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‘COVID about took my life’: Residents reflect on the five years since the pandemic put a pause to the region

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – March is the five year mark since COVID-19 began to have significant impacts in northeast Florida and southeast Georgia.

Local governments entered into state of emergency, sporting events were canceled and many businesses forced to shut their doors.

March 2020 was the start of a journey with an uncertain ending. Now, five years later, News4JAX caught up with residents to hear about their experiences and how it influenced where they are and what they do today.

Health Battles

“COVID about took my life,” Christopher Harris said.

Harris was the first person to step up to the mic at Jacksonville’s Friendship Fountain.

Christopher Harris shares his story a battle with COVID-19 as March marks five years since it shut much of the region down. (News4Jax)

He said he spent three weeks in the hospital and months on oxygen.

“Makes you put stuff in perspective,” he said. Like the stuff that you think is important ain’t so important no more.”

He said over the next five years, he hopes to continue getting back on his feet and spending time with family.

Lockdown Love Story

As the sun set up walked Amy Riesberg-Lovermi and Paul Lovermi.

Amy sat down first.

“In five years ago, it was a Sunday,” she said. It was also her birthday. She lived in Iowa at the time and said that’s when school got canceled.

Her son later missed out on his graduation party. But the lockdown had some unforeseen perks. It brought her to her husband.

“It did change the course of my life,” Paul said.

The two had met online and Paul had been doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles. When the pandemic hit and places shut down, he made a move.

“And what ended up happening is I fell in love with the farmer’s daughter,” he said.

Paul Lovermi talks about how the pandemic shutdowns brought him and his wife together. (News4Jax)

The two spent the shutdown together and “five years later we’re still together,” Amy said.

Five years later

So much has happened since March of 2020 as the world continues to move forward. And nobody knows what the next five years might have in store.

“I wanna be able to go and graduate and go to Division I one school,” Aydan Morris said. He said his study habits may not have been the best during the online schooling days but said he wants to learn how to start a business.

Safiyyah Elsharif became a mother in 2023. When asked what she wants to accomplish in the next five years:

“Just continue to be a good woman and be a good mom,” Elsharif said.

A lot has changed in five years.

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About the Author
Chris Will headshot

Chris Will has joined the News4JAX team as a weekend morning reporter, after graduating from the University of Florida in spring 2024. During his time in Gainesville, he covered a wide range of stories across the Sunshine State. His coverage of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award.

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