Community Diary Response from Genine B.
2020-04-28 / B., Genine
Entry into the Community Diary. Includes color photo of meatballs.
~ B., Genine, “Community Diary Response from Genine B.,” Portsmouth Public Library's Online Archives, accessed October 15, 2024, https://portsmouthexhibits.org/items/show/2415.
Full Item Record
Dublin Core
Title
Community Diary Response from Genine B.
Subject
COVID-19 (Disease)
Diaries
Portsmouth (N.H.)
Description
Entry into the Community Diary. Includes color photo of meatballs.
Creator
B., Genine
Source
Community Diary: Portsmouth Covid-19 Pandemic 2020
Publisher
Portsmouth Public Library, Special Collections
Date
2020-04-28
Rights
Format
PDF
JPG
Language
eng
Type
Text
StillImage
Identifier
PPL-MS: 2020.4.001
Diary Item Type Metadata
Tell us a bit about your situation during this time period (employed / remote learning / caring for loved ones / sick / quarantined / etc.)
"Currently, I am one of the many furloughed workers facing an uncertain future. Before the pandemic and the subsequent shutdown, I was working in kitchens as a cook.
"During the shutdown, I turned back to toymaking. Sewing has been a hobby of mine for a long time, and I hand stitch everything. I sell my toys at Good Juju in Newmarket, they're a wonderful small business that focuses on local artisans."
"During the shutdown, I turned back to toymaking. Sewing has been a hobby of mine for a long time, and I hand stitch everything. I sell my toys at Good Juju in Newmarket, they're a wonderful small business that focuses on local artisans."
What memory of this time do you think will stay with you?
"The capacity for human kindness. I have seen a lot of ugliness too, but I will remember the small acts of kindness."
Has this experience changed you? If so, how?
"Yes, but for the better. It's made me do a lot of introspective work. I've become more aware of the things around me, and a lot more grateful too. It's also challenged me to refocus my energy and my career plan. While at times it has frustrated me, I am thankful for the closeness I have found with my partner as well as myself. Most importantly, it has brought me back to Buddhist teachings."
What has been the most challenging part of this experience?
"Honestly, it has been the uncertainty. While I hold a small hope that things can return to some normalcy, I have found myself angry and, at times, hopeless. The lack of care from federal and state governments has been frustrating. The five weeks of no payment has been difficult, along with the knowledge that the path to recovery will be a long and laborious process.
"The most treacherous part is the road ahead, and I, like many, have worried if there will be a job to come back to once this is over. I also live in a state heavily dependent on tourism, which is a concern - not just to the health of everyone in my state, but in the long term. "
"The most treacherous part is the road ahead, and I, like many, have worried if there will be a job to come back to once this is over. I also live in a state heavily dependent on tourism, which is a concern - not just to the health of everyone in my state, but in the long term. "