Interview with Winston Kennedy
IntervieweeInterview with
Winston Kennedy
InterviewerInterviewed by
Samariya Smith
Date2022 May 24
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 23 Minutes, 15 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
Object number2022.20.8
DescriptionInterview with Winston Kennedy. Interviewed by Samariya Smith on May 24, 2022 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Historical Society's Community History Project discussing his experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Winston Kennedy recalled that in the Spring of 2020 he couldn’t escape news about the COVID-19 virus, it was everywhere he turned. He stated he felt distant from the President at that time for things he said and felt distant from Democrats for things they said. When asked about the first major disruption in his life due to Covid, Winston stated that although he never caught the virus, the second dose of the vaccine put him in the hospital and nearly paralyzed him. He stated that he had to be in rehab for almost a month. He remembered that during this difficult time his team at Hartford Communities That Care came to visit him in the hospital to see him and gave him faith in his recovery.
Winston took many precautions at the start of the pandemic, stocking up on masks and sanitary supplies. He observed that many others were not as cautious as he was. When the pandemic restrictions began to be lifted, Winston felt it was much too soon and that the government was prioritizing the economy over the lives of individuals. He remembered that he felt optimistic about the election, noting that there was a lot of energy in his community and feeling joy seeing people lining up for the polls.
Winston said that the events of January 6, 2021 were shocking to him, and he couldn’t believe that so many people were able to raid the U.S. Capitol, and no one was shot in the process. He stated that if the people at the Capitol were people of color, there would have been a massacre.
Winston stated that he agreed with the mask and vaccine mandates, despite his reaction to the vaccine. When asked what he lost during the pandemic, Winston said he lost some time. When asked what he found during the pandemic, Winston said he found strength. He chose the word ‘chaotic’ to describe the pandemic in one word, and the greatest lesson he learned was to trust God.
Winston Kennedy recalled that in the Spring of 2020 he couldn’t escape news about the COVID-19 virus, it was everywhere he turned. He stated he felt distant from the President at that time for things he said and felt distant from Democrats for things they said. When asked about the first major disruption in his life due to Covid, Winston stated that although he never caught the virus, the second dose of the vaccine put him in the hospital and nearly paralyzed him. He stated that he had to be in rehab for almost a month. He remembered that during this difficult time his team at Hartford Communities That Care came to visit him in the hospital to see him and gave him faith in his recovery.
Winston took many precautions at the start of the pandemic, stocking up on masks and sanitary supplies. He observed that many others were not as cautious as he was. When the pandemic restrictions began to be lifted, Winston felt it was much too soon and that the government was prioritizing the economy over the lives of individuals. He remembered that he felt optimistic about the election, noting that there was a lot of energy in his community and feeling joy seeing people lining up for the polls.
Winston said that the events of January 6, 2021 were shocking to him, and he couldn’t believe that so many people were able to raid the U.S. Capitol, and no one was shot in the process. He stated that if the people at the Capitol were people of color, there would have been a massacre.
Winston stated that he agreed with the mask and vaccine mandates, despite his reaction to the vaccine. When asked what he lost during the pandemic, Winston said he lost some time. When asked what he found during the pandemic, Winston said he found strength. He chose the word ‘chaotic’ to describe the pandemic in one word, and the greatest lesson he learned was to trust God.
Label TextListen to interview at http://hdl.handle.net/11134/40002:19646577
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Historical Society’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the impact of Covid-19 on Connecticans, particularly on Black and Brown communities, funeral homes, and on nursing home and elder care populations.Cataloging Note: This cataloging project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-249472-OMS-21.
Status
Not on view
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