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We asked for your help to create a shared diary about what it's like to live in Los Angeles during a pandemic and you're starting to raise your hands.
So far we've had more than 50 people tell us they're interested in taking part. Many of them already have submitted video or text diaries. We're poring over those now and will begin sharing more soon. For now, here's a taste...
Toban Nichols, 50, writes about becoming so sick that he lost more than 25 pounds, though he was unable to get tested for COVID-19 at the time:
"During the worst of it, my gums ached every day for two weeks. It felt like someone was scraping something back and forth between my gums and teeth. I could not stand in the shower without taking a break and sitting down. I couldn't even make it the 15 feet from my bed to the bathroom without feeling like I couldn't catch my breath."
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On a lighter note, Julie Bien, 32, an adjunct journalism professor at Cal State Northridge, writes that she misses her students but sees this as an exciting time to teach journalism:
"Most professionals don't get this level of 'crisis news' training until they've been doing this for years. I know it's not ideal, but I'm hopeful that some really good news-making is going to emerge from this, and that people will understand how important this industry is."
And Miranda Page, 40, says she's sheltering in place with her boyfriend -- and his ex-girlfriend:
"And so we decided to tentatively give this whole thing a try. And hilarity (and tears and frustration and a whole lotta grace) ensued."
Everyone has a story to tell. We invite you to join in this effort, and we have good news. We found a way to make it much easier to get involved by using the streamlined submission form below.
You can share your story with text, video or audio. Just start with the date, your name and where you live, and then tell us your story. We'll read, watch and listen to every response, and nothing is shared without your permission.
A few things to note:
SHARE YOUR STORY:
Click "PLAY" on the video below and then select whether you want to respond with video, audio or text.
By submitting an entry, you are opting into American Public Media's Public Insight Network® (PIN®) and giving APM newsrooms permission to contact you for help with current or future news coverage.
Your submission will be saved in a secure database accessible only to American Public Media newsrooms. The information you provide through PIN will not be used for marketing or fundraising purposes, and our newsrooms will never quote you without first getting your explicit permission.
If you give us permission to publish your submission, we may edit before sharing it on-air, in print or online. We reserve the right to reuse or republish your submission, or to withhold your submission from publication. You must be 13 years or older to provide a submission.
