Carrie Madonna and Samantha Taylor

Mom / Daughter
Nurse Educator, Third-Grade Teacher

Samantha:
This is such a crazy and scary time. Last week I started working from home, using distance learning to continue teaching my third-grade students. I never thought with my job that it would be a possibility to work from home; but now I’m one of 75,000 NYC public school educators doing just that.

We had only a few days to get an entire online platform up and running. I’m proud of how all my students (and myself!) have adjusted very quickly to this new type of learning. I now spend my work days in Zoom sessions with the whole class or individual children, planning lessons, or checking and grading work.

I’m happy that I’m quarantined at home with my mom and that we have each other during this time. We’ve been cleaning frequently and limiting our contact with anyone else. Our daily life has changed quite a bit, with my mom and I both working from home. We’re starting to settle into this new routine. After work, we love to get outside for a walk on the beach to enjoy the fresh air and to clear our minds. I pray that this scary time ends soon and that there is healing for those who have been affected by the virus.

Carrie:
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 my emotions have been varying between sadness, fear, anxiety and comfort. My faith has played such a big part in my life and now, more than ever, I am grateful for the power of prayer. Thank you Jesus! I know we will all get through this!

I have been working from home for a week now. As a Nurse Educator for Home Care, I am able to assist the nurses with a multitude of questions and uncertainties they have. I perform telephonic visits as well as audiovisual visits to keep in touch with patients who are recovering in their home. The patients are happy and feel cared for with this new normal thats presented itself at this time. On a personal note, I miss seeing everyone. I miss hugs! It is so important for us all to remain calm, stay home, and stay faithful. God bless everyone!

Carrie Madonna and Samantha Taylor

Mom / Daughter
Nurse Educator, Third-Grade Teacher

Samantha:
This is such a crazy and scary time. Last week I started working from home, using distance learning to continue teaching my third-grade students. I never thought with my job that it would be a possibility to work from home; but now I’m one of 75,000 NYC public school educators doing just that.

We had only a few days to get an entire online platform up and running. I’m proud of how all my students (and myself!) have adjusted very quickly to this new type of learning. I now spend my work days in Zoom sessions with the whole class or individual children, planning lessons, or checking and grading work.

I’m happy that I’m quarantined at home with my mom and that we have each other during this time. We’ve been cleaning frequently and limiting our contact with anyone else. Our daily life has changed quite a bit, with my mom and I both working from home. We’re starting to settle into this new routine. After work, we love to get outside for a walk on the beach to enjoy the fresh air and to clear our minds. I pray that this scary time ends soon and that there is healing for those who have been affected by the virus.

Carrie:
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 my emotions have been varying between sadness, fear, anxiety and comfort. My faith has played such a big part in my life and now, more than ever, I am grateful for the power of prayer. Thank you Jesus! I know we will all get through this!

I have been working from home for a week now. As a Nurse Educator for Home Care, I am able to assist the nurses with a multitude of questions and uncertainties they have. I perform telephonic visits as well as audiovisual visits to keep in touch with patients who are recovering in their home. The patients are happy and feel cared for with this new normal thats presented itself at this time. On a personal note, I miss seeing everyone. I miss hugs! It is so important for us all to remain calm, stay home, and stay faithful. God bless everyone!

Jenny DeBeer Charno

Owner, Glen Cove Massage

I’m holding with NYS of Health right now to see if I can stop paying $600/month and switch to a plan for people earning under a certain amount as I have no income right now.

I’m doing lots of Zoom yoga – helps me and the yoga teachers. I’m teaching seniors to use Zoom, calling people to check in on them, posting accurate info about how to keep safe, sending emails to my patients on ways to self care.

I have to stand in where I can make a difference for my sanity and that of everyone else.

Jenny DeBeer Charno

Owner, Glen Cove Massage

I’m holding with NYS of Health right now to see if I can stop paying $600/month and switch to a plan for people earning under a certain amount as I have no income right now.

I’m doing lots of Zoom yoga – helps me and the yoga teachers. I’m teaching seniors to use Zoom, calling people to check in on them, posting accurate info about how to keep safe, sending emails to my patients on ways to self care.

I have to stand in where I can make a difference for my sanity and that of everyone else.

Sapna Medrano

Working from home

I’ve been working from home since last Monday when schools officially closed. I’m balancing keeping my kids from becoming video game and screen monsters, being productive at work and helping with their school work.

My husband has been home since Friday. He is an acupuncturist and his part of the office closed Friday afternoon. We are trying as hard as we can to keep distance from everyone, but us adults are getting stir crazy.

The positives are that we don’t have commutes anymore and are getting more quality time with the kids, and as we adapt, it certainly gets easier. We set our 10-year-old up with messaging/facetime to keep in touch with friends, got a crash course in Google classroom and Zoom, and taught my 8-year-old how to ride a 2-wheel bike.

Not pictured is our 3-year-daughter who is the only person I know whose life hasn’t changed! At the time of this shoot, she was with my parents on the other side of town, where she usually goes while we are working. Lucky Leila’s schedule and day-to-day has remained unchanged! Ahhh to be young!

All in all, I’m trying to tell myself there are more positives to being around more than negatives. As a side note, there’s been a lot of take-out as we try to support some of our favorite local businesses. I work for a decent sized company, but even we are feeling it. I can’t imagine what small businesses are feeling right now.

Sapna Medrano

Working from home

I’ve been working from home since last Monday when schools officially closed. I’m balancing keeping my kids from becoming video game and screen monsters, being productive at work and helping with their school work.

My husband has been home since Friday. He is an acupuncturist and his part of the office closed Friday afternoon. We are trying as hard as we can to keep distance from everyone, but us adults are getting stir crazy.

The positives are that we don’t have commutes anymore and are getting more quality time with the kids, and as we adapt, it certainly gets easier. We set our 10-year-old up with messaging/facetime to keep in touch with friends, got a crash course in Google classroom and Zoom, and taught my 8-year-old how to ride a 2-wheel bike.

Not pictured is our 3-year-daughter who is the only person I know whose life hasn’t changed! At the time of this shoot, she was with my parents on the other side of town, where she usually goes while we are working. Lucky Leila’s schedule and day-to-day has remained unchanged! Ahhh to be young!

All in all, I’m trying to tell myself there are more positives to being around more than negatives. As a side note, there’s been a lot of take-out as we try to support some of our favorite local businesses. I work for a decent sized company, but even we are feeling it. I can’t imagine what small businesses are feeling right now.

Michelle Gonzalez

Registered Nurse

It’s all hands on deck right now. We are short staffed with some staff out on quarantine or having no childcare. All staff have to get screened each morning before work and all patients are screened before care can be delivered. I’m in home health care and the environment is unpredictable. We have morning and afternoon team meetings to ensure everything is managed correctly and staff and patients receive everything they need. I’ve been a nurse for 30 years, 18 in the hospital and the last 12 in home health.

I worked in a Florida hospital during hurricane Katrina, Floyd, and Wilma so I know what disaster is like but this is an entirely new level of crazy. With hurricanes we were prepared for them, there was no warning or time to prep for Covid-19. The healthcare system was blindsided by the rapidly growing volume of cases and severity made riskier due to shortage of masks. We are forced to reuse our masks. Policies are changing everyday. Each day you report to work there are new guidelines.

Unlike many people who are out of work and not sure how they will survive financially, I am grateful I am still actively working and bringing home a paycheck. Getting that check comes with great risk but with all the precautions in place and God’s protection I can continue to serve and do what I have been called to do.

Michelle Gonzalez

Registered Nurse

It’s all hands on deck right now. We are short staffed with some staff out on quarantine or having no childcare. All staff have to get screened each morning before work and all patients are screened before care can be delivered. I’m in home health care and the environment is unpredictable. We have morning and afternoon team meetings to ensure everything is managed correctly and staff and patients receive everything they need. I’ve been a nurse for 30 years, 18 in the hospital and the last 12 in home health.

I worked in a Florida hospital during hurricane Katrina, Floyd, and Wilma so I know what disaster is like but this is an entirely new level of crazy. With hurricanes we were prepared for them, there was no warning or time to prep for Covid-19. The healthcare system was blindsided by the rapidly growing volume of cases and severity made riskier due to shortage of masks. We are forced to reuse our masks. Policies are changing everyday. Each day you report to work there are new guidelines.

Unlike many people who are out of work and not sure how they will survive financially, I am grateful I am still actively working and bringing home a paycheck. Getting that check comes with great risk but with all the precautions in place and God’s protection I can continue to serve and do what I have been called to do.

Gia Hall

Pastor, Carpenter Memorial United Methodist Church

Personally it’s been frustrating. I have elderly and disabled family who do not understand why I don’t see them. I’m an introvert but I find myself craving the outdoors.

We are just doing a Bible study / Organic Outreach – The organic nature of discipleship. We are in Acts.

Gia Hall

Pastor, Carpenter Memorial United Methodist Church

Personally it’s been frustrating. I have elderly and disabled family who do not understand why I don’t see them. I’m an introvert but I find myself craving the outdoors.

We are just doing a Bible study / Organic Outreach – The organic nature of discipleship. We are in Acts.

Susan McCormack

Mom working from home and sewing masks for the local hospital

We are doing our best to stay home as much as possible to hopefully get through the Coronavirus crisis sooner rather than later. Thankfully my husband works for the post office and is still fully employed. I am working remotely for my job with the North Shore teacher’s union, but my computer repair house-call business has been temporarily shut down. Financially we are managing for now, but we are watching our expenses as closely as possible.

With my newly found free time, I’ve found time to do all the things that I’ve been putting off for years. I’m experimenting with making sourdough starter and bread. We are starting seeds and expanding our garden this summer. I discovered that there is a shortage of masks for our healthcare professionals, so I’ve been sewing fabric masks so they can extend the life of their disposable masks.

With 4 kids and two working parents, our normal schedule is extremely hectic. A couple of weeks ago, I was complaining to my husband that I couldn’t keep up with the pace of juggling the schedules of all 6 of us and the logistics of driving the kids all over Long Island. I felt like I was on the verge of burnout.

The silver lining in all of this is that we are now all home together and I rarely have to leave the house.

Susan McCormack

Mom working from home and sewing masks for the local hospital

We are doing our best to stay home as much as possible to hopefully get through the Coronavirus crisis sooner rather than later. Thankfully my husband works for the post office and is still fully employed. I am working remotely for my job with the North Shore teacher’s union, but my computer repair house-call business has been temporarily shut down. Financially we are managing for now, but we are watching our expenses as closely as possible.

With my newly found free time, I’ve found time to do all the things that I’ve been putting off for years. I’m experimenting with making sourdough starter and bread. We are starting seeds and expanding our garden this summer. I discovered that there is a shortage of masks for our healthcare professionals, so I’ve been sewing fabric masks so they can extend the life of their disposable masks.

With 4 kids and two working parents, our normal schedule is extremely hectic. A couple of weeks ago, I was complaining to my husband that I couldn’t keep up with the pace of juggling the schedules of all 6 of us and the logistics of driving the kids all over Long Island. I felt like I was on the verge of burnout.

The silver lining in all of this is that we are now all home together and I rarely have to leave the house.

Ron and Cristan

Owners of Soca Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Glen Cove

Well… My schedule for this week consists of petting the cat. Working on the website, disinfecting the house.

Myself and Cristian B. are both Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts under legendary Brazilian World Champion Alexandre “Soca” Freitas. Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has two other locations on Long Island (Wantagh, and West Islip). They also have an affiliation location in Connecticut, and in San Diego.

We were selected by Master Soca to open up a new location. After a long and careful search, we decided to open their new Jiu Jitsu academy in Glen Cove, where Cristian resides. We have occupied the space since December working diligently on making it a beautiful space to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

After a heavy push this past week to make our place pretty enough for it to be website ready, we put together a virtual social distace tour Saturday for our social media and have content ready for use on our website during isolation.

We were really just about ready to open our doors and start conducting classes. Like almost to the day… it was crazy the timing.

Ron and Cristan

Owners of Soca Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Glen Cove

Well… My schedule for this week consists of petting the cat. Working on the website, disinfecting the house.

Myself and Cristian B. are both Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belts under legendary Brazilian World Champion Alexandre “Soca” Freitas. Soca Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has two other locations on Long Island (Wantagh, and West Islip). They also have an affiliation location in Connecticut, and in San Diego.

We were selected by Master Soca to open up a new location. After a long and careful search, we decided to open their new Jiu Jitsu academy in Glen Cove, where Cristian resides. We have occupied the space since December working diligently on making it a beautiful space to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

After a heavy push this past week to make our place pretty enough for it to be website ready, we put together a virtual social distace tour Saturday for our social media and have content ready for use on our website during isolation.

We were really just about ready to open our doors and start conducting classes. Like almost to the day… it was crazy the timing.

Phyllis Fayad

Working from home

Well, I have three small children, one 14-month, 3-years, and one 6-yrs old. My 6-yr-old who goes to St. Mary’s Elementary school is now doing “distance learning” with all of her schoolwork online and weekly “meet ups” with the whole class.

My 14-moth old was sick and we just had a telemedicine appointment online which was crazy. My mom is stuck in the Nursing center in Glen Cove after back surgery so we haven’t been able to see her in a month, maybe two, We have no idea when and we are thinking of taking her out early.

My father is dying to see my children but we are scared to infect him so I bring the kids to play in the backyard so he can watch them from inside the house and talk to them.

And my husband is home all day!!!

I don’t know If we have anything really interesting. I wanted to add that this time has really opened my eyes to all the blessings we have, and everything we to be thankful for. Our community especially!

Phyllis Fayad

Working from home

Well, I have three small children, one 14-month, 3-years, and one 6-yrs old. My 6-yr-old who goes to St. Mary’s Elementary school is now doing “distance learning” with all of her schoolwork online and weekly “meet ups” with the whole class.

My 14-moth old was sick and we just had a telemedicine appointment online which was crazy. My mom is stuck in the Nursing center in Glen Cove after back surgery so we haven’t been able to see her in a month, maybe two, We have no idea when and we are thinking of taking her out early.

My father is dying to see my children but we are scared to infect him so I bring the kids to play in the backyard so he can watch them from inside the house and talk to them.

And my husband is home all day!!!

I don’t know If we have anything really interesting. I wanted to add that this time has really opened my eyes to all the blessings we have, and everything we to be thankful for. Our community especially!

Darla Forgione

Quest Diagnostics

I don’t know if my situation is what you’re looking for. I actually am still working both of my two jobs.

During the day, I work for Quest Diagnostics drawing blood, then head home check on my three boys homeschool learning on the Google classroom website to make sure they are all up to date with assignments, and to make sure my husband didn’t skip a beat, finish up dinner then head back out to my second job which is cleaning doctors offices.

I feel like a chicken with my head cut off, constantly second-guessing myself, I’m sure like everyone else.

Do I go to work and give the helping hand, or stay at home and keep my family healthy and safe?

Darla Forgione

Quest Diagnostics

I don’t know if my situation is what you’re looking for. I actually am still working both of my two jobs.

During the day, I work for Quest Diagnostics drawing blood, then head home check on my three boys homeschool learning on the Google classroom website to make sure they are all up to date with assignments, and to make sure my husband didn’t skip a beat, finish up dinner then head back out to my second job which is cleaning doctors offices.

I feel like a chicken with my head cut off, constantly second-guessing myself, I’m sure like everyone else.

Do I go to work and give the helping hand, or stay at home and keep my family healthy and safe?

Eric Shuman

Activity Coordinator

We have three kids and pets so its been a little challenging at times, but for the most part it hasn’t changed our situation too much. We’re looking at it as a “stay-at-home-vacation”.

We’re lucky to have a decent size yard so the kids and dogs have space to play. We’ve done some serious spring cleaning throughout the entire house, we don’t have cable but we do have the internet for Amazon Prime and Netflix movies and tv shows, played video games,etc. We’ve completed art projects, enjoyed some bike riding, board and card games, we showed our children old pictures and videos of us as kids, had a talent show, a drum circle, karaoke, taught the kids how to do laundry, a lot of landscaping, enjoyed some evening fires with marshmallows, had some zoom meetings with friends and family, played social games over the internet and phone, and enjoyed some delicious homemade meals as well as food from local restaurants.

My wife and I are still working at home the best we can and the kids do their assignments that were sent home from their schools… and I’m lucky to have a bar in my basement.

Eric Shuman

Activity Coordinator

We have three kids and pets so its been a little challenging at times, but for the most part it hasn’t changed our situation too much. We’re looking at it as a “stay-at-home-vacation”.

We’re lucky to have a decent size yard so the kids and dogs have space to play. We’ve done some serious spring cleaning throughout the entire house, we don’t have cable but we do have the internet for Amazon Prime and Netflix movies and tv shows, played video games,etc. We’ve completed art projects, enjoyed some bike riding, board and card games, we showed our children old pictures and videos of us as kids, had a talent show, a drum circle, karaoke, taught the kids how to do laundry, a lot of landscaping, enjoyed some evening fires with marshmallows, had some zoom meetings with friends and family, played social games over the internet and phone, and enjoyed some delicious homemade meals as well as food from local restaurants.

My wife and I are still working at home the best we can and the kids do their assignments that were sent home from their schools… and I’m lucky to have a bar in my basement.

Janine Grech

Stay-at-Home Mom

My story isn’t all that interesting I don’t think. I am a stay-at-home mom so being home is kind of part of the deal. Having my husband and kids home has been interesting.

I am doing my best to maintain a positive attitude and keep things fun and interesting, both for myself and the rest of the family. I am cleaning, cooking and organizing. I am in prep mode, and I find comfort in meal prep and food planning.

My kids are 9 (just had her birthday this Saturday) and 12. They do their school work and we make time a few times in the day to have “recess”. We take breaks as a family to go outside and toss a ball or exercise and walk our dog. Sometimes we go for hikes. We blow bubbles and play with chalk.

My daughter has a friend that moved in across the street. Sometimes they will meet up on either side of the street and toss a ball back and forth. They exchange snail mail and make each other crafts.

At home, I am writing snail mail, coloring and reading. I try to put this all into perspective and share that things could always be worse. I have been deployed to Iraq and we had a water shortage! Can you imagine that in a desert, for the very first time trying to adjust and being short of water?! Now it is laughable but back then it was scary.

We have movie nights, play card games and board games like chess and mancala (my daughters favorite).

My house is small so there is no real “extra” spaces or rooms so my husband works from our kitchen table. It is an adjustment but it’s nice to see him and make sure he is taking care of himself (drinking water, taking breaks etc.)

Janine Grech

Stay-at-Home Mom

My story isn’t all that interesting I don’t think. I am a stay-at-home mom so being home is kind of part of the deal. Having my husband and kids home has been interesting.

I am doing my best to maintain a positive attitude and keep things fun and interesting, both for myself and the rest of the family. I am cleaning, cooking and organizing. I am in prep mode, and I find comfort in meal prep and food planning.

My kids are 9 (just had her birthday this Saturday) and 12. They do their school work and we make time a few times in the day to have “recess”. We take breaks as a family to go outside and toss a ball or exercise and walk our dog. Sometimes we go for hikes. We blow bubbles and play with chalk.

My daughter has a friend that moved in across the street. Sometimes they will meet up on either side of the street and toss a ball back and forth. They exchange snail mail and make each other crafts.

At home, I am writing snail mail, coloring and reading. I try to put this all into perspective and share that things could always be worse. I have been deployed to Iraq and we had a water shortage! Can you imagine that in a desert, for the very first time trying to adjust and being short of water?! Now it is laughable but back then it was scary.

We have movie nights, play card games and board games like chess and mancala (my daughters favorite).

My house is small so there is no real “extra” spaces or rooms so my husband works from our kitchen table. It is an adjustment but it’s nice to see him and make sure he is taking care of himself (drinking water, taking breaks etc.)

Lida Maldonado

Housekeeper

I have 3 kids. Mia is 12, Lia is 6, and Saul 5 months old. I work as housekeeper here in GC, Locust Valley, Bayville and Roslyn. I got canceled last week and this week but thankfully my boyfriend Saul is able to work and provide for the family.

I’ve been able to help more with Lia’s homework, spend more time of course with my family, which is great! This has been negative and positive at the same time.

Lida Maldonado

Housekeeper

I have 3 kids. Mia is 12, Lia is 6, and Saul 5 months old. I work as housekeeper here in GC, Locust Valley, Bayville and Roslyn. I got canceled last week and this week but thankfully my boyfriend Saul is able to work and provide for the family.

I’ve been able to help more with Lia’s homework, spend more time of course with my family, which is great! This has been negative and positive at the same time.

Tommy Lanham

Minister at Glen Cove Christian Church

I am spending more time with my family. I am looking for creative ways to connect with people like through social media and video/telephone conferencing. I am watching Rocky movies and playing board games with my family.

It has made me more aware of people’s need for hope. It has kept me indoors a little more. It has helped me slow down and connect with my family a little tighter.

We have spent more time together. We have used this as an opportunity to teach our kids about sickness, how to deal with a crisis in a healthy, non-panicky way, and about the call of the church to help people in times of need. We are helping our kids understand that sometimes we need to make sacrifices for the betterment of the situation.

As a minister I have had to adjust the way I minister to the church and the community. The church’s leaders and I have utilized live streaming online and other forms of online connection in order to connect our church community with each other. I am doing Facebook Live posts every day to encourage and empower our congregation.

Tommy Lanham

Minister at Glen Cove Christian Church

I am spending more time with my family. I am looking for creative ways to connect with people like through social media and video/telephone conferencing. I am watching Rocky movies and playing board games with my family.

It has made me more aware of people’s need for hope. It has kept me indoors a little more. It has helped me slow down and connect with my family a little tighter.

We have spent more time together. We have used this as an opportunity to teach our kids about sickness, how to deal with a crisis in a healthy, non-panicky way, and about the call of the church to help people in times of need. We are helping our kids understand that sometimes we need to make sacrifices for the betterment of the situation.

As a minister I have had to adjust the way I minister to the church and the community. The church’s leaders and I have utilized live streaming online and other forms of online connection in order to connect our church community with each other. I am doing Facebook Live posts every day to encourage and empower our congregation.

Dr. Stacie Locascio

Chiropractor, BCN

I am a chiropractor so essential at this time but my practice is now Neurofeedback. However, my office is closed out of an abundance of caution. I’m 60 years of age so that puts me in a higher risk category although that’s pretty fluid like everything else about this scourge. I will go in if any of my patients has an emergency or is really anxious and feels a session would help. For most, they don’t want to risk going one more place.

I’ll soon have the capability to do Neurofeedback remotely. So, I’m at home, losing traction in my business every day and losing income of course every day. I’m here with family members so thankfully I’m not alone.

I’m cooking a lot more than usual. I’m grateful that we have what we need for now. My two adult kids are still working as they are considered essential as well. I see them or speak to them often, constantly reminding them to be careful, wash their hands, etc.

I am a little anxious about the supplies of disinfectants sprays and wipes for now. The price gouging and hoarding is disheartening. People who have to buy what they need at the time are left to search for what they need.

As I say often, character is not formed in a crisis, but it is displayed there. This is certainly that crisis.

Dr. Stacie Locascio

Chiropractor, BCN

I am a chiropractor so essential at this time but my practice is now Neurofeedback. However, my office is closed out of an abundance of caution. I’m 60 years of age so that puts me in a higher risk category although that’s pretty fluid like everything else about this scourge. I will go in if any of my patients has an emergency or is really anxious and feels a session would help. For most, they don’t want to risk going one more place.

I’ll soon have the capability to do Neurofeedback remotely. So, I’m at home, losing traction in my business every day and losing income of course every day. I’m here with family members so thankfully I’m not alone.

I’m cooking a lot more than usual. I’m grateful that we have what we need for now. My two adult kids are still working as they are considered essential as well. I see them or speak to them often, constantly reminding them to be careful, wash their hands, etc.

I am a little anxious about the supplies of disinfectants sprays and wipes for now. The price gouging and hoarding is disheartening. People who have to buy what they need at the time are left to search for what they need.

As I say often, character is not formed in a crisis, but it is displayed there. This is certainly that crisis.

Mo Nika Stauff

School Employee

I worry everyday about getting this virus. It scares me.

Hi, my name is Monika. I have lived in Glen Cove since I was 8, moved away for a while and been back here to raise my kids and be close to my parents house for the past 5 years. I am separated but my ex still lives with us for the kids.

When I first heard about the coronavirus breaking out in Wuhan, I felt bad for the people over in China. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would come here. Well here it is March of 2020 and corona has hit NY.

I work at the Glen Cove Middle school as a 1-1 monitor. My kids, 16 and 8, go to Connolly and the High school. The last week we were in school it literally felt like the twilight zone. There were over 150 kids out of school and more leaving throughout the day. Me and my co-workers during breaks would sit around and discuss how this could possibly turn out. We weren’t sure about our jobs, if they were going to close the schools, people all around us were panicking and buying out the supermarkets. It literally was a nut house!

When I got the call that they were closing all Nassau county schools for two weeks, I was a little relived but also nervous. I kept thinking this has to be extremely serious for them to close the schools! My kids were happy but I assured them that even though we are home, it’s not a vacation we still have homeschooling to do.

Now my ex… he works in HVAC and he works mainly in the city. He is still going to work each day! He works in large buildings, even hospitals. So that worries me because I feel if anyone is going to get it it will be him and then he will bring it home.

Because I don’t have the best immune system, I’m a diabetic, and if I get this it could affect me worse than someone who is healthy.

My parents still live here in Glen Cove also, and my father has a lot of health issues and he is nervous. My father doesn’t usually get nervous about anything but he is very nervous and will only leave the house to go for a walk. Other than that he’s home bound.

I just had found out my brother who works in a hospital and has worked in this particular hospital for over 12 years just got diagnosed with the virus. I feel really bad for him, but he is in good health and good spirits and we are all praying that he will recover from this.

Being stuck at home has been hard. The only time I get out of the house is to go food shopping and I need to shop at least once a week. Occasionally, if I forget something, I’ll run back and get what I need. But I am scared, it’s hard to not read what on social media and try not to believe everything you hear. But it does worry me that this is only the beginning and it will get worse and we will be in lock down like Italy.

My kids are starting to drive me crazy, but I have to be strong for them. I don’t know if we will be going back to school, and that worries me even more because if they do close school for the rest of the year, which Deblasio is saying, what happens with my job? I need my job I need to make money, I am being paid for now but that can all change!

This is a crazy life we are living right now and I never thought about what it could do to us if something like this happened, but it’s happening and we are trying to be strong and take everything day by day.

With Passover coming up, we were supposed to go to my parents for the first Sedar, but because of this we won’t be able to, instead we are doing a Zoom Sedar with all our family. This is what our life and socializing has come to… using technology to visit with family.