COVID-19 TIME CAPSULE + VACCINATION JOURNEY

COVID-19 TIME CAPSULE

During Fall 2020, Borinquen Court Mitchel Senior Center students were given the homework assignment of putting together a time capsule to help them document the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Students selected special objects that were meaningful to them through this difficult time, such as face masks, medicine, positive affirmations, letters to their future self, photos, and cultural memorabilia. They also wrote about what they accomplished and learned during the year 2020. For many older adults, this historic moment, which has led to over 600,000 deaths in the United States alone, is important to remember and pass down to loved ones. We will keep these memories for generations to come.

Teresa Guzman, 64. Time Capsule 1

Teresa Guzman, 64. Time Capsule 2

Teresa Guzman, 64. Time Capsule 3

María Auxiliadora Meza Gutiérrez, 69. Time Capsule 1

María Auxiliadora Meza Gutiérrez, 69. Time Capsule 2

María Auxiliadora Meza Gutiérrez, 69. Time Capsule 3

Elena Farciert, 62. Time Capsule 1

Elena Farciert, 62. Time Capsule 2

Elena Farciert, 62. Time Capsule 3

Lidia Maria Isaac De Mota, 69. Time Capsule 1

Lidia Maria Isaac De Mota, 69. Time Capsule 2

Lidia Maria Isaac De Mota, 69. Time Capsule 3

Ninfa Nuñez, 61. Time Capsule 1

Ninfa Nuñez, 61. Time Capsule 2

VACCINATION JOURNEY

In New York City, vaccinations were made available to older adults in January 2021. Almost one year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, BSPL students documented their vaccination journey. They faced challenges with finding vaccination locations, from technological disadvantages to appointment unavailability. As years of historical exploitation have led many people of color to mistrust the medical industry, our students also wrestled with fears of the effectiveness of vaccination. In class, we took time to inform students on how to locate and sign up for the vaccination, as well as provide education on vaccine efficacy. In spite of their fears, almost all BSPL students eventually got their COVID-19 vaccination. According to the CDC, fully vaccinated adults 65 and older are 94% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than non-vaccinated adults.