The coronavirus pandemic has affected millions of people across the globe, including college students. Schools and colleges have shifted classes online for the rest of the semester, graduation and other school activities have been cancelled and students’ academic plans have been affected. Many Tallahassee Community College students returned home, some students stayed in town, but all of them are doing their best to fulfill their academic requirements to finish out the semester despite the societal upheaval.
By Cameron Johnston | Staff Writer
“I think the baby is coming.”
That is the first thing I woke up to on March 22, coming from my sister Abby, who is a little over 7 months pregnant. She began having contractions and both my parents and her husband Doug weren’t answering their phones at the time. Knowing I was home from college, she called me.
I frantically ran around the house and was able to find my mom who was outside watering her garden. Once my mom was on the phone with my sister, Abby was able to calm down and they came to the realization that she was just having early contractions and all was OK.
As excited as I am for my nephew or niece to enter the world, it is also a little frightening because of this global pandemic.
My family has been very cautious around me ever since I have gotten home because they are scared that I may have come in contact with the virus without showing any symptoms. It is a reasonable reaction because of all the warnings in the news about people my age carrying the illness but not becoming sick.
So when I think about how the coronavirus has affected my life, the first thing I think about is my pregnant sister and my family’s first-born niece or nephew and first grandchild. I probably won’t get to see or hold the baby until the quarantine is over, especially if the baby is born in a hospital.
We live in troubling times and we all have to face hardships, but if staying away from my sister will keep her and the baby safe then I will stay quarantined for as long as I need to.
Cameron Johnston is a second-year Tallahassee Community College student from Tampa, Fla.
How has this global pandemic affected your life as a TCC student / faculty member / staff member? We want to hear from you. Please send us your story. Click the link below to access the online submission form: https://forms.gle/ea4z2LjBQho8FadW7
