Two Families in Quarantine

By Mahlon Smoke

We are currently living in medical history, the Coronavirus or COVID-19 has caused widespread panic and quarantined families into their homes. "Social Distancing" has become a common phrase and life in Akwesasne has altered completely; but that doesn't mean the various families who are stuck in quarantine are letting that get them down. Two sisters, Chantelle Beeson and Okiokwinon Chelsea Francis have both been in quarantine with their families, but both sisters are not letting these trying times get them down or stop them from being good mothers to their children, working and taking the correct precautions needed for this pandemic.

On Facebook, Chelsea Francis has been chronicling her time at home with her family and children. Jokingly calling them her "co-workers" and how while antsy, they understand the rules of handwashing and the purpose of social distancing. But as children, they can get restless and what Francis has done has taken this extra time to bond closer with them and take time to play with them. Francis even said, "I'm very fortunate to live in a multi-generational household so my father is who is retired, is able to help me with my kids during the day so I can work."

Francis also thankful that her work has been very empathetic to the staff with children and allowing her to work from home.

Day-by-day, like many families they are doing their best to survive and adjust to the new status quo for this, hopefully short time. But for now, Francis and her family in their shared household are doing their part. The same can be said for her older sister, Chantelle Beeson. Beeson is currently pregnant with her fourth child and because of the pandemic, has been quarantined for quite some time.

With the daycares and schools closed for the time being, Beeson has had more time to bond with her children and better prepare to welcome a new baby into their family.

"I'm really grateful right now to be in a position where we can keep our kids fed and taken care of during this time," she said about having to stay home with her children. During this time Beeson has spent the time bonding with them, cooking with them, going out for walks with them, and also receiving support from the community.

Beeson is so proud of our community - like the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club and different schools who are getting children fed when they don't have easy access to food. And Helping Hands, a program that provides families in need with their basic necessities. A sense of pride is warranted as many community members help each other, safely of course, by making deliveries, checking on Elders, and like the Beeson Family, making sure they have their necessities.

Because this pandemic has caused a lot of fear within a lot of people. Going to stores for food, supplies, and more, have left many important (and maybe not that important) items. Both sisters have found similar experiences when it came to individuals who have begun buying in bulk and leaving shelves bare for those who really need it. Beeson has had difficulties finding diapers and wipes for her baby daughter and Francis fears for the Elders who cannot get access to the supplies that they may need. To correct that, many stores including Walmart, Dollar General, and more have been restrictive about how much customers can buy at a time. Even with these limits, shelves are still bare due to the panic.

Even then, the constant misinformation spread on social media can also perpetuate fear within the community and others. Social media is a double-edged sword, great for socializing and sharing ideas, it is also a platform where misinformation spreads just as fast as the virus itself. Beeson focuses on traditional medicine to keep herself healthy by drinking her elderberry syrup along with raspberry leaf tea for her pregnancy.

With so many updates and changing information about COVID-19 and how it affects the community, it's difficult to keep up. Both Beeson and Francis are keeping their heads held high and keeping their families safe.