Viewpoints: Life in a Time of Health Emergency in Northern Virginia
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Viewpoints: Life in a Time of Health Emergency in Northern Virginia

Saturday, March 28, 2020

The Connection asked two questions of people met in area parks this week: “How is the health emergency impacting you?” and “What positive have you noticed during these changed times?”

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Walter Nockett, portfolio manager, Alexandria: “Working from home, which we had not done before. {Our] business is based on face to face interaction, but transition has been seamless. Like being able to separate from work and have more time for walks with the dog.”

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Karin Drinkhall, new mother, Springfield: “I was already isolating and on leave, having a newborn with having to build up her immune system. So I’m a little paranoid, like a lot of people. Not really seeing any positives.”

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Michael Crossin, systems engineer, Dumfries: “Now on mandatory work from home, but otherwise not much has changed. More family time and neighborhood coming together to help each other, and the school system providing meals for those who need them

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Heather Filipunas, surgical dental assistant, Lorton: “Surgical procedures are on hold except for emergencies. Hours at work are cut back which leads to stress and the worry of how you're going to pay your bills; it brings financial burdens to families. I have more family time at home. The most likely one to bring it [the virus] home would be me, so it’s keeping me [taking precautions] from catching it and giving it to my family.”

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Danny Reighard, graphics designer, Alexandria: “Working from home now, but other than that not much effect. More time to go for walks outdoors and exercise."

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Chuck Dereck, Retired Environmental Engineer, Fairfax Station, and wife Joan: “We had a number of planned trips cancelled, and can’t go to the gym every day. Can’t go to brew pubs. Can’t go back to finish dental work.” Joan added, “Yard looks amazing with gardening hours every day; our relationship with the little girl next door who comes over to read, and bake, and play cards while her mom works at home; and time for watching movies every night.”

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Photo by Susan Laume/The Connection

Terri Everett, registered nurse anesthesiologist, Alexandria: “Educating people about social awareness and how serious this is. We think about bad things, but people mean the most and we want to keep them safe.”

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