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Invisible Visible
In their own words:
How the global pandemic COVID-19 affects one of our most fragile and at-risk populations:
the homeless citizens of the United States of America
Sarasota, Florida
October, 2020
Florida Homeless 2020: est. 28, 328
A devout believer in God, Jolie is not afraid of COVID-19. "If the Lord wants to take me, I am ready to go no matter what the cause." Jolie wears a mask and sticks to her immediate "family group". Attending Western Carolina University where her mom was a professor, Jolie "dropped out of my Criminology program and began living the life of a criminal." Her current crime? In Sarasota, while living on the streets is not considered illegal - loitering is.
James Lee LeJeune, ("just like the camp, Ma'am!"), 55, does not work a regular job due to his convicted felon status. His time in jail "was not due to a vicious crime, just something related to a DUI." James Lee thinks that COVID-19 may be a hoax, and is not worried about contracting the virus. He works odd jobs as a carpenter and mechanic, and receives food stamps. When asked if he needed anything, he said, "just a blanket because mine got soaked last night in the rain."
Jordan was born in Washington, DC, twenty-nine years ago and adopted at birth by a traveling nurse. Before relocating to Sarasota, Jordan worked as a janitor in Georgia. Living with her mom until things soured and she was asked to leave, she is estranged from her family. On the streets for two years, Jordan lives on social security and food stamps. She is well aware of COVID-19 after her good friend, Glen (in another city), recently passed away from complications of the virus. "We stick to ourselves and have little contact with others, and so far, no one in our group has been sick." After having her worldly possessions stolen, Jordan does keep anything with her except for her clothes and personal care items.
Jolie and Jordan are best friends. "I don't know what I would do without my Jordan:she is my daughter from another mother," said Jolie.
James Lee broke down crying during our interview, and Jolie is quick to wipe his tears and runny nose away while planting gentle kisses on his face. In a relationship for two years, they live in their tent together and stick to themselves. While Jolie likes to indulge in vodka, James Lee says he does not drink, "but I do enjoy a fat joint once in awhile - got anything?"
James Lee LeJeune, Jolie and Jordan live in tents at the corner of 9th and Lemon in Sarasota, Florida. Affable, approachable and eager to help me with an interview and photo shoot, they applauded me for going back to college despite my advanced years. "You go, girl and don't forget we are proud of your accomplishments and please send us a picture of your photography installation!" Only Jordan (R) has an email address, and none of them have a cell phone.
Cindy left her home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in January 2020. Due to broken gears and other problems with her bicycle and trailer, she has walked most of the way, pushing her gear. The pandemic was not news when she left, but when she arrived in Sarasota, Florida, a few months later, it was big news.
Extremely proud of her garden on wheels, Cindy explains how to take care of plants while living on the streets. Water is her most important commodity - and the plants are fed first. Politely declining my offer to provide food and water, she explained how she recycles gallon water jugs and keeps them filled at every opportunity so her plants are not put at risk.
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When Cindy entered a sandwich shop she inquired why the server was not wearing a mask. When he said it was not required, she apologized for not giving him her business and left. "I am not saying he was sick or was going to make me sick, but you know some people are asymptomatic and at my age I cannot take the risk of exposing myself to any illness. I will only purchase from an establishment that has a safety protocol in place."
Always quick with a smile, Jeff lives in Five Points Park beneath luxurious million dollar condominiums. "Nah, not worried about diseases - will you still take my picture?"
Our paths literally crossed as Ryan was being tossed out of the Sarasota County Public Library after being caught in the men's room having sex with a young lady who angrily ran off. With his looming 6'3" frame, good looks and extremely outgoing personality, Ryan is looked up to by the other people who live in the Five Points Park with him. He is the one who keeps the streets clean, picking up after everyone, and he runs errands when anyone needs something from the market - generally, a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, a pack of cigarettes or what have you. Well-spoken and caught up on the news, Ryan, 34, moved to Sarasota via Orlando from San Diego, California, where he was born and raised. "Look up at those three million dollar condos," he instructed as he pointed up from our bench. "Would you want to look down and see us outside your window? In San Diego, they would never allow such a travesty, and that is how I ended up in Sarasota. I love living under these beautiful buildings: look at my view!"
Addressing the global pandemic, COVID-19, Ryan remarked, "sure, the virus is real, but we aren't catching it here. We stick together and have basically no contact with other people, we all wear masks when we go inside. The police come by and check on us regularly to be sure we are not showing signs of illness." Ryan, a self-described handyman who is able to craft anything, works odd jobs around the county, showers at the beach, and gets around by bicycle. Since his phone was stolen just last night, he asked me to text his sister in Idaho "only the good shots, and none with a beer can. My family knows I'm an alcoholic, but I don't want them to see the evidence in my hand." A convicted felon for "a huge amount of pot in California", Ryan will not be voting, is a firm believer in capitalism, and was thrilled when he received a stimulus check.
As I was interviewing Vinny we discovered we are from the same area of New Jersey, and that my brother-in-law once worked for his family's company. An alcoholic who was coming off a bender, Vinny said, "yes, I am well aware of COVID-19 and I'm just minding my own business and staying out of its way. And, by the way, I'm sorry you had to see me like this young lady.I had a rough night."
Lucas is known around Five Points Park for three things: he is the most photographed homeless person in Sarasota, he is the friendliest, and he reads the Sarasota Herald Tribune newspaper and the Wall Street Journal - which he purchases at a local store - every day. Well aware of COVID-19, he uses masks and feels very safe from the virus due to the infrequent contact he has with people. He has a Facebook account and "uses it twice a year to check in with his children who live in Maine," and is very proud of his son, a Professor of Archeology at Colby College.
Howard has just been released from the hospital in Sarasota where he was treated for melanoma. He returned after four days and discovered all of his possessions had been stolen. While he thought he had hidden them pretty well, someone figured out his hiding spot and he came "home" to emptiness. Howard is 61, and is being treated in a program at Doctor's Hospital where he sees doctors several days a week. He has health insurance, and enough money to do a little shopping this morning at Good Will Industries. "I have had several COVID tests because I am in the doctor's offices so often, and so far, I have not been exposed to the virus. While I was in the hospital, I was on a ward that was COVID free and I was never worried - they took excellent care of me, and look, here is my cancer - do you want to see it?"
With everything missing upon his discharge from the hospital, Howard, 61, of Sarsasota, Florida, was able to visit Good Will and purchase some new items. He is quite pleased with his practically brand new University of Florida shirt, bike and a bunch of other things that will keep him comfortable.
Howard is a sports buff, and is hopeful the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will make it to Superbowl this season. "Imagine, we had the Tampa Bay Lightning win the Stanely Cup for hockey, the Tampa Bay Rays were just in the World Series, and the Bucs could be our next team to make it all the way to playoffs!"
Sarasota County has reserved $457,687 in federal CARES Act money with plans to rehouse its residents who are at the highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. The virus is expected to spread quickly if it gets into a crowded shelter, or a homeless encampment which is both crowded and lacking proper hygiene.
My first encounter with Bear (seated, Left) was at the Sarasota Farmer's Market. Bear sits in this location daily, and many people passing by give him money, Starbucks, cans of drink and food. Pleasant and unflappable, he loves having his picture taken and is charming. "Nope, feeling great - no COVID here!"
A sleeping woman in the street just outside of the upscale kitchen store, Sur la Table on N. Lemon Street in Sarasota. A friend told me she does have mask and wears it.
The homeless congregate near the bus station in Sarasota, Florida, located at N. Lemon Avenue and 2nd Streets.
The homeless congregate near the bus station in Sarasota, Florida, located at N. Lemon Avenue and 2nd Streets.
Sarasota, Florida
November, 2020
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