Living through COVID

 

            You can still have go out. You can still hang with friends. You can still live life, safely.

            2020 was a stressful year for everyone, when this unexpected virus hit the world. We all saw it starting to go down but no one understood the serverity of the situation until it was to late. With the blink of an eye the normal life we knew turned into wearing masks everyday and having to social distance away from the ones we love. 2020, an unforgettable year to say the least.

    I can say it has not been easy trying to live through a pandemic. When it first hit I was in my last few months before graduation and I was so hyped about experiencing my last few parties, hanging out with friends, and just making the most out of my senior year. I still remember where I was once I knew that this wasn't going to be gone anytime soon. I was on vacation in Myrtle Beach for spring break and was watching the news when I received a message from my college informing me that they would be assigning us dates to come and move out. I was devastated because who knew that I had spent my last week on campus before this trip. Who knew that I had experienced my last party on campus. Who knew that going forward I wouldn't be able to graduate in May like I had always dreamed of. Having to move back home was awkward for me in a way because here I was with all the freedom in the world only to come back home and have to alter my lifestyle to be respectful of my parents. Being home trying to log on and finish the last month of school was draining. Zoom calls were the absolute worst! I felt trapped and confined having to wake up and log on Courseden to work and then stay on for hours. There were times I cried because how could this be the "new" normal? Going to grocery stores was hard because there were times where shelves were empty. Everyone was in such a panic they decided to buy everything in sight. It felt as though I was living in a movie. Nothing felt real anymore, nothing at all. When I was finally able to graduate it was MONTHS later and it was held  out on a football field with only my parents allowed. I imagined my grandpa being there to experience this monumental moment, but he was only allowed to watch virtually due to covid. Then on top of that after graduating who was really hiring? I applied to everywhere just hopeing that someone would call be back for a job. By the grace of God I was able to secure a job in August, but I know this may have not been the case for others out there.  Here we are a year later into this virus and all though we are still wearing masks(in which you all should be) there is hope. Now there is a vaccine available to provide some type of safety mentally and physically. Now I know everyone has their own opinions on this vaccine which is why if you choose not to take it I respect you 100% but I do encourage my readers to do so. I myself am vaccinated and I feel just as normal as before, but I had to consider the safety of my family, myself and others going forward. I have been able to go out and sit down and eat at a restaurant and feel secure. This virus may feel limiting but you can still get out and eat, see friends and somewhat to normal activities safely. Yes, there is a virus but don't let it limit you from experiencing life(safely) as you had planned to do pre-covid. I hope that you are still able to have fun, see family members, just do whatever it is that makes you happy but always safely. I also again encourage everyone to get vaccinated of applicable not just for your peace of mind but for your peers that are out in this world around you as well. 

Love, 

THI