Summary: This article shares the personal experiences of the author during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the impact of the pandemic on their graduation, their feelings of being unaffected by the lockdown due to their introverted nature, frustration with people disregarding public health measures, contracting COVID-19 themselves, struggling with helplessness and depression, and finding strength in practicing compassion and empathy.

Takeaways:

🎓 Graduation Lost in Lockdown: The pandemic caused disruptions to major milestones like graduations, leaving many students feeling like they never truly graduated.

🏡 Embrace Lockdown Life: Introverts may have found it easier to adjust to lockdown, but it's important to recognize the impact on others and prioritize community health.

😷 Frustration with Resistance: Resisting public health measures like mask wearing and vaccination can put vulnerable individuals in danger, emphasizing the importance of caring for others.

💔 Personal Encounter with COVID-19: Even when taking precautions, there is still a risk of contracting the virus, as highlighted by the author's experience with an authority figure improperly wearing a mask.

😔 Struggling with Helplessness: The author shares their feelings of helplessness and depression due to the selfishness seen during the pandemic, reminding us that individual actions impact the collective.

❤️ Finding Strength in Compassion: Despite the challenges, practicing compassion and empathy can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment during tough times.

The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on My Life

Introduction

In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. School had just been let out for spring break, but due to lockdown, classes moved online for the remainder of the school year. This was especially detrimental to my class, the graduating class, because we were not aware that the last day of our high-school careers had happened. Because of this, I’ve never felt like I graduated.

Coping with Lockdown

I am an introvert, so I acknowledge that lockdown did not affect me in the same way it affected others. My favourite thing to do is be alone. I fill my time with hobbies such as singing, writing, reading and running. I’ve never had a large friend group and going out to socialize isn’t essential for my well-being. Staying home was easy for me. In fact, I was passionate about it. If all we had to do to protect our community was to stay home, then so be it. I thought about how in war-torn countries, even home isn’t a safe place to be. I recognized that there were exceptions, such as abusive households, so staying home became even more important to me. I would stay home for the people who couldn’t.

Resisting Public Health Measures

What affected me the most was how resistant people were and still are to keeping their community safe, the people who disregard public health measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and vaccination. Following these measures means caring for others, especially disabled people and marginalized communities. My brother is immunocompromised, and to think that someone could potentially infect him by refusing to follow health guidelines caused me and my family immense stress.

Personal Encounter with COVID-19

I stayed away from work for as long as I could for my safety. However, in 2021 I got a job. I needed money and found comfort in the fact that masks were mandated in B.C. Unfortunately, I contracted COVID-19 in January 2022. I caught it from an authority figure who was improperly wearing a mask. The sickness was terrible to my body and to my mental health.

Struggles and Lessons Learned

Throughout the pandemic, I’ve learned that people have the capacity to be so incredibly selfish to the point where they are willing to endanger other people’s lives. I’ve struggled with depression because I’ve felt so helpless. I do everything right: I wear a mask, keep within a social bubble, and stay up to date with my booster shots. But it all feels so useless if no one else seems to be participating.

Conclusion

The pandemic has forever changed my life, but I am proud of myself for practicing compassion and empathy, and I find comfort in the fact that I am doing the right thing.