As I scroll through my news feed during a shameful amount of time, (because what else is there to do during a state of emergency?) I am bombarded with COVID-19 posts. Death tolls, infection rates, and quarantine extensions seem to be the main point of most conversations. As well, if someone expresses discontent towards social distancing, they are reminded that COVID-19 is not about them.
That is absolutely true. This quarantine is a necessary step to flatten the curve of infection rates and hopefully prevent as many casualties from this virus as possible. No one is discrediting the importance of the sacrifices that are being made. However, the assumption that everyone at home should simply be grateful that they are not infected and realize that others have it worse, is slightly punitive and misguided.
Since this pandemic began, most businesses and institutions have shut down. While it’s easy to disregard this shutdown as a slight setback for the sake of saving lives, it has had severe consequences on the workforce, students, and those who battle mental health issues.
Unemployment rates have skyrocketed, putting a strenuous financial burden on a large percentage of the population, especially with the quarantine being extended. Additionally, the closing of schools has deprived students of guaranteed meals. Proms, graduations, and celebrations of any sort have been canceled for the foreseeable future. For people who regularly suffer from feelings of isolation, they are now losing the social interaction that they desperately need.
Needless to say, quarantine isn’t the fun stay-cation it may at first appear to be. While we like to imagine that everyone is simply enjoying the time off by sleeping in, binging Netflix, and carb-loading, that is not the case. Again, I am not downplaying the necessity of our current predicament, but I challenge you to show a little compassion to those who may not have the brightest outlook on isolation.
And for those of you who are suffering as a consequence of our continued quarantine, I’m sorry and sending all of the good energy your way.