Notes on COVID-19 Experiences

Felt relief more than sadness due to missing out on prom, graduation, and pep rallies in 2020.
Relief stemmed from not having to go through those events and being able to stay home.
Attending community college instead of university minimized the feeling of being left out.
Felt like peers were on an even playing field due to shared experiences of being left out.

Experienced a significant amount of change, especially in social interactions due to isolation.
Felt a sense of calm amidst the chaos, as life slowed down - college applications, work, and other activities stopped.
Missed the confidence of not having to stress about everything, despite health and safety concerns.
Felt at peace not having to experience traditional senior year activities.
Negative feelings were more pronounced post-COVID.

Family members (brother, sister, and dad) contracted COVID-19, while the speaker did not.
Caring for sick family members was frightening, especially when the mother was severely ill, while also a sense of calm.
Streaming, gaming, and YouTube became more prominent during this period.
Became more politically aware and involved due to the pervasive nature of politics during the pandemic.
Mask-wearing became a political statement.
COVID-19 amplified political awareness and involvement.

The biggest challenge was adapting to change.
Transitioning from in-person interactions to online learning was initially difficult.
Became accustomed to online learning by the end of senior year.
Experienced an overabundance of information, some accurate, some inaccurate, and some conspiracy theories, which caused public confusion.
Heard information about patients in a prone position and how that helped, which became common practice in hospitals.