The societal impact of COVID-19, obviously, has greatly affected everyone, to the point where you could have a conversation with anyone on the street, and everyone will have something to say about it (well not anymore, as you won't find anybody on the street). The universal impact of COVID on the population is unifying us in a strange way I've never witnessed in my lifetime.
The world seems to have been forced to a standstill, and no one seems to have been prepared. Businesses are closed, the streets are empty, and nearly every individual is legally forced to stay at home, unless venturing out to purchase the bare essentials.
The U.S. government has largely failed us, and the general public finally seems to be realizing the inadequacy of many of the systems held in place for us to adhere to. The quarantine, supply shortages, and police enforcement of social distancing policy all make the present look like the apocalyptic scenario, which was so popular in the media in the past couple of years.
As the effects of COVID are inescapable, and as the whole world is cooped up in their houses, we have much more time to sit and reflect on the state of things.
I have never seen social media so active, and I'm glad it is in these times, as the memes and community I've seen make it much easier to cope with the concerning reality and uncertainty of the future.
The state of things is extremely distressing and concerning, as there is no set time period in which we can know for sure that things will revert back to "normal", and the internet provides an escapism and source of humor to help cope with the pandemic precautions.
Everyone has things they wish they could normally do, but lack the time in the constant struggle of surviving in an unforgiving capitalist society, and now, for better or for worse, we all have an overabundance of time (unless you're in college of course).
As a creative outside of school, I think that it is very important for the mental health of every individual to have an outlet to create. I don't think that talent matters when it comes to creation, because the sole purpose of doing so should be the self-fulfillment you recieve when you accomplish something you are passionate about.
I have not left my house for any reason besides to take a walk for the past three weeks, and generally avoid contact with my family. I have been fired from my job, which I was using to pay for tuition independently, I am struggling to keep up with school work, and have a terrible sleep schedule, and yet I feel okay and content, because I do have more time to work on what I'm passionate about.
I think that with the unfathomable wealth of knowledge available at our fingertips, discovering what makes you passionate, and how to do that thing, is much easier than ever before, and the accessibility of free resources, community, and instructions on the internet makes just about every avenue imaginable, accessible.
Whether it be cooking, making music, making art, writing, whatever you find interesting, if you have an outlet to create in, you will find it much easier to cope with the isolation and "boredom" you will be subjected to.
Although I can't leave the house, I feel more self fulfillment in my daily life, because I have more time to create, through outlets like cooking and music. The abundance of time alone has been the best thing to happen to me for a long time.
Although I don't believe anybody should feel pressured to be productive during this quarantine period, I do hope that people find the motivation to pick up a new skill or hobby to fill their time with. If one chooses to be productive during this break, I'd hope that the time off from long, draining shifts in their work environment would allow for them to produce more than they ever would have otherwise, and when things revert back to normal, they can look back on this time with satisfaction for what they have learned or accomplished.
Although in everyday life I would encourage the reduced cell phone usage that out readings advocate for, I think that now we can truly sit back and take advantage of the powerful tools of communication and information gathering at our fingertips to improve ourselves, so that we can return to the soul crushing work environment with a little bit of our passion back.
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