Faces of Lockdowns (Part 2)
Amelia Janaskie
Jenin Younes
Taleed Brown
– February 1, 2021 Reading Time: 2 minutes

AIER >> Daily Economy >> Video >> Media >> Authoritarianism


While data, statistics, historical allusions, and appeals to morality all demonstrate the disastrous nature of lockdowns, none show the devastation as vividly as personal stories from those suffering the most. In the second part of this series, we continue our interviews with working New Yorkers and found the situation to be just as suspected: businesses on the brink of shutting down for good, students struggling to learn, and unmatched frustration.

Since March 2020, New York City has faced a constant back and forth of new and revised Covid-19 regulations. Although these policies initially appear helpful in Covid mitigation, they are not only ineffective but extremely harmful to people and their livelihoods. The anecdotal videos below provide a glimpse into some of the struggles of average New Yorkers.

While the individuals interviewed are understandably frustrated, they all exude perseverance, strength, and – above all – hope.

Jaclyn

Jaclyn, a born and raised Brooklyn New Yorker, remains “New York tough” in the face of lockdowns. Having grown up on food stamps, Jaclyn knows what it means to struggle. But she also understands the invigoration of successful perseverance against all odds, working hard to become a corporate event planner and CEO of her own company soon after college. However, after a wave of event cancellations at the end of February 2020, Jaclyn’s company organized only two events between then and December – a massive blow to her otherwise lively business. Her profession is more than a job or career: it’s her life. Yet, lockdowns threaten it.-- excerpt, rest at link above --