Jack, Saginaw

Storyteller: Jessica Thompson

“I found myself unemployed, like so many others. Initially, I thought unemployment was going to be the most detrimental aspect of the pandemic. I worked hard to build my business. Truly the hardest part about it is not being able to be with your loved ones.” Jack stated, when asked about the Corona virus pandemic. Jack is a contractor, working in homes or businesses to complete repairs or remodels. The Governor had issued stay at home orders, mask mandating was put into place, and a lot of uncertainty was in the air. “I saw the news talking about this virus. It seemed like it was no different than the flu. Why all the commotion for the flu?” As time went on, Jack learned it was not just as simple as a flu. Although he was never personally sick with the Corona virus, he knew a few people that had gotten sick. Thankfully, they were all able to recover. The biggest impact he felt during the pandemic was not being able to provide a traditional funeral for his father, who passed away from non-Covid related issues. “It makes my father’s passing feel unreal, we weren’t able to have that closure.”  He states. “I just keep waiting for him to come around the corner or see him sitting in his recliner. Wouldn’t that be great? “This entire pandemic has brought up a lot of uncertainty and fear, but it has also allowed him the time to spend at home and work on some of his own projects around the house. He has been reminded to appreciate the little things in life, because they can be taken away at any time. Until this point, he had never put that much thought into just how easy disease can spread. Maybe we are more closely linked then we realize. Perhaps the old saying is true, it’s a small world!