How has my perspective changed?
When I first heard about the corona virus, or COVID-19, it seemed distant and unimportant to my everyday life. In my microbiology class, I learned that it was just another virus that would be handled in similar ways to ones we already know about. I had no idea of the detrimental effects it would end up having across the world and so close to home. Everyday it seems that more and more people I know or hear of are losing friends and family due to this virus. I went to Costa Rica and then Miami for spring break thinking it was all fun and I could tune out all of the news about corona virus, but as I got back home I started overthinking all of the people I had come into contact with other these 2 weeks and all of the public places I could’ve been exposed to this deadly virus. It has made me hyper-aware and constantly worried of people I may be infecting or infected from. The more and more news stories I hear about medical facilities running out of equipment and turning away sick people has begun to terrify me and I no longer see this virus as unimportant or blown out of proportion.
What have I been up to?
Recently, I’ve just been hanging out and living at my friends house who I’ve been seeing since I got back from spring break. I am too worried to go home and see my father because he has several pre-existing conditions such as hypertension and heart disease that makes him vulnerable to the worst effects of COVID-19. My roommate seemed upset that I had been in multiple airports over spring break and did not want me around her too much when I got back, therefore I have basically moved in with my friend. We spend most of our days waking up late and learning new recipes that we eat while watching Jersey Shore (I know it’s horrible) or going on Zoom for classes. I have found it extremely hard to keep up with work because all of my deadlines and class schedules have changed, along with so many different platforms that professors use to update us about it. I wish that I could have one site that all professors used to answer questions or conduct class, but every professor has their own way of handling online courses and it can be overwhelming sometimes. I also find it much harder to be held accountable and pay attention during class when it’s online and I am at home with distractions…I wish I could go to the library or a coffee shop.
Closing thoughts: How am I feeling?
I have been trying to stay positive and look at the bright side of quarantining and social distancing. The weather in Chapel Hill has been beautiful and it’s been so nice to finally have time and flexibility to walk outside and enjoy nature. I also love having more time to sleep and take care of myself unlike during the school year when I am constantly doing something. However, I am very worried about our health systems collapsing in the United States with inadequate testing of the disease, inadequate protective gear for health professionals, and lack of equipment or even space in hospitals for those affected. I know that the pandemic is just getting started in the United States and it makes me wonder what is left to come. I also am feeling great sadness for all of the seniors everywhere who couldn’t enjoy their last few months of college the right way. I am thinking of everyone who is being affected by the virus whether it be losing a family member, losing a job, or losing an important event such as a wedding or graduation. I am looking forward to when this virus begins to be less of a concern and we can all move past it.
Julia's Microbiology Blog 