The Public Official

In Everett, Washington, where the first known case of COVID-19 was reported in the United States, 48-year-old Cassie Franklin says she has had to make decisions she never thought she'd have to. As the mayor of that city, with 112,000 people to answer to, she says over these past few months, she has felt overwhelmed, angry, frustrated and depressed -- and rotates between those emotions throughout the day. Franklin, who is also a mother to an 11-year-old daughter, says she feels for the younger generation, especially those who are graduating high school this year. Through audio journals provided to ABC News, hear how Franklin says her Youth Advisory Board has been giving her hope during this time. Especially in the wake of George Floyd's death, Franklin says she's been inspired by how the younger generation has spoken out against racism. "The Essentials: Inside the Curve" is a special series from ABC Audio, makers of the daily ABC News podcast "Start Here," the chart-topping series "The Dropout," and more: http://www.abcaudio.com/podcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices