Anonymous, 17 – Hamden, CT

America has never had a good track record when it comes down to how we are treated. America was built on white supremacy, patriarchy, racial inequities, gender inequalities and socioeconomic inequalities. The Coronavirus pandemic has become once again another outlet to show how poorly the country treats their people. 

It has been about 6 six weeks since we have begun our national shutdown. Many have lost their jobs and their loved ones. Over 7 million people have filed for unemployment and have been waiting weeks for their claims to be approved. Many minorities work minimum wage jobs and slave their days away in order to make ends meet for them and their families. Although the unemployment offices have been trying their best to provide us with funds this situation once again shows the flaws of America. Many people are scrapping up money in order to afford to pay their bills and put food on the table. Weeks after unemployment gets back to you you receive your first payment, if they approve your claim. But as you receive your payment you realize it is significantly less than what you make in your normal paychecks. But schools expect for children to have technology and wifi available, landlords still want their rent on time, and you must now provide 3 meals a day for not only you but for your loved ones also. Then you hear about the stimulus checks America has to offer that cost over a billion dollars but the government goes hush when it comes down to providing us with basic necessities like health care. 

The health care system is America has always chosen quality over quantity. It is not always a bad thing to choose quality over quantity but when millions of people can’t afford a routine check up, we have issues. Many Americans are left without health care or lack the care they need that is not provided by their insurer. It is sad to see the saying, “health is better than wealth”get twisted around. People are not getting tested for the virus because they can’t afford it. Those who have it are scared to go seek medical attention because they can’t afford it. People are receiving little to no care and dying without their loved ones around them. For the families, their only option are to do an immediate burial or cremation. Death is already a hard thing to come to terms with so imagine not being able to hold your loved one during their last moments. Mass incarceration is also a huge problem in America. Many inmates are getting sick due to the virus. We all know that the poor portrayal jails get are true. They already had random men and women cooped up in a cell with poor sanitation and hygiene before the pandemic. Inmates already do not receive proper care. Some inmates are forced to have push back dates or release or trial causing them to sit in the filth of prison. 

Money is the root to all evil. This pandemic has shined a light on many manifest functions America has created. Money may be a social construct but in order to live you must pay the price. The pandemic has changed the world and the way I view it. We are all affected in some way, shape or form. It is sad to see the slow downfall of the country.

Anonymous, 17 – Hamden, CT

America has never had a good track record when it comes down to how we are treated. America was built on white supremacy, patriarchy, racial inequities, gender inequalities and socioeconomic inequalities. The Coronavirus pandemic has become once again another outlet to show how poorly the country treats their people. 

It has been about 6 six weeks since we have begun our national shutdown. Many have lost their jobs and their loved ones. Over 7 million people have filed for unemployment and have been waiting weeks for their claims to be approved. Many minorities work minimum wage jobs and slave their days away in order to make ends meet for them and their families. Although the unemployment offices have been trying their best to provide us with funds this situation once again shows the flaws of America. Many people are scrapping up money in order to afford to pay their bills and put food on the table. Weeks after unemployment gets back to you you receive your first payment, if they approve your claim. But as you receive your payment you realize it is significantly less than what you make in your normal paychecks. But schools expect for children to have technology and wifi available, landlords still want their rent on time, and you must now provide 3 meals a day for not only you but for your loved ones also. Then you hear about the stimulus checks America has to offer that cost over a billion dollars but the government goes hush when it comes down to providing us with basic necessities like health care. 

The health care system is America has always chosen quality over quantity. It is not always a bad thing to choose quality over quantity but when millions of people can’t afford a routine check up, we have issues. Many Americans are left without health care or lack the care they need that is not provided by their insurer. It is sad to see the saying, “health is better than wealth”get twisted around. People are not getting tested for the virus because they can’t afford it. Those who have it are scared to go seek medical attention because they can’t afford it. People are receiving little to no care and dying without their loved ones around them. For the families, their only option are to do an immediate burial or cremation. Death is already a hard thing to come to terms with so imagine not being able to hold your loved one during their last moments. Mass incarceration is also a huge problem in America. Many inmates are getting sick due to the virus. We all know that the poor portrayal jails get are true. They already had random men and women cooped up in a cell with poor sanitation and hygiene before the pandemic. Inmates already do not receive proper care. Some inmates are forced to have push back dates or release or trial causing them to sit in the filth of prison. 

Money is the root to all evil. This pandemic has shined a light on many manifest functions America has created. Money may be a social construct but in order to live you must pay the price. The pandemic has changed the world and the way I view it. We are all affected in some way, shape or form. It is sad to see the slow downfall of the country.