To understand the perceptions of riverine people in Amazonas about COVID-19, 12 adults who were infected during the first wave of the pandemic were interviewed. This qualitative descriptive study used an intentional sampling based on the saturation criterion. The following were used to collect data: a questionnaire on the sociodemographic and health profile of riverine populations during the pandemic, a semi-structured interview, and participant observation recorded in a field diary. Content analysis obtained three categories: “Understandings about COVID-19,” which refers to initial perceptions about the virus, its forms of transmission, and prevention measures; “It happened to me like this,” which highlights the effects that were perceived on the body and emotional health; and “Effects of the pandemic on riverine lifestyles,” which points out the transformations due to the pandemic on eating practices, subsistence activities, and education. The pandemic worsened the inequalities in the riverine context. Understandings of the virus were linked to the media and cultural concepts familiar to the Amazon region, with the main barrier being the lack of connectivity in the communities. In the emotional sphere, fear was the emotion participants mentioned the most and the burial policy was related to the difficulty in experiencing grief. The lockdown was associated with a decrease in income, a reduction in food purchases, and a delay in school learning. Understanding the sociocultural singularities and perceptions of these people makes it possible to reflect on their real needs and capabilities.

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