Yes, here goes yet another article on the coronavirus; something we have been hearing about 24/7 for a couple of weeks now. But I don’t plan on talking to you all about the precautions we can take or the symptoms to look out for because I feel as though we all already know what they are. 

What I plan on talking about is how directly this pandemic has put a halt on everybody’s lives. 

First, let me start off by saying that even without a pandemic, we are all going through something. Sometimes being affected by certain situations can make us feel like we are all alone. We as humans tend to feel like no one can relate to our problems and we are the only ones experiencing pain and emotions. I am here to say that that is never true. 

We know that now more than ever with the coronavirus. Even if you are not infected with the COVID-19, you are affected. 

Let’s start with the graduating classes of 2020 – college and high school.

If I was in high school, I would be absolutely heartbroken to know that my prom has been canceled, as well as my graduation – something that I spent 12 years of my life working for. It kind of makes these students feel lost. I have even already heard colleges talking about preparing to continue the fall 2020 semester online. Imagine being a freshman going into college and not being able to get that true experience on the first day; meeting new people; going to parties; letting go of your past life and all of that high school drama. They won’t get to experience this the way that everybody else did. Dreams have been shut down in such a short period of time. 

Next comes the college graduating class of 2020. I am a college senior and I am genuinely heartbroken to know that I was only able to experience one senior event. My college career ended with one email. I will never get to experience dorming with the girls that I consider my family ever again. I will never be able to sit in class with the teachers who steered me in the direction of success. I will never be able to experience being in the television studio or the newspaper room or every classroom that helped me find my calling. I will never get to walk in a fashion show again, and now there may even be a possibility that I won’t be able to walk that graduation stage.

That is the most heartbreaking thing. I can’t even think about it without tears coming to my eyes. College students have worked four or five maybe even more years to get the opportunity to walk that stage and take pictures in caps and gowns. Now we’re lost because we aren’t sure if that will even happen.

One thing that I feel is super important to talk about is college athletes, especially those who are seniors. My best friend had her basketball career taken away when she was a junior in the fall of 2018 due to a decision made by her school to go D1. Her team wound up being cut. She then decided to take the opportunity and play lacrosse for her school, so she was still able to withhold her scholarship and play a D1 sport as a college senior, which was an amazing opportunity. But due to this pandemic, she never had the chance to maintain that. Imagine working so hard, putting in extra hours, day and night to practice a sport just for it to be cut short.

To all the athletes who won’t be able to play the last season of their sport, to those who won’t have their senior night or last game with posters and flowers and families watching, my heart goes out to you – I could never imagine the heartbreak you all had to be put through at such short notice. 

We also have to remember that there are babies and young kids and students of all ages who use school as an escape from their nightmare at home. Now they are forced to be home and deal with a living situation that can have a major negative effect on them. 

For the people who deal with depression on a day-to-day basis, you are not forgotten. People don’t realize that those with depression use the outside to get their mind off of all the darkness within. They rely on social gatherings to keep their mind off of their depressive thoughts. It is important for us to realize that they will be directly affected by this. 

Let’s also not forget the people who have lost loved ones or even been diagnosed with this virus. For the people who have been affected directly, my prayers go out to you. I hope you feel better and are able to get back to your normal life as quickly as possible. 

And last but not least, the first responders, nurses, doctors, and the military have all been doing whatever they can. My mother us an emergency room nurse who doesn’t get the opportunity for a day off. She comes in direct contact with people who are sick every day and although she takes extreme precautions beforehand, she is terrified to come home and infect a loved one with the virus. 

And to the kids who are out partying and not taking this seriously, remember, you can be greatly affected by this in no time at all, and that shouldn’t be the only thing that makes you take precaution. You should be listening and social distancing. The quicker we get rid of this pandemic, the quicker we are able to go out and enjoy our lives once again. 

With all of this being said, it is important for us to know that we are all affected in some way, we are not alone. 

During this time of need, I am asking you all to pray for each other, check up on your loved ones, check up on the people who you have been distant from. Let them know you are here for them if needed. Take care of your neighbors. Help each other – this is not survival of the fittest, we all should have the opportunity to survive this. Help those who you know are in need. This is a time to let go of all of your grudges and burdens and live with an open heart. Take this time to find your peace and find your true meaning. Take this time off to spend with family and friends that you don’t get to see as often as you’d like. Stay safe, stay inside, take proper precautions, and spread peace, love, prosperity, and light.

Stay strong.