Interview with Derek Lavoie
Date2022 June 8
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 10 Minutes, 5 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
Object number2022.20.72
DescriptionInterview with Derek Lavoie. Interviewed by Jose Vonzuala on 8 June 2022 at New Britain High School. He was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Historical Society's Community History Project discussing his experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Derek Lavoie is a special education teacher at New Britain High School.
He first heard about covid in winter of 2020, and he recalls the exact date that his school was shut down for two weeks, which turned into the rest of the school year.
His family did catch covid in 2022, but did not experience any major symptoms.
Derek did not enjoy virtual teaching. He noted that many children and students missed out on educational and childhood experiences due to covid.
Derek did not fully agree with vaccine mandates. He discussed his experience with choosing to have his children vaccinated. Derek also did not love mask mandates because the masks made it difficult for him to breathe, but he understood the importance of wearing one to protect other people.
Derek noted friction amongst friends and family due to different beliefs about the severity of covid. His family moved during the pandemic, which he believes brought them closer together.
Derek felt that the country reacted poorly to the pandemic. His advice to someone experiencing a future pandemic is to trust people and work together.
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.Derek Lavoie is a special education teacher at New Britain High School.
He first heard about covid in winter of 2020, and he recalls the exact date that his school was shut down for two weeks, which turned into the rest of the school year.
His family did catch covid in 2022, but did not experience any major symptoms.
Derek did not enjoy virtual teaching. He noted that many children and students missed out on educational and childhood experiences due to covid.
Derek did not fully agree with vaccine mandates. He discussed his experience with choosing to have his children vaccinated. Derek also did not love mask mandates because the masks made it difficult for him to breathe, but he understood the importance of wearing one to protect other people.
Derek noted friction amongst friends and family due to different beliefs about the severity of covid. His family moved during the pandemic, which he believes brought them closer together.
Derek felt that the country reacted poorly to the pandemic. His advice to someone experiencing a future pandemic is to trust people and work together.
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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