Belinda James just left her waitress job and was on her way home. It would take her thirty minutes only because her car broke down two weeks ago and she just doesn’t have the cash to have it fixed just now. She had other pressing matters.

Her son, Tim. He is twelve and a special-ed student. She found out he had ADD (attention deficit disorder) when he was six. That was also when his father, Blake, threw his hands in the air and walked out on them both. Now it was her and Tim against the world.

At twenty-six, Belinda looked closer to thirty-five as the years that went by were taking a toll on her looks and her body. She stopped dating two years ago simply because she felt unattractive and the men she dated only wanted one thing from her and it wasn’t a relationship.

Now, to make matters even worse, her boss, Jacob, told her he had to lay her off as he was going to have to close the restaurant down due to all the fear spreading around because of that virus in China, that, and a few people out in California or Washington have seemed to catch the bug. That news just didn’t set well for her. On the way home, she couldn’t stop the tears from rolling down her face.

Without her job, she would lose her insurance. Lose the insurance and she wouldn’t be able to afford Tim being in a special class. Without a job, she would have no way to pay the rent or even buy groceries.

When she finally got to the apartment where her and Tim lived, she pushed the key in the front lock and said, “Why did all this have to happen now. It’s just not right.”

Patricia placed her keys on the kitchen counter. Things weren’t looking good. Most of her family and friends were all in the same boat because of the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Some of her neighbors had to pack up their stuff and move into a much less costly apartment for the remainder of the year/season. She was thinking of moving, too. She still had to sign up for longer shifts and hours at the nearby clinic to assist with taking care of the rising number of Covid patients. If she were going to move, the place would have to be either closer to the clinic, or an hour’s drive away.

She’s lucky to be still working at the clinic. When she heard the clinic staff members hours were being changed; there were other staff members who were laid off due to the effect on the economy, and company, because of the coronavirus. She felt as if she was going to have a myocardial infarction from all the current stress, with changes taking place since the number of cases started to rise in the capital, Tunis, much earlier in the year.

She took a deep breath. Now was not the time to give up hope. Patricia walked to the living area. She sat on the couch and closed her eyes for a couple minutes. The next minute she opened them she screamed out loud.

An article she had read a few days ago recommended several ways/methods to put into practice when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted. One method that stuck with her was: to take a long breath and let out a scream. She smiled and then laughed.

One other thing that would make her feel a little calmer was a nice hot cup of honey, lemon, and mint flavored tea.

I have a highly skilled position as a Senior Data Analyst.

I was so excited to fly to San Diego for a business trip. I had never been to California, but I’d heard so many beautiful stories about the state.

I had a scheduled meeting to do a presentation with the senior leadership about the new business venture we were planning to acquire. 

I am a very important person!

In my position, I am the go-to person, the Subject Expert who crunches numbers and makes predictions about the performance of any new business line. Basically, I am the main person behind the shadows who create those beautiful Data Visualizations with charts and numbers.

Aside to the business meeting, my excitement was having a chance to explore the locals and beaches you’d often see on movies.

Prior to my departure, I had made the reservation and packed a suitcase full of light clothes. I had heard that West Coast weather was milder and wilder just like a woman who would drive men crazy compared to the bone chilling and freezing East Coast weather. However, the day of the flight, I got a cancellation email from Human Resources that said, “All company related travels and office work are postponed, and all employees are required to work remotely until further notices due to the pandemic outbreak.”

I can’t tell you how much I was so sad hearing the untimely bad news even though it was for my own well-being.

I’ve been working from home since the quarantine started.

Today, staring at the big screen TV is no use to bring me any good news. It actually pains me, seeing the carnage and disarray of humanity unfolding. 

This is all so crazy.

One day, things are as normal as can be, and the next minute, life just gets flipped upside down.

Now, social distancing is the new norm. Face masks is the new norm. Testing is the new norm. Stay at home is the new norm.

I’m not really a fan of all these new norms!

I’m healthy enough, why do I need to follow all this crap they spread in the news. The president says it won’t last long and that we’ll be back to business as usual before too long, and I believe him.

He said we’ll get another stimulus check and I believe that, too.

So what if the stocks are down? I don’t invest. So what if I’m laid off. My unemployment check is more than what I would normally make in a week, so I’m good to go. None of this won’t last much longer.

This stay at home order is crap!

I go where I want—when I want!

Who the hell are they to tell me what to do?

Get a life, people. This thing is almost over. The President said as much. Right?

Damn straight.

Life is fragile.

A long time ago, I stopped worrying about the outside forces I can never control. I found no good reason for such insanity or headaches, for at the end of the day, it’s inevitable that whatever Must happen does happen regardless. 

COVID-19 has brought a wave of messes we had never prepared for.

Fights and disagreements were raging amongst leaders worldwide. It felt like the entire globe was on the brink of collapse, and the virus brought us down to our knees.

Hence, swift orders were issued to contain the virus, thus, by forcing non-essential personnel and the majority of the people to stay home. 

I was in Europe, scrambling to get home, when the order was set to expire at exactly midnight.

I bought my overpriced one way ticket and went through the intensive inspections at the airport. I was finally cleared to leave the country.

The clock was ticking faster than a speeding train, as I waited for the last flight leaving from Rome to my hometown New York City. When the plane still hadn’t left at 10 p.m., I got anxious looking at my watch. If I’d missed it, I’d be stranded there until the lock-down gets lifted, which could’ve been close to six months now.

The final flight I boarded left Rome a few seconds shy from midnight. 

The next morning, my company held a town hall meeting, and we were told that all of our positions will be posted for internal and external applicants. 

Downsizing inevitably happens when the economy plummets. But some companies use this as a excuse/chance to get rid of employees maliciously. 

I got back to my home office and resumed my daily tasks, deafening my ears to the bad news, at least until my access rights would be revoked.

Todd was a very difficult and stubborn young person, who listened to nobody, not even himself. He had a heart and mind as hard as a rock.

He liked to party weekends, and he lived in a state full of nightclubs, Miami, Florida.

The sun was blazing hot. 

Saturday nights in Miami are vibrant and tempting like a seductive woman.

Last weekend was not any different for Todd, as he had a blast having fun while he should’ve been social distancing.

He took Uber and got home safely, although he could barely open his eyes to use his keys to get inside. Once inside, he was able to lock the door but not carry himself upstairs to his bedroom, thus he slept on the couch.

The next morning Sunday, he spent the whole day sleeping because he had a hangover. He woke up in the evening, ate something, and drank some water, and went back to bed.

When Monday came around, he felt chilly in 105 degrees hot weather. His fever was at 102. He took a couple Advil and tried to get some rest. Yet, the fever kept going up. He waited for a few more hours and when nothing changed, he began to freak out. 

Immediately, he called his ex-girlfriend. 

She ignored his call.

She replied to his urgent text message when he pleaded she’d take him to the emergency room. 

Though she hated to see him, her heart skipped a beat, knowing that he was suddenly sick. 

When she took him to the hospital, he was immediately diagnosed with Covid-19 virus. 

He was quarantined. She stayed with him. A week later, he passed away from the contagion virus.

She still can’t fathom why he refused to stop the nightlife, the main reason for their breakups.

I don’t have a lot of time to tell you my whole story. But I’ll try to skim through a few parts for now.

My name is Eric Salas. I was never home before the lock down. Because I’d leave for work early in the morning and come home late at night. I was the breadwinner. I still am but from the depleting unemployment checks that soon is about to stop coming in.

It has been a few months of staying home, and I do not like any of it. Not even the slightest bit.

The children are outrageously out of control. The house is messy; the kitchen sink is always full of dirty dishes; the toilet is never flashed; the beds aren’t made neatly; no time for cooking a decent meal; no family time. Everything in the house is terrible.

I’ve never done anything in the house before; I’m lost to handle it. I’m getting frustrated easily. I scream a lot. I get angry not knowing what to do and the stressful pressure the quarantine has put on my shoulders. I feel badly for my home-staying wife and I grew I deeper appreciations for her strength in handling the housework and wild kids for 14 years and counting.

But I know that I have to do something, to adjust to the unbearable circumstances and be helpful; at least I should try lending a hand, even if I must watch  “How To” videos on YouTube to teach myself to fill the gaps. 

My wife is a great mother and a very strong woman. She deserves, No, she needs a Lot of break, a long overdue vacation if I might add. I can’t believe I’d not seen the toll my negligence has put on her. I’m such a coward.