I have been very fortunate to still be able to receive an income throughout this trying time. It has definitely been difficult to not be with my students or visit my loved ones. My mother and boyfriend both work in the hospital so its a constant struggle when cleaning and worrying if I got everything clean enough and not making him feel alienated in the home. Wanting to give back as much as possible is my main concern. When Im in service, I feel my most purposeful.
Concern: Safety of those who can't care for themselves
Worst. Spring. Break. Ever.
Friday, March 13, 2020. The rumors are flying. Ironically, it’s the students who tell me that school is cancelled. It hit the Twitter feed and spread like wildfire. Seriously, the students told me a good five minutes before the announcement came over the loudspeaker. I’ve been on lockdown at home since March 13, 2020, when we were told by our administration to grab what we needed to work from home and leave campus. I haven’t been back. The transition to online learning has been fairly smooth for me, as our school was part of a green initiative and I already posted all assignments on Google Classroom. I’ve used less than a case of paper per year for three years, which I think is pretty good. I guess I’m lucky. I’m not here alone. My nephew, an actor, was rehearsing for a cruise gig when the world stopped. Rather than go back to New York, he opted to join me here and wait out the virus. So luckily, I’m not sitting here staring at the walls and worrying. And he’s a health nut, so we’ve gone keto. I’ve managed to lose 8 pounds so far. And since I’ve discovered InstaCart I really have almost no reason to leave the house. My car is currently getting three weeks to a gallon, so that’s good. The garbage collector left a flyer about AA, but he’s always been a bit judgmental. But I miss my school. I miss having someplace to go every day. I miss saying good morning to Ms Evans. I miss Renée calling me Mr. Cantstandyou (Seinfeld has been off the air for how long?) I miss my students greeting me with Bonjour, Monsieur every day. I miss lunch with my colleagues. I even miss my hall duty (ok, that one might be a stretch). But I do miss speaking French with my colleague who had duty with me. I really shouldn’t complain, all thing considered. I have a job, a roof over my head, health insurance, food in the refrigerator, money in the bank, toilet paper. I’m healthy, my friends and family are all doing well. Things could be so much worse.I just have to learn to not worry about things I can’t control. I worry about my students. I worry about my sister, who is a nurse. I worry about my brother, who is a first responder. I worry about my mother, who is of a certain age (she’d kill me if I gave her age here). I worry about my neighbors. I live in a 55+ community and apparently we had our first Coronavirus death today. I worry about the people who are protesting to open the state even though it makes absolutely no sense to do so until we have adequate testing in place. I worry that there’s going to be a second surge. I mean, I get it. Put your trust in the Lord, if that’s your thing. But my philosophy along those lines has always been Trust in the Lord and keep rowing toward shore. In other words, it’s great to have faith but putting oneself into harm’s way and then crying Jesus, take the wheel! seems a bit presumptuous. I guess my philosophy will have to be Trust in the Lord and wash your hands. And stop touching your face.So, I guess I’ll close now. Time to work on our third jigsaw puzzle. My nephew had a puzzle with him and put it together the first day he was here. We tried to buy more, but apparently others had the same idea. Walmart, Target, Amazon, all had empty shelves or 5 week waits Luckily, my mom, who lives in Georgia, loves puzzles and sent us a bunch of them to help pass the time. I hate puzzles. I’m colorblind, so puzzles are really challenging for me. If I manage to find 10 pieces in a 350 piece puzzle, I’m pleased with my accomplishment. In conclusion, I guess the greatest impact of the corona virus on my life is that it has taught me to be patient. When the Lord wants you to learn patience, He doesn’t hit you with his magic wand and say Be patient. He puts you in a position where you have to learn patience. Or not learn it. Peace.
Unknown Mystery
I’m trying to stay in and be obedient. I go to the store about every two weeks. It’s every scary. I don’t like wearing the mask. I make sure to put it on going indoors. I am a hairdresser. I’ve been out from work for three weeks. I’m getting behind. I was thinking about May 1st but I may not. A lot of my clients are older and cannot come out. Many call to say they are worried! I don’t like to sit still very often, so I’m hoping . Our church is closed, so Ive been watching on YouTube. My sons have taught me to use it. I am still having to pay bills with less income but I am trying not to let it worry me.
N/A (Story #307)
I wouldnt say it impacted my life but it help be bond more an more with god an find out who I am as as a person.
Coping With Corona?!
Well, I got Corona. So, that has had a huge impact. I’m 26 days with the virus, and it’s been pretty rough. My business was also deeply affected, as our summer and fall enrollments were stopped in their tracks. I’ve also had many happy surprises and some awesome successes. My team got our students pivoted to an online learning environment seamlessly and well before the public schools did. I bought a new car from my living room and saved on my monthly payment. I’ve made some new friends, found some new business colleagues and discovered some new music online. Overall, I think the worst part (other than getting sick) is seeing the further divisions in political morals between my neighbors, some family, some friends and myself. I am not sure how the nation recovers.
Shifting for good.
This life altering event has already impacted my life in many ways. Some changes will have a short lifespan, while others will be part of my new norm. As a business owner, I have been hesitant to fully embrace the work from home model. My associates have always had the option, but I was strongly holding onto my office and my in-person meetings. Now I see that there is a better way. A more productive way that allows me to spend more time with my family and spend less time in a car contributing to traffic and pollution. My new norm will see me spending my mornings and late afternoons working from home like I do now – from the kitchen counter while my family is doing school work, playing or preparing their next meal. The bigger picture is what happens when millions of people do the same. Will we need as much office space? Will we need to spend tax dollars to incentivize corporate headquarters anymore? Maybe not. Maybe our energy, money and square footage can be shifted towards housing – much needed housing. This is the beginning of a future for me that will subtract office space and car miles from my footprint- while adding family time and productivity to my future. I think about what that means for our planet if I am only one of millions shifting their lifestyles for good.
Best part of my day.
Where do I start! Almost every aspect of my lifes schedule has been altered. Monday-Friday had the same schedule- gym, get kids and self ready for school/work, drop them off and then head to work all before 7am. At 7:15am, Is my favorite part of the day- I had the privilege of opening the Village Academys secondary gates to greet the students. There I would receive smiles, hugs, fist bumps and many check in conversations. I miss the daily connection with my students. My students need it! Many come from homes where they are unable to form connections with their parents/families/siblings as they work long hours. Even though I was only out there for a short period of time in the mornings, I made sure to check in with as many students I could as possible. August 2020 cannot come fast enough!
Cant work ! Cant eat.
I cater for a living.social distancing,has pretty much eliminated my ability to earn income to support my family.
More than a Virus
Covid-19 not only impacted my physical life but it took a toll on me mentally. Not being able to learn in person is making my grades suffer drastically. As someone who enjoys keeping busy so I dont have the time to think about my problems. The staying at home order has made my anxiety 10 times worse. I have to face myself everyday And feel every ounce of my pain. Even when I tried to stay productive, I just dont feel okay. My worry is how many are feeling this way. Most of us are not really worried about the Virus its our mental health that is at a higher risk.
Gone too soon….
I am use to staying home, even during weekends (prior to covid 19). The quarantine part was not that difficult to adhere to. I know for a fact what has impacted me emotionally and psychologically the most…the social distancing, not able to go to church, visit family in New York, but most of all is hearing of close relatives and friends in New York City/New Jersey whom have lost a loved one. I have a very close friend who lost her husband and younger brother all in a month. It is just all too surreal… the massive amounts of lives gone all too soon.Those precious first responders, especially in major cities. All of this seems like a 9/11 tragedy repeating itself (one I survived), as a worldwide pandemic attack.