Table 2.

Salient themes, definitions, and illustrative quotes based on open-ended responses to the question “Was there anything positive in your life that resulted from the pandemic?”, COVID-19’s Unequal Racial Burden (CURB) survey, 8/16/2021-9/9/2021

Theme	Definition	Illustrative Quotes
Improved relationships	Increased contact, quality time, value placed on relationships with partner, family member, friends, pet, neighborhood, community; improved interpersonal communication.	“Got to spend more time with family. Reconnected with friends I had lost touch with.”
Improved financial situation	Increased financial security due to increased income, receiving government assistance (ex. public stimulus funding, food stamps), increased savings, decreased spending.	“I received unemployment and extra federal UI [unemployment insurance] benefits so was able to save and payoff my auto loan early.” “I’m a little more ahead financially.”
Positive employment changes	Improved work, job, employment conditions for self or partner; job stability as a result of the pandemic.	“I didn’t lose job since I am a healthcare worker” “I got a job I love! I am working for the first time in many years.” “I got paid more money from my current employer.”
Improved health and healthy habits	Better health, improved strength, weight loss, less substance use, improved diet quality, increased physical activity, e.g., walking, running; not getting sick, not getting COVID.	“Exercised more” “Focused more on my own fitness” “Good health” “I ate a lot better than I had previously and also exercised regularly.”
Increased time for leisure and home improvement activities	More time for hobbies, acquiring new skills and knowledge, playing an instrument, reading, woodworking, cleaning/housework, home improvement projects.	“Was able to do a lot of house projects!” “Yes, started checking things off my bucket list-kayaking, jet skiing, snorkeling with manatees, skydiving indoors.”
Personal growth	New sense of being in touch with one’s emotions, learning what is important, learning about and caring for oneself, newfound perspective on value of life and others, pursuing learning opportunities, improved psychosocial wellbeing.	“Did some internal reflection” “I got to love myself more”
Adopting a slower pace of life	Resting, sleeping, relaxing, slowing down, spending more time at home/indoors, more time to focus on self, less stress.	“I could stay home more without feeling guilty for ignoring relationships.” “I slowed down, not a lot of running around”
Ability to work from home	Positive impact of increased job flexibility and ability to work from home.	“Being able to work from home”
Saving money	Decreased spending, increased savings.	“Spending more time with my family and getting to spend less money on entertainment and food.”
Feelings of gratitude	New appreciation for life and getting through tough times, being grateful/thankful for what is important in life.	“I learned to appreciate life more and enjoy everything I could when I had the chance.”
Increased government assistance	Received assistance from the government in form of stimulus funding, food stamps, unemployment benefits, loan deferment, pandemic electronic benefit transfer or P-EBT (public program to replace food benefits lost at child care/school).	“Government stimulus REALLY helped. That money was a God send. Also extra food stamps helped”
Appreciation of mitigation measures	Increased use of masks, improved personal hygiene such as washing of hands, improved cleanliness when handling groceries, mail, etc.	“Due to the nature of my work, I must have face-to-face contact with the public and I would always catch colds throughout the year. But, because everyone was masked and kept their distance, I have not caught a cold in over a year. Caught Covid but not a single cold to date. So, I guess that counts as a positive.” “didn’t have to shake hands, reject hugs, explain that I don’t like public displays of affection even among friends.”
Increased use of technology for communication	Increased use of Zoom, FaceTime, virtual communication media to stay in touch, reconnect long distance, attend school; more time talking on the phone.	“I have spoken more on the phone with elderly relatives which we all appreciate” “I spent a lot of time FaceTiming with my nieces.”
Strengthened/newfound spirituality	Improved relationships with God, religion, church, religious figures; more time devoted to spiritual practices.	“I spend more time listening to scriptures.” “I have been spending more time focusing on my faith.”