Editor’s note: The coronavirus pandemic brought some of the first cases to the Florida Keys in March and changed our island life in ways no one could have imagined. A checkpoint kept visitors away and the virus at bay, but also affected jobs, business, income and mental health. Policies were changed to address the increasing spread. Meetings and fundraisers were moved online, and we all became experts at Zoom, Google Meet and using our webcams as mirrors before “joining” a virtual event. The Keys reopened to visitors in June and workers returned to jobs in hotels, bars, restaurants and retail stores, and aboard dive, snorkel and fishing boats.
Each week, in our Hindsight 2020 feature, the Keys Weekly will highlight locals’ reflections on a year of unprecedented changes and challenges.
Laz Flores & Maria Fenollar
This married couple are both in the hospitality industry. He manages The Reef Resort in Marathon.
Describe your 2020 in 3 words: Where’s my refund?
What canceled activity or event did you miss the most? We were planning a backpacking retreat in Costa Rica. The borders closed before we could make it.
What Netflix or other TV/movie programming did you discover or rediscover during the pandemic? During COVID-19 quarantine we had lots of Netflix and Amazon TV time. We re-watched all the seasons of “Prison Break.”
Do you have/did have COVID?
Laz: No, I had two scares, but came back negative.
Maria: No.
What’s your pandemic pet peeve?
Nose out (mask only covering the mouth area).
What’s one good thing that came out of this period for you? We re- evaluated our priorities, and spent more time with family.
Describe your hopes for 2021 in 3 words: Where are you?
Logan Neller
This Marathon High School graduate didn’t let COVID-19 derail his plans.
Describe your 2020 in 3 words: Adversity, growth, and blessings.
What canceled activity or event did you miss the most? I missed the Songwriters Festival in Key West; I was really looking forward to seeing Luke Combs in concert.
What Netflix or other TV/movie programming did you discover or rediscover during the pandemic? “Longmire.”
Do you have/did have COVID? I tested positive for antibodies early in the year.
What’s your pandemic pet peeve? People who don’t get moving before the sun comes up; you might as well stay in bed all day.
What’s one good thing that came out of this period for you? I was very fortunate to find work during the pandemic that was flexible enough to allow me to attend the Joe London Fire Academy on Grassy Key. By the end of this year I will be done with my fire training and finishing up final testing for my certification.
Describe your hopes for 2021 in 3 words: Adversity, growth, and blessings.
Floridalia Soto
Marathon postal carrier Floridalia Soto is also a mom
Describe your 2020 in 3 words: Stressful, stressful, stressful.
What canceled activity or event did you miss the most? Gathering with family.
What Netflix or other TV/movie programming did you discover or rediscover during the pandemic? Kids movies like “Toy Story,” “The Incredibles,” and “Frozen.”
Did you have COVID? No.
What’s your pandemic pet peeve? How people wear their face masks.
What’s one good thing that came out of this period for you? The time spent with my kids.
Describe your hopes for 2021 in 3 words: Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine.
