Just another Covid-19 update

About two weeks ago it was announced that spring break would be extended and that classes at UNC would be moved to online. When I found out this news I was a little taken aback. I had been alone at my apartment for a couple of days already during spring break because I had clinicals going on for my CNA class in Durham. This means I was already getting kind of lonely and stir-crazy without my roommate and I was really upset when I found out this was just the beginning. When I went home for the weekend I was kind of panicking and asking my mom if I needed to stock up on anything. I was nervous because I wanted to stay home with my family but I couldn’t because I was required to attend my CNA class, which had not been canceled. 

When I went back to school last Monday I worked on staying busy cleaning, studying, and prepping for taking classes online. Staying motivated helped me from worrying too much and also made the days go faster. This doesn’t mean that I wasn’t checking the news and Facebook constantly for updates on Covid and closures, because I was doing that too. I went home again that weekend and stayed with my boyfriend. I observed that many of his friends weren’t taking social distancing as seriously as I would have hoped. I think young people still have the mindset that it is not a problem for them. One thing that has been stressing me out is the potential demise of the economy with so many people unable to work. I picked up takeout from a locally owned Mexican place near me and they seemed so grateful to get business. Luckily the people closest to me will be alright but I still worry for my community. 

Overall, I think the measures that UNC has taken are good and necessary. Now that they have changed the pass/fail guidelines I hope that students will be less stressed making the transition to online learning.  I have taken online classes before so I am familiar with the concept but if someone has never taken them it can be very challenging to self motivate and schedule times to get work done. At the same time, I think that people will be more likely to succeed during quarantine since they can’t really leave the house and be distracted. It is my prediction that by the end of April we will see case numbers dropping and things begin to become more normal in May. This is honestly the best-case scenario and requires everyone to do their part. Stay home!!!