“The pandemic hit the gig worker very hard. Normally, as a magician, I would be wrapping up a busy season of magic shows for parties. But no parties means no need for entertainment. “I usually perform for the Houston Children’s Museum and for private children’s … Continue readingMagician adapts to online shows during pandemic
“When the initial shutdown began in mid-March, I was seven months pregnant, and my sister was due to deliver her first baby any day. It was a time full of excitement, of course, but also a lot of uncertainty — the uncertainty of what was … Continue readingFirst-time mom performs balancing act in pandemic
“When my husband and I walked into labor and delivery, I knew our lives were about to change forever. But I had no idea the world would be shut down when we left the hospital with our girl. “Sloane Pepper was born on March 16 … Continue readingShe’s raising her first baby during pandemic
“It was a couple months after hearing of the coronavirus that I really began to sit up and take notice. The case numbers kept rising. Worse than that, the death numbers were rising at an alarming rate. I’ve been retired 17 years, so I’m used … Continue readingStaying safe during pandemic ‘not just about you’
“The pandemic has made a lot of families change the way they see or do things. As a family to a medically complex child, we haven’t had to change much in our regular routine or way of life. To protect Owen since he was born … Continue readingProtecting Owen No. 1 goal during pandemic
“The biggest challenge for me has been having to stay indoors and only going out when needed. I’m a very social person. I love to interact with people and experience things with friends like new restaurants and concerts. But I have grown to like time … Continue readingPandemic good time for self-reflection
“I tested negative for COVID-19 on Oct. 5. Four days later, I tested positive. I went to the ER once, but was sent home with steroids and Albuterol, and was told to buy a nebulizer. I continued to get worse with a fever, cough and … Continue reading‘Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever feel normal again’
“The year of coronavirus has been an emotional roller coaster. Beginning with fear and months-long precautions, to limiting outings and physical contact with family, to acceptance of the new reality, to the hope for an end to it and a better future. My mood has … Continue readingGratitude for the little things helps in 2020
“My biggest challenge of 2020 was becoming more stagnant in all the ways. After the initial excitement of an at-home staycation began to wear off, I became kind of lazy. I always thought if I had free time to do things that I wanted to … Continue reading‘A life of joy can be achieved’
(Kurt Grevenberg is a native New Yorker who permanently settled in Baytown in 2015. In this essay, he reflects on the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on his former home, friends and family.) It was late September 2001 in New York City. For the first time in … Continue reading‘I worry if I’ll have to say goodbye to more loved ones’