The world has been taken by storm by Corona. No, not the beer, the virus. It resulted in lockdowns, shutdowns, and alterations of lives all around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the coronavirus disease is caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2. This indicated a viral mutation.
Viruses are pathogens that attach to a host cell and injects its RNA into the cell’s nucleus. The RNA virus then forces the cell to transcribe new viruses that get released outside the host cell and affects new cells, essentially reprogramming the host cell into a virus-making factory. An immune response follows, thus the dreaded symptoms.
Government and large news sources underestimated the global impact of the virus until it was discovered that five million people evacuated the Wuhan province in China. Once it became a global pandemic, fear-mongering seeped it’s way into mainstream media. Face masks, gloves, and hospital equipment became a hot buy, emptying stores of medical supplies and another unusual suspect — toilet paper. Areas affected most were New York and California where population and tourism are abundant and dense. The best method to prevent the virus according to the nation’s top physicians is to build your natural immunity and wash your hands.
Life in the virus craze has proven to be difficult. Supermarket aisles are empty, public transportation was deemed dangerous, and CUNY and SUNY schools closed. My classes are all online using various platforms. Dormitories are closing, leaving many students displaced and confused. The mayhem left many people displaced, stressed, and in fear.
Not being able to be on campus has proven difficult for me because I can no longer access the counseling resources, the career and professional center, or any other amenities. As an individual who prides themselves on progression, lacking academic and personal resources leaves me severely disadvantaged.
Fear of quarantine and lack of housing or food supplies terrifies me the most. I have been locked in my living space for a full week now, only seeing the bright of day to take a quick walk in the name of “social distancing.” Encouraging myself through bouts of procrastination, making and remaking daily schedules, and trying to keep up with work easily forgotten or short notice has played a major role in the struggles of being stuck inside my apartment without relief. However, working from home has cut my long commute time, which is refreshing. I do have more time to study and accomplish tasks but hope the global scare will be over soon.
Some encouraging deeds being done is the free support for students badly affected by not having campus resources. The delivering of free laptops to low-income students, discounts for meal delivery, and supermarket hours specifically for senior citizens to shop has delighted me. I have also seen some decent action and well-established precautions dealing with containing the virus but putting the needs of society’s most vulnerable first. I hope for positive updates in the week to come.
Don’t forget to Stay Home and Stay Fabulous!
Marcia Collier is a senior at City College, CUNY, and a member of Young Invincibles’ Young Advoates Program.