The COVID-19 hit the United States over a month ago and since then life has changed for everyone. Kids are being forced home from school, college students are home, and basically everyone is living their life in quarantine (at least they are supposed to be). Our lives have changed drastically with this change but that we are adapting the best that we can. Everyone is hoping that this will soon settle down so we can go back to our 'normal' lives but in the meantime, we talked about how we as college students from NC State University are adjusting to the new normal.
To talk about the quarantine we have:
Where are you spending quarantine? What's the vibe?
Javairia- I'm spending my quarantine at home in North Carolina. It's been pretty peaceful. I've been keeping myself pretty occupied by learning new skills such as baking, gardening, and knitting.
Isabelle- I am currently spending quarantine at my family's home in Wake Forest. It has been a weird transition, but I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my siblings.
Gabriella- I am spending my quarantine at home in Cary, NC with my family. The vibe has been busy honestly with all of my school work, chores, and activities with my family. Other than that, we are all bonding as we are stuck together so we have movie nights and group workouts so that has been fun.
How do you feel about our university's response to COVID-19?
Javairia- I'm glad NC State chose to take action to prevent the spread. I know some people don't agree with their response, but reducing social interactions has definitely helped in reducing the amount of cases.
Isabelle- I think that NC State responded to the current pandemic in the best way they possibly could. It has bee reassuring how supportive and understanding all of my professors, classmates, and advisor have been.
Gabriella- In my opinion, NC State and many other areas of American life should have took this more seriously sooner as we saw how China and Italy were struggling. We should have at least been prepared for the possibility of it reaching to U.S but we really didn't have any changes in school life until spring break. I think spring break helped spread the virus a lot and I think they should have tried harder to encourage people to not travel very far and to practice precautions. I mean I know they could not just call school off because of the rising threat of the virus, but I do think that maybe the school should have considered it sooner. That is not to say that they didn't consider it at all though because I know my study abroad program was aware of the issue the virus posed and I am not sure how long before the school was actually talking about starting classes online. Overall though I do think the transition to online classes has been executed well and I appreciate how understanding my teachers are. On a side note though, I live in an area that is technically on campus housing and the NC State housing defiantly could have done a better job at spreading out the times that people came to pick up their belongings up so people were not in such close quarters at the same time. Plus, they still have not forwarded me packages I gave them forwarding labels for a month ago since they refused to give me my packages before I left.
When did you start to know it was serious? When did you start taking action?
Javairia-My friends and I knew this was serious the week before spring break. i have family all over the world and they were telling me how their countries were basically shutting down. I knew that COVID-19 wasn't jus ta flu as the media was reporting it then. I think I started taking action the week after spring break by making face masks for myself and my family, as well as WakeMed hospital staff.
Isabelle- I started to realize that COVID-19 was serious when I got the notification that we would not be returning to in-person classes for the spring 2020 semester. From that point on, I had to communicate with family and friends to figure out what was, and is, the best way to handle things.
Gabriella- I started to realize that this was serious when I heard about how bad things were in China and then Italy. This was before our spring break so I was happy that I did not have plans to go anywhere that was at risk. It really hit me though that this was going to affect my life in a big way when the day before my boyfriend's birthday we just spent the whole night watching the news when they announced that the U.S would be closing off travel that Friday. I started taking action in the middle of spring break by doing things like washing my hands a ton, watching where I went, and making sure I had not been around anyone sick so that I could not carry the virus to my friends and family.
What do you miss the most about being on campus?
Javairia- I miss my friends. We would always study together before out organic chemistry tests, and while we have been doing that through Zoom, it just isn't the same.
Isabelle- I miss the in-person discussions I had with my classmates.
Gabriella- I miss my friends and boyfriend the most by far. I miss getting to play games with them, eating with them, and just spending every day together. I was already sad that one of my best friends was a senior and would be leaving me but then this happened and just cut our time together even shorter. I just don't like missing out on time with them because I love NC State because of the people, they are what make it my second home.
What's something you didn't realize you'd miss?
Javairia- Something I didn't realize that I'd miss is just being in a lecture hall of just on campus. My motivation to do schoolwork since being at home has decreased. Being in class, I knew I had to keep up with my assignments, where the online classes seem optional even though it isn't.
Isabelle- I did not realize that I would moss going to class everyday. In the moment you think about how much nicer it would be to lay in bed and have more free time, but now I miss the personal nature of the attending class in person. You start to feel grateful for all the connections you have made with others.
Gabriella- I didn't realize that I would miss being in class. Walking to class is such a pain sometimes because I like to walk rather than take the bus to get some extra exercise in but I miss it so much. I miss the time to myself walking to class and getting to discuss things in class because many of my classes are heavily based around discussions. I do think my teachers have tried their best to help keep these discussions up even in online Zoom classes.
What's the first thing you're doing when you get back?
Javairia- The first thing I'm going to do when I get back is go to Carmichael gym and play racquetball with my friends.
Isabelle- I will probably figure out more ways to get involved on campus and help out my local community. This time has made me realize that I want to be able to help others as much as possible.
Gabriella- April the 22nd was my 21st birthday and I have been waiting for like ever for that day and I had so many plans on it. But like everyone else I had to make sacrifices so I spent it at home with family (with getting to see my boyfriend 6 feet apart in the parking lot fro the first time in a month). They all did such a great job at making the day feel special but when I get back I still want to have a party with my friends to celebrate (and to celebrate my friends graduation).
How are you helping those around you?
Javairia- I'm socially distancing and quarantined at home. I've also been donating food to refugees in Raleigh, since Ramadan ( a Muslim holy month) is starting next week. A lot of people have lost their jobs and aren't able to afford meals now. I've partnered with ICNA Relief to create packages for people. I've also been making face masks for healthcare workers at WakeMed locations.
Isabelle- I am trying my best to be a positive influence on friends who may be having a tougher time than I am. I try to be easily accessible and open to talking on the phone. Some of my friends and I have been challenging each other daily to workouts and activities in order to stay active. Additionally, I have been trying to write on topics that may help others with their mental health during this stressful time.
Gabriella- I am socially distancing meaning I have not seen a single person outside of my family minus seeing my boyfriend once 6-feet a part. It sucks and it has taken a toll on my mental health but quarantining is the best thing that we can be doing right now. Everyone has a duty to help decrease this virus's spread and it kills me seeing people carrying on with life like normal and seeing their friends and what not while the rest of us are actually quarantining and trying to help. Other than that I have been donating food with my family to the food bank and a local elementary school for the kids whose only meal was usually the lunch at school. I also know my grandparents are very lonely since they can not see anyone so I wrote them all letters to try and help them stay positive.
This article was co-written with Javairia Haq and Isabelle Visocan.
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