“I hope people will have a new appreciation for their freedoms and cherish them.”

What are your fears and/or concerns right now?

Beyond the primal fears, like not being able to protect my family, I’m afraid that the federal government’s inept, ignorant, corrupt response to this crisis is going to result in the dissolution of the United States. I’m certain that the denial of facts and the lack of leadership from the White House have already resulted in thousands more deaths than would have occurred if we had a competent, rational president who believed in science and listened to his advisors.

What have you learned from living this new normal?

I've learned that I'm not as much of an introvert as I thought I was – I miss people!

Do you think anything positive will come from all of this?

I've seen many positive things happening already. My hope is that this crisis will help people realize how lopsided our society is – how many people are vulnerable and live on the edge of survival – and that we will join together and take decisive action to right these wrongs. I hope people will have a new appreciation for their freedoms and cherish them rather than take them for granted. I’d like to add how grateful I am for all the artists of the world right now. The musicians, the filmmakers, the painters, the poets, the writers who can take you away to another time or a different world. This would be unbearable without them.

READ THE STORIES

Click on any of the images below to learn more about what's on the minds of fellow Richmonders. From the pandemic to protests, our community has traveled through months of uncertainty, introspection and reflection. Sharing stories gives us an opportunity to learn, connect and grow with one another in the hopes of cultivating a more compassionate, open-minded and empathetic city to live in.