In this interview, Heidi Sasseville, Senior Sales Clerk at the Brown University Bookstore, discusses her experiences living through the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Sasseville begins by recalling that she heard about COVID-19 on the news and that changes to her day-to-day life came on suddenly. She explains that before everyone was sent home for an undetermined amount of time, few precautions were implemented at the bookstore or at the Providence Performing Arts Center or Vets Memorial Auditorium where she also volunteers and works. She adds that shows at those theatres were postponed or canceled seemingly overnight.

Sasseville goes on to talk about changes she notices in her community. She notes the decrease in ridership on public busses in Providence, modifications at the grocery store, and people policing each other on the streets. She notes that her biggest challenge has been trying to keep busy and finding different virtual and socially-distanced activities. Sasseville concludes by saying she hopes people are friendlier to each other throughout and after the pandemic.