Those who drove a box to apply for unemployment benefits because of the Covid-19 epidemic in the United States: Get rid of pride, never thought of falling into this situation.

In the long line of cars that line up to the free food spot in Dallas, Texas, you can see old Chevrolet Tahoe or Jaguar minivans. Sitting in the car are people who still cannot accept their tragic situation: losing their jobs and receiving social relief.

Dalen Lacy, 27, is a 7-Eleven warehouse and salesman. When the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, the father of two lost their jobs in the warehouse and the sales time was also greatly reduced. Last week, Lacy came to apply for benefits at the Crossroads Community Services, which is among the 70% of first-time job losses recorded by the center. “I have never had to do such things. But I have to do it for my children.”

Food delivery place in Dallas (Image: NY Times)

“Without a pandemic, these people would never be unemployed for life.”

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are calling for help for the first time in their lives, from nail technicians in Los Angeles to airport workers in Fort Lauderdale, from bartenders in Phoenix to former reality TV star in Minnesota.

They tried to dismiss the dignity and torment that might have robbed the opportunity of those in more tragic circumstances. At the bottom of their lives, they only know how to apply for benefits, call for donations on GoFundMe or even Instagram, silently receive a rescue money from colleagues and appear increasingly dense at the real points. Products.

David Greenfield – director of the nonprofit Met Council, which distributes free food and necessities in New York City – said: “We first saw the salespeople, the heads, the servants service and restaurant owner come to receive food supplies “.

Last week, David noted that law firm employees also asked for assistance. These are workers who “have a job all their life” if the Covid-19 pandemic does not occur.

“I don’t want to get help” – the mood of many Americans when they first lose their jobs (Image: NY Times)

According to the New York Times , many Americans have maintained two beliefs. First, they believe that the United States is a united and cohesive body. Secondly, they also worship “do as much as you want”. These two beliefs coexisted peacefully in economic prosperity, but contradicted in difficult times.

Even when you try hard, a pandemic comes and robs you of the opportunity to develop. In the midst of poverty, you cannot think too much for others because you yourself are still not finished. That is the situation of millions of Americans now.

Repair mechanic Scott Theusch, 61, for the first time filling out an application for benefits. He said he had no choice. “They tell you not to work anymore, so what to do to live now?”.

Meanwhile, Samantha Pasaye, 29, a manicurist in Los Angeles, called for a donation on Instagram after her salon was closed. Seeing this post, Samantha’s mother burst into tears. She said: “I’m not a person who begs for help. I try to do everything on my own. But right at this moment, pride needs to be put aside.”

Adedyo Codrington, 41, is an employee at the trade show. But when the center closed on March 8, he suddenly lost his job. In the midst of not receiving his final salary, Adedyo went to ask for food supplies. However, he was ashamed to realize that the food had already been distributed.

Over the following week, the father of two children lined up early but still did not “win” with the long line of people faster. Finally, Adedyo received a bag of canned beans. Colleagues also supported 100 USD but this amount is running out. Right now, Adedyo drinks sugar water every day and eats “dream sandwich” – that is, two layers of bread with fillings. “From earning 1,500 to 2,000 USD per week, now catastrophic to this point …” – he mused.

Pandemic and destitute have struck a deadly blow to American pride

Americans have a tradition of philanthropy – from relief funds to immigrants in religious organizations in the 19th century to the welfare programs of political parties in the 20th century. But one characteristic Another of the American people is that they have very high personal independence. The wave of successful start-ups in recent years has made individualism, from nothing, established achievements even more venerated.

“A lot of people in America are proud of their full and independent lives,” said sociologist Alice Fothergill from the University of Vermont.

The professor pointed out that the people who are most hesitant are the ones who need the most help. For example, one survey found that after the floods in North Dakota, the top beneficiaries should be working-class and middle-class women. However, they expressed hesitation, such as offering to pay for food packages or refusing to stay in a container despite losing their homes. After the disaster, they still want to retain their pride and social status.

The director of Greenfield, the food delivery program in New York, also recounted a remarkable finding. A lot of Americans who came to ask for assistance opened their mouths by apologizing. “Sorry but can you help me? I’m sorry but I really need food. I’m sorry for the need for rent assistance. Sorry for bothering but hope everyone helps.”

Kirk DeWindt, 36, used to have a job with a stable income (Image: NY Times)

Some Americans even feel tormented when they think of more miserable situations. They ask themselves, even if they themselves are eligible for unemployment benefits, but is it possible to “occupy” the line of people right behind?

Kirk DeWindt, 36, has participated in the reality show “The Bachelor” three times. He was originally a personal trainer, but during the epidemic, all training sessions had to be canceled. Kirk still had savings, so he hesitated when his mother urged her to apply for benefits. “I’m still luckier than many others. What to do in this situation?” . In the end, he still decided to fill out the application form to get through the difficult time soon.

“American Dream” becomes despair

For immigrants, they are determined to leave their homeland, go to the country of chess and want to build a new life around the “American dream”. The shock of the labor market has the strongest impact on this group of people. Life was constantly turned upside down, the beliefs just built had rushed to collapse, making them feel helpless.

Alex Rotaru, 48, is a filmmaker and actor in Beverly Hills. He left Romania for the United States at the age of 21. After nearly three decades, Alex has lived as an American with pride without any help.

But when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, Alex had to stop all work. The bills are still piling up. “Of course I was very ashamed, but quickly overcame when I thought about my son . “

During the crisis caused by the Covid-19 epidemic, immigrants lost the “sand castles” they had just built.

Ernst Virgile, 38, and his wife from Haiti to the United States in 2012. The two determination to work hard without complaining. The husband concurrently serves two jobs at Fort Lauderdale airport, the wife also sweat on plantations. They came to buy a house last year, built a home with three young children. Suddenly, both of them lost their jobs in March 2020, in the most miserable and miserable life.

Now, while his wife cries at the thought of her home mortgage, Ernst is still trying to get food stamps and filling out an unemployment benefit form. “We are not used to it. We knew we had to work hard to live up to the American dream. But now, we have to write on unemployment benefits. We don’t know. what to do”.

(According to NY Times)