How We’re Living Now

Media Milwaukee reporters interviewed food service workers, nurses, teachers, students and health care aides to learn how Wisconsinites are coping with Covid-19.

“To be honest with you, I’m worried about everybody.”

Buffalo Wild Wings shift manager Jasmine Dickerson tells Everett Eaton about living with fear — and a smaller paycheck.

“It sure isn’t the same as getting to see their faces everyday.”

Holly Borchert is an art teacher at Denmark Elementary School. She misses her students, but she’s learning to be creative online — sometimes without art supplies. She talks with her daughter, Hannah.

“We kind of transformed our hospital into what’s called a hot zone.”

Kayla Gundersen is a nursing student at Carroll University. She tells Ryan Pollak how COVID-19 has changed her job.

“I know a lot of people are breaking the rules and are hanging out with people. It makes me mad because I know it’s just making things worse.”

Prycilla Rodriguez spoke with Lilia Hernandez, who’s working to finish her degree while in quarantine.

“We have a big sign in front of our hospital that says ‘Heroes Work Here,’ which is a very satisfying and gratifying feeling, but I think I am basically just doing my job.”

Richa Karmarkar sat down with her father, Dr. Ravindra Karmarkar, who is working on the front lines of the Coronavirus pandemic as an infectious disease consultant and director of infection control at several hospitals in Milwaukee.

“You can work pretty much as many hours as you want, so I’d rather do that than be out of work.”

John Semancik is a truck driver. He tells his son Zach that in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, is daily routine is very different.

“I feel like I’m the cops. Some people are totally understanding and some people will put up a fight.”

Kristy Charney has been working as a nurse for years at a Door County nursing home. She talked tells her daughter, Elizabeth, how she tries to help keep residents safe.

“I think this is going to open the community’s eyes. I think we will make better choices with our government and elect people that better represent us.”

Luis Barrientos tells his son Niko about his concerns in the age of coronavirus. He hopes the experience will bring about change.

“I kind of feel like, from when I get up until I go to bed I’m thinking of something about school.”

Brett Duffney has been teaching for 26 years, but as he tells his son Tanner, he feels like a rookie again.