An Everyday Person’s Take on COVID-19

Interviewing everyday people to understand their views on the pandemic as a whole.

In this assignment I interviewed my family members as well as my boyfriend. I received good answers to my questions and a lot of different feedback.

Reporter

Runtime: 3:19:00

Lead: TODAY WE WILL BE EXPLORING AN EVERYDAY PERSON’S TAKE ON COVID-19 

Reporter: THAT’S RIGHT… SOME UNITED STATES CITIZENS ARE REACTING TO THIS PANDEMIC DIFFERENTLY. HOWEVER, MOST PEOPLE WOULD SAY THE PANDEMIC IS NEGATIVELEY AFFECTING THEIR DAY TO DAY LIFE. 

MOST BUISNESS ARE CLOSED OR OPEN BUT MODIFIED. MANY RESTUARENTS ARE ONLY OPEN FOR TAKEOUT AND DELIVERY. EVERYONE SHOULD TRY TO SUPPORT THEIR LOCAL RESTURANTS SO THEY DON’T GO OUT OF BUISNESS. 

MOST DOCTORS OFFICES ARE STILL OPEN WITH SOME DEPARTMENTS USING TELEHEALTH IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR THEIR PATIENTS BUT ALSO REDUCE PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT. CAROL BURKE IS MY MOTHER WHO IS EMPLOYED AT DEDHAM MEDICAL AND IS STILL GOING INTO WORK EVERYDAY. HOWEVER, SHE SAYS HER OFFICE HAS PUT PERCAUTIONS IN TO PLACE BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING REDUCING THE WORKFORCE. 

SOT: “So we have a lot of PPE, which is personal protective equipment; so, we have masks and gloves. We are not seeing that many patients and we’re definitely not seeing anyone that is sick, so we don’t need the gowns and the rest of that stuff. So, we’re just wearing the masks and the gloves. They have had to furlough a lot of people so there are only a couple of us left seeing those emergency patients.”

Reporter: PEOPLE WHO ARE RETIRED ARE GENERALLY LESS AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE OF AN ABILITY TO STAY HOME. EILEEN BURKE HAS BEEN REITRED FOR MANY YEARS WHICH ALLOWS HER TO STAY INDOORS MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE STILL WORKING. EVEN THOUGH SHE STAYS INSIDE DAILY, THERE ARE STILL PERCAUTIONS PLACED. FOR EXAMPLE, CLEANING THE HOUSE MORE DILIGENTLY.

SOT: “I wash my hands frequently, probable more so than I usually do. I am very careful about wiping down the whole house; doorknobs, faucets, anything that has been touched by human hands. I wipe down carefully with Lysol wipes at the beginning and at the end of each day.” 

Reporter: THE MILITARY HAS PUT MANY PERCAUTIONS INTO AFFECT AS WELL TO PROTECT THE TROOPS. MATT MOREAU WHO IS A UNITED STATES MARINE JUST RECENTLY RETURNED HOME FROM INFANTRY TRAINING IN NORTH CAROLINA. MOREAU EXPLAINED WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE ON THE MILITARY BASE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. 

SOT: “The military put in several precautions due to the Corona Virus. These precautions were moving our racks six feet apart, having the base go into Code Bravo meaning only military personnel on and off the base, and having a travel ban on military troops.” 

Reporter: THERE ARE MANY DIFFEREING OPINIONS ON HOW LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS HANDLED THIS PANDEMIC. TIMMOTHY BURKE SAYS HE APPROVES OF THE WAY THE GOVERNEMNT IS DEALING WITH THIS CRISIS.

SOT: “Our local government is doing very well, Charlie Baker has done an excellent job, and our mayor of Boston is doing great! They are working together which is the way to go.” 

SOC: “FOR SEAHAWK RADIO, IM KATIE BURKE. THANKS FOR TUNING IN! STAY SAFE!”