ORLANDO, Fla. — College Park resident Willie Henry was always an energetic, on-the-go kind of guy. Until he contracted COVID-19.

A highway technician by day, Henry normally DJs private parties and events by night, as DJ Willie C Productions.

But since he got sick in late June, he has not been able to do either of those things.

The coronavirus hit Henry hard: he spent more than a month in the hospital, and still struggles to breathe weeks after his release. He will need to use an oxygen tank for at least the next two months, he said. (Photo courtesy of Willie Henry)

Apart from the physical and emotional strain that comes with being sick, COVID-19 also caused Henry’s family to suffer financially. Henry has not been able to work for months, and his partner took time off, too, while Henry was at his worst. When September came around, they did not know how they would make rent.

“I mean, no income was coming in,” Henry said.

Henry said they called around to friends, who in turn reached out to their own networks — eventually, getting the story to Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who is currently up for re-election. 

Eskamani connected Henry with Audubon Park resident Heather Isaacs, a supporter of the representative who has inquired throughout the pandemic about ways to help families struggling with their housing. 

“I feel like the government’s not done enough with the unemployment system, so I'm trying to step up and fill in the gaps where I can,” Isaacs explained.

She has previously donated around $10,000 to Eskamani for the representative to distribute to families, both she and Eskamani confirmed.

Isaacs sent Eskamani a check for $1,300. With that money, Henry was able to cover a month’s rent for his family’s two-bedroom apartment. 

Back on The Beat

Since leaving the hospital and learning his family can stay in their apartment, Henry has gotten back to what he loves: mixing beats. Hooked into an oxygen tank, he practices on the turntable setup in his bedroom, while his children attend school remotely in the next room.

The joy Henry feels when he is making music is unmistakable. He sings along to his mixes, bobbing around to the beat of the track.

While he is mixing music, Willie Henry still needs an oxygen tank to breathe. (Photo courtesy of Willie Henry)

Henry said without Isaac’s contribution, he does not know what they would have done.

“My family’s grateful,” Henry said. “It’s awesome. This lets us know that there are some good people out there who care about us.”

Henry said while he would love to meet Isaacs one day, he has not reached out to her as of yet. For Isaacs, receiving that “thanks” is not a necessity.

“It’s hard to ask for help, especially when it’s a large amount,” Isaacs said. “I don't need any thanks from Willie. I want him to get better, I want him to take care of his family and I want him to stay a productive member of this society, and not worry about the stress of, how is he going to pay his rent next month.”

“Wear A Mask. Outside.”

Another thing Henry’s learned from this whole experience? The importance of wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic — even while outside. 

Henry said he started feeling sick while vacationing in St. Petersburg with his partner and five children.

Throughout the week, Henry knew something was not right. He said he was only able to enjoy the trip for about two days; the rest of the time, he felt exhausted and needed to rest.

But he is not sure how he got the virus, because the family kept mostly to themselves while on the trip, Henry said.

“We weren’t around a bunch of people (at the beach) and that’s just the funniest thing,” Henry said. “We were in our own little area.”

At that time, Henry acknowledged that he “took (COVID-19) light.” He just wanted to enjoy the trip with his family, he said.

“I didn’t think that anything like this would happen,” Henry said.

Now, Henry said he doesn’t leave the house unless he has to. He’s focused on practicing his DJ sets in his bedroom — and healing, so he can get back to some semblance of his normal life.

“(This experience) taught me to wear a mask. Outside,” Henry said.

For other people, he has only one piece of advice.

“Just be safe. Be safe,” Henry said.

Molly Duerig is a Report for America corps member who is covering affordable housing for Spectrum News 13. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.