The Essentials: Inside the Curve

In Everett, Washington, where the first known case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States, 48-year-old Cassie Franklin says she has had to make decisions she never thought she'd have to. As the mayor of that city, with 112,000 people to answer to, she says over these past few months, she has felt overwhelmed, angry, frustrated and depressed -- and rotates between those emotions throughout the day. Franklin, who is also a mother to an 11-year-old daughter, says she feels for the younger generation, especially those who are graduating high school this year. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, hear how Franklin says her Youth Advisory Board has been giving her hope during this time. Especially in the wake of George Floyd's death, Franklin says she's been inspired by how the younger generation has spoken out against racism. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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With more than 120 of her co-workers having died from COVID-19, 44-year-old New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus operator Mia House says she counts her blessings every day. In March, House started to feel sick. She eventually tested positive for coronavirus and took four weeks off to recover before returning to work. Even though House says the job can be stressful, she's thankful that she and her husband have been able to continue working during these times. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, House says she hopes this pandemic has humbled people and that she greatly appreciates passengers who go out of their way to say "thank you." "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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Thirty-six-year-old New York City veterinarian Erin Kulick has spent the past months performing essential procedures on pets whose owners are now home and paying more attention to their companions. But being part of the essential workforce has also exposed her and her colleagues at Long Island City Veterinary Center to COVID-19. Dr. Kulick contracted the virus, and she says fighting the illness forced her to face her own mortality. And with more time at home to recover, the mother of a 1-year-old son also candidly questions her parenting skills. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, Dr. Kulick shares the emotions of serving an animal-loving community and the sadness of not being able to comfort pet owners with a hug when their beloved companions die. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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Officer Torrey Rowe, who works the night shift for the police department in Edmond, Oklahoma, says that while the opioid epidemic has been a huge problem in her state for some time, she’s responded to multiple overdose calls in just the last couple of weeks. One of those was fatal. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, the 34-year-old police officer talks about how the pandemic has created new challenges for law enforcement, even for her community’s youngest citizens. She recently responded to a call where a 7-year-old was having a hard time being cooped up. Officer Rowe looks forward to the days when she can run charity 5Ks and go to KISS concerts again, but she describes how -- even while at risk -- she is committed to her job, calling her community “amazing.” "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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As a food delivery driver in Elkhart, Indiana, 34-year old Wendy Reynolds says she used to have to struggle to get work picking up orders. Today, she works 14-hour shifts, sometimes unable to find a public restroom the whole time, running her car into the ground trying to keep up with orders coming from people waiting at home for their meal deliveries. Reynolds, a mother of two, pays out of her own pocket to stay in Airbnb rentals and hotels while she works in order to protect her children and parents. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, Reynolds shares her reasons for putting herself at risk during long, lonely days for sometimes very little money. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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"I had a coworker today ask me today 'are we essential or are we sacrificial'?" While the 54-year-old grocery store worker finds joy in serving his Maryland community, he says he and his colleagues worry every day about being on the front lines. Jeff Reid says one of the perks of his job is getting to know the people who come into his store and being able to put a smile on their faces. Through audio journals shared with ABC News, Reid talks about how he gets through each day staying vigilant in his efforts to protect himself and his family - citing vitamins and prayer as a big part - while also providing a vital service to his community, working tirelessly to make sure shelves are stocked every day with essential items. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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The 26-year-old firefighter/paramedic says caring for people in the rural area of Brady, Texas comes with its own set of challenges. If Kylie Harmon's team needs to transport a critical COVID-19 patient, the nearest trauma center is around 45 minutes away. Harmon, whose boyfriend is also a firefighter/paramedic, comes from a family of paramedics - including her father and aunt - and says she's prepared to put herself at risk to help others. Through audio journals shared with ABC News, Harmon talks about what life used to be like in her small town of 5,500 people and how, living alone, she copes after a tough 48-hour shift seeing not only coronavirus patients, but also those who are struggling in isolation, resulting in calls due to overdoses and suicide attempts. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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The 29-year-old social worker says that the group she works with -- mostly people with mental health needs and low income -- face unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alison Sutter says the community she serves is not able to "shelter-in-place" easily. Because of a lack of resources, including not enough disposable income to stock up on supplies and no credit cards to order delivery food, she says the crisis has placed a huge burden on an already-stressed group. Through audio diaries provided to ABC News, Sutter talks about what it's like for marginalized communities who don’t have the opportunity to have virtual happy hours or access to technology as many others do, as well the burnout that social workers feel through these times. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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The 38-year old intensive care nurse in Torrance, California says she's used to working long, hectic shifts in the ICU at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center.  But seeing her patients die alone due to COVID-19, with no family around, has taken a mental toll on nurse Lindsey Burrell. That's when the mother of two decided to reach out to a psychiatrist for help. It's also taken a physical toll.  Generally heathy and active, Burrell says in the past 30 days she's been sick more than she's been well, getting to a point where she was tested twice for COVID-19. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, Burrell gives a candid glimpse of her life juggling a loving family with whom she can sometimes have no physical contact and her job trying to save lives, at times both heartbreaking and inspiring. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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The 39-year-old cardiologist grabs 15 minutes of sleep whenever he can grab it. He's separated from his family, including his six-month old son, only able to connect via FaceTime calls between shifts at his New York City hospital. He's not willing to put his loved ones at risk from the exposure he faces every day as he treats COVID-19 patients. But Dr. Hadi Halazan returns to the frontlines nearly every day, determined to see the crisis through. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, Dr. Halazan movingly remembers his first patient who died from coronavirus, expresses concern for his colleagues and talks about the toll of not seeing his family. But hear in his own words how he also finds inspiration and hope pouring from a community that supports the essential workers. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

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