Almost half of those in a survey by Pew Research Center think it will take them three years or more to get back to where they were financially a year ago — including about one in 10 who don't think their finances will ever recover. The Day talked to three people about how the pandemic has impacted them and how much help the federal stimulus is providing.

Shawn Henning, 57, of Pawcatuck was working up to 60 hours a week at a Norwich pizza restaurant when the coronavirus pandemic hit the region last March.

As many small, mom-and-pop restaurants closed or cut way back because of lost business, Henning quickly decided to cut his hours dramatically.

Henning had spent 30 years in prison wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit, before he was exonerated and released three years ago.

“When the pandemic hit,” he said, “it made me think. I served all of that time locked in a tomb. People in my circle have died from COVID. It made me think, ‘I’m not going to be out here in a 60-hour work week.’ I cut my hours back so I could catch up on my life that was lacking.”

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Henning rents an apartment overlooking the Pawcatuck River. He loves anything connected with water — kayaking, boating, swimming and being a “beach bum.” He grew up in Groton and frequently went to Misquamicut and other nearby Rhode Island beaches. Once the pandemic subsides, and travel becomes safe again, he and his girlfriend will consider moving to someplace such as San Diego, with warmth and water.

But fewer work hours meant much smaller paychecks to pay his $1,000-a-month rent and for food, gas and everyday expenses. He said his $1,400 American Rescue Plan stimulus check will help pay bills, and “it’s not much.”

Henning said people are complaining that the government is giving too much money to people, “but the government caused this crisis.” He said if the government had ordered shutdowns and mask mandates early, the crisis would have been mitigated. He is troubled that people continue to deny that the virus is real and refuse to wear masks.

When Henning was released from prison, initially to a halfway house in Groton, the house owner invited him to become a volunteer at the Gemma E. Moran United Way/Labor Food Center in New London. He volunteers at the center nearly every day and loves how so many people are helping their neighbors during the pandemic, especially when pop-up mobile food pantries are scheduled.

He also sees firsthand how many people need the help. Business at the restaurant where he works is down, and the owner had to close a second location.

“It’s hard,” he said. “That’s another reason I keep doing what I do, volunteering at Gemma Moran,” Henning said. “People out there are hurting, and they need places like Gemma Moran. People need help to feed their kids. It’s sad that people need that help, but it’s a beautiful thing that people show up to volunteer for the mobile food pantries.”

c.bessette@theday.com