Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?
We were headed to Key West and we transitioned to binge watching different series on Netflix and hanging out with our dogs.
How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?
I felt as though it was a new challenge, one that we had the capability to do but were not currently using or challenging ourselves to use at this extent. It was a huge change but I remained positive as UWF gave a lot of support to help adapt to the new change and the UWF community as a whole was ready to embrace to be the best we could for our students.
Where will you be living while courses are held online? Is this a change from usual?
My home.
What has been your experience with moving classes online? What’s good? What’s not so good?
It has been good so far but it’s been hard to form relationships and check in on students as much as we would. Students are feeling very overwhelmed that everyone is trying to reach them online.
Zoom and Google Hangouts have been my most used tool during this time.
How has the virus (and the precautions taken to prevent it spreading) impacted your daily life?
I have not seen my family in over 20 days due to this virus and I have had to celebrate my birthday at home with takeout since all non-essential businesses are closed. I have had to challenge myself to stay active and not sit around all day as well as learn to plan ahead for food, toilet paper and paper towels.
How worried are you about getting the virus?
I am somewhat worried that I will catch it due to having to go out in public to the grocery store to get food.
Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?
Yes.
Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?
Yes, I have been staying home besides going to get food from the grocery store. I have been watching a lot of documentaries such as McMillions and Documentary of Aaron Hernandez as well as shows like Designated Survivor, Manifest and All American.
I have also been cleaning and organizing my home more than I ever have before.
Are you going out? Where do you go and what is it like?
Yes, I have been going to the grocery store to get food to cook. It is very scary to go out in public, everyone is wearing a medical or home made mask and is scared to come close to you and avoids all eye contact with you as well. Grocery stores are only allowing so many people in the store at one time and they have the aisles where you can only walk down the aisle on way. It’s also very frightning to walk down the aisles and see very limited amount of food, toilet paper, paper towels, soap and other cleaning items. Essential items such as milk, bread, eggs and meat are being limited to 2 per person. I went to the grocery store the other day and was told to move behind a plastic screen and stay in the box that was outlined on the ground. It’s safe to say I am missing human interaction and the things we have taken for granted like saying hello to strangers, being able to see someone smile at you, being able to walk freely around the store with stocked shelves, being able to celebrate life events with your family and being able to go out without being afraid of something you can’t see.
What is giving you hope and/or strength right now?
The UWF community, God and my family are giving me strength right now. The UWF community is allowing us to work from home and keeping us paid during this time and spreading a positive vibe that we are all in this together and I think it really shows!
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?
This pandemic has made me realize how important human interaction is in our lives and to not take for granted that living outside the house and having freedom to go anywhere you want without any fear of the unknown should never be taken for granted.