Essential Voices

<p><b>A collection of creative writing and art about COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic by people from vulnerable populations.</b> <p/> Bringing together artwork creative nonfiction fiction and poetry <i>Essential Voices</i> shares the perspectives of people from vulnerable populations as they were affected by COVID-19 in 2020 before the release of the vaccine. The pieces in this volume represent a range of writers and artists some from international locations whose work may be less likely to be seen because of race ethnicity or current legal status. Contributors include individuals who identify as BIPOC LGBTQIA+ or seniors; those who are immunocompromised or undocumented; those working in medicine food service factories and sanitation; and parents who were unable to work from home along with individuals who were being held in correctional facilities or facing mental health concerns. This multigenre collection preserves the history of the pandemic by documenting and publishing these essential voices. </p><p><i>Essential Voices</i> will be of interest to readers who want to consider the diverse lived experiences of people during the pandemic when outcomes were most uncertain. It will also be useful for teachers students activists and policy makers in a variety of settings including government hospitals prisons homeless shelters colleges art schools and secondary schools. </p>