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Have people in your community supported one another during the pandemic? Talk about why or why not, and maybe give some examples.
I took this photo in Berkeley, California in late April of 2020. There was so much thoughtfulness and loving humor that went into the notice and the message it conveyed. This is one of many signs that people tacked up on telephone poles and bulletin boards during the pandemic, offering help to others who might be at a higher risk of infection. My spirits have been lifted every time I’ve seen these signs of people willing to take some risk to help their neighbors.
June 17, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
I've been feeling a great deal of anxiousness but also excitement. I've been anxious since this all began because I didn't know where I was going to live once we were removed from campus. Things got really sticky with housing this summer and I had a few housing gaps. I was anxious because I knew that if I got infected, I'd be homeless again because no one would let me sleep on their couch. Luckily, however, I was able to work things out and I did not get sick. Now I'm just anxious for it to happen all over again with the rising cases of COVID-19 on campus. I'm hoping the university doesn't remove us because I wouldn't know where else to go. My mind is at peace now but it's still a bit messy. Part of me wants to relax and tell myself "it's okay" but another part of me has been--and still remains--in survival mode. It's hard to explain, but I will try my best: A lot of people underestimate the amount of homeless students on college campuses. COVID-19 is causing those numbers to increase significantly. It angers me to see that some people on campus do not care. There are so many consequences for independent students if the university has to close. That's what's bothering me the most right now. I'm trying to be a student, an employee, an RA, and an artist all while being homeless--sometimes it's a lot to handle. But I know that this time will eventually pass and I will have conquered these challenges. That's what keeps my mind at bay. Otherwise, I am excited because I have been finding different ways to channel strength and cope with everything going on. I am excited to try these new manifestations and coping strategies to overcome my PTSD. So far, it's been going well in quarantine and I've been feeling very good. I've been a lot nicer to myself since quarantine started and I've also tried picking up new hobbies. This summer, I baked things from scratch for the first time and I started reading e-books. I'm more of a cake-from-a-box girl and paperback lover, but it's never too late to try something new! In short, being kind to myself and finding new hobbies is the least I can do for myself. I've been practicing all quarantine. I'm realizing that it helps me to move forward.
December 31, 2020