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 Lauren Holloway | Student Submission
It was 9:35 a.m., and I woke up for my morning jog like I do every day. Before I left the house, I saw the president was making a statement about this new virus called COVID-19. I really didn’t listen. I just left for my jog.
A few minutes into my jog, my mom called in a panic. “Are you aware of the new virus,” she asked. She told me that schools and public areas are being closed.
I immediately returned home in order to watch the news and understand what exactly was going on. Then Boom! I received emails from my teachers at TCC letting me know that classes are being moved online. My job informed me that we had a few cases.
This was all overwhelming for me.
First school being online; I just hate the sound of that honestly. Face-to-face communication has always been the best way for me to learn.
It was going to be for the remaining of the semester, too. Wow. I immediately felt stressed. I wasn’t used to this but I had to get ready and try to manage, and be successful.
My main concern with the virus was my health, though.
COVID -19 is the coronavirus disease. The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.
You can protect yourself by washing your hands frequently, avoiding touching your face, and avoiding close contact with people who are unwell.
I have a low immune system as well as an illness called sickle cell syndrome, so this illness could really affect me. I must go to the hospital for treatment each month, but I decided not to go recently because of the high risk of germs in the hospital.
The pain I am enduring is unbearable. I literally feel like a knife is stabbing me in my stomach and back. This pandemic is horrible.
I pray for this to be over and life to be normal again. This virus affected me in many ways but lastly it really affected my job because I work at Tallahassee Developmental Center, which provides services for people with physical and mental disabilities.
Two of my clients caught this horrible disease and they both are in ICU, on life support.
This really saddens me. I pray and wish for the best. I just want my life to be COVID-19 FREE.
Lauren Holloway is a student at Tallahassee Community College.
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: https://forms.gle/ea4z2LjBQho8FadW7
