Thea is a 57-year-old woman from Hardeeville, South Carolina who called into C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" last week. The channel asked viewers to share how the pandemic has impacted their job -- and the calls provided a critical public service by bringing the pained voices of the American people front and center.
Thea said she had to stop working due to Covid-19. "I don't even have insurance to take care of myself," she said. She cried through the phone. "I got foreclosure on my house. I just paid off my car. And I just feel like in the next couple of months, I'll be living in my car."
"I just needed somebody to hear me," Thea told host John McArdle.
After the broadcast, C-SPAN received hundreds of emails and dozens of calls to the network's front desk wanting to help Thea, per a spokesman. A lawmaker's office also said they were reaching out "to see how they can help." And that's an inspiring thing to see, it really is. But what about all the other people like Thea who called C-SPAN and couldn't get through? What about all the others who weren't watching because they can't afford cable?
For anyone that would like to reach out: Her email is spannthea587@gmail.com