Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has spread very rapidly and has resulted in collective panic. Initially, as schools and colleges started to implement a system of distance-learning, as restaurants, movie theaters, stores, and salons began to shut down, people started to take it seriously. This pandemic has caused a surge in racially-motivated hate crimes towards individuals who may or may not be Chinese. As the world seems to have taken a 180 degree turn, whether temporary or permanent, humans are working to adapt to a more digital and distant way of life by utilizing various modes of communication. Moreover, youth are facing a shift in reality and are learning to make sense of it through all aspects of their lives.

As someone who suffers with depression and anxiety, I prefer to be consistently occupied as it is a mechanism for staying afloat. However, as the majority of people worldwide are quarantining, there happens to be an abundance of time that I could use to dwell on the past and overthink. Initially, I was convinced that this pandemic would cause a downward spiral in my mental health. Surprisingly, however, it has done the exact opposite. From my personal experience, self-isolation and solitude have shown to be very beneficial, as the world has somewhat stopped. Prior to COVID-19, it always felt like I was one step behind everyone, trying to make strides to catch up. However, self-quarantining has provided me with a plethora of peace and tranquility in regards to my mental health. It has provided me with the time I needed to get organized and catch up on any past assignments and tasks. I am certain that living in my own space, doing things at my own pace and taking time for myself will surely benefit me and my mental health.

For the majority of my friends and I, college presents us the opportunity to have a structured schedule and allows us to properly manage our time. With all campuses shutting down and classes transferred online to be taught through distance-learning, this poses a problem for us all. For starters, online classes suggest that students will be responsible for learning the bulk of the material independently, impacting their level of retention. Secondly, it is important to note that some individuals are unable to be productive at home, thus serving as a hurdle in their academic efforts. Furthermore, college serves as an escape for some students dealing with strict or overbearing parents and/or guardians, and without it, these students are trapped.

I am currently a resident advisor at a residence hall which houses over 1200 international and domestic students who belong to a variety of different colleges and programs. Although I am fortunate enough to keep my job and be able to continue living in the residence hall, and some schools have allowed their students to stay in the dorms, others weren’t as merciful. As city officials began to broadcast the severity of COVID-19, a handful of programs were immediately cut, demanding the students to evacuate the residence hall in less than one week. Some of the stories that residents would tell me included:

1. Resident 1 is an international student whose parents live in Italy was forced to book a $3000 flight home.
2. Resident 2 moved out of her parent’s home because it was hostile and unsafe. She is forced to move back in with them.
3. Resident 3 had to move back in with her parents, who were displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

As the city and colleges fail to provide resources to alleviate the student’s problems during this turbulent time, they neglect to recognize how this does the students a disservice.

As fortunate as I am to keep my job as a resident advisor, I am worried about the risks that I would be facing as a result. My job description includes managing the package room, which receives all packages and mail for the residents in the building. On a daily basis, we receive dozens of packages, which we are required to log into our system and sort them according to room number. With over 100 residents still in the dorms, I am coming in contact with a great number of them and putting myself at risk of contracting the virus. Furthermore, I am interacting with building directors, building security, cleaning staff, delivery men/women, resident’s parents, etc. potentially exposing myself to COVID-19. I am at a bit of a crossroads, as it is necessary for me to work to continue earning a wage, but how do I do that if I get the virus and die?

COVID-19, in its brief existence on Earth, has disheveled the lives of many, and uncovered the unpreparedness of systems and institutions, especially in the United States. As China has been successful in containing the spread of the virus, however people have been isolated for over fifty days, which a Chinese civilian says to be “a living hell” (Wuhan). As we continue to deal with the chaos, I would like to take the time to make a few suggestions to my fellow younglings. Take this time to prioritize you. Your mental health is most important, so that must be preserved through whatever means you prefer. Whether it be going for a run, coloring, doing home exercises, journaling, binging a show, doing yoga, or even just sleeping, you must indulge in what helps make your mind, body, and soul feel at peace. Using this time to implement new healthy habits will make all the difference when things go back to normal. Those not taking this pandemic as seriously as they should be, consider the lives of those around you. Do your part, stay inside, and stay protected. We owe it to ourselves and we owe it to each other.

Yasmin Seweid is a junior at Baruch College and a member of Young Invincibles’ Young Advocates Program.