The TikTok trend of people showing what they looked like before the COVID-19 pandemic versus what they look like now lives rent-free on my For You page. It’s a daily reality check that reminds me we’ve been enduring this thing for almost two years.
It’s also a reminder that, until two weeks ago, it’s almost been a year since my first COVID-19 infection in April 2021. I say first because I unfortunately caught it again, despite doing everything I was supposed to such as being vaccinated, wearing a mask in public and keeping my circle small.
Despite the stress and symptoms the infection caused, I took the forced down time to my advantage.
To better understand my rather positive and reflective reaction to my latest quarrel with COVID-19, I’ll give some background. I had a raging headache on Feb. 1, but I thought nothing of it because I worked at 8 a.m., had classes until 6 p.m. and I was extremely dehydrated.
Fast forward to Wednesday morning, I woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose. I didn’t go to my in-person class in fear of these symptoms being more than exhaustion. Then, the snow storm hit. I didn’t leave my dorm until Saturday, when on-campus testing opened back up.
Five hours later, I received the email that I tested positive for COVID-19.
Related: [OPINION: COVID-19 shouldn’t be the only reason I’m allowed to stay home]
All of that explanation is to say my time away from the public felt, on one hand, lonely and confusing but, on the other, almost necessary. It seems odd to say that. I don’t want it in any way to seem like I am glad I caught the virus. I know my privilege and resources gave me an advantage in dealing with the mild illness I experienced, and I wholeheartedly acknowledge that.
But, because of that privilege, I was able to rest. I was able to literally just exist, lay in bed, sometimes mindlessly watch Netflix or listen to music. Of course, I attended whatever classes were offered on Zoom, too.
While spending almost 10 days like this probably seems unproductive or wasteful to some, I argue that it was a necessary time of reflection for me. I realized how tired I was. I realized how much I had been going and going without second guessing any of it.
I definitely could’ve been more focused on my school work during my quarantine and could’ve tried to get ahead. But what’s the fun in that? And, more importantly, is getting ahead even a thing?
Related: [OPINION: Why are we still in-person?]
We can catch up and do the things on tomorrow’s to-do list. Shoot, maybe we’ll even get a few days ahead. But the reality is, no matter what, life will always catch up to us. Maybe that’s a bit cynical, but it’s what my time with the virus really taught me.
This pandemic sucks. There is no doubt about that, but we have to take at least one positive thing out of it if we can. Otherwise, we’d be utterly miserable. I know that searching for the light in the midst of the COVID-19 fog feels nearly impossible. But I promise it’s there. Rewatch the stunning halftime show. Bake some cookies. Open the curtains to let a little sunshine in.
The pandemic has taken a lot from us, but we can’t let it take our spirit.
Elizabeth Valadez (she/her) is a freshman studying English and political science. She is a member of Chi Alpha.
