Hi all! I hope you are all safe and well! The year 2020 has been nothing but chaotic and eventful. Just three months in and we have already mourned the loss of a basketball legend, been on the brinks of a possible World War 3, and now, are dealing with a global pandemic (and that’s just to name a few). At the moment, it is a very scary and uncertain time in the world, to say the least. It is more evident to me now that the world is constantly changing every day (even every second). It has definitely given me time to slow down, and reflect over everything that has lead up to this point in time. If you would like an accurate representation of how I feel right now, check out this tik tok/meme:
Coronavirus Tik Tok/Meme (“I can’t touch anything anymore.” TikTok, uploaded by Brent Rivera, 25 March 2020, https://vm.tiktok.com/GarwnK. Accessed 26 March 2020.)
Currently, I am at home in Raleigh with my family. My dad is working from home and my sister, who is a student in high school participating in a duel enrollment program, has been told to stay home as well. My mother, who is a homemaker, has been cooking up some hot meals for us to enjoy during this time, which I am very thankful for. Having a nice home-cooked meal somewhat helps normalize the situation and keeps me sane. We have been stocking up on a lot of food, especially healthy options, such as fruits, vegetables, and soups. In a way, I feel like our lives have somewhat turned into a math problem, especially with everyone going out and buying more produce and necessities than usual (I’m referring to you, toilet paper). I’m glad grocery stores are now putting restrictions on how much people can buy because some people may actually need these products and need them in stock. In addition, I have finally moved out of my dorm at UNC. Little did I know that the night of March 5th would be the last time I would sleep on my lofted bed in Carmichael Hall for the rest of the spring semester. I am very sad that I won’t be able to see my college friends for the rest of the semester, but I know it is for the best. The last official outing I had before I quarantined myself at my house (besides moving my stuff out from my dorm in Chapel Hill) was when I went to Jubala coffee shop with my best friend, Emma, on March 11th. Otherwise, I have been at home or taking walks around my neighborhood.
The idea of having online classes is a blessing and a curse, in my opinion. A blessing because I do not have to walk all over campus to get to my destinations, because everything I need is all in one place. However, sometimes, it is a challenge for me to learn at home because the thought of home gives me a sense of relaxation, instead of a study environment. Ever since I left for college, it has gotten harder and harder for me to study at home. By studying on a college campus, such as at the library, it forced me to study because everyone else there was studying as well. To combat this, I have decided to zoom call my peers in my classes and after going to “class”, we often discuss the material that the professor had went over. This way, we both hold each other accountable for learning the material. Moreover, this helps normalize things for me because it was something that I regularly did back on campus at the library with my classmates. I often think about how I decided to take a microbiology course during this specific semester, and that it has provided me with so much more knowledge about the world on a microscopic level. It has definitely allowed me to view this pandemic in a different lens than had I not decided to take this course during this semester. I am more than grateful for my professors that have worked so hard to make my learning experience as best as it could be despite the circumstances.
I am not only thankful for my professors, but also the healthcare workers that have worked their butts off to get to this point and are continuing to work day and night to help those who are ill. It is astonishing to see and hear about their resilience and perseverance on the front lines of this battle. I am glad people are now acknowledging and appreciating the work that these people do for our community. Like I mentioned in a previous post, health is the single most important aspect of life. Without a good health, people are prevented from accomplishing what they wish to pursue, even a simple everyday task. It is important now more than ever to keep ourselves healthy and practice good hygiene (which we should have already been doing!!).
Like the rest of us, I have been feeling overwhelmed from time to time since the beginning of March. Getting adjusted to learning from home, as well as knowing that there is a virus out there that is taking out a handful of people are two very stressful situations. I took the time to read up some helpful advice to maintain my stress level during this time. An article from Psychology Today proved very helpful to me. One of the pieces of advice that I got from it was to find ways to stay active, despite being in quarantine. I’ve learned to take walks every day as a way to establish a daily routine and get my steps in. It has definitely made me feel a lot better and allows me to get fresh air. I definitely recommend giving this a read!
If this pandemic has taught us anything, it has shown us that life is short and that we should continue to be kind and respectful to everyone, because we are all going through this together. It has also taught us to be mindful of how our own actions can affect other people. I know many of us, including myself, have been distancing ourselves from our elders because we do not want them to get sick. It sickens me to hear that some people care more about having fun and “having a good time” rather than protect themselves and their loved ones. To look on the bright side of things, it has given us time to catch up with people we have not spoken to in a while and spend time with our family and friends via online. Thinking like this helps keep me grounded and relaxed when I feel overwhelmed about the current situation. I hope you all stay safe and healthy, as well as practice good hygiene!! Take care everyone ❤
Melanie Nguyen's Microbiology Blog 