Due to almost everything being closed because of coronavirus (COVID-19), I realize how society takes things for granted. Things like sitting at a restaurant, getting your nails and hair done, seeing friends, going to the bar, and even simply going for a walk. Before this pandemic, all of these are things that we got to do on a regular basis without thinking twice. 

I never realized how not seeing my friends for a couple of weeks would affect me. It sucks only being able to Facetime people instead of hugging them and spending time with each other. Seeing my friends gave me the happiness that I always needed in my life. But now, that happiness has been replaced with watching shows and movies. I know we can still text and Facetime, but it’s not the same. We can’t go for drives while listening to music, eat, watch movies together, or just chill together. Obviously, this isn’t going to last forever but it feels like it. 

Another thing that has been taken for granted is work. People always complain about how they don’t want to go into work because they either hate their job or it’s just draining. It was an everyday thing to go into work and complain but now that privilege is gone. Now, people are unemployed and some have no idea when they are going back to work. These people don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills or support their family. It’s a scary thing to think about, and my parents are some of the unfortunate people going through it. My dad paints houses and my mom cleans houses and they haven’t worked since this quarantine started. I still work as a cashier in a grocery store, but a part-time job can’t fully help pay the rent and bills. It scares me a lot, and I know it scares my parents. but they don’t show it so that they don’t freak me out.

Our health has been taken for granted as well. Before, we lived our lives without taking so much precaution but now everyone is wearing gloves, masks, and trying their hardest not to touch anything or anyone. Even though these are common-sense things, it’s just been a drastic change. But people take these precautions so they don’t get sick and then get people in their family sick. My good friend’s father passed away due to the virus. It was my first time ever dealing with a situation like that. I don’t ever want to imagine what it’s like to lose a parent. The thought of them being here one day and then gone the next, and not even being able to have a proper funeral for them is heartbreaking to me. A girl that I went to high school with lost her father to the virus as well. Situations like that make everything seem more real and put everything into perspective. We have to appreciate our loved ones every day because tomorrow is never promised. It’s important to be careful when going outside because you never know what can happen to you anywhere. 

One day, we’ll be able to go back to work, get our hair done, hang out with our friends, and not live in fear. For now, all we have is hope. Hope that all this will blow over soon and life will go back to normal. All we can do is make future plans with our friends and look forward to putting them in motion. All we can do is stay positive and inside where it’s safe.