VOA Š CONNECT 
EPISODE # 177 
AIR DATE 06 04 2021   
TRANSCRIPT

OPEN ((VO/NAT)) 
((Banner)) 
Pandemic Family Diary 
((SOT)) 
((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))  
Do you guys know that thereÕs no more school for the rest of 
this year? We cannot be watching videos and playing 
videogames every single 
day.                                                                                      
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
We need a little more screen time. Quarantine is going to be 
so boring then. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
I donÕt know how to unmute. 
     ((NATS)) 
Navine, podrias decirme que dia fue ayer? [Navine, can you 
tell me what day it was yesterday?] 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
WhatÕs the matter? 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
I wanted to see my friends. 
     ((Open Animation))  
 

     BLOCK A 
 

((PKG))  MY PANDEMIC FAMILY DIARY   
((TRT: 22:03)) 
((Topic Banner: My Pandemic Family Diary))  
((Reporter/Camera: Gabrielle Weiss)) 
((Additional Camera/Drone Footage: Rafael de la Uz)) 
((Map:  Washington, D.C.))   
((Main Characters: 2 female; 2 male)) 
((Sub Characters: 2 male; 4 female))
((NATS)) 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Mama.   
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Why are you taking home your plant? 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Because a ladyÕs going to clean and if she takes this, sheÕs 
just going to throw it in the trash. 
((On-screen Text:  
In mid-March last year, Washington DC public schools 
announce a two-week closure due to COVID-19.
I start filming my family in what promises to be unusual 
times.)) 
((Camilo, Son)) 
WhatÕs this? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Tell us about, IÕm filming you, tell us about the last day. What 
are you excited about? 
((Camilo, Son)) 
No school. And no school. And no detentions. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
So, tell me like, the highs and lows of the coronavirus. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     How the heck do you find a high of a virus. 
     ((Adela, Daughter))
My high, my high is that itÕs hard for kids to get it and my low 
is that itÕs bad for grownups. 
((On-screen Text:  
Over the next few weeks, we adjust to working and taking 
classes from our apartment.)) 
     ((NATS: Adela Singing))  
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker)) 
     Achie [Adela], come over here one second, baby. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Okay. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))  
Do you guys know that thereÕs no more school for the rest of 
this year? But that doesnÕt mean thereÕs no more school. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     I know, we still have this. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker)) 
We cannot be watching videos and playing videogames 
every single 
day.                                                                                       
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Okay.                                                                                       
 ((Camilo, Son)) 
We need a little more screen time. Quarantine is going to be 
so boring then. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Camilo.
     ((Camilo, Son))
     Yeah. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
WeÕre going to order the trampoline now. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Okay, IÕm coming. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Okay, are you ready? 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Yeah. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Alright, soÉ 
     ((Adela, Daughter))
     This one, this one, this one. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
I think weÕve got to go back to the first oneÉ 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Yeah, letÕs just get the firstÉ 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
It doesnÕt have any basketball net. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
I want the pink one. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Okay, thatÕs kind of cool. 
     ((Adela, Daughter))
     This one is the coolest. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Trampoline water park. Yeah, but the other one isÉ 
     ((Adela, Daughter))
     Why is Camilo only picking? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
HeÕs not. WeÕre looking at it together. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
Wait, did you see how much the shipping is for that one? I 
vote for this one. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
No, this one. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Guys. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker)) 
Come Gabby, IÕm going to show you an anti-coronavirus 
meal. Red beans and then we have this really nice ham 
steak with some apples. Look at that. We cannot make sure 
that weÕre not going to have the coronavirus. But we are 
going to try to be as strong as possible in case we get it. 
((NATS)) 
The device is a rechargeable coffee mug that can keep your 
coffee hot for over one-and-a-half hours.
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
YouÕre watching commercials? What are you watching? 
((Camilo, Son))  
A ton, like this crazy technology video.
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
What are they showing you? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     This like rechargeable coffee mug that heats up your coffee. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
YouÕre watching commercials? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     No. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Basically? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Yeah. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
YouÕre supposed to have it mute. Papi, youÕre supposed to 
have it mute. 
     ((NATS)) 
     Buenos dias, Adela [Good morning, Adela]. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Buenos dias. 
     ((NATS)) 
     Adela, me escuchas? [Adela, can you hear me?] 
     Que? [What?] 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Unmute. 
     ((NATS)) 
Navine, podrias decirme que dia fue ayer? [Navine, can you 
tell me what day it was yesterday?] 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
What? I donÕt know how to unmute. 
     ((NATS)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
Baby, what made you so sad there? WhatÕs the matter? 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
I wanted to see my friends. 
((NATS)) 
((On-screen Text:  
We decide that playing with friends outside would be safe 
and make quarantine easier on everyone.)) 
((Camilo, Son)) 
I must have it in my pocket. 
     ((Daniel, Schoolmate)) 
     How about we just try to lift it. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))  
How would it be if you werenÕt able to be here? 
     ((Daniel, Schoolmate)) 
It would be hard because youÕd be just cooped up inside and 
you want to get outside and likeÉ 
((Camilo, Son)) 
Yeah, but for some kids, I bet for some kids, theyÕre really 
enjoying being cooped up inside. 
     ((Daniel, Schoolmate)) 
     I need to get outside to live. So, I could not do it. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
I mean, itÕs probably going to happen. ThatÕs the thing. ButÉ 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))   
     WhatÕs probably going to happen? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
That weÕre going to have to be cooped up inside. But I think 
the coronavirus is getting better. 
((NATS)) 
((On-screen Text:  
But it doesnÕt get better and for a while, they stop playing 
with friends.))
((NATS)) 
((Camilo, Son)) 
     Is it? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     It is the trampoline. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Yay! 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     We cannot bring that upstairs. ItÕs really heavy. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Oh myÉ 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
What? Oh, my God! 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Over 70 pounds [32 kg]. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Hey, maybe we have to like, put it together. 
     ((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Hey guys. ItÕs PopÕs birthday. So, IÕm picking up a nice 
dinner and weÕre just going to leave the food on the front 
steps because we canÕt go inside.  
((Adela, Daughter))  
Why canÕt we go inside? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Because, you know, if anybody has coronavirus, we might 
not know it. We donÕt want to give it to Nana and Pop 
because theyÕre older and they can get sicker. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Mama, of course we donÕt have the coronavirus. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Well, you know, sometimes you can have the coronavirus 
and not even know it.
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Mama, we washed our hands. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
I know. We want to hug Pop and say happy birthday, but we 
canÕt. Come. 
     ((NATS/SINGING)) 
     Happy birthday dear Pop! Happy birthday to you! 
     ((Pop, Grandfather)) 
Oh, thank you guys. That was such a thrill. For a moment I 
thought, ŅOh, letÕs quarantine together.Ó And then I realized 
we canÕt do it. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
No, I know. I wish I could give you a birthday hug, Dad. 
     ((Pop, Grandfather)) 
     ItÕs okay. WeÕll do it from a distance. 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Okay. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
A virtual hug. Bye. 
     ((Pop, Grandfather)) 
     Bye. Thank you, guys. Love you. 

BREAK ONE                                                                    
BUMP IN ((ANIM))                          
 
 
BLOCK B   
 
 
((NATS)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Que pasa? [WhatÕs wrong?]  
((Adela, Daughter)) 
     IÕm bored. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
HowÕs it going? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
ItÕs going good. I finished everything. We didnÕt have that 
much because I did most of the work that you had to do 
today, yesterday. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     You donÕt even have an F. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     But I did well. I got one hundred percent. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
You have like, out of 50 you got 30. Okay, itÕs almost half. 
Okay, you were chatting during your school time. Okay, so 
now you have to do something else. 
     ((On-screen Text: 
With work and school being done from home, we consider 
travelling to Alaska to be near my sisterÕs family.)) 
((NATS: Phone ringing)) 
     ((Phone call to Canadian Border Services)) 
Welcome to the Canada Border Services AgencyÕs Border 
Information Service.  
Border Services. How can I help you?       
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))   
Yes, weÕre thinking of driving to Alaska through Canada and 
IÕm wondering about the restrictions. 
     ((Phone call to Canadian Border Services)) 
When you are going to be transiting, you have to plan out 
the most direct route from the port of entry in Canada until 
Alaska. You have to book, pre-book hotels for your stay.
((NATS)) 
((On-screen Text:  
We put our belongings in storage and rent a house near my 
sister in Alaska.)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
What are you thinking about going to Alaska? 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     ItÕs kind of fun but IÕll miss my friends. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
IÕm very excited for the two bathrooms in Alaska. IÕll never 
have to wait for Papa to finish shaving again. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Adela, weÕve got to put Coco in the cat carrier. 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
Coco, come on. LetÕs get you inside. Come on, letÕs go. 
Come on, get in. Get in. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     Okay, letÕs go guys. LetÕs make sure we have Coco there. 
((NATS)) 
((On-screen Text:  
We stop by my parentsÕ house to say goodbye and organize 
our car.)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Maybe the cat carrier can go on top of this, or this can go on 
top of the cat carrier. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))  
     That goes on top of the carrier. 
     ((Pop, Grandfather)) 
This is the most amazing packing job IÕve ever, ever, seen.  
((Nana, Grandmother)) 
Yeah.
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))   
We have to mail CamiloÕs clothes because they wonÕt fit in 
the car. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
Alaska, here we come.  
Bye. 
     ((Nana, Grandmother)) 
Oh, thatÕs terrible.  
((NATS/MUSIC))
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     We did it. 
((Animated Map: Rockville, Maryland to Sandusky, Ohio))  
((Adela, Daughter)) 
     WhatÕs next to Pennsylvania? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Are we in New York? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
Hopefully no. We are in Ohio.  
How many days itÕs going to take us to get to Alaska? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     I think itÕs going to take 13. 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     15. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
I think like 16 days.  
((NATS/MUSIC))
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     WeÕre taking a little break here next to the lake. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Come on, come on, come on. 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Mama, I donÕt think that works. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Come on Coco. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Mama, donÕt force him out. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Then how do I get him out. I canÕt get him out. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Well, what if he doesnÕt want to go out? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
ItÕs really hard to get him out because his claws are so 
sharp. ThatÕs a good boy, good boy. Look at him, heÕs 
terrified. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
     ItÕs okay. Okay, Coco. LetÕs walk. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
All right. You win Coco, you win. YouÕre staying in your cage. 
LetÕs walk to see the lake. 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Look how me skipping. 
((Camilo, Son)) 
These rocks are so cool. Wow, what a skip! It went all the 
way back there. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     Cami, we start going guys. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     All right. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     We still have a long way to go. 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
No.  
 

BREAK TWO                                                                   
BUMP IN ((ANIM))                          
 
 
BLOCK C  

 
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Animated Map: Rockville, Maryland to Sandusky, Ohio to 
Eau Claire, Wisconsin)) 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     This is my happy dance! This is awesome. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     What is coming down from the sky? 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
Snow, snow, snow! Snow! Snow! ItÕs snowing. Snow! ItÕs 
snowing. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     We went from AC to heater. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
We got like, almost 40-degree drop in temperature in a 300-
mile [483 km] stretch.  
((NATS/MUSIC))
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
You know what is at the end of that road?  
((Camilo, Son)) 
     Canada? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
Canada.  
Hey guys, put your mask.  
Hello. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
     Hi there. How are you guys today? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     Good, good. We are going to Alaska for seven months. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
     Okay. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
So, I have passports, birth certificates for the kids here.   
((Canadian Border Officer)) 
     So, how many people are in the vehicle today? 
((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))    
Four and our cat. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
     One cat? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     Yeah. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
     Any alcohol, tobacco or cannabis products? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     No. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer))  
     Any firearms or weapons? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     No, no. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
Any coughs, colds, flu, tightness in the chest for anyone in 
the vehicle? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     No. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
All your paperwork, everything, that is great in here. All right 
guys. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     Thank you. 
     ((Canadian Border Officer)) 
     Have a good day. Take care. 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
We have five days to get out of Canada. If we donÕt obey by 
those rules, we can have trouble when we are coming back. 
So, we better obey by the rules.  
Here we go, Canada. 
     ((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Animated Map: Portal, North Dakota to Alcan Border, 
Alaska))
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Cried, cried, Peter. What does cried mean? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
Well, I mean crying, like you know. And it also can mean 
like, you yell it like, ŌMaybe, Pinktonians should come to 
earth!Õ
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Maybe, theyÕll come to earth. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Yeah, like that, cried. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
What are you doing? Why are you doing school? 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     We are doing school because we donÕt haveÉ 
     ((Adela, Daughter/Filmmaker))   
     Because you guys forced us to. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     SheÕs actually got a point. 
     ((NATS))
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
HereÕs the beginning of the Alaska Highway, the world-
famous Alaska Highway. 
     ((Camilo, Son)) 
     Oh, my god!
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Mama! 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Yay! 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
EverybodyÕs sick of the car. The cat, the kids, us, 
everybodyÕs sick of being in the car. 
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Camilo, Son)) 
TheyÕre so big. Oh, my god! Look at that! No, no, no, stop, 
stop, stop. ItÕs coming, itÕs coming. Look at that! Wow!  
This is amazing. Oh, my god! Baby bisons. ThatÕs so cool. 
No, theyÕre chill. Wow. Okay, should we count them?
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
What do you think Adela? 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Well, IÕm too cold to think, really. 
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Today, weÕre going to cross into Alaska at the Alcan border.  
((Camilo, Son)) 
How long is this drive? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Well, its 420 something kilometers.
((Camilo, Son)) 
So, how long will that take? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
All day. 
     ((NATS/MUSIC))
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
All right, two miles [3.2 km] down the road to the border 
patrol. IÕll be back in a minute. 
((Camilo, Son)) 
Can I have an M&M now? 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
All right, weÕre good to go, guys. We have permission to 
leave Canada and I think weÕre lucky, because somebody in 
there was having a hard time.  
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Let me take your picture so we can send it to everybody and 
show them that we made it to Alaska! 
((Camilo, Son)) 
We have made it! 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     WeÕre in Alaska! WeÕre in Alaska!
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
We made it! 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     My hands are freezing cold. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Okay, itÕs cold. LetÕs get back in the car.
     ((NATS: from phone))
     Hey guys. YouÕre in Alaska! 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
WeÕre in Alaska. WeÕre actually here. 
     ((Cecily Shavelson, Niece)) 
From Tok, itÕd take 9 hours and 31 minutes to get to Homer. 
((Miranda Weiss, Sister))  
     Okay, most importantly, how is Coco? 
((Camilo, Son)) 
Coco is right here. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Here he is. 
     ((Miranda Weiss, Sister)) 
Okay, Coco. How are you liking negative 18 degrees [-27 
degree Celsius], man? 
     ((Adela, Daughter)) 
     Yes, I love it. I donÕt like outside though. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
WeÕve been seeing some photos of you guys ice skating 
((Camilo, Son)) 
IÕm so stinking jealous. 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
At Glacier lake. And thereÕs some people here that are super 
excited about doing that with you. 
((Adela, Daughter)) 
Oh, and then, then we can have a lot of snowball fights. 
     ((NATS: from phone)) 
     Yay. 
((NATS)) 
((Camilo, Son))
     Papa, how much time is left? 
     ((Rafael de la Uz, Father/Filmmaker))   
     One hour-and-a-half. 
((Camilo, Son)) 
Yeah. Oh, weÕre so close. 
     ((NATS/MUSIC))
     ((Animated Map: Rockville, Maryland to Homer, Alaska))
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Hey, guys. Welcome to Homer. This is the warmest place 
weÕve been in for the past two weeks. ItÕs kind of a cute 
neighborhood. 
((Camilo, Son)) 
It's an awesome possum neighborhood.
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
TheyÕre there. Oh, my god! 
((Camilo, Son)) 
WeÕre here! 
     ((Miranda Weiss, Sister))  
     Oh, would you stop. 
     ((Cecily Shavelson, Niece)) 
     SheÕs nice. 
     ((NATS)) 
((Gabrielle Weiss, Mother/Filmmaker))    
Wow, this is our new house. We can see the mountains from 
here. IÕve never had a view in my bedroom before like that. 
This is pretty amazing. 
     ((Cecily Shavelson, Niece))  
     WeÕre going ice skating today, right now! 
((Camilo, Son)) 
LetÕs go, letÕs go, letÕs go! 
((NATS/MUSIC))  
 
 
CLOSING  BUMPER ((ANIM)) 
voanews.com/connect 

 
((PKG))  FREE PRESS MATTERS  ((NATS/VIDEO/GFX)) 
((Popup captions over B Roll)) 
Near the Turkish Embassy 
Washington, D.C. 
May 16, 2017 
President ErdoganÕs bodyguard attacks peaceful protesters  
ŅThose terrorists deserved to be beatenÓ 
ŅThey should not be protesting our presidentÓ 
ŅThey got what they asked forÓ 
While some people may turn away from the news
We cover it  
reliably 
accurately 
objectively 
comprehensively 
wherever the news matters 
VOA 
A Free Press Matters


BREAK THREE                                                                       
BUMP IN ((ANIM))                          
 
 
SHOW ENDS