"We are living in historic times," one of my fellow teachers said to me yesterday. "You should write about it."
I wanted this month's slices to be dedicated to the idea of teaching and the stories that live inside a school. When March 1 arrived, I did not think March 13 we would be in this place of a global pandemic. I did not imagine so many schools would be closing, although mine currently remains open. I cannot focus. I keep looking at my phone for news and it gets worse every time. I am not typically an anxious person yet I feel very anxious now. It feels like regular, real life has stopped. I have report cards to finish and assessments to grade to be able to work on the report cards, but I feel paralyzed My daughter's birthday is Sunday and she has a friends' party and a family party this weekend. I am wondering if people will cancel. They are small gatherings in our home but I know everyone is feeling panicked. I did not grocery shop for emergencies and now I am worried the stores are empty. I never thought in the United States of America I would need to worry about food supply. In a meeting yesterday, we were told social media has made more of this than it is. That it's really just like the precautions we would take for the flu. But I don't believe that. You look at China and Italy and you see how this virus is far more deadly and very contagious. Containment seems key. Everything is on hold. Everything is either cancelled, postponed or suspended. Sports, activities, parties, camping trips- everything we had planned is now paused for an indefinite amount of time. I am concerned that people who should be tested are not getting tested. I am concerned that there is a lack of tests. I am worried that we don't have a true sense of who is infected. I am worried someone I love will get sick. I am anxious there won't be enough hospital beds or personnel to care for the sick. I am worried about the students who will need to stay home and not have the connections they need each day in school. I am worried about the inconsistency that all of this brings to learning, which is now secondary to survival. It feels like life and death in a way I only ever experienced on 9/11, but this is very different. We are living in historic times. I am writing about it.
6 Comments
3/13/2020 09:29:11 am
It surely is an historic time, but I am aiming to be positive and believe it's going to be last less long than people are predicting. The whole reason for closing things down is to contain the spread, so if it's effective, then we should be free to move around again quicker than expected. I don't believe it is that severe. Yes it is a good thing to write about it.
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3/13/2020 10:54:33 am
I’m sure you’ve captured the feelings of many. So much worry. Not sure what to believe. It’s so surreal- the things that were important last week are now in the back burner- completely abandoned.
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Terje
3/13/2020 12:29:33 pm
Your worry is justified. No need to panic though. The situation changes with days. Last week Estonia had 4 cases, on Monday 10 cases, yesterday morning 27, this morning 47 and tonight already 79. Exponential growth. Estonia declared a state of emergency. We have never had it in the history. All the precautions make sense. This virus spreads quickly and is easily contacted. The good thing is that majority of people get it lightly. The ones infected in Estonia are all at home. The old people are in most danger. This is why it is important to follow the instructions from health officials. I hope your daughter will have a birthday party this weekend. If no. one is sick and hasn't had a contact with sick people, you all should be ok. For own mental and emotional health the daily writing helps a lot.
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Shelly
3/13/2020 12:43:56 pm
It does feel like real life has stopped with everything being postponed or cancelled. I have report cards to do as well, but couldn’t focus enough today. Today, was our first day of shutdown for 2 weeks.
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3/13/2020 04:12:21 pm
Pshaw to those best-laid plans. On to other plans. Or maybe improvising without a plan for a time. It's unsettling, I agree. It's also what teachers do and what writers do, often. Hang in there.
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3/13/2020 07:17:21 pm
I think we are all feeling this--my school district announced a minimum of a two week closure beginning on Monday. Remote learning for all of our K-6 students will be school for the time being. There is no roadmap...but we will find the way. Hang in there!
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