Friday March 20th, 9:10 am   

Today I decided to start a quarantine diary. Honestly if I don’t think about the virus, the quarantine is eerily similar to summer or spring break. I spend most of my time reading inside or doing other things, just like I would normally. My schedule doesn’t deviate much, outside of not being able to see my friends, or having to watch what I eat. That is, until I see the news reports, or hear my parents talking about what we should do about some issue. 

The other day I caught my dad trying to make hand sanitizer out of rubbing alcohol and aloe, and I asked him why. He said because many stores are out of it, and I think that’s when it first hit me, that this was really happening. 

My family has always washed our hands a lot, so we aren’t doing much more than usual now. After school was cancelled, I haven’t been able to leave our house to go shopping because of the risk. Every time my parents leave the house to work or pick up supplies I’m worried about them, which is eye opening because when I was younger my parents always seemed invincible. 

3/19

    Well today is just like the days before, but a little different because I mainly did stuff outside… I also found out that my soccer is starting up again but instead of going and practicing as a team we are doing it online. I just think that, that is just so funny that my soccer team has figured out how to do it online but the school district hasn’t figured out how to do school online. Today was filled with soccer, me making a lot of bets with my friends and then losing most of them, owing my friend Jamba Juice and kicking a ball into my neighbor’s yard. I pretty much did almost everything I’ve been doing for the whole break. As much fun as today and all the days before was I really wish that school was not being cancelled till April 28. 

March 19, 2020

Today is Thursday, meaning it is the fourth day of school we’ve missed because of the coronavirus. So far, this break seems more like a normal break from school, like spring break, not an emergency closure because of a pandemic. Or, as some have said, an apocalypse. I think this is because there are not many cases in our area. But, we definitely cannot do the same things now than on a normal spring break. As of today, there are at least 88 cases in Oregon, and 2 in Lane County, 1 of whom passed away a few days ago (the true reason is still unknown). Globally, the cases top 218,000 as of today, with the U.S. responsible for about 8,700 of those. Some people are saying this pandemic could last about 18 months, but I’m not so sure. My parents are saying that this will get worse before it can get better, in terms of Lane County. But, hopefully this means it will quickly get worse, and then quickly get better. Besides, the outbreak in China happened super quickly, but didn’t last a very long time. So far, schools are closed until April 28th. So, I am thinking (and hoping) that this will only last until then. For now, we just have to make the best of the circumstances. 

It’s crazy to think that one week ago, last Thursday, we had just finished the 2nd trimester, and were starting a four-day-weekend. I would have never thought that one week from then we would be in quarantine until the end of April. I found out about this virus in January, and it was worrying, but I never thought it would get to this level. At least, until a few weeks ago. When it started spreading everywhere, I knew it would eventually make its way to us. It’s crazy how quickly things can change. All of a sudden, we went from our normal lives, and stores that actually had toilet paper, to a completely different way of living. And, of course, to stores without any toilet paper. 

It is strange to think that we are living through history. It’s strange to think that 100 years from now, kids will be learning about this pandemic in school. That’s why I think this assignment is so great; because it gives us a chance to write about our experience in this crazy and unexpected time. There are so many unanswered questions, and so many things to be worried about. I am trying not to focus on those things, however, because I know it will just ruin my day, and make me anxious. I am the type of person that needs to know exactly what is going on, when it’s going on. And, I definitely like having a schedule. That’s what is so hard about this time; there are so many things we just can’t control, or predict. And, although we need to be aware, we cannot focus on those things all the time, especially in a time like this. I think the reason this is so hard, specifically in the U.S., is because we haven’t had a disruption to our daily lives in a really long time. And, I think this is an eye-opener for a lot of people. This pandemic is showing that we need to be more prepared for things like this, and I am hoping that we will be, in the future. I am just hoping that everyone stays safe and healthy, and that we can continue on with our everyday lives again soon. But, for now, this is what our life consists of. And, although it is strange and unexpected, we have to make the best of it.  

3/18/2020

Our principal, Chris Mitchell, published “Coronavirus quarantine” on his Principal’s Blog”. You can read his entry here.

March 18, 2020

This whole situation makes me feel very uneasy. My head is constantly swirling with questions that have no answer. It feels like the whole world is on pause, but time is still ticking. I worry about my family and my friends and I miss them so much. I never thought the day would come when I would miss going to school, but that day has arrived and long passed. I miss laughing with them, talking with them, having lunch with them, and even doing school work with them. Even though I can’t physically be with them, I am beyond thankful that I have FaceTime so I can still keep in touch.

I occupy my time by watching way too much Netflix, reading, and writing. Writing helps me relieve my anxiety about the whole situation. I feel like if I can create a character who is feeling the same way I am or going through the same things, then there must be an actual person who is too. It’s like creating my own little world where I can control what happens, and I know from the start what happens at the end. It sounds stupid, but I encourage anyone who is feeling incredibly anxious to try the same thing. It just might bring you some peace of mind. 

I try to stay away from the news because it just adds another layer of anxiety, and I never know what is completely true or not. I have heard that many famous people have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus like Tom Hanks and Kevin Durant. It’s all so scary to know that this virus is spreading so fast and affecting so many people. My mom has gone to the store a few times, and they have always been sold out of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and even canned foods and now that there is a confirmed case of the Coronavirus in Lane County, it can only get worse. Some things aren’t even available online, which is also a very unsettling feeling; like people are falling apart at the seams and don’t know how to handle the situation. 

I hope that this helped at least one person feel less alone in their anxiety or feelings towards the Coronavirus and all the panic that comes along with it. 

March 17, 2020 9:00 PM

Sadly this year we have to celebrate St. Patty’s day fighting; we are not fighting people we are fighting COVID-19 known as the coronavirus. It is a nasty and deadly disease, that has just recently came into contact with people all over the world. There are over 197,000 cases globally with almost 8,000 deaths. In the US there are 100 deaths and 5,000 reported cases. Lane County reported today that we as a community got our first case of coronavirus. The man that has been tested positive for it lived two weeks before showing any symptoms. COVID-19 has a six foot spreading radius. This sickness has became so out of control that stores are completely sold out of toilet paper. People are even making videos of how to properly wash their hands. I personally as a witness of the coronavirus think this is such a serious thing because me and my parents have never seen schools closing for six plus weeks at a time. Please go the extra mile of keeping you and your peers safe and corona free!