COVID-19 Diary Series, Part 4
April 9, 2020
High school can seem so long in the moment but anyone that’s made it to the other side knows, that time really does go by in blink. Those memories of our high school days become precious moments of our past. Today’s high school kids are left wondering at this point how much of their high school memories and moments are disappearing as we all wait out the passing of this virus. As we wrap up week 4 of waiting and wondering Kenwood students continue to ponder what this pause means for their present and their future….
Jacob Hammond. Grade 11
It’s been a stressful week. On top of everything going on in the world already with coronavirus, schools have officially announced that they will be closing until the 24th of April. I think at first every student looked at this excitedly until the confusion came. Not only did students and parents not know exactly what school closures meant for the education process, but neither did teachers and staff. Teachers and staff had about just as much knowledge of the situation as the students did. The closure also left us older students wondering: would third quarter be extended or would the current grades stay in effect for third quarter grades. This sent students into panic mode. Teachers’ inboxes were flooded with questions they simply didn’t have the answer to, and the only advice was to wait. I’m a rather impatient person when it comes to something I’m stressed out about which I imagine is the same for many of my peers. We are the instant gratification generation so waiting for all these unanswered questions to be answered is tough. It’s hard to get it off my mind and wait for the uncertainty to subside.
I began to talk with teachers and guidance counselors about the best course of action for me. I submitted make-up work and so far, I’ve brought a lot of grades up. I’m trying to be as positive as I can but it’s hard. Not only do I have fears about education and what will happen with school, but I’m also nervous of the effects work will have on my family and me. Technically speaking, I don’t have to continue to work, however I do like to have money. This led me to have to make a critical decision, should I stay at work and protect my family and myself from this virus or continue to work and have an income?
There were a couple of factors that contributed to my decision. I decided to stay at work for the time being due to the safety precautions we’re taking and the practice of social distancing; however, when things start to develop further, I’ll make the call to stop going to work. Many things contributed to my decision. Even with not many places open for me to even spend my money I wanted to stay at work for the time being just to save money to have after it’s over with. Another factor was my grandfather. The coronavirus is spread easily, and most people do survive, however extra precaution has to be taken in my house because of my grandfather. He already has existing medical conditions and the coronavirus could prove to be lethal for him. This is a chance I am not willing to make. After I finally thought everything might just work out and my family might have the situation under control for us, someone was diagnosed with coronavirus in my mother’s workplace. Upon finding out, she decided it was best to take some time off and collect partial unemployment for the time being. My week has been hectic, but I’m trying my best to maintain a sense of normalcy.
Matt Deloach, Grade 11
This time off from school is not like spring break or a vacation. We’re limited on who we can be around, where we can go and how far apart we have to be from people. We can no longer just go out and hang out with friends and enjoy ourselves.
As far as school was going I was doing my best to pull up my grades and go to my classes so I could be a part of Kenwood’s lacrosse team, but now that schools are closed I can’t stay after school for extra help, can’t attend coach classes, and I’m not even sure if I have the opportunity to bring my grades up. So all around I am lost. We don’t know if or when we are going back to school and we don’t even know if third quarter is over or if we will have more time. So many unanswered questions.
It just seems like everything that was normal is all up in the air and no one can answer questions with any definite answer on anything because information has to trickle down from the very top of government at this point. It is very frustrating and annoying. I’m even wondering now if I’m going to lose some of my summer because of this? I hope not because right now my friends and my sports have already been taken.
I can only go to work and come home, and I heard that I may not even be able to go to work if this keeps spreading. The good part is I can still face time my friends and actually see them thru the phone. As of today I don’t know anybody that is sick and it is just frustrating that I can’t hang out with my friends anymore.
Tynashia Reavis, Grade 11
As the current coronavirus epidemic sweeps the world and people go to their houses to prevent having and spreading the infection, it sounds reasonable that much of the debate about it is taking place online. People are using the internet to get knowledge, air their anxieties, and share experiences while in isolation. These minutes when those online conversations light up also tell us a lot about how our perceptions in this pandemic are developing. This pandemic is affecting the health of the public, and it’s also impacting the economy.
But in the past few days, the conversation about the pandemic has broadened. I hear the fear that we are not just living through a public-health crisis, but an economic one. As much of normal life is suspended for three months or more, with school closures and isolation I’m left wondering when we’ll go back to normal. I’m tired of being in the house with nothing to do. I’m tempted to just go outside like I usually do but don’t think I can now because there’s a curfew. Hopefully this ends sooner rather than later.
Be sure to check out our past posts in the COVID-19 Diary Series:
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