My Roommate Has COVID-19

In My Roommate Has COVID-19, video editor Aaron Barksdale presents a diary featuring the experiences of two COVID-19 patients, Molly Demellier and Sally Burtnick, who contracted the virus during the first wave in New York City. Part of Vice News’ Inside Voices series, which explores how various communities adapted to social distancing, the diary chronicles their symptoms, quarantine experiences, and the reactions of their roommates, who express concerns about potentially becoming disease vectors.

The video captures the pandemic’s intensity, using elements like background sirens—observed by Molly—to evoke the crisis atmosphere. Molly and Sally also reflect on the challenges of living in New York during the outbreak, highlighting flaws in the U.S. healthcare system, especially in testing and care accessibility. Their testimonies underscore the importance of vigilance to protect the broader community while portraying the struggle to maintain a sense of control in a rapidly changing and uncertain environment.