March 19 marks two years since the state first issued shelter-in-place orders as the coronavirus pandemic took hold. The day marked a turning point in the lives of all San Diegans.
So much is different than it was just two years ago. Families have been forever changed by the loss of a loved one. Thousands lost jobs, and for some the loss of income meant also losing their home. Essential workers became the lifeblood of the community, connecting people to food, basic needs and in some cases, human interaction. Social isolation and mental health challenges increased. Businesses shut their doors, sometimes for good. School became virtual, forcing parents and caregivers to make hard adjustments to help their children continue to learn. And Zoom became a household name for people fortunate enough to be able to work from home.
As some San Diegans start taking off their masks and return to a life that looks more like it did before we knew what COVID-19 was, we want to know, what have you learned over the last two years?
How is your life different now than it was before March 2020? What have you lost? What have you gained? What changes have you made? Did you lose a loved one? Did you lose a job? Were you part of the “Great Resignation?”
Your pandemic story may be included in upcoming reporting on how San Diegans’ lives have been changed by COVID-19.
