Quarantine is undeniably important to contain the coronavirus, and at this time everyone should definitely be staying home. I anticipated that I would be stuck at home for a while, but I underestimated how tedious the experience is with absolutely nowhere to go for days on end. As an introvert who sometimes wishes to go back home while being out, I thought that I could handle the quarantine. I regretted making this thought two weeks later. Staying home all day makes life seem either slower or faster – depending on which perspective you pick. Due to the quarantine, there are less things to do and more time spent thinking about what to do to fill in the missing spaces that were typically spent outside. Just like when electricity is most appreciated during a power outage, quarantine makes us miss the times when going out was a relaxation instead of a concern.
- Going Outside Without Fear
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Being in quarantine doesn’t mean that you can’t step out of your house, or that you’re forced indoors 24/7. People are allowed to take walks and car rides outside to enjoy the weather, with the proper social distancing guidelines, of course. But with the fear of pandemic, there is always some anxiety that begins to unsettle me. Every time I go out and back inside, there are two precautions that I have become super conscious about: washing hands and putting on a mask. It’s these moments where I most realize how strange that life could turn an entire 180 degrees in only a little as a month. The days where I went on frequent long, carefree walks as I went from class to class seem like a distant memory now.
It seems particularly ironic that the pandemic exploded at the time where the chilly winter turns into a pleasant springtime, and flowers bloom into wonderful pink and white colors. At the same time when the world is darkened with disease and death, the beauty of nature is at its peak. Springtime is when the cherry blossoms are supposed to be at their best viewing, but instead everyone is more focused on the height of the pandemic. Now I mostly stare at them alone from the window side of my bedroom, where I sometimes try to get my daily intake of fresh air.
- Food and Drink Options
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The spring season is enjoyed by many across the world for its lovely scenery, but it is also looked forward to for its softening weather. This is particularly true in more temperate climates, when spring means tolerable temperatures and sunshine instead of cold winters and harsh summers. In my opinion, spring and summer are the best times to eat outside to enjoy the weather, or just socialize with a friend while sipping on some iced coffee or bubble tea.
If there’s one positive aspect I could grab from the long list of negatives, it’s that I saved a lot of money by not spending money on drinks and food. I realized how much I would have been spending on milk tea ever since I started quarantine, which I typically treat myself to once or every other week. Not to mention the occasional take-out from a local restaurant.
The ease of eating whatever you want, from chinese food to tacos, has dwindled even with the supermarkets remaining open. With everyone scrambling to stock their supplies of toilet paper and groceries, staples such as bread are in limited quantities, if there are any left at all.
- Working at Cafes and Libraries
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Everyone has their own ideal place to study for an exam or write a paper, and for many people it is not in their bedrooms. At least for me, being in my own bedroom makes me more vulnerable to distractions, such as the desire to lie down on the bed. Many people have an ideal place where they can work at the best productivity. For me, I have a special fondness for working at a cafe while drinking their iced cafe latte or specialty drink. I also like to move from one place to another to get a short walk in between.
Obviously with many non-essential businesses closing down, this is not possible anymore. I have gotten used to studying in a certain atmosphere for more than a semester, and now this comfort has completely gone out of the window. Working at another place has also motivated me to wake up earlier to catch a good seat near a power cable. But now there isn’t any other choice but to work home, I frequently find myself unmotivated to get up in the morning. Slowly, I am getting more accustomed to it. Just like I did every morning before the quarantine, I grab a coffee to remind myself that it’s another day.
- Socializing
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My family’s alright, but I miss talking to different people. I’m not exactly a social butterfly, so I never had the need to go out with friends constantly. However, I do miss having conversations face-to-face and getting a meal or dessert with someone. I think that there is something valuable in contemplating interests or ideas by yourself, but it’s also good to share these with other like-minded people. At least the internet is always available to partially make up for personal social interactions, so that people could share their experiences with the quarantine to each other. It isn’t always the most satisfying, however, as there’s something about meeting face-to-face that makes people feel much less lonely.
Unfortunately, it’ll possibly take at least an year until this pandemic will completely subside. Even weeks after the spread of disease has lessened considerably, fear will remain in the air for a potential second return of the virus. It is difficult to predict when it will be safe for people to continue with their regular lives. Hopefully, the quarantine will reduce the coronavirus numbers, so that everyone could once again enjoy the sunshine and socialize freely.