Stories of COVID™

Self-Interview of Veronica Kirin, anthropologist, author, entrepreneur and creator of Stories of COVID. 

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

A.D.

Alexandra Edwards

Trey Darley

Cam Omlid

Kayleigh Gustkey

M.

Diane Marie Vich

Chris Evans

Leanna Pelham

Dr. Jordan VanHemert

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Lois F. Stark

Shani Levi Mendel

Bryan Kidd

B. Petkovic

Rae

Albi

Dean Eskich

Jenny Grant

Alex Lee

Erica R. Wexler

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Marc Antoine

Charlotte Common

Patrick Driscoll

Benjamin Ripley

Matias Jose

Donnie Cianciotto

Jelena Marjanovic

Katie L. Eades

Kelly Duggan

Deanna Figurito

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Areti Giorgili

Helena Roth

Joshua Armistead Wood

Luke Kujacznski

Kiefer

Bishwas Sharma

Monicka Clio Sakki

Connie Wilder

Max Masure

Daniel Nilsson

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.  (CW: Suicide)

Participants included in this episode are:

Miss Texas 1988

Dana Sumpter

JR Muller

Kirsten Back

Carlos Estrada

Maira Folia

Esha Herbert Davis

Seth Getz (CW: Suicide)

Nadya

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Barbara Gaines Kenyon

Emily Wilkins

Sissy Tzelepidou

Joseph Trodden

Gorett Reis

James Allen

Dr. Olga Alexandrou

Filip Ballesteros

Joyce van der Lely

Dexter Dakota

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Leah Carey

Steven Lewis

Lauren Dragicevich

Tara Brooke

Christina Alexandrou

Dan Snow

Aaron Hollister

Erica Abe

Philomena Mantella

Dori DeCarlo

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Julia Nussbaum

James E. Pete, DBA

Adele Jones

Rianne Olde Keizer

Sam Berkrot

F.

Wanxiu Chen

Engel Jones

Ebun Feludu

Prof. Marcus Wolfe

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Johnny King

Kim Roach

Leo Souza

Tess Challis

Greg S. Reid

Niki Alexandrou

Bitten Munck Laholm

Lucy Shair

R.

Cassaundra Wolf

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

R. had been deployed to Puerto Rico by his agency when news of the virus came out.  As an essential worker, his risk of contracting the virus was high, and indeed he ended upcontracting the virus.  He shares his experience with COVID-19 as well as the challenges it posed for his work and home life  Interviewed 4 June 2020.  Learn more about leaving a story for future generations at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants leave for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heartfelt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Soyela Shafer

Tara

Lisa Berg

Elayna Fernandez

Michael Giorgi

Saswat Kumar Panda

Will Zemp

Ivan Silva

Benjamin McClintick

Chris Spurvey

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants are providing for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heart felt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Dr. Grace Lee

Pumla Maswanganyi

Jane Wu

Geny Martinez

Emma Harris

Mário Ribeiro Alves

Tony Gebhard

Chad Zemp

Ange H.

Mariam Nusrat

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Chad Zemp is an English teacher living in Loja, Ecuador.  As schools closed, he became concerned for his income, but found that online courses were enough to make ends meet.  From his balcony in Loja he has observed changes in the neighborhood.  The homeless no longer stand on the corner, but go door to door — there aren't enough people out and about, anymore, for them to make ends meet.  And the neighbors have created a system for asking for help, using red flags on their doors.  Chad gives as he can.   Interviewed 14 May 2020.

Learn more about leaving a story for future generations at https://storiesofcovid.co

Tony Gebhard is sheltering with his family in Southern Michigan while COVID-19 passes.  His opinion at the time of the interview is that we ought to be striving toward herd immunity, that to shelter and quarantine is damaging to society and the economy.  Still, he draws on the positive aspects of the use to tech and familial closeness that is derived from the necessary precautions.  Interviewed 13 May 2020.

Learn more about contributing to future generations at https://storiesofcovid.co

Mário Ribeiro Alves is a startup leader in Porto, Portugal.  He has observed the pandemic from the standpoint of travel, business, and personal safety.  In this episode he describes the precautions he has taken for himself and his business, and the status of Portugal's response to the pandemic.  Interviewed 13 May 2020.

Learn more about leaving a legacy at https://storiesofcovid.co

Emma Harris was living in Loja, Ecuador, when news of COVID-19 reached her school.  As the school shut down, she had to make a decision:  Stay in Ecuador, or fly home to the UK during a time that the public was unsure of the ramifications of being in small confined spaces for long periods of time.  Emma chose to fly home, and in this episode, describes the precautions taken by each country in transit.  Interviewed 12 May 2020.

Learn more about preserving history for future generations and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Geny Martinez lives in rural New Jersey.  She joked in our interview that there are more cows than humans in the county, though that hasn't been accurate for some time.  Still, the population density there is affecting how the pandemic plays out.  In this interview, Geny gets raw about the experience of her family and medical needs during a time when hospitals are hot spots for the virus.  Interviewed on 7 May 2020.

Learn more about the book and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Jane Wu lives in the Bay Area (San Francisco, CA), but is originally from a suburb of Wuhan, China.  She heard about COVID-19 early in December as her family started taking precautions.  Soon, Wuhan and its surrounding region shut down, and she was concerned for her family after they had traveled for the Chinese New Year.   She began urging her American colleagues to take safety precautions, knowing that the pandemic was bigger than what the USA yet knew.

Jane's work in the US is within AI and machine learning.  At the end of our interview she explains how AI is playing a role in the pandemic by making hospitals more efficient and sequencing the virus for better treatment.  Interviewed 7 May 2020.

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Pumla Maswanganyi lives in South Africa.  She travels all over the world as an advisor and strategist.  At first, it seemed her career was over, as COVID shut down airports and events.  Soon it became clear that, while she was experiencing opportunity loss, she remained in a place of privilege due to most of her work and network being online and overseas.  In this episode, Pumla discusses an alternative way to view the pandemic, and how we can leverage it to make lasting change for generations to come.  Interviewed 7 May 2020.

Learn more and sign up for an interview to leave a footprint for future generations at https://storiesofcovid.co

Dr. Grace Lee lives in Vancouver, Canada.  She heard about COVID-19 in its earliest days due to her family in Hong Kong.  As the pandemic has evolved, she began to wonder what was really happening.  In this episode, Dr. Lee describes what she has learned about 5G and how it has changed her behavior during the pandemic.  Interviewed 6 May 2020.

Learn more about preserving history as it happens and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Every ten episodes I publish a bonus episode highlighting the final messages participants are providing for future generations, as the purpose of this book is to both document this era for posterity and to share the lessons we've learned so they aren't lost.  These bonus episodes are heart felt and tender, as participants think to the future and send their hopes to those we'll never meet.

Participants included in this episode are:

Learn more about the project and sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

Jason Schemmel lives in Michigan.  He found himself in a fortunate situation when the pandemic hit — he had a new job that came with a raise, and his wife had just given birth and was still on her leave of absence.  Thanks to the pandemic, he has had more time with his newborn daughter, and his role at work as a social media manager has grown exponentially with the online market explosion.  In this episode, Jason remembers what it was like to hear about the virus back in January, how it has evolved in his life, his observation of Operation Gridlock (the armed protests at state capitals nationwide), and his gratitude for healthcare workers.  Interviewed 4 May 2020.

Learn more about the project and be interviewed for a book that documents this pandemic for future generations here:  https://storiesofcovid.co

Gina Giordano of Austin, Texas, is cofounder of Doula Training International and Born Into This.  Her work is in training doulas across the world to support women as they give birth.  The pandemic and need for social distancing has altered what doula work can look like.  In this episode, Gina reflects on these restrictions and the advocacy for doulas both as legitimate healthcare providers and for their own self care.  Interviewed 4 May 2020.

Learn more about the project and sign up to leave a legacy at https://storiesofcovid.co

Sneha lives in Kathmandu, Nepal.  The Coronavirus first came on the scene during the Nepali new year.  Though the government and community were cautious, they still were unaware just how transmittable the virus is.  At the time of her interview, schools were closed and transitioning to online classes.  Sneha has concern for students in areas of the country that aren't wired enough to take advantage of online classes — will they fall behind?  Interviewed 30 April 2020.

Future generations will only know what we leave behind.  Sign up for an interview to give them the best chance at carrying forward the lessons we are learning today:  https://storiesofcovid.co

Kirsten Zeiter lives in Washington DC.  She traveled frequently during the early days of the coronavirus, witnessing international attitudes and policies toward the virus.  On her last trip, she reflects that, before they left, to have considered canceling seemed ludicrous, but upon their return, national attitudes had changed and travel had changed to reckless.  Kirsten also tells the story of her friend's wedding cancelation, and how people have moved during the pandemic for safety and support.  Interviewed 28 April 2020.

Preserve this historic event for future generations.  Sign up for an interview at https://storiesofcovid.co

I interviewed Chris Day on April 28, 2020.  In this interview, she describes how being an expat from the United States has created a sense of survivor's guilt while she lives in security in beautiful Costa Rica.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Sophie Edwards interviewed on April 28, 2020.  At that point, Toronto was a ghost town.  In this interview, Sophie describes a vision of the empty streets as she realized that COVID-19 was getting really bad.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Eric Z lives in Northern Germany.  He is very concerned about the disinformation and conspiracy theories emerging across media and forums.  Eric draws our attention to the larger issue of our rights.  While we are distracted by the virus, what laws are being passed that will create sweeping and permanent change once life finds its pace again? Interviewed on 23 April 2020.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Landon Mabe was at Rice University in his senior year when COVID-19 disrupted our lives.  He had graduation plans, expectations, and goals, all of which were derailed within one week as Rice shut down.  In this heartfelt episode, listen to the story of a rite of passage being disrupted, and consider how it fits with previous episodes. Interviewed 23 April 2020.

Learn more, schedule an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Sarah Farbman was teaching english in Ecuador when the virus was first announced.  She and her partner then had to make a series of decisions around travel and locality to keep each other safe.  Ultimately, they chose to fly to the United States to stay with family.  In this episode we hear how South American countries began dealing with the pandemic and how clear disparities are becoming.  Interviewed 22 April 2020.

To learn more, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers go to https://storiesofcovid.co

Pamela Watson lives in London, UK.  She traveled to Australia for a nation-wide book tour just after the UK launch as COVID-19 was ramping up.  One by one, her events were canceled, and the state borders began closing while she and her partner were traveling between events.  They made the quick decision to turn around and barely made it back to Perth in time for shelter in place to go into effect.  Along the way, they saw the attitudes of people change from welcoming to xenophobic.  Pamela describes this adventure as well as the decision to host the remotest book launch in the world in this episode.  Interviewed 22 April 2020.

Watch the book launch (and the road train / truck nearly blow Pamela over) here:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3577392625669274 

Buy Pamela's Books here:  https://pamelawatson.com/books/ 

Learn more, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co  

I end each interview with the same question:  Knowing that books outlive us, what message do you want future generations to have about this time?  The answers are saved for these special bonus episodes.  They are thoughtful, uplifting, and apt.  Enjoy.

Participants quoted:
Anthoney Pavelich
Viktor Fonic
Amy Thome
Natalia Mok
Hunt Walker
Dianna McNary
Mustakim Hasan
Meghan Bunchman
Megan Sanchez
Nelson Cooper

Nelson Cooper is a resident of San Francisco, but was on an extended trip across Asia when COVID-19 began its spread.  As the news hit, he went from one country to another, wondering if he was safe, how bad it was, and what he should do next.  One day things were fine, the next day they weren't, and he saw it over and over.  Finally, in Bali, he had to make a decision:  return to San Francisco where things looked grim and he'd be without health insurance, or stay in Bali, away from loved ones and without access to specialized medical care. Interviewed 21 April 2020.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

This episode's title is taken from a hilarious story told during this interview.  Megan Sanchez lives in Washington, DC.  She had been in quarantine for five weeks at the time of the interview.  Sanchez honestly shares how the pandemic, quarantine, and the shifting landscape of her work has affected her and her husband.  Interviewed 21 April 2020.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Mustakim Hasan lives in Bangladesh.  He owns two businesses, one of which is shut down and the other which is waning.  He has chosen to continue to pay his employees despite the lack of cash flow to help stem the economic cascade due to the pandemic.  As he speaks, he conveys the frustration and fear that he is experiencing, as we don't know when this will end or when we'll be safe again.  Interviewed 20 April 2020.

Learn more, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Hunt Walker lives near Aspen, Colorado.  He traveled early in the pandemic, not realizing its potential effects.  During this interview, he conveys how unusual the pandemic is in that many of us don't remember when we first heard about it, unlike other seminole events of our lives.  He goes on to convey the emotional toll it is having on him, despite his being financially and physically secure.  Interviewed 16 April 2020.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co 

Diane McNary lives in Slovakia.  She works primarily with the Roma people, a group that has historically been discriminated against.  Earlier in their work together, the group Diane works with asked to learn to sew.  Diane and her team thought at the time that sewing would be useful for daily life, and that was all.  But as COVID-19 entered their lives, their sewing skills took on a new life, that of creating masks for the rest of the region.  Through their efforts, the group that Diane works with has received outreach and kindness in ways never before seen.  Interviewed 16 April 2020.

If you would like to support their mask making efforts, go to: https://www.classy.org/campaign/dianne-and-shane-mcnary/c101655 

To learn more about Stories of COVID™, to sign up for an interview, or to support healthcare workers, go to:  https://storiesofcovid.co

Natalia was in Guangzhou, China, when the first news of the virus released.  For a time, she wasn't sure what was real.  The media in China wasn't revealing what was happening in Wuhan, and she was getting second hand reports from friends abroad.  Finally, Wuhan locked down, and Natalia knew things were very serious.  She chose to fly to Malaysia for the duration of the pandemic, where she felt safer to weather the storm.  Interviewed 15 April 2020.

Learn more, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Amy Thome is a digital nomad and world traveler.  The lockdown hasn't affected her work very much, as she has been working remote for four years, but the halt in travel has.  She left for Bali only days after she learned about COVID-19, and fell ill while abroad.  In this episode she conveys the lessons she has learned from the pandemic, both of herself and of the world.  Interviewed 14 April 2020.

Learn more, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co 

Viktor Fonić is a digital nomad and entrepreneur.  He found himself in Serbia onboarding a new employee when the pandemic hit Italy, nearby.  As things got worse, he realized he would need to get home to Croatia so he wouldn't be trapped alone in a foreign country.  That decision came nearly too late.  His flight got delayed twice, then canceled, and busses ceased to operate across borders.  He was left with one option — walk across the border.  Interviewed 14 April 2020.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Anthoney Pavelich lives in Mississauga, Canada, but much of his family is located in the United States.  He worries about getting to them if they were to get ill.  Anthoney also shares what life is like to be working from home with a partner, and how we can learn from the frustrations of instant gratification no longer being available to us.  Interviewed 13 April 2020.

Learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support healthcare workers at https://storiesofcovid.co

Each interview is defined by a specific set of questions so they remain consistent.  I always end by asking what final words they wish to impart on the generations that will read the Stories of COVID™ book — likely people who will be born long after we're gone.  These messages don't make it into the regular episodes, and so every 10th episode is a bonus episode with these special messages from the previous ten participants.

They are:

Ned Gould

David Tiesma

Mershon Niesner

Gregory V. Diehl

Adam Hallett

Carol Wilson-Tiesma

Joanna Dreiling

David Astudillo

Lauren Kay Wyatt

To learn more about the project, sign up for an interview, and support frontline workers, go to https://storiesofcovid.co