We Remember — A Year of COVID

Just over a year ago, in early March of 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic — and our lives drastically changed. New York City locked down, as did much of the nation. Soon enough, New York City became an epicenter of the virus in the US — and arguably in the world. The city’s class and racial disparities, clear far before COVID hit, have become all the more undeniable; Black and Brown communities in Queens and the Bronx have been hardest hit, and workers we’ve called “essential” (many of them people of color, and furthermore women of color) worked in harm’s way without adequate pay, benefits, or workplace protections.

At this one-year mark, we want to step back and reflect. We want to remember those lost, and also that this was preventable. We stay in the fight both to prevent crises like these that disproportionately impact the least-privileged in our community, but also to tear down the societal structures that value certain lives more than others. In that spirit, we’re sharing reflections from two of our committed members, one working in an ICU and one a state employee. May their words inspire our continued fight and service.

Christopher Prine, Critical Care RN

“As a critical care RN, when I reflect on working in COVID ICUs on and off for the past year, I must first reflect on others. I must give remembrance to the patients we have lost, their families and loved ones. I also reflect on the patients that did recover, but now live with known and unknown life-long effects of this virus. I then reflect on my own experiences and those of my colleagues. This has been the hardest time of my eleven-year career.

The physical and emotional stress will continue on past this pandemic. I want to take a moment to hope for peace for healthcare workers, patients, and their families. When everyone goes back to work/life, remember there are those that will take this pandemic with them for years to come.”

Chelsea Hill, State Employee

“Something that strikes me about the past year is just how much we have all shared so many of the same experiences. I’m far from alone in having watched funerals and weddings over livestream; in not seeing or hugging family in over a year; in fearing for a loved one diagnosed and hospitalized with COVID (and so many even share the grief of losing those loved ones).

Part of my work has involved helping New Yorkers who were struggling to get their unemployment benefits: beyond the same experience so many had with the Department of Labor — hundreds of calls a day, endless frustration, and stress — so many shared the same fears in face of uncertainty, regardless of background. Everyone also shared the same kindness and gratitude to just be speaking to a person. Even when I was frustrated that I couldn’t do more to help, to them at least someone was doing something at all.

Despite everything, this pandemic serves as a reminder how much of a difference we can make to each other. Whether it’s the truly heroic efforts of those leading mutual aid efforts, just being a listening ear to a stranger on the phone, or caring enough for other peoples’ well-being to wear your mask and distance. With hope for the pandemic’s end on the horizon, I hope we remember how much we need each other, and continue to do everything we can to support one another.”