Living in the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread illness and death, as well as an economic ruin, daily struggles, and long-term uncertainty. As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on communities around the world, health care professionals are overworked, leaders are balancing decisions about reopening schools and businesses while avoiding further spread, and countries, states, and towns have launched enormous vaccination efforts. Last year, when the lockdown started, I was ecstatic because my final year in school (Grade 11) had finished early and our final exams had been also finished. The sun is shining, I am happy and glad. After all, I asked myself that how hard could staying at home possibly be. After a while, the reality of the situation began to sink in. I began to struggle as the thrill of being at home wore off. I had panic episodes on a daily basis, freezing on the floor of my room, unable to move or speak. I struggled to sleep most nights because I had ...