Anayeli Arroyo

“Nobody really saw this coming. Not the rapid exponential spread of the virus, not the closing of schools and businesses, not the needed isolation from one another. It’s crazy to think that during these times, to show our loved ones that we care about them, we actually need to stay away from them to keep them safe. It’s quite an odd paradox and it feels weird not being able to go out like we used; not to be able to take random trips to the store for no particular reason or need to buy anything or go out to eat dinner with our family and friends on a Friday night.

Nobody signed up for this tragedy, but everybody has to do their own part to fight it. Some people may have roles that require taking extra risks but at the end of the day everyone can do their part to help bring this to an end. We’re living in a time where being a hero and saving lives means staying at home and distancing ourselves from one another. Now, it sounds like quite a simple act but isolation has a different meaning and effect on different people. Not everyone can easily stay at home just going on with their life because let’s face it, it just doesn’t feel like a normal life. It just feels like all of our lives have been put on pause for a moment and we really don’t know for sure when it will all resume. Everything drastically changed and all of our routines were shifted, and that’s extremely difficult for many people who find comfort in their everyday routine.

I enjoyed waking up, even though in the morning I dreaded leaving my comfy bed, and just getting ready for class because that had become my routine and brought a sense of structure for my life. I’m not used to change and this one is definitely a drastic one that has been a shock to the entire world. Regardless of everything, I have found some comfort in seeing how we’re all providing support for one another and making sure everyone is doing ok in the isolation.

Although when we really think about it, we’re really not alone. Now more than ever, I feel like we’re growing closer together as the human race, ironically by staying away from each other. History has shown us that we can and we will get through this. I think we can all just try to take it one day at a time and maintain hope that this will all be over soon. Support ourselves and be kind to one another because this is what we all need the most.” 

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