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Show COVID-19 Memory Project: High School Instructions: Type your responses to each question directly into this document. You may write as much as you wish, there is no page limit. If you would like to include any artwork or photos, you may insert them into this document. Student’s Age 16 Date: May 20, 2020 SCHOOL How did you feel when you learned that schools would close because of the COVID-19 pandemic? At first, I thought it was the right decision. I had been following the progress of the virus and decided that the safest option would be to suspend in-person classes and move to online learning. It also made me anxious as it confirmed the seriousness of the pandemic and the real threats that the world was facing. What do you like the most about online school? I like the most that I have more control over my schedule. I enjoy that I can take my time to truly understand the work that I’m receiving. What do you dislike the most about online school? I dislike having to learn everything on a more independent basis. I still get help from my teachers but I miss the human aspect of teaching and learning. I don’t like that I’m more disconnected with my classmates as I don’t interact with them nearly as much. What do you miss the most about school? I miss being able to see my friends and classmates. I miss being able to stay after class and get clarification on an assignment face-to-face with my teacher. I’m still able to ask questions but it’s not the same level of communication. How are you connecting with your school friends during the pandemic? I’m mainly connecting with them through social media. It’s too hard to communicate with them through online assignments or other methods. Social media and texting are the easiest ways to stay in contact with my friends during this time. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES What activities did you do before the pandemic? (Sports, music, dance, etc. Please be specific.) Before the pandemic, I played competitive soccer with my club team Sparta. Weeks before the pandemic we were still traveling to tournaments in different states and having practice. I also worked with a catering company running concessions. Both of these activities stopped as quickly as school did. Are you continuing to do them now? If so, how? Do you use a virtual platform? Do you do them as you did before? I am continuing to train by myself with a soccer ball and trying to stay fit in ways that I can. It’s definitely not the same training without the rest of my team. I have stopped working to try to help reduce my risk and the risk of others. What do you miss most about doing these activities in person? I miss being able to have fun with my teammates not only at practice but in competitive matches as well. It is almost a second family and I miss talking and playing with them. What do you like most about doing activities online? I like being able to be a little more independent about learning and completing my assignments at my own pace. FAMILY AND HOME What questions do you have about the pandemic? Right now I just want to know when it will end, when things will start going back to normal. I also want to know how big the risk is if I go out of my home. What has changed the most in your home because of the pandemic? One of my parents has been working from home as well as me with school so there is almost always someone home. I have also had to adapt to learning and completing school from my couch. There aren’t many places for me to do my work so I’ve had to convert my living room into my classroom. How do you spend your free time at home? I spend my time exercising, playing games, cooking, or watching videos or movies usually. I mostly just try to distract my mind from the stress of the situation, try and make life as fun and stress free for myself as possible. How have you stayed connected to extended family? How has this changed your relationships? Are you learning new skills because of the pandemic? (Cooking, babysitting, house chores, arts, crafts, etc.?) If so, what are they? I am trying to cook more than usual as I have time to make breakfast and lunch at home. I’ve been trying new foods while also trying to stay healthy during this time. Cooking is another good release where I can distract myself from stress while also eating good food. SOCIETY How has the pandemic affected your community? How has it affected our state? I don’t really know how it’s affected the entire community, but I imagine that it has been extremely difficult for many, especially those who have lost jobs and loved ones. I also know that it’s been a difficult time for businesses such as restaurants. How do you think the pandemic might impact your life in the future? I think it will serve as a warning for future times. This will not be the last virus to threaten humans and I believe our handling of future situations will be more comprehensive because of this. What strengths and weaknesses in our society are being exposed by the pandemic? I think the strengths that are shown are in our first responders and medical professionals. They are demonstrating selflessness and courage, risking their lives for others. I also think strength can be seen in family. Some families are closer and more reliant on each other than ever before. Weakness that I think can be seen are in our response time. I don’t believe we responded quickly and swiftly enough in hotspots such as New York. In which ways has the pandemic affected the economy? I don’t know much about the economy but I understand that many businesses are being closed and subsequently people have been losing their jobs. I know things like unemployment rates have been going up which concerns me, although I have hope we will persevere. What do you want future generations to know about what it’s like to experience a pandemic? I would want them to know that there is more unknown than known which can be hard to deal with. You don't know if you or any of your family will get sick which is probably the hardest part to deal with. You have limited human interaction in general which can be really difficult for everyone. You may include artwork or photographs about how the pandemic has shaped your life here. Insert jpg photos or scans directly into this document. |
