“You have leaders that think it’s fake and there’s nothing going on, and you have leaders saying there is something going on.”

Mary Barrientos works at a small business in Elm Grove. Over the last two years, she has learned a lot about the impact of misinformation on her and the local community. Mary reflects on the misinformation and division surrounding controversial topics like Covid-19 and says the situation has left her frustrated. Niko: Can you tell […]

“I believe people should be vaccinated if that’s the choice they want to make. I am vaccinated but it came across a little controlling.”

Brooke Vistain is a nursing student at Bellin College. She talks with Brant Vistain about her experiences during the pandemic, being required to get the vaccine, and misinformation in the health field. Brant Vistain: I’m with my sister Brooke who is currently a nursing student, Brooke would you like to introduce yourself quick? Brook Vistaine: […]

“It’s really easy for you to be like, ‘Oh this is just a joke.'”

Cassandra Kilgore is a 26-year-old woman who manages the dining room in a small, family-owned breakfast restaurant in the heart of the tourist town, Wisconsin Dells. She has worked in the food service industry since she was 14 years old and has recently had to navigate through effects of misinformation in her work life, and […]

“I think there’s quite a few people that are mistrusting of doctors, and even our own doctors.”

Diane Leveille is a Registered Nurse at the Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Gastrointestinal Lab in Milwaukee. She recalls her experience with COVID-19 at the lab and how it affected the staff, as well as her experience with medical misinformation and how the internet has affected her job and patients. Diane Leveille: My name is Diane […]

“There is a divided line between workers who choose to not take the vaccine versus who favors wanting everyone to take the vaccine.”

Francisco Velez, a 50-year-old man is a current medical coverage and food stamp program case worker for the state of Illinois. He had started to work for the state of Illinois when the COVID-19 pandemic had begun. During the time of uncertainty, Mr. Velez has found his work experience as a case worker had been […]

“We have gotten to the point where we cannot be around each other because it is not a healthy environment.”

Aleksandra Miladinovic, 26, is a graduate student from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She was an essential worker at Target when the COVID-19 pandemic began and has been affected by the spread of misinformation in relation to her uncle and aunt. She speaks with Sierra Radler about the struggles of her relationship with family members affected […]

“We even had a few patients who joked about how hospitals intentionally kill people to make more space for patients with Covid-19.”

Destiny Williams, 26, is a fourth-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was a recent college transfer student from Kansas State University when the COVID-19 pandemic began. She has started as a sport medicine intern and notices a shift in work dynamics between her coworkers and patients. Joel Velez: How would you describe the […]

“Okay, you want to get your information from Snapchat? Go right ahead.”

Greg Hey is a middle school teacher in Burridge, Illinois. He has been a teacher for 27 years and has dealt with nothing that compares to the struggles of Covid and misinformation in his classroom. Natalie Hey: can you introduce yourself? Greg Hey: Hey, I’m Greg Hey I am a sixth-grade science teacher at Gower […]