna “Gigi.” Lagorio talked about living through the past unprecedented and difficult year, while looking ahead to what’s next.
Impact different for everyone
The affects and impact that COVID-19 has had on people around the country will be analyzed for years to come but here are comments from several people in San Joaquin County about how it’s changed their lives.
Game store pivots to serve customers
When the COVID-19 pandemic began in Stockton early last year, GameStop on Hammer Lane had to close until further notice. But against the odds, GameStop Hammer Lane found its’s doors back open in June 2020, with a new approach to delivering to customers.
Move to distance learning impacts high school student
Schools were shut down, and everyone was forced to stay home – but school still had to continue online.
Giselle Cardenas, a senior at Manteca’s East Union High School, had words to share about the sudden change to distance learning.
Center helps small businesses during pandemic
With the lockdown, many small businesses just couldn’t survive and were forced to close. Pamela Howard’s once plain and relatively easy occupation became much more involved due to Covid. The more business went down, the more calls she got for advice.
Life will never be the same for families who lost loved ones
People continue to wait tirelessly for when things can go “back to normal.” However, for those who have suffered the loss of loved ones, family members, or friends life will never again be normal.
Quality of online education questioned as pandemic stretches on
Students are making difficult choices as the pandemic continues past the one-year mark, including taking time off school to wait for the return of in-person learning.
Front-line workers adjust to restrictions to serve clients
Before the virus hit Person Centered Services work included in-person visits with clients. When the virus escalated and was officially declared a pandemic PCS had to majorly rework their program and adhere to a series of strict new guidelines because health and safety is the top priority before providing services.
Teacher says children are hardest hit in pandemic year
Tray Robinson, is the GLSEN 2020 teacher of the year and he has observed who has been hit hardest in the pandemic – our children.
Wedding florist ensures couples’ big days remain special
Brenda Gomez’s business selling floral arrangements for weddings was interrupted by the pandemic, but the break soon gave way to a busier season than ever.
Connections stave off isolation for senior
Midge Robinson, 83, had her life upended by the pandemic. But technology let her stay connected to those important to her.
Hanalima Creation shifts gears to succeed during pandemic
After closing her shop in downtown Stockton, Teresa Guerra had planned to go on the road and sell handmade goods at shows and festivals along the West Coast. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and forced a change of plans.
Web designer finds silver lining
As the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to close their physical locations and focus on online offerings, web designer Gabriel Serafini found opportunity.
Pandemic derails university experience
Rosalia Ravelo was looking forward to transferring to Stanislaus State University to finish her education in early 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic cut that experience short and transformed the typical university experience into something else.
Diagnosis doesn’t stop Stockton woman
Sandy Brown found ways to stay busy during the pandemic, even as her assisted living facility canceled family visits and she tested positive for the disease.
National Guard service complicated by pandemic
Michael Watson found his basic training for the California National Guard delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned after six months to a world changed by the disease.
Pleasanton gym thrives in wake of pandemic
The Resistance Fitness Center in Pleasanton has offered its members a community during a trying time.