Page 101 - COVID Consortium Journal - An Edited Collection of Student Art and Writing

could conjure up was my death along the thousands of other deaths
occurring in the world. Who was going to take care of my family?
Who was going to help my brothers log into Google Classroom? Who
was going to translate the news to my mom when she couldn’t under-
stand? My head was pounding as I was attempting to sign my little
brother into his speech therapy session on Tele-Therapy while trying
to read my other brother’s speech for his Social Studies class. This was
one of the moments when I realize how dependent my family is on
me. Then I think of how the unemployment rate has surged because
of companies cutting pay or laying off staff members; people who
have families depending on them. Senators unanimously passed the
most significant stimulus package in history. The $2 trillion emer-
gency relief package approved by the Senate would help stabilize the
coronavirus-battered economy. Despite the unprecedented funding,
the money may not be enough: The longer the outbreak lasts, the
more aid will be needed.

I’m writing this in better health; however, I learned how hard it is to
translate the deaths and facts that the news feeds us into real feelings.
There is this disconnection and safety because the fear, the people in
hospitals, displaced families, empty groceries are all happening on
the TV screens and not in the comfort of our homes. We can make the
choice of sheltering ourselves from the news. It is easy to do the social
distancing, the cooking, the reading, the workouts, the homework
when we’re healthy and comfortable. However, not everyone can have
our commodities. For instance, India faced its first day of a three-
week lockdown; however, many civilians have defied the restrictions
because their homes are in rural areas, where health services are
scarce, and city slums, where thousands live crammed together in
deep poverty. It’s honestly a struggle to stay at home, some people
can’t afford to and some don’t feel comfortable. I wish I could say, I’m
enjoying staying at home and doing online classes; however, I would
be lying to myself especially with the tragedy around us.

96