Last fall, I was enjoying my freshman year of college at Ohio Northern University. Suddenly, en marzo, like so many others, the university chose to finish the semester through remote learning. It was yet another consequence of Covid-19. Although this was not how I had envisioned my first year of college, I appreciate the caution that was taken. Early this year, when the decision was announced that we would be able to attend classes in-person for the fall, I was very excited, but cautious.
Is the lecture hall safe? Do I need additional treatments? Is it OK to hang out with friends? Did this dining room table get cleaned? These types of questions have always been a part of my life. Some variation of them come up at the grocery store, library or any public place.
I consulted my doctors, and they were confident in me, knowing I have been, quite literally, prepared for a pandemic my whole life.
And thankfully, our university has taken aggressive steps such as enhanced cleaning, mandatory face coverings, socially distant classes, limiting the size of gatherings, and random testing. Not only has it made my life safer, but we were also able to complete the semester in-person with very few cases across campus. I was able to engage with in-class discussion, get involved with campus activities, and make new friends throughout the fall.
Like most during this time, I haven’t attended parties and other events. The adjustment to a more reclusive college experience is easier for a CF patient. Canceling or changing events is an unfortunate reality for us. As a child, if a friend had the sniffles, I didn’t go to the sleepover. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve said no to friends and family stopping by and set limits on my contact with college friends to stay healthy.
This has been a time of anxiety and vast unknowns for the world.
Anxiety is common in those living with CF.
When I see fear on my friends’ caras,
I realize that they are experiencing the same feelings that I’ve had throughout my life.
There is a heightened awareness about how the decisions you make,
or the decisions others make can make you sick.
Covid-19 represents the worst public health crisis the United States has faced in a century.
It is fair to say that every life has been affected by the pandemic in some way.
In addition to economic instability, más que 17
million Americans have tested positive for the disease, y
más que 300,000 have died.
It has brought to the forefront all the cracks of a crumbling health care system,
where inadequate and costly insurance and stories about shortages of hospital beds and ventilators caused us all to think about rationing medical care.
It’s been a somber year, and I understand the collective sigh of relief many are having with the distribution of vaccines. Todavía, for many months to come, I urge you to remain vigilant — following safety protocols to protect your family, your friends, your neighbors, and people like me. I will continue living with a Covid-19 mindset long after others have gone back to their normal lives. Until then, I hope everyone considers how their daily behavior helps or harms their fellow citizens. So many lives depend on it.