Across California, people are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in ways big and small. They are treating patients, delivering groceries, teaching online, and staying home. This pandemic is bigger than any one of us, but together we can solve it.
See how your neighbors are helping fight COVID-19, and email us your photos and stories too.
"It can be challenging to wear the full PPE for a 12-hour shift, but this tough work is what we're trained for and what we're here to do. I've been working as a nurse for many years, and you've just got to be there for the patient." - Michiko Matsue, registered nurse
"It has been an honor serving our community with the Crenshaw YMCA during these times of COVID. We started off passing out food. This program grew so fast that we realized that our YMCA was feeding almost all of the community. During the summer we provided a mini summer camp. We had STEM and physical education and the kids enjoyed it. I am so happy to be a part of our team and to be able to serve our community." - Coach Jeff Paige, sports coordinator
"As first responders, we have the initial contact with patients in the field. The unknown of what viruses or illness someone may carry, we must take ultimate precaution in our PPE. Wearing our PPE is critical to ensure we are a part of the solution.” - Jeremy Mack and Austin Prince, firefighters/paramedics
“COVID-19 has deeply affected my family and me. We all tested positive for COVID-19 and quarantined for several weeks. I am an essential worker during this pandemic; I am aware of the risk I take while working. I know a lot of my regular customers and it’s important to me to help them get the medications they need. Every day, I ask customers to wear their masks and hope I don’t contract COVID-19 again. ” - Laura Orantes, retail health clerk
“I love to screen patients because I love to make patients feel better and welcome. I feel like I'm part of a bigger picture, like I'm part of something great that's being done here at Cedars-Sinai.” - Rocio Trujillo Balderas, volunteer patient screener
"A crisis like COVID-19 magnifies the needs of communities such as East LA/Boyle Heights, and that’s when we all have to be there for those in need. I had the privilege to be part of the volunteer/staff team that has distributed more than a million meals to families in this community. Si Se Puede." - Ruben Corona, executive director of Weingart East LA YMCA
“Contact tracing is absolutely fascinating work by an incredibly dedicated and diverse workforce that’s trying to end a real world pandemic while working in isolation from one another at the mercy of complicated virtual technology and armed only with the words they use and the resources they can provide.” - Dr. Ken Phillips, Curator of Aerospace and contact tracing team leader
“It is a privilege to work in biomedical research looking for safe and effective new treatment modalities for the prevention of HIV and other health disparities impacting at-risk communities. I am fortunate to be in a place where I can contribute to a possible solution for COVID-19.” - Jon Veloz, laboratory technician
“Being a nurse on the COVID-19 unit has been a humbling experience. The hardest part for me was seeing some of the patients’ health rapidly declined within a matter of hours. I’m so proud and honored to be working with some of bravest people during this time.” - Sophanet Nhoung, registered nurse
“I am committed to bridging the gap between clinical research and community acceptance by providing awareness on the severity of COVID-19 and the implications of the pandemic on the most vulnerable communities.” - Chris Blades, vaccine trial outreach coordinator
"It can be challenging to wear the full PPE for a 12-hour shift, but this tough work is what we're trained for and what we're here to do. I've been working as a nurse for many years, and you've just got to be there for the patient." - Michiko Matsue, registered nurse
"It has been an honor serving our community with the Crenshaw YMCA during these times of COVID. We started off passing out food. This program grew so fast that we realized that our YMCA was feeding almost all of the community. During the summer we provided a mini summer camp. We had STEM and physical education and the kids enjoyed it. I am so happy to be a part of our team and to be able to serve our community." - Coach Jeff Paige, sports coordinator
"As first responders, we have the initial contact with patients in the field. The unknown of what viruses or illness someone may carry, we must take ultimate precaution in our PPE. Wearing our PPE is critical to ensure we are a part of the solution.” - Jeremy Mack and Austin Prince, firefighters/paramedics
“COVID-19 has deeply affected my family and me. We all tested positive for COVID-19 and quarantined for several weeks. I am an essential worker during this pandemic; I am aware of the risk I take while working. I know a lot of my regular customers and it’s important to me to help them get the medications they need. Every day, I ask customers to wear their masks and hope I don’t contract COVID-19 again. ” - Laura Orantes, retail health clerk
“I love to screen patients because I love to make patients feel better and welcome. I feel like I'm part of a bigger picture, like I'm part of something great that's being done here at Cedars-Sinai.” - Rocio Trujillo Balderas, volunteer patient screener
"A crisis like COVID-19 magnifies the needs of communities such as East LA/Boyle Heights, and that’s when we all have to be there for those in need. I had the privilege to be part of the volunteer/staff team that has distributed more than a million meals to families in this community. Si Se Puede." - Ruben Corona, executive director of Weingart East LA YMCA
“Contact tracing is absolutely fascinating work by an incredibly dedicated and diverse workforce that’s trying to end a real world pandemic while working in isolation from one another at the mercy of complicated virtual technology and armed only with the words they use and the resources they can provide.” - Dr. Ken Phillips, Curator of Aerospace and contact tracing team leader
“It is a privilege to work in biomedical research looking for safe and effective new treatment modalities for the prevention of HIV and other health disparities impacting at-risk communities. I am fortunate to be in a place where I can contribute to a possible solution for COVID-19.” - Jon Veloz, laboratory technician
“Being a nurse on the COVID-19 unit has been a humbling experience. The hardest part for me was seeing some of the patients’ health rapidly declined within a matter of hours. I’m so proud and honored to be working with some of bravest people during this time.” - Sophanet Nhoung, registered nurse
“I am committed to bridging the gap between clinical research and community acceptance by providing awareness on the severity of COVID-19 and the implications of the pandemic on the most vulnerable communities.” - Chris Blades, vaccine trial outreach coordinator
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
The pandemic has not hit all Californians equally. People of color are more likely to get sick and die of COVID-19. See what's behind this inequality and how it has affected our community.
