Originally Published March 28, 2020
What day of social distancing is it anyways? With everything being flipped upside down and having to adjust routine, this time in isolation has not been easy, but necessary.
Experts say the best way to combat the spread of coronavirus is through distancing, as some people can be asymptomatic. Of course, this is no simple task, as it is human nature to want/desire companionship. Not to mention, it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, for those to work from home.
Corona Virus Impacts
I am privileged in the sense that I have job security, access to resources needed to work remotely, and I have the option to take paid leave. This is not the case for many others, however. People have been laid off from their jobs that would have required them to be physically present, some students are unable to zoom in to class lessons or complete assignments because they don’t have access to a computer, and some people, like my boyfriend (who works at Trader Joes) or nurses/doctors who are on the front lines, have to go into work and risk their health on a daily basis.
There are people in the world who are really hurting from COVID-19. And I mean really hurting- dying, not having enough money to provide for their family, having to drop out of school because it is impossible to complete their semester/quarter online, etc. And yet there are people who think it is fine to go to the bars, travel over spring break, or book a cheap flight abroad, because they just can’t miss the party/social scene. NEWS FLASH- the longer people ignore the repercussions, the more time individuals will have to spend in social isolation, possibly alone, broke, and scared.
Self-Care Tips
This is not to say don’t go outside for a walk/run/hike, because lord knows mental and physical health are important too. Just be smart about it. And if you do go for a walk/run outdoors, please be kind to others. Practice patience and run around the person on the pathway instead of expecting them to move for you.
Let’s use this time to start a project at home, engage our brains and read a little more, FaceTime family and friends, slow down and practice mindfulness, and Netflix and chill. We deserve it!
What Can We Do?
It takes a village!! And whether we like it or not, we are in this together. So let’s be better. Let’s wash our hands, share toilet paper, offer a smile or air high five/fist bump to the grocery store clerk, treat others with respect, utilize better coping skills, strive for minimalism, and stay the fuck home. This too shall pass.
