Is This Really a Pandemic or a Gimmick ?

Who would have known Spring Break would never end! Don't get me wrong, the idea of a never ending spring break would probably seem great if we weren't stuck in quarantine because of the coronavirus. That immature ideal ended though, when all our plans of returning to South Carolina State University to finish the semester abruptly ended. Parties, classes, graduations and several other things got cancelled and we got an extended summer that we didn't ask for.

 

My Friends and I on Spring Break Before We Knew We Weren't Coming Back to School

A lot of people didn't take the Coronavirus serious over this off time we call summer, myself included. Stores were still open and people were still living normal lives. Then, all of a sudden death rates of victims  who tested positive for the coronavirus increased.  Celebrities we were familiar with tested positive and even people near my city. Stores that weren't essential were closed, workers that weren't essential were asked not to go to work and mandatory curfews were set in place by Gov. Henry McMaster. 

After all that, I started to feel like things went from bad to worst. It seemed like we couldn't go anywhere or do anything. I began to worry if I'd ever be able to finish my last semester on campus but little did I know, that that hope would've gotten shot down too. Not only that, but the wrongful death of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor made things hit home even worst especially for the black community. Being in quarantine made everyone around the world feel sad, hopeless and even angry.

Over the summer, I began to do a lot of self- reflecting since everything had seem to be taking a down turn. I learned a lot of things about myself that I didn't know as well I did others. I started to tap into my more creative side all while spending alot of time with my family doing so. I made sure to stay safe and keep my mask on as well. 

 

My Family and I Celebrating Mother’s Day 

I started to have so much fun it didn't even feel like there was a Coronavirus or pandemic. The death rates and infected people seem to have gone down ( I didn’t even here of anyone dying from it so I began to think it was a hoax) , stores were opening again and people were safely reporting back to their normal activity/lives.

Since everything seemed to be looking up I planned my 22nd birthday. I refused to let the “Coronavirus” ruin it. I planned a rose gold theme party the weekend before my birthday , got my first tattoo, had a birthday photoshoot and had a dinner party the day of my birthday. In preparation for all the birthday fun, I went Amazon crazy and bought a bunch of decorations .

Overall my summer turned out to be pretty great. I spent a lot of time with family, enjoyed my birthday, and discovered new talents. This pandemic, or should I say “gimmick” , has taught me that hard times will either make you or break you , but it ultimately depends on you and your own mindset.

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.