The virus that is plaguing all continents around the globe is known as the Corona Virus or COVID19. It has been the ultimate reason that essentially has paused the whole world all at once. According to all news outlets, our President, and state Governor of California declare that social distancing and remaining away from friends, family, and others in the community are ways in which we can slow down the rate at which people are dying. At the same time, it allows us more time to find a way to heal the patients being diagnosed with this virus. A specific piece of media that has stood out to me on the social platform Instagram was about individuals with birthdays during this time of lockdown and quarantine.
This meme, in particular, stood out to me because everyone that is in my grade class now, graduating from high school in 2017, is turning twenty-one this year, 2020. All of my friends and individuals who have had birthdays this past month and until this lockdown is all over get to finally celebrate the day they thought would never come at home with just their parents and siblings. These individuals could potentially even be alone by themselves like dozens of my neighbors are at The Lorenzo who are not even allowed to fly home. Personally, I have been thinking about my 21st for years and how I am going to choose to celebrate it with my family and my friends. This night is supposed to be nostalgic, important, and something to remember for the rest of our lives and now could has just turned into a massive pit of anxiety, fear, and loneliness. However, what has helped my friends, mutual accounts on social media, and myself is realizing we have to do this. Not only our elders and children but ourselves!
When people understand that they are just helping and benefiting everyone in the long run by staying home we find comfort in knowing that there will be a time to celebrate this day we have been waiting so patiently for. But, as a nation, during this time, all we can do is do our part by staying home and remaining as sanitary as possible. And how many people get to tell their kids that for their 21st birthday they were on a nationwide lockdown because of a deadly virus?
One specific piece of news that stood out to me, in particular, was an article published by The New York Times titled “The U.S. Now Leads the World in Confirmed Coronavirus Cases” by Donald G. McNeil Jr. This article is enriched with facts and research regarding death tolls from COVID19 from all over the world. As you can see in the title, this piece of news in particular really stood out to me because it involves the county I live in, along with everyone I know and love. It created more anxiety for me in that article alone than from any information from any other news outlet.
I personally feel that I am very up-to-date with a lot of the facts that are being informed through the media. I know how to properly fact check and find if an article or a post and/or the person who posted it is credible or not. This then usually ends up in long and strenuous talks with my mom about how and why things are happening the way they are and if said information is true or not. This entire process has been very eye-opening I would say. As this very scary thing is erupting all over the world I can’t help but also notice the unity our nation has all participated in throughout this lockdown. People staying inside their homes and restricting themselves from their daily necessary routines like school or work to keep the spread of this virus from happening as best as possible, although sad and financially frightening, is extremely comforting. However, what leaves me angrier than anything are the people that are not taking this as seriously as everyone else is and remains to participate in group-like settings. I am very stressed and anxious when I remember that I am basically stuck inside my house and potentially could be for many more months to come.
Mcneil, Donald G. “The U.S. Now Leads the World in Confirmed Coronavirus Cases.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020, http://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/health/usa-coronavirus-cases.html.
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