In light of the recent closings and cancellations in the United States, I've seen so much discourse both in favor and in opposition of the precautions being taken. So hear me out as a person who understands both sides.

First on the list: the disabled community. Many are outraged that so many accommodations have been made in light of cancellations, but that these accommodations have been denied to them for years. The world has now proven that these accommodations are possible. Undeniably, a ton of effort has been put into making this "work" for people around the world, but they ARE possible.

But these accommodations are not helpful for everyone in the community. The deaf community and many others may be left behind when these new technologies are not being made accessible enough for them. You might say, "We can't provide perfect accommodations for everyone," and maybe you're right. Still, something must be done so that no students or members of communities are being left behind without the support that everyone else is receiving.

Next on the list, people who suffer greatly from being removed from campus, dorms, and classrooms. Those who have various mental illnesses might struggle to be productive when not forced to go to class. Lots of people chose to take in-person classes as they knew the likelihood of completing online schooling would be very unlikely for them. Forcing them out of classes is one thing, but if schools force students to go home, they might lose a sense of community and connection, severely harming their mental illness or their progression in classes. Additionally, many people don't have a home to go back to. Financial aid paid pretty much all of my tuition, room, and board for the first two years of my schooling. Many other students are in the same position, and some of them might not have a home to go back to at all, or at least until the summer rolls around. Many don't have the money to book a flight home ASAP.

Finally, many depend on their income from school jobs to pay bills. These cancellations might cause them to lose weeks or even months of income that might be crucial to their living situation. The government, the schools, and the communities need to support people in each of these groups to try to give them a fighting chance in this time of struggle.

And finally, the immunocompromised. My mother has COPD and needs constant oxygen as well as a lung transplant, among many other things, so this one definitely holds close to my heart. This is why we are taking these precautions in the first place. Neither you nor I know what an immunocompromised person looks like. They might be your best friend, your family member, your teacher, or a random person on the street. They might not even know of the dangers their immune systems create for them. This is why it is so important to keep the spread of this coronavirus to a minimum. We must keep everyone safe. Ourselves and our loved ones. Give everyone a fighting chance.

My thoughts might not match some of those in these communities, but I think it is important to notice that some people out there are facing these difficulties. Some people might be facing ALL of these difficulties at one time.

I think the answer is that in times of panic, we cannot make this work for everyone, but as individuals, we can all do our part to make this easier for those who are hurt. Reach out if you know that this is negatively affecting someone you know. We all must do our part to keep calm and keep our minds, bodies, and hearts healthy in this chaotic world.