SAG-AFTRA New York Local member Avis Boone reflects on how her life has changed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent shut down of productions across the country.
“I was assigned to work the beauty show at Jacob Javits Center in New York and a cycling event at a NYC gym, when they were both canceled because of the outbreak. It was really a matter of safety for all the staff, since everyone was going to be in close proximity to one another.
“Right now, I’m keeping in contact with my family in North Carolina, cleaning my apartment and taking online classes, attending webinars and meetings on Zoom. Even though employers aren’t sure when work will start, they’re still casting, so I’m also taking time to perfect my self-taping skills and shooting myself for print castings.
“My stimulus check from the CARES Act came in the nick of time, and I’ve applied for unemployment assistance, but the delays for approval are affecting everyone, and there are not enough answers.
“I’m proud of the things SAG-AFTRA has done because, normally, as gig workers, we don’t always know when we’re going to work. We are a special group of employees, and I appreciate the work our leaders are doing with the government to keep our needs in the forefront.
“Work is going to be a whole lot different when things are over. I’ve been reading about how things are likely to change: actors are not touching on set, and being close to someone and even eating from the same bowls or table won’t continue. It’s going to take a minute before we get used to ‘the new normal.’”
This item originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA magazine spring 2020 issue.
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