Falzone H Week 8

                                             

                                                                                Covid Crazy

It has officially been one year since we were shoved into lockdown, mask-wearing, and the endless thought in our head about getting infected with Covid. As someone who made it through multiple months before contracting the virus, I am getting really tired of the mandates and constant fear we live in. Now I completely agree with all of the precautions for Covid and wholeheartedly believe that if we had all worn masks and stayed home initially, the virus could have potentially claimed half the lives then it has so far, but I am still finding myself not wanting to wear masks in public or tired of our half a week school cycle. I know what we are doing is protecting those around us, but sometimes I just wish our lives would go back to normal. I am going to share a brief overview of my life since the pandemic and some insight from someone who has survived the virus.

My school was already out for spring break and I had just finished a track practice when my dad announced to my sister and I that we would be out of school for a week. Up until this point, there had been a rumor that our school would extend spring break an extra week, just to be cautious, and my initial reaction was pure joy. I had numerous projects to create and present and felt relief knowing I could have an extra week to practice and nail these presentations. However as the weeks turned into months and into an indefinite amount of time, I found myself longing to be back in school and to feel normal again. My family was very cautious in taking all of the precautions, especially in the heart of lockdown, by washing our groceries off and sanitizing our hands until they were cracking. My parents would not let any of my siblings into a store and it wasn't until the summer months when they finally let me walk through my first store again. These months were full of fear and the unknown but as summer rolled in, life went sort of back to normal. I started playing sports again and spent tons of time outside with my family. As fall began and my journey balancing a new school and an injury started, my life was almost too busy for me to stress about the pandemic, and at times it would slip my mind. However, right when we thought we had made it all this time without getting sick, I got Covid and was forced to stay home. Take it from me, you do not want this illness. It is in every way as bad as the media portrays it and hopefully something I will not have to experience again. Now that I have the immunity that lasts anywhere from 3 months to 8 months to forever( I know so specific) I have been living without the constant fear of getting sick again. I hadn't realized the burden this had taken on my mental and physical health as well. I find myself in a happier mood altogether and more engaged in my activities and school itself. 

The recent shutdown of the middle school, however, has me worried. Cases are starting to spike in other countries and I am scared of the possibility of us being shut down from Covid. As people get the vaccine and start spending time outside, I am hoping the mitigation efforts are enough, but despite the guidance given by our leaders people have been pouring down to Florida for spring break or attending large gatherings without masks on. As a concerned citizen and someone who has had the virus, I am urging everyone to continue to play it safe. All it takes is one person being infected for a whole season or a sports team to get canceled. Covid19 is not only real, but it is also alive and well, and I am fearful that it is hiding in the shadows ready to latch into its next victim.

My sister and I in the car the day we found out we were off for an additional week.