Pandemic Hardships And A Remembrance On This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, we remember a woman from Charleston who died last week from the coronavirus. Also, in this show, we hear from two working mothers who turned to family for help as they navigated child care and the pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has put our country’s child care system in crisis. Working parents in the United States face a lot of pressure, and child care workers are underpaid, overworked and undervalued. In the latest episode of Inside Appalachia, we hear from several people who have had to adjust their lives – and work – in the midst of the global pandemic. Here’s an excerpt from the show, featuring two mothers: Isabelle Heydt and Melissa Ellsworth. Both turned to family for support with childcare. But it took some big decisions and life changes to make it work.

Since first responding to the coronavirus pandemic in March, more than 750 reported West Virginians have died from COVID-19. That includes Emily Haynes, who succumbed to the disease the Friday after Thanksgiving. Haynes was a lover of live music, a musician herself and a beloved, vibrant member of Charleston’s local arts and culture scene. Here’s a remembrance from her husband, Jeff.

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Support for our news bureaus comes from West Virginia University, Concord University, and Shepherd University.

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