Cornered by Coronavirus

The Coronavirus pandemic has hit the free world hard. As I write this story over three million cases have been confirmed with over 200,000 dead. And in the United States of America the numbers read over one million confirmed cases and up wards of 57,000 dead.

     Though the numbers are startling and in many ways saddening, I have been blessed by not being affected by the virus. However, Brendan McGovern, my next-door neighbor and a close friend of mine since childhood was briefly infected and has since recovered. He told me in an interview later aired over 88.7 FM WRHU, that he "could not sleep, because I had an intense amount of pain in my body...I'd be simply watching T.V., and I'd experience massive chest pains...I'd get up and, and would be winded in a matter of seconds." Through his struggles, his advice to stay healthy was clear, "Stay inside and do not go out and interact with people...stay inside, stay with only your family, drink a lot of water, make sure you wash your hands a lot." Social distancing was stressed the most in the talk I had with him and it continues to ring true throughout much of the United States, including my home state of New York.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently extended the state's stay at home order until May 15th, and as of yesterday (4/27) said it will likely be extended beyond the current date.

     But life as a whole has become much more cloistered. Let me tell you a bit about myself. I'm a 20-year old junior journalism major at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. I have lived in on-campus housing each of the three years I've attended college and was not prepared for what was coming. On March 17th, while on spring break, I received an email from Hofstra's Residence Life Staff, that said the student residence population was to be limited due to orders from the governor and Nassau County's political leaders. A week later I went through the vigorous process of packing all my belongings and bringing them home for an extended summer stay. By completing this process, I had put my campus life, and more so my college experience on hold.

     Ever since, life in quarantine seems like living through the film “Groundhog Day.” Monday through Thursday waking up, rolling out of bed, sometimes skipping breakfast and going straight to lunch. Then, logging onto Blackboard to check my assignments for the day or Zoom for a class. Things seem to be more automated. Between all the schoolwork and some remote radio station work here and there, free time doesn’t come often, and some weeks, work fills the schedule from Sunday to Sunday. However, part of what precipitates this, is the lack of flexibility that can be added into my schedule. Not being able to leave home other than to drive around or move the garbage cans from the front of the house lends an opportunity to get out in the fresh air.

     The day is filled with monotony that feels strange to be trapped in. From February until March, the normal daily routine featured waking up to an alarm, scrambling to get ready, power walking to class, heading to the radio station to chat with colleagues, grabbing food somewhere in between, coming back to the dorm and spending time with my suite-mates, rounding it out with being beside my girlfriend and talking about each other’s days. But it was a schedule filled with action, interaction, and also some personal relaxation built in too. Nowadays things are much different. Once in class the mood is a lot different. While sitting in the virtual Zoom classroom one can’t help but think how unideal the situation is, and see their mind drift a bit. The feel of having a professor in the front of the room, there to help you when you are unsure. The connection doesn’t feel the same.

     Power walking anywhere, let alone any physical activity is restricted. Finding time to work out at home is difficult, and playing basketball outside is unthinkable, except for my renegade friends who still do it otherwise. Talking with colleagues at the station or my suite-mates does not have the same personal feel when social distancing, with most interactions occurring through FaceTime, thus cutting down on true quality time with friends. Plus, leaving the house to get food can be done if it's fast-food or takeout, but to get a full meal at a restaurant is not achievable.

     This quarantine has brought on some cabin fever and a little bit of anxiety. I feel trapped in my own home. And the call to learn from home is something that I am still adjusting to. But with nowhere to really go, and New York not seeming to lift the stay at home order anytime soon, I feel like I’m cornered by Coronavirus.