Author: JAVIER ZUNIGA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii-OKcdvA44&ab_channel=JavierZuniga

I found the video extremely powerful, and I was amazed at how Dan Krauss was able to get such access to cover the intimate moments between Donna’s family as well as the other patients in the hospital. Using close-ups of the hands and face, it was clear to see the pain that both patients and their loved ones were going through, and as a viewer, I felt as if I was right in the room with these individuals. What I found most interesting was seeing how many of the patients had already accepted that they will die, but their family members were still struggling to accept that fact and were looking for new solutions that would help the situation. Showcasing the doctor’s perspective helped elevate the video to a new level because it showed how despite their years of training and experiencing the same situation over and over again, these doctors never get used to the emotional toll that the job has on them. This can be seen in the scene where Dr. Zitter is bending over her chair due to the frustration that she is having, most likely from her inability to help her patients beyond the care that she is currently providing them. This film does an amazing job at humanizing medical professionals and showing the lengths that they go through to do their jobs (i.e. providing care, therapist for family, etc.). Prior to Covid, I believe that many of us had not given much thought as to what goes on in an ICU, but this video helps showcase the struggles that families and medical professionals go through daily and gave me a deeper appreciation for them.

I wanted to showcase my friend who is transitioning out of the army and how he is dealing with his return to civilian life.

SoundCloud Link

 

Host Intro (not included in the recording):

Over the course of the pandemic, much of the economic pain was felt by restaurants. The New York City Hospitality Alliance says that there are about 25,000 bars and restaurants in New York City alone and in 2020 about 5,000 of those closed. Despite this, Javier Zuniga spoke to a couple of individuals who said that their restaurants are thriving, lets see what they did.

Track 1:

I’m here with Woo Song Chung, a senior at Stony Brook University who has worked throughout the entirety of the pandemic at a Korean fried chicken restaurant called Bonchon Chicken. Just like many other essential workers, Woo Song had to work out of necessity in order to pay for her living and college expenses. As Woo [Song] begins to talk the door dash bell goes off, signifying a new order that just came in.

Ambi 1:

Door Dash bell ringing

Act 1: Woo Song

I grew up in Korea, but I immigrated with my family back when I was around 8 years old and at some point, they went back and even though they have supported me financially for a couple of years I decided it was time to become more independent and support myself. And I also have to pay for my college tuition which is why I decided to continue working despite everything that is going on.

Track 2:

She recalls what it was like commuting to work during the height of the pandemic and how New York City is slowly shifting back to normal.

Ambi 2:

Sound from food being packaged.

Act 2: Woo

I remember when I was commuting to work, I would have to take the bus and the train and I would just not see anyone there and it was really surprising to see because I have never seen New York City like that. And also as a woman, it was really scary because anything can happen to you and no one would know since nobody is outside. But it’s good to see that now that the restrictions are being eased a little more people are outside, so I feel more safe now.

Track 3:

The unemployment rate peaked at 14.8% in April 2020 which shows the severity of the disruption on people’s finances. While Woo Song was fortunate enough to keep her job in the restaurant industry, she still felt the financial impact that Covid has had on her.

Act 3: Woo

Back when things were normal, I would make a large percentage of my pay from tips. But since indoor dining closed, I wasn’t able to make that much money and my bosses saw this and they gave us raises for the time being which is something that we all really appreciated because everyone else [was] losing their jobs and having a difficult time, but this is something that made me more loyal to my boss because they took care of us when we needed it the most.

Track 4:

With indoor dining closed, the restaurant had to adapt by implementing covid precautions and relying on online sales.

Ambi 3:

Receipt machine and phone going off, as well as background noise from kitchen staff

Act 4: Woo

Surprisingly, we actually hit record sales during the pandemic, and I think one of the reasons why is because we were one of the few stores that were actually opened during the whole time. And throughout the pandemic, we tried to make things easier for our customers through more online orders, we also offered curbside pickup and we constantly tried to sanitize everything.

Track 5:

I also spoke with Veraya Peechaphand who helps manage her family’s restaurant called Mee Thai Cuisine in Park Slope Brooklyn. They have experienced an unexpected rise in sales during Covid which is contrary to the narrative we hear about how restaurants are doing today. 

Act 5: Veraya

With restrictions in place and outdoor dining being more unprofitable, we started relying more on online orders. We already had Grubhub and Seamless, but we also had to sign up for Uber Eats and Door Dash. Doing this allowed us to thrive during the pandemic since our food is takeout friendly and we’re optimistic on our outlook as restrictions are lifted.

Track 6:

The jobs of many essential workers entail having direct contact with the public, which puts them at a greater risk of catching the virus. Despite this, Bonchon Chicken has remained covid free.

Act 6: Woo

No one caught covid, but a couple of people did have scares. One of the employees actually her family caught Covid so she also made sure to quarantine herself and get tested before coming back to work, but yeah thankfully no one has caught it yet and hopefully no one will catch it and everyone should stay safe.

Track 7:

Having witness New York City at its worst, the easing of restrictions provides Woo Song with glimmers of hope of a return to normalcy.

Act 7: Woo

Last week we actually opened up indoor dining again because the restrictions have been lifted. So, we have been getting more customers so it’s keeping me busy, but it’s still not as much as before since there is more competition around. Regardless of that I’m still really happy to have a job and [I am] really glad that everyone is staying safe.

Track 8:

Woo Song will graduate in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology and intends on going back to school in hopes of becoming a registered nurse. For Baruch College, I’m Javier Zuniga.

Sound Cloud Link

Host: Intro 

As the school year is coming to a close, high school seniors are anxiously waiting for their college acceptance letters. Javier Zuniga spoke to a high school senior about what it’s like to wait for an update from his dream college.

Track 1: 

I’m here with Daniel Zuniga, in his parent’s apartment in Queens, watching him sit in for a zoom class session. He’s a senior at Aviation High School whose original plan was to skip college and become an aircraft mechanic. However, the ongoing pandemic and record job cuts in the industry made him question the viability of that career option and ultimately led him to apply to college instead.

Ambi:

The background noise of his zoom class

Act 1: Daniel:

Aviation High school is a technical school in which after 4 years and meeting the required hours you are allowed to obtain a license [and] work as an aircraft mechanic. With just a high school degree you can make on average 80k starting salary and I was planning on possibly going to college so that I can move up the corporate ladder, but now that’s not realistic.

Track 2:

Despite having to abruptly change his career trajectory, Daniel has already gotten good news from some of his dream colleges.

Act 2: Daniel:

Now since I can’t be an aircraft mechanic due to Covid, I’m waiting for my college acceptance letters to come in. I have already gotten accepted into Baruch and Fordham, but I’m hoping to get accepted by NYU where I intend on majoring in finance.

Track 3:

He says he was one of the lucky ones who prioritized both his general courses and his aviation classes. However, his friends who were very adamant about becoming aircraft mechanics only applied themselves to the classes that would allow them to achieve this goal. Now since this is no longer a viable option, they are struggling to boost up their GPA and become competitive in the college selection process.

Act 3: Daniel:

I’m able to apply to competitive colleges since I focused on my grades. However, a lot of my friends are scrambling to boost their grades and aren’t sure if they can get into decent schools.

Track 4:  

While his original plan didn’t work out, he is looking forward to starting college in the fall.

Act 4: Daniel:

I’m excited and scared at the same time, but I’m hopeful that I get good news from NYU by April 1st. Regardless of where I go to school, I intend on majoring in finance so that I can pursue a career in the financial industry.

Track 5: 

Daniel will make his college decision by May 1st and graduate from high school in June. For Baruch College, I’m Javier Zuniga.

1. I want to cover a friend who had worked throughout the entirety of the pandemic to pay for her college tuition. Potential to cover her side hustles as well.
2. Probably won’t do – cover a friend who has picked up a positive hobby ever since last year

 

https://zunigajavier22.medium.com/photo-essay-resilience-of-chinatown-in-the-wake-of-covid-19-lunar-new-year-focus-dee38c3ba168

I will be reporting on lunar new year celebration and how the tradition is being carried out during these times. Potential to highlight family traditions, resiliency of the Asian community, etc.

If anything changes I’ll let you know.