Ryan Roach: How do you identify?

Sequoia Holloway: I’m an Autistic young woman of color and anti-oppression liberationist.

RR: What has your day-to-day been like during the pandemic?

SH: My day-to-day hasn’t changed much since social distancing is already a norm for me as an Autistic person. Mainly, the biggest struggle for me has been the routine change, and without it, my executive functioning has gotten worse. Even though studying is a top priority, I’ve spent a lot of time doing what I usually do indoors, such as playing video games, scrolling through social media, spending time with my pets, and engaging in newer hobbies. While I’m the most dedicated homebody I know and have thoroughly enjoyed my own company and time off work, not being forced to socialize, I’ve realized towards the end of the two-month quarantine period I was feeling a bit stir-crazy.

RR: During the pandemic the government and media have deemed the disabled, immunocompromised and the chronically ill communities as “vulnerable.” What are your thoughts on the terminology of “vulnerable” and how the government and media have treated these so-called “vulnerable” populations during the pandemic?

SH: In my opinion, “vulnerable” is an appropriate term to use because these populations are, indeed, already at an uncontrollable disadvantage. Because of this, providing us with the necessary protections and support is the most ethical step to take. Refusal to do so or lack of action shows us profit is much

more of a priority than the safety and well being of people, disabled in particular. This perpetuates the eugenicist idea that disabled people are expendable and, for this reason, politicians can then decide protecting us isn’t worth the expense or effort and, in turn, provide less care. Although “vulnerable populations’’ isn’t inherently a negative descriptor, we must recognize the government and media’s twisted use of it. Its original meaning has since been lost completely.

RR: During the pandemic society has been to accommodate the general public with accommodations, like work from home, that have been asked for previously by the disabled, chronically ill, immunocompromised, and neurodiverse communities yet these communities were typically denied. Why do you think society has been able to accommodate the general public when before they denied these accommodations?

SH: I believe capitalism and/or profit plays a major role as well as ableism. If you can fully contribute to society by being apart of the working class full-time, you’re seen as a valuable member of said society whereas disabled people are disproportionately limited to contributing by neurotypical and abled-bodied standards. With that being said, it’s obviously very difficult for companies, that are being forced to close their doors or take hiatus, to make profit if employees are not able to contribute by physically showing up. By accommodating all employees in any way, shape or form, companies and corporations are able to line their pockets. It’s a real and frightening possibility companies and individuals

in management positions consider accommodating disabled people unfavorable to those who are not marginalized and fail to see the disabled community is already at a disadvantage in multiple ways.

RR: Moving forward, how would you like to see society and the government respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?

SH: I don’t have the best solutions or every available detail to form one, but as a collective, apathetic responses only devitalize us and prevent unity. I believe we would greatly benefit by growing accustomed to a few realizations, the main one being no available cure. So, while the virus may not be a major concern for you or someone you personally know, it is for others despite recovery rates. In my opinion, this hyperfocus on recovery rates theories overshadows real experiences of people affected by the virus. This especially includes those, mostly a part of marginalized communities, who are immobilized and/or still suffering from flare ups, as well as suffering financially. Which further disables some, and so on and so forth. From my perspective, a part of society’s focus in regards to COVID in some aspects is misguided, perpetuating the harmful conditions of which we currently live under and uphold. This will continue to be our reality until we stress that human lives are not expendable tools and rise against a system that doesn’t meet the people’s needs or ability to handle a pandemic.