Personal Response to COVID-19

These have been some crazy past three weeks. From the beginning of spring break, my friends and I flew to Las Vegas and rented two campervans to trek across Utah, Arizona, and Nevada, stopping at 5 major national parks. This had been a dream of mine for many years, and because Nevada still had yet to have any COVID-19 cases, we felt that it would be alright to travel here for spring break. I mean after all, we would be away from society in a campervan for the week. Little did we know that while we were driving through spotty service, the entire country was in the beginning of one of the most unexpected and craziest moments in history.

Once we returned to cell service, we had clear glasses into reality. Our travel back would be putting us at risk for becoming infected and potentially spreading COVID-19 to our friends and family back in North Carolina who were awaiting our arrival. We moved our flight home one day early and began our journey through the airport with hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes in hand. I truly don’t think that it had set in, and as I met my friend who attends Duke the next day to help her pack up her things, I thought that Duke administrators were over-exaggerating and that UNC would remain open for classes. Oh was I mistaken.

My transition into social distancing and being in my home every day for the entire day outside of my daily walks and runs has been alright. Classes have given me some needed structure, and my family has been brought together in this time. The major effects that I have felt come from the fact that my family’s income is linked to an industry that is being very hurt currently. The hopes of my parents in their savings and financial peace have become very different in a matter of weeks. However, in saying this, we have centered around the belief and faith in God and His plan for this world. We know that ultimately His name will be glorified and His plans are greater than ours. This is the hope that has allowed me to continue on in these drastic times. I hope that it can be a reminder for all who read that the Lord is in control and does care for you.