Victoria Morales.
State Legislator.
1. What is one notable change in your life since Covid19 has changed how we are able to do things? My dad had a stroke during the pandemic. Not being able to visit the hospital, worried he was scared, confused and alone, and not knowing how he was was until we got him home was terrifying.
2. What has been most challenging? So many things Taking care of my dad after his stroke, supporting my children through online learning, working from home in a small house with everyone home, helping my constituents navigate unemployment issues and many concerns and fears related to Covid-19. The two most important things that have been last on my priority list and shouldn’t be are spending quality time with my partner and with myself. Deep self care during this time is absolutely necessary to strengthen our foundation of resilience.
3. Have you found any silver linings you care to share? My children are bonding in new ways, everything seems to be in the blooming process, the garden is growing, and the birds are singing in harmony. And, as a policy maker, it is becoming very clear that people have to come first, particularly when it comes to essential foundational needs such as safe affordable housing, food, quality education, and health care.
4. Are there any shifts you are hoping to stay in place as we move forward? Less car travel.
5. What are you most looking forward to being able to do again? Go outdoors on hikes and to the beach with friends and family
6. Anything else you want to share..? I have been thinking about grief a lot lately, about the loss of our lives as they were, both generally and through specific tragedies, and I keep coming back to the word transformation, and the idea that through this crisis we will be presented with many opportunities to create and accept change for the better.
Thank you Victoria for always encouraging people to want and work for better! I’m ready!