Today I am interviewing Elizabeth Gilson, a 34-year old New Yorker who lives in Buffalo. She tells us about life in New York amidst the corona-crisis.
Did you ever expect a virus like this could have such a massive impact on the United States, let alone the state of New York?
Never in a million years could I have imagined that a virus that came all the way from China, would have such a big impact on all of us. People are afraid and so am I. Especially because we don’t know when or how it’s going to end, that there’s no vaccine yet concerns us even more.
How do people deal with it in Buffalo?
People seem to be respecting the rules. They keep their distance, don’t meet up with friends… But of course there are people who can’t still meet up, and throw parties. I just hope they realize that this is serious. Everyone wants to go back to their normal lives, but I think the more we respect the rules, the sooner we can all go back to what life was before corona.
How are you dealing with it?
I can work from home, thankfully and I do my groceries about once a week, because I try to avoid grocery stores as much as possible. Sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind, especially because we don’t know when it is going to end…
Do you feel that your city/state deals with the pandemic well enough?
I think they are definitely trying to do so, considering that the state of New York has been the biggest victim in all of the States. We are even leading globally with most cases and people who have passed away and that is just very sad to think of. The other day I read an article that stated: “Coronavirus is now the leading cause of death in the U.S.”. That was really scary to read.
Are you happy with how your president is dealing with it?
I’ve never been happy with how “our” president is dealing with a lot of stuff. I think that the outbreak of the coronavirus, during Trump’s presidency, couldn’t have come at a worst timing. If it would’ve been during Obama’s presidency, things would have looked very different. Trump only cares about the economy, not about the Americans.
Journalist: Nikita Vanfroyenhoven
Taalredacteurs: Angélique Del Villar en Marika Temmerman