When COVID-19 began, Ryan was a military and legislative affairs programs coordinator with a regional Chamber of Commerce, working on a study into populism in America. Within months, he was furloughed, and not too long ago, he ended up getting laid off. We had a chat with him to understand how that experience has been like.
“When my CEO told me, my heart was racing. I’d never lost a job before.”Q: Hi Ryan, thanks for being here! To start, can you tell us when you first heard about COVID-19 and what you thought of it then?
A: I cannot recall when I first heard of the virus. I follow the news closely. So many other things were happening in America whenever the word “coronavirus” was first used. The virus started spreading in America during Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, so I believe many of us were preoccupied. At the same time, I began seeing memes about the coronavirus and Corona beer. People were joking about it, and I don’t think any of us believed it would spread throughout America as rapidly as it did.
When did you really start to worry about COVID-19 and what did you do in response to that?
I was working on political programs at the time. I remember getting a phone call from a Fortune 500 company. They decided to withdraw $50,000 support because it required their executives to go to large political events with thousands of people. If their employees got sick after attending, the company could be held liable. At first, I believed they were overreacting. And $50,000 is a lot of money to lose. But that was the first moment I realized America was in big trouble.
Can you tell us how you ended up getting furloughed, and what you thought of it then?
As I mentioned, I was working on political programs that resulted in large gatherings. As soon as our Governor gave the lockdown order, I knew we could not have events. I was furloughed a month later in April. It was kind of nice. I went on America’s unemployment CARES package, and I got paid to stay home and watch Netflix. I read constantly. I finished almost 50 books between April and August.
How then did you end up getting laid off? And what did you do right after that?
I was supposed to go back to work on August 1. A week before that, my company’s CEO called me directly and said that I would be laid off because we could no longer do political programs. I sort of expected this because our income from political programs had dropped to zero dollars. Still, when my CEO told me, my heart was racing. I’d never lost a job before. The next day, I went in to clean out my desk. I still accidentally left my Dolly Parton coffee mug there, and I really wished I hadn’t. I love that mug!
When furloughed, did you prepare for the instance you might end up losing your job or trust, like many, that all will return to normalcy soon enough? Why did you feel that way?
I’m a political scientist, and one of my areas of expertise is populism in America. Many Americans do not trust the government or experts. Therefore, I knew that Americans would struggle to accept the experts’ advice to stay home, close down businesses, and wear masks. And because we struggle with that, I would probably not go back to work soon. I started applying for new jobs in June, more than a month before I was laid off. Searching for a job right now is very difficult.
How different is being laid off from being furloughed, from your experience? And how do you feel about the choices you made when furloughed, now that that status has been changed?
There is only one difference: While furloughed, your business promises you will return to work (even if it is a promise that ultimately falls through the cracks). I had some hope. Now the hope is gone. I am not sure I could do many things differently due to coronavirus restrictions. On the other hand, I’ve always wanted to expand my knowledge of coding languages, which is very beneficial to have during a job search. Maybe instead of reading so many books, it would have been better to expand my resumé.
How long do you think you will be able to survive without a job? What options will you have if a new job doesn’t come along anytime soon?
I should have enough money in savings to last me six to eight months. I’m also getting unemployment income, which can stretch this timeline even longer. Still, I don’t want to be unemployed anymore. Eventually, I will find something. I delivered pizzas during graduate school. That was good money, believe it or not. I don’t mind doing it again. People pay delivery drivers to sit in their cars and listen to music!
Do you think a new job will be coming along soon? Why so?
I have had a couple of interviews already. I also applied for a job today that made my heart flutter with joy! Still, I do not have a lot of reason to assume I’ll be earning a paycheck anytime soon. Who knows? Maybe my phone will ring with good news today!
Which 3 objects or people are presently most useful to you?
I play the drums in a blues band with four other people. We practice once a week. I have a large basement, and it is easy to get us all down there and maintain physical distance. When I’m with them playing music, I don’t have any anxiety. Although the stress is still there, the band helps me not focus on it so much. And that is tremendously useful.
Which place was most helpful?
I walk 10,000 steps at least each morning before I start the day. It takes me one and a half hours. I walk along the Lafayette River and listen to audiobooks or music. The river is very peaceful and beautiful. Simply being near the river makes me feel better about everything.
Did you ever imagine you would be having to deal with a situation such as this? If you could go back in time to January 2020, what would you do differently?
I think many of us watch post-apocalyptic movies and TV shows, and we like to daydream about what it would be like to live through that. Still, I never expected something similar to happen (albeit with fewer zombies). I don’t think I would like to go back in time to January 2020. It was too late by then to prepare any differently or to stop the virus. I would just have to ride the whole thing out again.
If you could go back a whole decade, what would you do differently?
But if I could go back a decade? I might have bigger things to worry about. Ten years ago, I lived in Beirut, Lebanon, and the Syrian Civil War was just about to start across the border. In a few years, almost everyone in that country would be killed in the fighting or displaced. I would be too focused on trying to stop the bloodshed. I might not worry about a virus that won’t exist for another ten years. The Syrian people suffered so much during that war.
How do you think COVID-19 will affect your long-term career option and living conditions?
Before the subprime mortgage crisis (2007 – 2010), Americans found good jobs with college degrees. During the crisis, everyone got knocked down a notch. Mid-level associates settled for entry-level employment at half the salary, making it difficult for college graduates to compete for those jobs. I believe everyone will get knocked down another notch. Luckily, I have a doctorate and decent experience, but some jobs I apply to ask only for a bachelor’s degree. There are very few positions for my level out there right now. If I am willing to accept a low salary, it will be even harder for college grads to compete. Something will have to change soon.
What do you think 2021 will look like for yourself and everybody else?
In a perfect world, epidemiologists, virologists, and other medical scientists worldwide develop a cheap, safe, and effective COVID-19 vaccine, which stops the virus from spreading in weeks. At that point, people all over the world will slowly emerge from the “new normal.” If we can get that vaccine, 2021 is going to be a strange but exciting year. We will all be a little timid and traumatized, and we might not feel safe giving out hugs, but there will be a giant weight lifted from our shoulders.
Lastly, what do you know now that you never knew before?
I now know at least a little about gardening.
Ryan is presently working on finding new employment while simultaneously developing 2 books—one about 1990s protest music and the other, a fictional novel. You can find out more about his progress at his website, www.ryanmnixon.com, or chat with him about life and circumstances using the comment box below.
More interviews with people affected by COVID-19 here.
Photographs courtesy and copyright of Ryan. Interviewer: Sy
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