Contributors: Izzy Martin and Sev
IZZY MARTIN
March 23 …. 107 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the Center for Disease Control
It’s been a little over a week since school was cancelled,…
My parents have kept me home for pretty much the entire time. I’ve either been working out, cleaning my room, reading, playing games, or hanging out with Ben. My parents don’t go to work anymore and neither do I, as all eat-in restaurant services have been closed.
I still have a month before I can go back to school, maybe more and I don’t know how I’m gonna hold up. The world around me is going crazy, everything is shutting down or getting sold out, social media is blowing the problem out of proportion, and people are using the chaos for their campaigns. My family has quickly driven me insane. I’ve been trying to stay productive but it’s hard with so much time on my hands. I’ve been trying to keep up with my work for math and I’ve been reading a lot.
I went to the beach yesterday which was nice although it was extremely cold. I’m honestly not worried about the virus, I’m worried about the world around me shutting down and about my family - especially my grandparents. I never thought going to school would sound so good but here we are. I’ve been working really hard to improve myself during this time; cleaning out my room, working out, paying more attention to what I eat and drink, and also leaving room for me to enjoy myself. I guess that’s it for now.
March 24 … 118 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC …
Today was the second day we’ve been given schoolwork from our teachers and it has been a wild day of work. I’ve been reading and went outside to trudge through the snow and find trees to identify - which I have yet to figure out how to do. Not long ago I went on Zoom and had a video chat with my Calculus class and I am happy to admit that I am understanding differential equations pretty well. And I also finished my show series (The 4400) just last night and it ended in a cliffhanger but it was still really good. My family is planning on having a movie night later today which I think should be pretty fun, as soon as I get my writing for my other classes done.
I haven’t seen Ben in a few days but I hope I’ll get to see him tomorrow. As of now, there are 118 cases of the Coronavirus in Maine according to the CDC so the numbers are increasing. I’m feeling pretty OK so far and with my house pretty much on lockdown other than Ben coming back and forth from his house, I think we will be able to tough it out and hopefully, others can say the same. My room feels much cozier after getting rid of the things I no longer need and just decluttering, and I hope that the kids who get all of my stuff will enjoy it. It snowed a lot yesterday but most of it has already begun melting so it’s definitely starting to feel like spring, even with the chaos around me. I’ve got to get back to my tree identifying, wish me luck. Bye.
March 25 … 142 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC ….
I have a feeling today is going to be much more laid back than my day yesterday. I still have classwork but not as much and it’s not as intense either. I’ve already done Duolingo for the day so I am done with my Spanish assignment and so far all I have left is my two math courses and another social studies assignment. Unlike any of my other days so far, today I will be going to Ben’s house to spend time with him. We’ve been seeing each other pretty much every other day of this time off, but I haven’t been allowed to go to his house until now.
Last night with my mom I got to see one of her favorite movies (Coyote Ugly) and it was really good. I’m probably going to see something with her again later tonight and I can’t wait. I’m still feeling pretty good and so far I haven’t really been affected by the virus other than the fact that I can’t go to school or work or really any public place at all; I hope it stays that way. The snow is continuing to melt, which makes it sound like it’s pouring outside from my room. Luckily I figured out how to do my assignments yesterday and hopefully, today will be the same. There are 142 cases of Covid-19 in Maine so far so our numbers are continuing to increase, hopefully, we will hit an inflection point soon enough and people the cases will decrease. That’s it for me, remember to wash your hands really well and most of all stay safe.
March 26 ... 155 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC ….
As of this morning, the CDC announced that there are 155 cases of Covid-19 are in the state of Maine, and 22 of those cases are hospitalized. The youngest person in the state is only 10 and the oldest in their 90s, the average case in Maine is someone who is about 55. There have been 3394 negative test results according to the CDC as of today. The numbers of cases are still increasing, often dramatically, which is alarming but hopefully, that will change soon.
I’ve still been doing a lot of homework and watching some online classes, as well as enjoying my book. I had a blast spending time at Ben’s house yesterday, we watched movies and did classes and played video games which was nice - mostly I was just happy to be there with him. When I got home I ate dinner with my family and continued to do a little more homework before working out with my sister and watching a movie with my parents. We saw “Freedom Writers” which was absolutely incredible.
I hate being out of school and not getting to see everyone, and I also miss getting actual school work and learning in classes - even though before this I felt like I would be better off on my own. I miss sports, work, and church; and I’m really hoping we can still do prom. I feel really bad about what the seniors must be going through right now, I can’t imagine having the last year of my high school experience be one where everything gets canceled and shut down. I just heard that someone at Ben’s fire department just tested positive for the virus and I’m really hoping Ben hasn’t gotten it because although I’d very likely be fine if I got it from him, I know he already has trouble breathing and this would make it much harder for him which worries me a lot. I have to get back to reading and taking selfies with trees so goodbye!
March 27 … 168 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC …..
Today I have done a lot of homework, taken two classes (Calc and Chorus), and also received class schedules for online schooling next week. Starting Monday I will begin having four 30-minute classes every day of the school week except Friday when I will likely work on Sophomore Exhibition.
Today there are 168 confirmed cases of Covid-19, an increase of 13 from yesterday. For me it has been a very slow day, I haven’t really done anything other than classwork aside from this morning when I ate breakfast and watched an episode of “Blind Love” and I still have more reading and writing to do. This is my last day of classes for the week which is nice but I wish I could go to work to give me something to do. Hopefully, I will get to Facetime my bunk or dialogue from SOP again soon because I really enjoyed getting to do that and I miss them all like crazy. Ben went hiking today which I know he really enjoyed and I will be Facetiming him later tonight after my shower. Last night I had a girls’ night with my sister; washing her hair and doing it up, painting her nails, waxing her eyebrows, and doing face masks in her room while Netflix played in the background. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed spending time with her. I have a pretty long night ahead of me, so I’ll get to it. Stay safe and enjoy the rest of your night.
March 28 …. 211 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC ….
Today was a really laid back day. With no classes I slept in super late and just spent time talking to others, playing games with my family and watching movies. The number of cases in Maine skyrocketed to 211 cases according to the CDC, an increase of over 40 cases. It really stinks having to stay home but that is what I will continue to do until all this craziness is past us. That’s really all I have for today, I didn’t really do anything and not much has changed other than the massive increase of cases. Hopefully, you continue to stay safe and healthy. Adios.
March 29 …. 253 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC ….
Today is another slow day, all I have to do is read, do a math problem, and journal. In addition to that, I will likely watch some movies and hopefully get to see Ben today as well. Today I also slept in extremely late and I will need to start shifting my sleeping schedule for tomorrow’s classes. As of today, according to the CDC, there are 253 cases in Maine, another massive increase from yesterday. I’m still stuck in my house and it is so strange not being able to go to church. I’m gonna get started on my reading for today and I hope all is well within your family and that it continues to stay that way. Goodbye.
March 30…. 275 cases of COVID-19 in Maine, according to the CDC ….
I started schooling today and am still unsure of whether or not I am supposed to be turning this in yet so I am going to continue anyway. I’ve had a few classes already today and they have been pretty chaotic, my first block didn’t meet and in chorus I got kicked out of Zoom because it is raining and my Internet stopped working and I didn’t realize I had Gov today for Zoom and was late to that.
In between my siblings fought in my room and despite yelling at them to cut it out or get out of my room, they stayed and knocked my water onto the floor soaking my books, painting equipment, kindle, and every single one of my chargers. Let’s just say tears were spilled as well.
Today I didn’t sleep in as late as I have been in the past few days and instead I got up and made myself breakfast and did a math problem that I didn’t do last night because I’m really excited about my book which has taken quite a few unexpected turns. I’ve done all of my work today so far and am eating lunch and waiting for my last class of the day which doesn’t start until 1. After that Ben is going to come over and we will hang out for a while until he has to leave. Then I have some laundry to do, I am going to work out for a while and then I also have a shower to take. So far the day has been pretty crappy but I hope the sun will come out soon and bring a rainbow with it.
The number of confirmed cases in the US has continued to increase to 275 cases so far and it appears to still be increasing. Many Americans are out of work and there has been a massive strain put on the people here as well as the rest of the world. I’m still feeling fine health-wise and hope I continue to feel this way. I pray for good health and healing for all and hope you continue to stay safe and well. Goodbye for now.
LAURIE SEVIGNY
The New “Normal” … By Sev
Wash your hands until they bleed
Stay 6 feet away
Shelter in place
Quarantine
Sneer at sneezers
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Keeping social distance here on paper - Safety First!
Don’t hug dear friends and family you have not seen in weeks,
though your arms and heart ache from wanting
Toilet paper is the new gold standard
Thousands die yet there is no chance to mourn
to gather and remember
to grieve the loss of laughter, storied years, tender embraces and lives once full
no solace
Health care workers - HEROES in the daily barrage
carry on amidst dire shortages, all the while saving those they can -
overwhelmed by human limitations and those they cannot help
desperate for basic medical necessities – masks & gloves never mind ventilators
Truckers - finally the realization that they hold this country together, mile after lonely mile
Then… the children
… and their teachers
relationships severed abruptly carve deep chasms
Leave gaping voids
Keep Calm, Teach on -
INNOVATE, new ways to support and teach
BUT, what’s really important? Conjugating verbs? Knowing the quadratic equation?
Perhaps - but now the sobering realities of the work that schools REALLY do FIRST -
BEFORE the photosynthesis cycle….
FEED CHILDREN
CLOTHE CHILDREN
SEND HOME FOOD TO FAMILIES
ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
SUPPORT STUDENTS EMOTIONALLY
CHEER ON SMALL AND LARGE SUCCESSES
FIND HOUSING FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS
PROVIDE BASIC HEALTH CARE
ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE
Oh yeah, and teach math, science, spelling, and all the other things….
Such dichotomies - such extremes
The mind reels
Thousands dead
But cleaner canals and air
fear and uncertainty without end in sight
yet compassion beyond measure
HOPE prevails - tomorrow will be better; I am safe at home; I have my children with me; I can interact with my students, family, and friends in a new virtual world; I can breathe spring air and welcome the warmth of the sun and the songs of birds.
Breathe - check in on others, Breathe - stay connected,
Breathe - celebrate the valor of others
Breathe - this is the New “Normal”