permission to print image: Gale
Since March of 2020, the entire world has been spreading around COVID-19, a bacterial attack on the respiratory system causing shortness of breath, coughing, new loss of smell or taste, a sore throat, etc. The virus is much like a cold but can harm anyone of an older age or anyone with a pre-existing condition. It spreads much faster than most viruses and sometimes it can spread it without a person knowing they have it, hence the mask wearing.
Living in a world where no one can see anyone’s smiles or friends at school is frustrating. Quarantine from March to May has already caused a ton of businesses to shut down and the stay-at-home orders kept many friends and families apart. This causes a lot of stress on the average aged person, let alone much more stress on a student.
When school started again in September, many students were eager to get back to a daily routine and have something to do. Although, students may say learning isn’t fun, it’s something to do with the day instead of sitting inside for hours. But most schools now (in December) have either closed and gone completely online or gone half online and half in person.
Being a student in these times has a major impact on the brain and mental health. Students have to worry about getting the virus from school, they have to worry about other family members getting it and they also have to worry about schoolwork and making sure things are done on time, while not even being in school for half of the week.
Getting things done is half the problem because one day wake-up is at 6 a.m. and the next day it’s at 11 a.m. The routine is never the same, which makes it difficult to find time to do things while struggling with time management and having a job, which many students have to worry about.
Hopefully 2021 will have better things in store, but as for 2020, it’s safe to say that nobody will miss it.
