I am a first year Elementary Education major at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and when the Coronavirus was first talked about we (the students) thought nothing of it. Then the week before spring break, the universitys president announced that students were supposed to stay home until April 5th to ensure no one would bring the Coronavirus to the Campus. Within the second week of staying home he announced that students could no longer come back in Campus unless it was to move out of their dorms. So, now it has been almost two months since I have been self distancing and it has been the most boring thing I have ever gone through. Living in Florida means that I have been through Hurricanes, but the Epidemic is like a hurricane that does not show rather it is done or not. Taking college classes is already a hassle, and adding online lecturing and tons of homework does not make it any better. You have to worry about your life and also worry about your assignment that is due at 5:30. I have never been more grateful for the library until now. I cannot focus working in the luxury of my home, my ideas become jammed and procrastination always sounds like a better option. God has blessed my mother with pay from home, so that has decreased my worrying. I regret taking my freshman college experience for granted, and I wish I could rewind time to go back.
How people are treated: NA
Deaf Dog Finally Rescued
While working from home due to Coronavirus, we decided we would go to Big Dog Ranch Rescue and foster a dog. Early into quarantine we brought home a 3-year old deaf pup from the ranch. This dog had only ever lived in a house for a week, spending most of his life in between shelters. He was super shy and friendly, and had something special about him. Over a month later, we are happy to say that we are foster failures. Our pup has our hearts and is the goofiest dog ever. This quarantine has given us the time necessary to get a new rescue acquainted with a new house, family and life style. We would not have been able to rescue our sweet boy if we weren’t at home all day, and for this I am grateful. I have created an instagram for him and am working on growing it, trying to advocate for deaf dogs. Through working with him, we have learning that deaf dogs are just as playful and trainable as non-special needs dogs and shouldn’t be ignored in shelters. Garth was overlooked for 3 years because of his disability so we have spent our time at home spreading awareness and hoping that deaf dogs will be less overlooked in the future. (IG: Garth.the.goodboy)
Inconvenience
All of my VA appointments have been canceled and I have no way of getting any pain medications for my Leg or shoulder. My surgery has been postponed until further notice due to the coronavirus. Also, the lack of essentials such as toilet paper, rubbing alcohol, bleach, and hand sanitizers at grocery stores. Wearing a mask when going out to public places can be irritating.
#SOLOdarity
Change. Nobody likes it. Sometimes though, we have to just go with the flow for the greater good of everyone. By no means is it easy being isolated from seeing friends that we’re used to seeing on a weekly basis or not going into work each day. The strange feeling of knowing that you can’t just go to a movie on the weekend or run to the grocery store to pick up one item with out having to put on a mask and gloves…It still seems surreal even after over 60 days of being quarantined at home. I’m used to going bike riding and running with friends. Going solo isn’t the same. I just know we have to have a mindset to carry on as normally as possible so this bad dream will go by faster.
#postgraduatereflection
The pandemic began a few months after I graduated college, so it impacted my job search. Most on-site internships were canceled, and organizations were now focusing on cutting back. I am very fortunate to be in a situation where I don’t have to pay rent and utilities, so I’m not experiencing a lot of financial-related stress. Before the pandemic, I was the only one that stayed at home during the day, the dining room table was my office and a place where I could accomplish all of my daily tasks. Now there are five of us at home, so we all have to adjust and be mindful of the common space we all share to work.
#Face time blues
I cant go talk to my friends. I love going to the store and meeting new people. I want to have fun, but I have a child to take care of so…
Bored in da house
It is very challenging, it seems like we’re in the same the same day everyday. My social life has decrease.
# Dinner Time
Coronavirus has made a huge impact on my family, we are spending more time together, eating dinner together etc.
# flower man down
Less and less people are coming to buy my flowers, and the people who do come are so nice. Im getting worried that we may go out of business.
Devastation
My job recently closed and I am unemployed. My house is very cramped because the kids can’t go to school. The stores don’t have the materials that I need to provide for my kids and family.This is devastating and I pray this would be over soon.