By: Oliver Flores Solis, La Salle Academy, Class of 2021
As we saw in the news throughout March and continue to in April, COVID-19 (A.K.A Coronavirus) is a pandemic – something people all over the world are facing. From a student's point of view, it can overwhelm; even adults are worried.
Although we must be careful, we should not be hopeless. There is always a solution and following basic hygiene is the most effective way to prevent contracting the virus. It is a difficult time living under quarantine but we must stay strong for ourselves and each other. We stay indoors and continue practices to stop the spread of the virus and protect those on the front lines who are putting their lives at risk to protect us (thank you!).
Remote learning is a new experience to partake in, and we're still adjusting. We have help around us, such as: parents, guardians, and mentors. We all have different emotions toward this situation, and being in quarantine allows us to also reflect on our fast-paced lives in New York City.
It is also an opportunity to stay connected and reconnect with people. Many students use Discord, Snapchat, Instagram, and other platforms to communicate with each other for support or just to simply keep in contact. Also, we are adapting to other innovative apps such as Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime to communicate. These experiences are allowing us to create some stability and normalcy at this uncertain time.
Tips from an SSP student:
>> The Coronavirus is something to stay informed about, but it is important for people to make sure that they are getting accurate information from trusted sources. Follow the advice of and listen to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and physicians.
>> Sitting in front of the TV to track where the virus is and how many people are currently infected isn’t doing anyone any good and will lead to excess worry.
>> Without minimizing the Coronavirus in the world right now, it is still important for individuals to put things in perspective in order to reduce anxiety.
>> To stay healthy, people should wash their hands with soap and water throughout the day, limit contact with anyone who is currently sick, avoid putting their hands in their mouths and touching their faces, get plenty of rest, and eat a healthy diet and drink lots of water.
>> All of you should stay involved in your work, family and friends, and personal hobbies and interests. This is a good time to learn a new skill too.
>> Staying connected with loved ones is important now. FaceTime is a great way to catch up with your friends, mentors, and others. There are also apps to host a game night virtually.
