COVID-19 Pandemic or Corona Virus Paranoia

COVID-19 has been taken as a joke, featured in songs and has even been given a nickname. Not many were initially taking it seriously. The news of this virus fled all over the internet, billboard signs on the side of the road read "Stay Home" and took over many news segments. Against all warnings students still traveled all over for spring break and others continued to travel all over the world just in general.

Once people started to hear about celebrities such as Idris Elba and Tom Hanks testing positive for the coronavirus, most started to realize it wasn't much of a joke anymore. People went on a rampage buying up all the tissue and hand sanitizers on the aisles. Not only that, but personal hygiene products and some food were bought and cleared off aisles.

Walmart's frozen food section

Walmart's toiletry aisle 

Walmart's cereal aisle

The things described above are things that affected the world but not necessarily me personally. Once  South Carolina State University closed for the spring semester, that's when things got real for all of us college students.

I was very upset to hear that we couldn't return since I only have one semester left. after this one abruptly ended. The adjustments of taking classes remotely are truly nerve wrecking. All the memories that us students were supposed to make were suddenly halted and we were unexpectedly ask to clear out of our dorm rooms and move off campus.

 (video of me leaving campus after clearing out my room)

It was even worse for students who were supposed to graduate this semester since the opportunity got postponed. Some of the seniors who I personally knew, sent out farewell messages to students who they are now leaving behind. All in all, the coronavirus has definitely changed the course of plans for all students this semester.

At home life is causing readjustments as well. For some, it's difficult to complete assignments without internet access but I'm just having trouble focusing. This whole quarantine ordeal is also driving almost everyone crazy because of curfews, closed jobs and store hours changing.

On Thursday March 26, 2020 at 8:52 p.m. my sister JJ asked my other sister Davida if In and Out Wings was still open so she could go and get some wings. In response Davida said,  "It's 8 p.m. everything is closed now, nothing stays open long anymore because of the coronavirus ."

I know all these changes are to protect everyone and keep everyone healthy but these changes are truly affecting everyday lives. It is making me realize that I took normal activities and simple things for granted. I'm just ready for this to go away so we can get back to our normal lives.

You Know the Building and It's Name. What About the Man Behind It?

Many will pass by the building, many may see the name but few to none knows the man behind it. Not many have heard the story behind it or even bothered to learn. Despite this, the Harold Crawford Engineering Technology Building is more than just a place that communication classes are held. It was named after Harold Wakeling Crawford, a previous student and dean of what is now called, South Carolina State University.


Harold "Crip" Crawford was born on January 6, 1903 in Laurens County, South Carolina and later moved to Calhoun Falls.  He attended elementary school at Haines Institute in Augusta, Ga. In his adult life he was considered a decent sized man weighing in at about 200 pounds and he was also 6'2". 

 Crawford later attended the academy and college at South Carolina State where he received a B.S. degree in mechanic arts in 1927. He attended Kansas State on a Rosenwald Scholarship where he earned his second baccalaureate degree in Automotive Engineering and General Science in 1932. He received the M.A. degree in Administration and Supervision from New York in 1944, and from Wayne State University of Detroit in 1959. He did further study at the University of Chicago and New York U. As you can see he had a lot of schooling.

Crawford of course attended the School of Industrial Education and Engineering Technology at South Carolina State College (South Carolina state University). He later joined the faculty in 1932. He left in 1945 to work as Chief with Veterans Administration Guidance Center at the College, but returned to his position as Dean in 1947 until his retirement in 1969.

An acquaintance of Crawford, Dr. William Hines came to SCSU to give a brief overview of what Crawford might've been like back then.

"He seemed to be a kind of reserved individual" as Dr.William Hines said, "kind of a little on the shy side."

Hines told us that Crawford was a player and an assistant coach in football during his life.

He also went on to say, "He was always interested in athletics. In the 50's until he retired he remained in the athletic program."

At one point Crawford was among 5 people the board of trustees were considering for President. The board wasn't really leaning towards Crawford because they didn't know where he stood on segregation.

The purpose of the building we now call Harold W. Crawford Engineering Technology Building was for trades. Afterwards it was to replace the original mechanical building.

Crip Crawford died in 1980 and the nameless building was named after him.

See this link