SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A local college student is trying to stay afloat since the "snowball effect" of the coronavirus turned his life upside down.
In November, Andres' Cortes mother and brother went on their dream vacation: a trip to China and the Great Wall. They were due back in December. Months later, they remain in a hotel in Shanghai.
"They're healthy, but I'm worried. It spreads very quickly," said Cortes.
With no available flights home, their return date remains unknown.
"You're missing out on your family, the pillar of life that that gets you stable. Not having my mom is affecting to me," said Cortes.
Another thing affecting him is a loss of work. His part-time job with MTS special events has been scuttled with the ongoing coronavirus precautions.
"My job is my only source of income," said Cortes.
Cortes is worried about having enough money for food and his next rent payment.
"Just don't really what to expect of the future. It seems to be snowballing into a bigger and bigger effect," said Cortes.
For Cortes, the impact may also be felt in his schooling. He's a business major at City College. His classes are now online, a format he doesn't perform well with.
"It's not the same to study online than to actually to go to class, to be able to talk to the teacher and answer your questions," said Cortes.
Cortes fears he won't pass his final classes and won't graduate in May. He calls the unknowns of his life 'overwhelming.'
"We just all have to take it seriously. All of us want this to stop. We want to go back to school and our jobs. We want our families back with us," said Cortes.
