JUDY WOODRUFF: As COVID-19
continues to take more and more
lives of Americans every day,
here now are some of the
stories of those we have lost.
Postal worker Jesus Collazos
was known for taking the time
to greet every neighbor along
his mail route in Arlington,
Virginia. The 67-year-old
spent over two decades with the
U.S. Postal Service, after
immigrating from Colombia in
1978. Jesus and his wife raised
his two children in a
home he first discovered
along his route.
The proud grandfather loved
posting family photos on social
media, always with a simple
caption: "Life is good."
Lynika Strozier never gave
up on her dream to become a
biologist. As a child, she was
diagnosed with a severe learning
disability, but went on to
earn two master's degrees in
biology and science education.
She became a researcher of
plant DNA at the world-renowned
Field Museum in Chicago,
and a science professor
at Malcolm X College.
Fun-loving and friendly, Lynika
was as at home in the lab
as she was out with friends,
or watching horror movies with
her grandmother Sharon, who
raised her. Lynika was 35 years
old.
Dr. Robert Hull cared
for thousands of patients
in his nearly 50 years
practicing family medicine
in Arkansas. His patients,
some of whose families he
treated for generations,
said he was encouraging,
had a great sense of humor,
and could lift anyone's spirits
with a smile and a lollipop.
Robert, or Ray, and his wife,
Kathryn, were married for 56
years. Ray was always there
for dance recitals, sports games
and graduations for his four
children and 10 grandchildren.
He was 78.
Eva Konrad Hawkins, a Holocaust
survivor and scientist, fled
communist Hungary in 1956.
She found refuge in America,
and a home in New York City.
A university biology teacher,
Eva was committed to her
work on algae research.
Her family described
the 90-year-old's smile
as childlike, her personality
as quiet and shy, but her
energy toward her research as
ferocious.
Allen Y. Lew changed the
cityscape of Washington,
D.C., as a city planning
executive. Born and
raised in New York City,
Allen moved to Washington
to spearhead development
of the downtown Convention
Center. He went on to
build Nationals baseball
park and rehabilitate
D.C. public schools.
Friends described Allen as
no-nonsense and reliable, loyal
and considerate. A husband
to Suling and father to
Garrett, Allen was 69 years old.
Our hearts go out to their
families and to all those who've
lost loved ones during this
pandemic.