Frankie: Positive changes amid the tragedy...
Introduction:
Frankie is a 33 year-old gay Italian-American male from Rutherford, New Jersey. Despite losing his job as a hairstylist, the Covid-19 pandemic has been a largely positive experience for Frankie. In his interview, he notes the obvious tragedy of it all, but there have been several positive changes in his life. The pandemic has given Frankie the gift of time. With that time, he's visited distant family and tackled numerous household projects. Additionally, a new job fell into his lap. Frankie is now making more money than before, and gets along famously with his new coworkers. As for his sex life, it's come to a screeching halt. While he had been through dry spells before, this felt different because the pandemic made him feel more aware of his own loneliness. Frankie has had sexual encounters only twice since the pandemic began. “It is what it is,” he says, “It'll turn around eventually.”
Notable Quotes:
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR LIFE GENERALLY?
“Honestly, it was more of a positive thing for me than anything else. I mean, obviously I'm not discounting or discrediting any of the, you know, sad things that have been going on, and how it's affecting people, you know, mortality-wise. But, for me, I gotta say, it's been more of a positive.”
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HOUSEHOLD PROJECTS YOU'VE GOTTEN DONE DURING THE PANDEMIC?
“Well, deep cleaning, and finally putting my bedroom together. I cleaned out all of the crap that I didn't need, that I was just accumulating over the years, cleaned everything. Finally put up, you know, mirrors and sconces and a new table and stuff that I've just been collecting to put together and put in my room and just never have.”
“I actually enjoy being in my room now, because it's such a nice, comforting atmosphere to be in.”
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOUR SEX LIFE?
“Well, [chuckles], it's come to a screeching halt.”
“I've been through dry spells before, and, you know, who hasn't. But, this time, it was just, cause you had to, you know what I mean?”
“So you really kinda notice how lonely you are.”
“A couple months ago, I wanna say September, was the first time since, like, the day of lockdown, and then again last week. So it's only been twice now since, since quarantine has been lifted that I've had a sexual encounter at all. Scratchin' down the walls over here [laughs].”