Reina Sultan
We Checked In on People Who Lost Their Jobs at the Start of the Pandemic
"One thing I’ve learned during all of this is that it doesn’t matter how cautious or responsible I am—my livelihood also depends on the public."
8 People on How Voting Complications Changed Their Plans for the Election
"I don't know if I'll be able to stay in the long-term hotel where I've been living for long enough to change my registration and vote from here."
7 People Talk About Job Hunting for Months During the Pandemic
"My laptop broke two weeks ago, and it has my resumé on it. It’ll cost $300–$400 to fix, which is an unimaginable amount of money right now."
5 People on How Their Workplaces' Diversity Initiatives Are Actually Going
"The CEO said the organization was indeed diverse, despite having only white women in its leadership positions."
6 College Students on Going Back to School During the Pandemic
"The administration asks students to quarantine and minimize contact points, but I have to go to work in order to pay for school, so that's simply not going to happen."
7 People Talk About Not Being Able to Make Rent During a Pandemic
Some have been on a rent strike, some are on the verge of eviction, some are dealing with landlords who suggest letting a stranger's family move in to help share the cost of rent.
11 People Talk About Confronting Racist Salary Discrimination at Work
"My boss told me I wouldn't be getting a promotion or pay raise that cycle. I asked for some feedback, and he said I lacked 'polish.' When I asked what that meant, he said, 'You know, your hair, and stuff.'"
10 Newly Unemployed People on What It's Like to Lose Your Job in a Pandemic
"Relying on a social safety net with rent relief or universal healthcare—especially in this busted-ass country—is downright unfathomable."
7 People on What It's Like to Break Up During the COVID-19 Pandemic
"It was a deep, raw, emotional conversation, and the FaceTime aspect definitely added a weird element of sterility."
13 Essential Workers Describe What Their Lives Are Like Right Now
"Workers consistently ask our bosses to reduce public access, remaining open but preventing customers from aimlessly wandering our aisles and increasing our risk of infection. They refuse."
9 People on Being Trapped Between Work, High-Risk Caregiving, and COVID-19
"Mom doesn't leave the house except to see her main doctor. I keep hand sanitizer in my Uber since I can't afford to stop driving. We're not sure what else to do."
5 Horror Stories About the Cost of Health Care Even When You Have Insurance
"After a car accident, an emergency services bill grew to $75,000. We decided declaring bankruptcy was our only option."