The New Normal

Covid took me by surprise in so many aspects, the life I had known for the past 18 years has been completely altered. Going to school for 6 hours a day, and going out on the weekends was a normal thing before March 12, 2020. When it was announced school would be switched to online for two weeks everyone thought we would return after those two weeks and life would go back to normal. Now, it is August 28, 2020 and this is our new normal. I didn't get my highschool graduation, a senior prom, senior track season, or an official last day of school. I'm a freshman at University of Kentucky and masks are required everywhere you go as well as staying at least six feet apart from other people. I can't even imagine being closer to other people than that anymore. The switch from high school to college is one of the most confusing experiences I have ever had, regardless of the pandemic, so covid just makes it interesting. Everywhere you look on campus there's dots on the floors reminding you to stay six feet apart, as well as signs being put on doors saying that face coverings are required before entering. With every dorm room came two UK masks, hand sanitizer, and an on the go mask holder (below). Never would I have thought I`d say, “I forgot my mask!” as I was leaving my dorm but I look back and can't quite remember life before quarantine. This is the new normal.

The Initial Impact

 My name is Kameron Wright, but I go by Kami. I am from Edgewood, Kentucky but I have lived in Florence for about sixteen years. I moved around a lot from the time I was born until I was about two, which is when I moved to Florence, Kentucky. Growing up I never had to switch schools or leave new friends. I grew up with the same friends most of my life and with most of my family nearby. I come from a pretty “typical”  middle class family in which both of my parents are college-educated and working. As an 18 year old Caucasian, the impact of Covid was not extreme but it did change how we live day to day. My mom had to start working from home eight hours a day and childcare was closed so all three of my younger siblings were home. While school was switched to online, I was a student at Boone County High School and working at Poseidon's Pizza Company. My hours were tripled at work and with school. On school days from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. I was completing my own school work as well as helping my first and fifth grade brothers with theirs. On most days I went in to work right at 3 p.m. and didn't get home until 10 p.m. Weekends were busy as well, I would get called in between noon and 4 p.m. and not get home until 11 p.m. Compared to other families, I feel as if my family was not as closely impacted, but like I said it changed our daily lives. I myself am considered high risk with the virus due to many underlying problems. While masks were not mandatory yet and as a nation we weren`t on lockdown I had to wear a mask and gloves at work, and was only allowed to go to work. Most of my friends were still able to hang out with people and go do things, I was not. That definitely impacted and is still impacting my outlook on this pandemic. As of now, I have only tested negative for Covid, but it has come close to me. My dad was suspected to have it before testing was available to everyone so he was quarantined for about two weeks, a friend of mine tested positive entering basic training, and now three of my hometown friends are in quarantine for exposure to the virus. Covid has changed life as everyone knows it and it is going to take time to get used to, but the situation could still get a lot worse so I am grateful that it hasn't.