In the first session, Kelsey Rose discusses her background and relationship to New York City and the COVID-19 pandemic. Rose reflects on the timeline of her awareness of COVID-19 and how she prepared for the lockdown by buying groceries, pet supplies for her rabbit, and other necessities. Rose explains her efforts to realize a balance between work and personal life and discusses relationships with colleagues at work. She also discusses the social dimensions of distancing, conditions in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, and the experiences of friends who contracted the virus.
In the second session, Rose reflects on how she began to experience a sense of normalcy during the summer. She describes episodes such as going in the office, getting a COVID test, and visiting Rhode Island for an non-COVID family medical emergency. She describes going roller skating for a friend's birthday and seeing two people without masks. She speaks about politics, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and Black Lives Matter protests. She revisits many topics from the first session.
In the third session, Rose reflects on turning 30 and starting a new job. She describes developments such as the omicron and delta variants and getting vaccinated. She discusses the political situation in America including polarization, the January 6th insurrection, and the influence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Rose reflects on how the pandemic has taught her to better cope with stress and unknowns and to set personal boundaries and take care of herself and her friendships
COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-; COVID-19 (Disease)--Social Aspects; Epidemics--Social Aspects; Social distancing (Public health); COVID-19 (Disease)--Health aspects; Work-life balance; Black lives matter movement; United States Politics and government 21st century; Bedford-Stuyvesant (New York, N.Y.); Rhode Island; Rose, Kelsey, 1991-
Format
oral histories
Genre
Interviews
Date
2022
Physical Description
101 pages
Note (Biographical)
Originally from Rhode Island, Kelsey Rose moved to NYC in 2009 to attend college. Rose has a Master's degree in sociology and works in disaster management
Note
Interviewed by Ryan Hagen on June 12 and October 30, 2020 and July 29, 2022
Note (Provenance)
Kelsey Rose, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2023