Geri Hill, 83, never had Covid, and although a few of her neighbors came down with the disease, none of her family members or close friends became seriously ill. “Emotionally it was very concerning. I wondered if I was doing the right things to stay safe. I spent a lot of time in my apartment, keeping busy with my painting and working in the garden.” She’s not wearing a mask as much as she did at the height of the pandemic, but said it’s likely that she will get the new Covid booster this fall. A retired elementary school adviser, she lives in the Bayview.

Albert “JJ” Jackson, 70, lives alone and became seriously ill with Covid last year. “I was so weak I couldn’t even dial 911. I dragged myself to the street. Luckily, a neighbor saw me and helped.” He lost 20 pounds and several good friends. “Covid just took them away.” He’s not taking many steps to remain safe now: “I’m 70. I have to live my life.” Even so, he expects to get the new booster. “I’m no fool,” said Jackson, a freelance artist who lives near Twin Peaks.

Linda Powell, 76, did not have Covid but knew people who did, including a few who died. But for Powell, the most difficult part of the pandemic was the temporary closure of her church, where she spent much of her free time. The church managed to stream some services, but listening was never satisfying. “I stayed six feet apart and had no social life.” She no longer masks, is back to hugging close friends, and frequently goes to the Davis Center, where she feels the safest. “I’m not a medicine person, and don’t know about the booster,” said Powell, a retired school bus driver who lives in Daly City.

Lynn Wilson, 69, did not have Covid, but the pandemic was a terribly frightening period for her. “I was afraid to go out and stayed alone. You couldn’t tell if someone next to you had Covid.” A friend came down with Covid but recovered. Wilson wears a mask these days and said, “I think the new booster will help. I’m thinking I’ll get it.” A retired bank customer service agent, Wilson lives in the Bayview.

Dennis Billups, 70, claims he was “simply too busy and too active to get Covid.” But he lives with his mother and sister and was very concerned for their safety. He would mask, use hand sanitizer, and order food out to avoid outside contact. His family remained healthy, but one friend – a cab driver – died from the disease. He continues most of the precautions he utilized during the pandemic and will probably get the booster. Billups, who is blind, said he is still active in the fight for disability and civil rights. He lives in the Visitacion Valley neighborhood.