Hi readers! At the present, I assume most of you, along with myself, are currently in the midst of practicing social distancing, and are somewhat quarantined.
To say the least, 2020 has been crazy and surreal… our world will take time to recover and rebuild after COVID-19, but during the present it’s important for everyone to remain optimistic and retain our sense of humanity, even though it’s easy to let fear, anger, or other emotions take over moral principles and logic.
Though I haven’t witnessed it, I’ve heard about the people who’ve decided to hoard a couple thousand bottles of hand sanitizer or toilet paper. And it’s perfectly fine for people to want to be prepared- but at the same time, we have to think of others during this crisis, and have to be rational. As a high school student, I’ve heard people point out that most likely no one our age will be affected drastically by this virus, so these “Act of God” days are just an extension of break, and we can pretty much do whatever we want, etc.- that line of reasoning, however, is incorrect. What many people are overlooking is the fact that you may not show any symptoms of COVID-19, which is great- but if you’re out and about, you may spread this virus to someone who is at a greater risk, and affect them in extremely negative ways without even knowing it.
Another major issue that this outbreak has caused is the cancelling of events. Currently, I’ve had at least five or so major events that I’ve been looking forward to all year cancelled- some of those events ones that I’ll never be able to make up. Thankfully I’m a junior, because I also know my senior friends have had events cancelled that make up the end of their high school experience, and it sucks even more for them. Even though we’re “out of school early” and getting to sleep in, it’s not fun, because isolation by force isn’t fun- however, it beats ending up in a hospital or a grave early, or worse- sending someone to the hospital or their grave. What I’ve been trying to do I guess is just appreciate the opportunity and the memories- not the events I’ve missed because of this pandemic, or the opportunities that have demised, but the events and journeys leading up to the awesome events cancelled, since the experiences were also awesome in their own way. This whole disaster has reminded everyone, I think, to put in perspective what life really means, and to realize the people around you that make life so fulfilling, and what gives us meaning.
So during this time in isolation, what I’m going to try to do anyways, is stay connected (maybe video chat or text a friend, watch a movie with my family), study (keep up with school work), try some new hobbies, and isolate- so when it’s time to rebuild and reconnect, I can go back to those opportunities that I missed so much, and ensure other people get to as well. We’re making history, and how we handle this will be studied by our kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, etc… so let’s be remembered for the efforts we took that reduced the effects of COVID-19, not the options that hang before us to drag it out and increase its influence.
Stay safe, and keep feeling those good vibes!
SBR
Good Vibes 