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Finding Joy In An Uncertain Time: How Hampton Roads Stays Afloat

WHRO | By Rebecca Feldhaus Adams
Published March 17, 2020 at 2:44 PM EDT
https://www.npr.org/2020/03/17/816691923/how-to-be-alone-but-not-lonely-despite-the-coronavirus
Photo by Rebecca Feldhaus Adams, WHRO. Little moments of lightness buoy spirits during an uncertain time.
Finding Joy In An Uncertain Time: How Hampton Roads Stays Afloat

A walk outside. Cherry blossom buds peeking out on the branch. The smell of the salt air as the sun rises over the Chesapeake Bay. The warmth of a purring cat on your lap and a mug of hot tea in your hand. 

There are small moments in life that often go ignored. But they're coming into sharp focus now that many residents in Hampton Roads are home from work, from school and in some cases from their houses of worship. The coronavirus is a pandemic, and local, state and federal officials are imploring citizens to stay home as much as possible, to practice social distancing. It can be disruptive, scary and anxiety-inducing. 

We asked our WHRO audience what's keeping them afloat during this uncertain time. And they answered. And we're sharing their happiness so that it might spread to others. 

Benming And Kelsey Zhang, Williamsburg

COVID zhang cats
Photo courtesy of Benming and Kelsey Zhang
Their kitten, Sampson, stayed quiet while they told WHRO what keeps them happy. Their other cat hid altogether. Too much paparazzi.

Williamsburg City Councilman Benming "Benny" Zhang responded to our call out. Zhang and his wife, Kelsey, are working from home together with their two cats. 

They just got married a few weeks ago, so they delight in the chance to spend more quality time together. 

COVID zhang wedding
Photo courtesy of Benming and Kelsey Zhang, Heather Hughes Photography. 
What better way to spend the honeymoon period than together at home?

Hear their happy thoughts in their own words below: 

. @benming_zhang and his wife, Kelsey, shared what's getting them through the quiet days of social distancing. Share your ray of hope with us, and we might share it with the community. Here's how: https://t.co/tIw92XxUf2 pic.twitter.com/mehF56zhAR — WHRO Public Media (@WHRO) March 18, 2020

Skye Zentz, Norfolk

Skye Zentz is a musician, lyricist and music educator based in Hampton Roads. She was the first to respond to our request for buoys in this sea of uncertainty. 

Zentz says she's grateful for all the ways we still can connect while staying safe and social distancing. 

She's even putting together a virtual music and performance festival for local and national artists. It's called The Friend Jam 2020, and will be streamed via Facebook and Instagram throughout the afternoon and evening on Saturday, March 28. 

A note of transparency that Zentz has done work with some WHRO Public Media departments.

Listen to Skye Zentz in her own words:

Things are stressful right now, but Hampton Roads residents are finding ways to stay happy while staying safe. Listen to Skye Zentz of Norfolk, and send in your very own joyful moment. See the thread for submission details. Help WHRO spread some joy throughout the region. pic.twitter.com/hlvutPZhBu — WHRO Public Media (@WHRO) March 16, 2020

What's making you smile these days? Be sure to include your name and where in Hampton Roads you live. Here are two ways to share your stories: 

  • Download the WHRO app on your smartphone. Open the app, and scroll to the send us your feedback section. Record 30 seconds of what's brightening your day, and send it through the app. 
Re-upping this to let you know you could send us a voice message about really anything going on where you are https://t.co/TOUgiX1Z2m — mechelle ??‍♀️ hankerson (@mechelleh) February 26, 2020

  • Record an audio file on your smart phone (sometimes also called a voice memo), and email it to news@whro.org. Please also consider sharing a photo of you or the thing that makes you happy. 

We might use your submission on air or online. 

You can also submit something in writing to us. We may contact you for more information.
COVID
Rebecca Feldhaus Adams
Rebecca (Bec) Fedhaus Adams is the first ever news director at WHRO Public Media. She leads the strategic vision for local journalism. Bec is an alumna of the Poynter Leadership Academy for Women in Media (2019) and a member of the Editorial Integrity and Leadership Initiative (2020) from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She is an outspoken advocate for diversity in public media and mentors young journalists to reach their goals. She is a member of the 2020 Next Generation Radio staff. Her work is driven by a conviction that the way we do our work is as important as the work we do, and that curiosity and humility are the cornerstones of that philosophy. She has served as an editor and project manager at WAMU in Washington, D.C., the talent director at the Association of Independents in Radio (AIR), a general assignment reporter at WKMS, an education reporter at The Paducah Sun and a freelancer and consultant. Bec's stories and collaborations have won multiple state, regional and national awards including in the "Best Use of Sound," category for a story about an evangelical horse whisperer. She holds two degrees from Murray State University. A homesick Kentuckian, Bec has been named both a roller derby MVP and Miss Congeniality in past lives. She lives in Virginia Beach with her spouse, Drew. When she’s not at work, she enjoys karaoke, hosting dinner parties and traveling.
See stories by Rebecca Feldhaus Adams