I love hanging out with my friends and having fun. I like getting to go to Target whenever I'd like and I like it when I can go to Walmart and get the groceries I want. It's fun to get to text your friends when you want to go sit down and eat at a restaurant. As much as I miss these things, we don't get to do them right now. I know COVID-19 is serious and we need to all take quarantine seriously. I understand that people have lost their lives and others have lost their jobs. I can't even go to work due to my sister coming home from out of state.

However, I don't understand the panic. Stay home. Catch up on your favorite tv show, play games with your family, and get some cleaning done around your house. There are people who are exposed to COVID-19 without even knowing it because they're still having to work. Teachers are having to go to online instruction and for college, that's easy. As an Education major I know how hard it is and no matter how bad some of y'all's kids are (and they are) their teachers still miss them.

Despite this pandemic being awful and unexpected, I have learned a lot. I thrive when I have alone time. Right now I get to sit down and read a book that isn't a requirement and sip on hot chocolate. I've been able to clean my entire apartment and just breathe. I've spent time with my family that was much needed, especially with my sister. But as much as I love the downtime, I miss work, going to class, seeing my friends, and being able to go to the store to get whatever I want. I regret complaining about waking up for my 8 am's and having to sit in 3 hour classes. I miss my 1st graders, Mentor Teacher, and my babies at work.

I hope you don't look at the situation as all negative because as awful as this disease is, it should open up a lot of your eyes. Be thankful for the nurses and doctors you see. Be kind to those people who are still working because their businesses are essential. Thank the teacher who has had to go through this and loved your child since August. Enjoy spending time with your family and stay in your own little bubble. Say a prayer for this all to end, but make sure you do your part to make sure this pandemic ends quickly.