COVID-19

The negative effect the Coronavirus is having has been felt by people all around the world. As a college student here is my personal struggles and my experience thus far with COVID-19.

College and Corona

I will admit. When news of the Coronavirus first broke in early January starting in Wuhan, China I was completely unaffected by the news. It wasn't until I heard of the coronavirus infecting passengers on a cruise ship, ultimately quarantining everyone on board, that I finally took notice. And even then, I could have never believed that as a country and as a world society that we would have reached this level of severity.

When the first letter was sent out by President Wyatt explaining that students leaving the U.S. for Spring Break would need to complete a 2 week quarantine period before returning to campus, I legitimately thought the University was overreacting. Now, I realize that this message, alongside the decision to move classes to online instruction for the rest of the semester, was one that has potentially saved millions of lives.

"I legitimately thought the University was overreacting. Now, I realize that this (decision) was one that has potentially saved millions of lives."- Audrey Powell

After the call was made to move to online classes, I decided it would be best to move back home to Arizona for the time being. Once I got home I spent a few weeks enjoying the company of old friends, hiking, getting coffee, trying to feel normal. Even when the social distancing protocol was announced I still didn't take it seriously. To me- this was all just an over reaction produced by main-stream media. I felt trapped and confined and had zero regard to the regulations.

The day I remember actually taking a second to think about the severity of this pandemic was last Wednesday. Too late looking back on it now. I was sitting there listening to my friends family talk about their anxieties with COVID-19. Hearing the death tolls skyrocketing, and that stay home precautionary measures could continue till late summer sent me spinning. I went home and vowed that I would take this seriously. In order to make sure I don't jeopardize the lives of people I love.

So even though I can't go to the gym, or see my friends, or enjoy the simplicities of life I know that what most matters in my life right now is finding things that make me happy in my own home. I've been trying to stay active with yoga and workouts. Creative with art projects and learning new songs on the piano. And staying social by facetiming friends until I can see them face to face.