When the COVID-19 pandemic spread to the United States in the early spring of 2020, a panic swept the nation even faster than the disease itself. In a frenzy, people bought out the cleaning supply sections of stores, stocked up on masks, and hunkered down in their homes to protect themselves and their families and wait out the virus. Yet, for the nation’s unhoused population, safely hiding away from the virus inside their homes was not an option.

I am privileged enough to be supported by my parents financially. The money I make is put into a savings account and virtually, not touched, and will not be until college or beyond. Many of my former co-workers work each day to support their families as drivers.