When my college closed down, I gathered my things and began to head to my dorm for the evening. I had no idea that the pandemic would become this severe. Hours before my college shut down, my boyfriend and I were in the library and he showed me statistics over in Wuhan, China regarding the spread and impact of the virus.
When I returned to my dorm at the end of that day, I thought this virus scare was just temporary and would only last a few weeks to a month. I suspected my college was just taking extra precautions because any cold, flu or other illness could spread like wildfire across college campus. I thought I would still be able to hang out with my friends, run errands as usual, and life would continue as 'normal', even if we had to exercise greater caution.
Fast forward to two months later, and globally, the pandemic has become very severe. I would have never thought it would have come to this. I always thought America would have this conquered.
When we were ordered to stay at home, I felt this would be positive because I would have the chance to recharge and relax. As a full-time college student it is hard to even imagine the experience of having mandated rest time. Typically, weekends are never enough for me, just because I find myself trying to complete all my homework and class preparation then. After two weeks of being in quarantine, and having nothing but time on my hands, I became restless as I began to miss all of my friends. I had become so used to my busy schedule at college that I was actually uncomfortable and guilt-ridden sitting on my couch instead of doing work.
I realized the importance of keeping others around me positively motivated and I have tried my best to keep my loved ones around me entertained. I have become the “house clown”. I go around the house and prank my mom to keep her spirits uplifted and to see her crack a smile.
I also tease my brother and try and engage him. Even my dog is tired of me because I have been dressing him up just for fun!
" Being at home is not so bad if we stop seeing it as a loss of personal freedom."
I believe it can help us get through this long lockdown especially if we can connect with our families in ways we wouldn’t have been able to when we were all busy working in our own spheres.
My mother and I recently made a Venezuelan dish called Pan de Jamon. This is a savory bread with a sweet honey glaze, filled with raisins, green olives, and ham. I love how sweet and savory this bread is and it reminds me of my childhood so much. I have not made this bread with my mother since I was a young child. Once I began high school I no longer had as much time to spare for my mother, and soon that became a bad habit.
With the lockdown, we have the opportunity to create a positive narrative. I understand that it is not usual to see empty parking lots, or find coffee shops shut, or miss out on face-to-face conversations and meetings, but we can still continue to grow as people.
I feel we have lost our sense of self because we have been wrapped up in our own selfish pursuits and therefore, lost sight of why we're working so hard and all the time. Maybe this crisis is a gift we've been given when our seclusion is giving nature time to heal, people a chance to reconnect with their loved ones, and all of us the opportunity to reconsider how we're living our lives, before it's too late. We have been granted time to cherish one another.
~~ Daniela Wright as told to London Wright (Class of '23)
IF WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE A ROOF ABOVE OUR HEADS, AND FAMILIES WHO LOVE US, THERE ARE THOSE WHO DON'T. PLEASE DONATE SO WE CAN MOVE FELLOW GATORS TO SAFETY. THANK YOU.
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