Struggling Artist Remains Positive Amidst The Coronavirus
May 13, 2020
Downey, California, U.S. All photos provided by interviewees.
04/23/2020: "I currently attend the Theater of Arts, a 2-year acting conservatory; I graduate this December. As far as music goes, I've been playing ever since I was little, [since] both sides of my family play have musicians. I play guitar, drums, and a little bit of piano. I've been in several bands in Downey and have been doing stand-up comedy since November. I usually perform at the comedy store in Hollywood, but I recently lost my job, [and] now all my classes are now online. I had to file for unemployment and sign up for food stamps to survive. I was supposed to move out into a brand new apartment in Hollywood but, because I lost my job, I couldn't afford it anymore and had to give it up. I think people need to stay positive: read, watch, and listen to positive material! Be with family, or FaceTime them if you aren't with them physically. Stay active, be informed, and stay home! At least that's what's helping me."
![Many students have had extra time on their hands to get healthier and Gloria Falach, 10, tells us about her experience with diet changes shes made. “The biggest change I’ve made since quarantine is I’m trying to eat healthier,” Falach stated, “Since I have a lot of [extra] time.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/unnamed-12-475x277.jpg)
![4/26/20: “I placed them [bunny drawings] all around the living room in the most obvious locations to see if they would see all of them quickly. But, first I tested my sister to see if she could find all of them and it took her about 1 minute and 40 seconds to find them all. The one in the kitchen was the one they all struggled finding for some reason. So they were trying to find all 4 but they were struggling. My sister and I started laughing at them because they had passed by the last one like three times. When they found all four I asked them which was their favorite. The one in the kitchen was their favorite because it was cartoony. Then I told my parents that one of the reasons I drew bunnies [was] to honor our pet bunny that we loved. Then my mom told my sister and I to go to the room so she could hide all the eggs in the living room. We did the little scavenger hunt as a family. My parents were watching us look for all of them while giving us clues.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Estephany-Hernandez-475x475.jpg)
![4/25/20: “It’s scary because over the news you hear about people dying. I was scared and I wore a face mask. Only one person was allowed into the room unlike my last pregnancy, [so] I was so happy to come home. It’s difficult because we have to tell people no they can’t see the baby as a precaution to not get her sick. They’re seeing the baby through videos, Facetime, and it’s crazy! I’m panicked; it’s really hard to do everything (anybody can get her sick) - emotionally draining.”](https://www.thedowneylegend.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Amelia-Gonzalez-469x475.jpg)