"...What I miss the most in this whole thing is people's faces. For the past 9 months when we talk to another person we can only see their eyes...When we're on the other side of this, I hope we will take the opportunity to get the full picture of each others' lives. To smile, to laugh, to encourage people with our faces...that's what I can't wait for."

"...It’s been difficult to wrangle the massive waves of grief and anger that roll through me. I feel so frustrated by so many things right now...I’m learning that my best and most effective middle finger is to do what the people I’m angry at are too selfish and cowardly to do: Take action. Be available. Nourish. Help where I’m able..."

* Photo courtesy of JD Fratzke

...I can see myself as an old woman happening down this same street, maybe being driven by a grandchild, with silent tears rolling down my then wrinkled cheeks.

And that future child will know: Grandma Katie lived through The Pandemic. And my future love will pat my leg. And we will drive along...

"...I work with the underserved communities of the Twin Cities, those communities who have the most social determinants of health, the worst Covid-related health outcomes related to race, socio-economic status, and health history. Many, if not the majority, in my patient panel are undocumented immigrants and uninsurable..."

"...It makes me furious that despite almost 300,000 deaths, conspiracy continues to intoxicate the defiant and prodigiously ignorant, fortifying the feedback loop of lies and denial...I am however, still hopeful..."

* Photo courtesy of Carlo Juarez-Sweeney

"...And then, COVID arrived. People were so sad and anxious. People were losing loved ones and local businesses were struggling to remain open. So I decided to hang pom poms at local businesses and leave a note letting them know the community cared about them...The notes were all signed 'Your Friend in Fiber'..."

"...I carry the health insurance for my family and I know many others in the same situation. I’m trying to stay positive in thinking that people around me are making the right choices...the majority of us do not have sick time or PTO to fall back on...The importance seems to fall on completing our work rather than our health and safety..."

Sometimes I am able to tell a slew of important Pandemic Stories. And I am able to create Profiles & Instagram Stories! And I am able to create Instagram Posts!

And sometimes I am quiet.

And I have to live my own Pandemic Story.

"...this surge in positive COVID cases has taken a toll on us "Essential Workers." Normally, at this time of day, the bays are 3/4 empty...it's way too full. We could be facing layoffs. Should layoffs actually happen, who assists the Essential Workers? Scary, scary times..."

* Photos courtesy of Lauren Cox

...We've become a Community over the past 8 months and I credit all of you with seeing me, and us, through the Pandemic. Through the Pandemic Spring. Through the murder of George Floyd. Through the Pandemic Summer and Fall that brought Distance Learning, and now as we make our way through The Pandemic Surge and Winter...

"...This could have looked so different. Selfishness, ignorance, and outrageous leadership has led us straight into the wildfire of this virus...The fact that Minnesotans are going to gather around a Thanksgiving table when we are essentially out of resources to care for the Covid spike that will come from those dinners...I don't even know the right words for it.

* Photo courtesy of Emily Rumsey, CNM

"...I love working with college students. I know right now there are many people frustrated with their age demographic, but I wish people would stop and think a minute...please have some patience, some understanding, and a little bit of grace. Wear your masks, set good examples for your friends and neighbors, and most importantly, keep pressure on those making decisions..."

"I have remained Covid-free so far... and fortunately we've only had one case of Covid at our station on all 3 shifts this whole time. Not all stations have not been so lucky. There have been some whole crews shut down due to all members coming down with coronavirus...But I am confident that with discipline...we can over come this worldwide medical crisis. We have to."

* Photo courtesy of Bernard Foster II

"...As we move into COVID winter I’m feeling exhausted, anxious, and at times, hopeless...At the same time, I am doing my best to find glimmers of hope in the isolation...The recent data on the vaccines is exciting. I’m hopeful that our new administration will provide the leadership, support and changes we need, but there is SO MUCH work to do..."

"Thank you for asking how I am. Let me think about it... As you know, it's been a rough week...we are so low on staff... I need to check myself before I say or do something, because I'm a little bitter right now with the current health care climate...We are not being treated like valued humans who are risking their lives. We are being treated like dogs they want to train to fight."

"...In the last 8 months, I have been a part of making decisions that I never thought I would have to make. Policies about who gets to visit their dying loved one, which team members will take care of COVID patients, how to allocate scarce resources like PPE and vents...I am a fixer, a problem solver. And I can't fix a lot of this..."

"...I am exhausted and lonely...I don’t understand how caring for our neighbors became less important than our freedom to not wear a mask. This is not freedom. Nevertheless. We committed to serving our community. And we’ll be here for you when you need us..."

* Photo courtesy of Anna Dykhuis, RN

Editor's Note: Please be there for them. Stay home and mask up when you are out, especially with friends and family not in your household.

"...COVID19 is real. If you have not been impacted yet, you likely will be in the future. Health care workers have been sacrificing, and showing to help others, since the beginning of the pandemic. Those of us that are still healthy will keep showing up for as long as it takes..."

* Photo courtesy of Michael Coleman, RN

"...I feel like my sense of self has become very strong due to The Pandemic...My relationships with people have become stronger, and any loose ends have been tied up. My home has become a sanctuary and I feel so full of gratitude for the life I've created as well as for the simple basics in life like good health, clean water, fresh air, etc..."

"...My days are getting SUPER long with Thanksgiving right around the corner. People aren't near as grateful or as polite as they were at the beginning of the pandemic. I actually put in my notice at work this last week. I hit beyond burnout and I need a breather...I hope people are smart enough this holiday season to stay the fuck home. But people are selfish and I'm not optimistic."

* Photo courtesy of Maya Robinson

". . .In addition to my role as Lt. Governor, I’m a mom, a wife, and a daughter of a parent with underlying conditions and I am navigating all of this as a human being, too. I think we sometimes forget to remember that we are all human beings doing the best we can and that no matter what, we can all start each day and each interaction with empathy and understanding...We’re in this together, Minnesota..."

". . .These last 8-months have been brutal. I am burnt-out. I live everyday with constant anxiety...Add to this, working through two hospital closures. My friends and colleagues are going to lose their jobs. During a pandemic...I'm so very tired. Tired of people being so selfish. So stupid. Tired of seeing people suffer. I need a break. We all do..."

* Photo courtesy of Rebecca Wieben, CNP

"...As someone with a chronic illness, the pandemic has further highlighted the challenges of living with an often invisible illness...In the United States we seem to still be stuck on the debate of if it is serious or not. I don't have the luxury of choosing to not take it seriously..."

"...PLEASE take this seriously. The average person may not think they have a big role to play, or they may think that this is overblown and their actions don't affect others directly. I assure you, all of our actions matter...Hunker down, realize that life is not the same right now, and make some serious adjustments...Please! This nurse is begging you!"

* Photo courtesy of Angie Haigh

"...These pandemics have opened the eyes of many to understand that radical systemic change needs to happen for us to reach equity. If someone gets COVID-19, it not only impacts their physical health. It takes a toll on their (and family's) mental health, lingering health issues, their job, housing situation, etc. These aren't new problems..."