大象传媒

Susana lost her job as a PBX operator in a hotel near Boston Airport in April, in the first few weeks of the pandemic - a job she'd done for 18 years. She is now struggling to find a way to support herself and her daughter as her unemployment benefit is about to run out. She describes the frustration of not qualifying for food stamps or other financial support, of losing her health insurance and the anxiety of trying to plan for the future.

"It's embarrassing enough I had to ask for help. My whole life I've done it on my own for my daughter and I, with no assistance. I paid for all our health insurance and I put food on the table. ... I've never asked for help but every single door I turn to gets slammed in my face. I'm making half of what I made and I don't qualify for anything. There's no relief in sight."

Photo and credit: Susana, who lost her job as a hotel PBX operator