Item
Myles Avalon Oral History, 2020/09/19
Media
Title (Dublin Core)
Myles Avalon Oral History, 2020/09/19
Description (Dublin Core)
Northeastern student, Daniel Blauvelt interviews fellow student Myles Avalon. In this interview Avalon discusses what it was like living in Brookline, Massachusetts when the pandemic hit. He talks about how he felt knowing he was at higher risk due to his asthma and how his family delt with the anxieties and uncertainties that came with the pandemic. Avalon also discusses his feelings towards the was Northeastern was handling the pandemic in comparison to other universities his friends were attending.
Recording Date (Dublin Core)
Creator (Dublin Core)
Partner (Dublin Core)
Type (Dublin Core)
audio recording
Controlled Vocabulary (Dublin Core)
Date Submitted (Dublin Core)
09/21/2020
Date Modified (Dublin Core)
11/17/2020
04/18/2021
06/09/2022
12/28/2022
Date Created (Dublin Core)
09/19/2020
Interviewer (Bibliographic Ontology)
Daniel Blauvelt
Interviewee (Bibliographic Ontology)
Myles Avalon
Location (Omeka Classic)
02115
Northeastern University
Boston
Massachusetts
United States of America
Format (Dublin Core)
audio
Language (Dublin Core)
English
Duration (Omeka Classic)
00:07:10
abstract (Bibliographic Ontology)
Northeastern student, Daniel Blauvelt interviews fellow student Myles Avalon. In this interview Avalon discusses what it was like living in Brookline, Massachusetts when the pandemic hit. He talks about how he felt knowing he was at higher risk due to his asthma and how his family delt with the anxieties and uncertainties that came with the pandemic. Avalon also discusses his feelings towards the was Northeastern was handling the pandemic in comparison to other universities his friends were attending.
Transcription (Omeka Classic)
Daniel Blauvelt 00:01
Okay, my name is Daniel Blauvelt. I am here with Myles Avalon. We are doing a interview with prospective COVID-19. So do you consent to being recorded?
Myles Avalon 00:14
Yes, I do. And the date and time is September 19. And it is 1:40pm.
DB 00:18
Okay, great. So, the first question is, what were your initial reactions to the pandemic shutdowns?
MA 00:28
I think my initial reactions and there was a lot of like, nervousness and worrying that came behind it for me. Like, for me, I have really bad asthma. So, I was like, I'm like one of the people that fall into like, the average category. So like, when it came to like, the very beginning, like I would say, March when like, everything was like, super high, I would say like, I was, like, very nervous and going out and stuff like that, like I saw, like, everyone less like I only saw like one person. So, I would say like, my initial reaction, like I was very nervous.
DB 00:57
And was shut down was that when you realize COVID-19 was going to really, like change your life, and your routine?
MA 01:06
I think. So, for school, initially, we got the same like two weeks, or we're going to come back in two weeks. And I think like, during that time, I was like, fine. But then I think, after he, like, kept extending it, and then kept extending it, I think, like, after probably like, the second extension of like, oh, like may or something like that. I think that's when I realized that like, oh, like, like, this is like really like what life is like now like, this is what I have to get used to. I think like, that was a pretty big change.
DB 01:35
And how did the first couple weeks of quarantine make you feel? And how did you find routines and behaviors changing?
MA 01:42
Yeah, I think I feel like my routines were like, off the charts, you know, going to school, waking up at like, seven, something like 730, like, every day, and then just like being in school and like going to practice, you know, like, I have that like, specific routine. But then basically, like, now that I was home, I had like all day, and I think like I was going to sleep like super late, I would wake up super late. And like, my, like productivity levels just like weren't as high like, at all. And I think like, that was definitely a tough adjustment for sure. Like, especially in the beginning, but I think like, as time started to go on, like, I started to get better, you know, trying to wake up earlier, so I could like just be more productive, have more time in the day, go to sleep earlier, too. So yeah,
DB 02:22
that's cool. So, did you find anything positive coming out of quarantine, or?
MA 02:25
I think, I definitely think like, in the beginning, there wasn't as much positivity or like positive things I had realized. But then I think like, as things had gone on, and things have progressed, like, they're, they're definitely positive things that came out of it, you know, I think like, one like I definitely, like, kind of like, like, I just learned how to, like, be alone and stuff like that, and just, like spend time by myself and like, I've like no problem with that. But then like, you know, just like picking up skills along the way. Like, for example, like, I can, like, give a guy can give myself a haircut now, which I couldn't do before. But on the other hand, like, just like having things being shut down, you know, like, you kind of have to like learn to like cope with those things and like, basically get new skills from that.
DB 03:08
(inaudible) other person's heart and most of the people are on to react to COVID-19 especially?
MA 03:14
My immediate family, like we all had like the same like wariness and like nervousness like my dad, like he has [redacted]. So, like he falls in like the at risk category to so, we were all just like very careful. And like obviously like my mom, you know, like she's definitely super worried about her kid that like has bad asthma. So, like, she was like, super careful too. And like my friends like cuz like my friends know that, like I have asthma and like, so like, they were like super careful too, which was great. And I can definitely really appreciate them for that. But like everyone around me, like we kind of like all tickets seriously because like we knew, like we just knew the effects and like even though like yeah, we are teenagers and like, probably like we'll probably they'll probably be okay. And like I probably would too, hopefully. But like, I think we all take it seriously for like the greater good.
DB 03:55
I was just for the record. Can you say where you're from?
MA 03:57
I'm from Brookline Massachusetts.
DB 03:59
All right. So, it's so you said how all the people like, close to you were reacting to it. So how do you feel as a community like your town reacted to COVID-19?
MA 04:08
I think I think Brookline did a very good job of it. Like, I feel like there was no issue when it came to mask or anything like that. People just kind of understood that, you know, like, even if I'm not one of the people that's at risk or anything like that, like, like I have people in my life who are or I have like elderly family. And like they just like knew they need to be careful. So, like, I feel like as a community like we all take it like, seriously. I mean, we're all like okay, like, this is what life is now like we all kind of just had to adjust. So I would say that Brookline did a pretty good job.
DB 04:40
Did you know anyone who personally contracted COVID-19, if so, how did it affect them?
MA 04:49
I think like now, now I have because I have friends that go to like other schools like someone at some of my friends like University of Florida and like even Maryland I know like two kids, who like had corona there and like, like, they were fine. Like, they were completely fine. They did their quarantine, they didn't get like crazy sick or anything like that. But I think like when like, it was like, we were really in the pandemic, like March and April, like I didn't really know anyone who like had gotten sick, but like, my friends would just tell me stories about like, their friends, knowing people and things like that. So yeah,
DB 05:24
That's interesting. So how have this ending with how people and like, you know, different states such as, like Maryland (inaudible) how this reaction of this or anything, how they reacted to COVID has been different, or the response has been different?
MA 05:35
I would say like, I think like, just from like what I've seen, and like what I've heard, like, I would definitely say that like Boston and like, you can definitely see that like Northeastern like, definitely takes it definitely more serious. And like, we're very keen on our testing. For example, like, I know, like, one of my friends who goes to Maryland, like, she's only been tested twice, and she's been there, and she got there on the 27th. And we get tested, like every three days. And like, you know, like seeing like, I don't know, once I was watching the news, and it said like University of Alabama has like 1200 cases. So it's just like, like, not like that being the difference I feel like us taking the more seriously, you know, obviously we have more restrictions because of that, but like, we're just trying to keep everyone safe, like which I which I can understand.
DB 06:18
All right, and then I have one last question for you, which is, how is your perspective on COVID-19 changed from the start of the pandemic to now?
MA 06:27
Um, I think from like the start, like, it was kind of like, I didn't really know what to expect, you know, I was just kind of like, oh, like, I would not say go I kind of was like going through the motions. But like, I didn't have a great sense of like, what like, I was like supposed to do like how I was supposed to adapt during these times. But now I think that like, now that we're here, like in September, and like even doing this since March, like I now have a greater sense of like, what I'm doing and how to like handle all of this and just how to like cope with it as well. So I'd say like, that's probably the biggest thing. Yeah, just like learning as I'm going, going through it.
DB 07:01
Alright. I guess that's all the questions I had was great interview. Thank you Myles.
MA 07:05
Thank you.
Okay, my name is Daniel Blauvelt. I am here with Myles Avalon. We are doing a interview with prospective COVID-19. So do you consent to being recorded?
Myles Avalon 00:14
Yes, I do. And the date and time is September 19. And it is 1:40pm.
DB 00:18
Okay, great. So, the first question is, what were your initial reactions to the pandemic shutdowns?
MA 00:28
I think my initial reactions and there was a lot of like, nervousness and worrying that came behind it for me. Like, for me, I have really bad asthma. So, I was like, I'm like one of the people that fall into like, the average category. So like, when it came to like, the very beginning, like I would say, March when like, everything was like, super high, I would say like, I was, like, very nervous and going out and stuff like that, like I saw, like, everyone less like I only saw like one person. So, I would say like, my initial reaction, like I was very nervous.
DB 00:57
And was shut down was that when you realize COVID-19 was going to really, like change your life, and your routine?
MA 01:06
I think. So, for school, initially, we got the same like two weeks, or we're going to come back in two weeks. And I think like, during that time, I was like, fine. But then I think, after he, like, kept extending it, and then kept extending it, I think, like, after probably like, the second extension of like, oh, like may or something like that. I think that's when I realized that like, oh, like, like, this is like really like what life is like now like, this is what I have to get used to. I think like, that was a pretty big change.
DB 01:35
And how did the first couple weeks of quarantine make you feel? And how did you find routines and behaviors changing?
MA 01:42
Yeah, I think I feel like my routines were like, off the charts, you know, going to school, waking up at like, seven, something like 730, like, every day, and then just like being in school and like going to practice, you know, like, I have that like, specific routine. But then basically, like, now that I was home, I had like all day, and I think like I was going to sleep like super late, I would wake up super late. And like, my, like productivity levels just like weren't as high like, at all. And I think like, that was definitely a tough adjustment for sure. Like, especially in the beginning, but I think like, as time started to go on, like, I started to get better, you know, trying to wake up earlier, so I could like just be more productive, have more time in the day, go to sleep earlier, too. So yeah,
DB 02:22
that's cool. So, did you find anything positive coming out of quarantine, or?
MA 02:25
I think, I definitely think like, in the beginning, there wasn't as much positivity or like positive things I had realized. But then I think like, as things had gone on, and things have progressed, like, they're, they're definitely positive things that came out of it, you know, I think like, one like I definitely, like, kind of like, like, I just learned how to, like, be alone and stuff like that, and just, like spend time by myself and like, I've like no problem with that. But then like, you know, just like picking up skills along the way. Like, for example, like, I can, like, give a guy can give myself a haircut now, which I couldn't do before. But on the other hand, like, just like having things being shut down, you know, like, you kind of have to like learn to like cope with those things and like, basically get new skills from that.
DB 03:08
(inaudible) other person's heart and most of the people are on to react to COVID-19 especially?
MA 03:14
My immediate family, like we all had like the same like wariness and like nervousness like my dad, like he has [redacted]. So, like he falls in like the at risk category to so, we were all just like very careful. And like obviously like my mom, you know, like she's definitely super worried about her kid that like has bad asthma. So, like, she was like, super careful too. And like my friends like cuz like my friends know that, like I have asthma and like, so like, they were like super careful too, which was great. And I can definitely really appreciate them for that. But like everyone around me, like we kind of like all tickets seriously because like we knew, like we just knew the effects and like even though like yeah, we are teenagers and like, probably like we'll probably they'll probably be okay. And like I probably would too, hopefully. But like, I think we all take it seriously for like the greater good.
DB 03:55
I was just for the record. Can you say where you're from?
MA 03:57
I'm from Brookline Massachusetts.
DB 03:59
All right. So, it's so you said how all the people like, close to you were reacting to it. So how do you feel as a community like your town reacted to COVID-19?
MA 04:08
I think I think Brookline did a very good job of it. Like, I feel like there was no issue when it came to mask or anything like that. People just kind of understood that, you know, like, even if I'm not one of the people that's at risk or anything like that, like, like I have people in my life who are or I have like elderly family. And like they just like knew they need to be careful. So, like, I feel like as a community like we all take it like, seriously. I mean, we're all like okay, like, this is what life is now like we all kind of just had to adjust. So I would say that Brookline did a pretty good job.
DB 04:40
Did you know anyone who personally contracted COVID-19, if so, how did it affect them?
MA 04:49
I think like now, now I have because I have friends that go to like other schools like someone at some of my friends like University of Florida and like even Maryland I know like two kids, who like had corona there and like, like, they were fine. Like, they were completely fine. They did their quarantine, they didn't get like crazy sick or anything like that. But I think like when like, it was like, we were really in the pandemic, like March and April, like I didn't really know anyone who like had gotten sick, but like, my friends would just tell me stories about like, their friends, knowing people and things like that. So yeah,
DB 05:24
That's interesting. So how have this ending with how people and like, you know, different states such as, like Maryland (inaudible) how this reaction of this or anything, how they reacted to COVID has been different, or the response has been different?
MA 05:35
I would say like, I think like, just from like what I've seen, and like what I've heard, like, I would definitely say that like Boston and like, you can definitely see that like Northeastern like, definitely takes it definitely more serious. And like, we're very keen on our testing. For example, like, I know, like, one of my friends who goes to Maryland, like, she's only been tested twice, and she's been there, and she got there on the 27th. And we get tested, like every three days. And like, you know, like seeing like, I don't know, once I was watching the news, and it said like University of Alabama has like 1200 cases. So it's just like, like, not like that being the difference I feel like us taking the more seriously, you know, obviously we have more restrictions because of that, but like, we're just trying to keep everyone safe, like which I which I can understand.
DB 06:18
All right, and then I have one last question for you, which is, how is your perspective on COVID-19 changed from the start of the pandemic to now?
MA 06:27
Um, I think from like the start, like, it was kind of like, I didn't really know what to expect, you know, I was just kind of like, oh, like, I would not say go I kind of was like going through the motions. But like, I didn't have a great sense of like, what like, I was like supposed to do like how I was supposed to adapt during these times. But now I think that like, now that we're here, like in September, and like even doing this since March, like I now have a greater sense of like, what I'm doing and how to like handle all of this and just how to like cope with it as well. So I'd say like, that's probably the biggest thing. Yeah, just like learning as I'm going, going through it.
DB 07:01
Alright. I guess that's all the questions I had was great interview. Thank you Myles.
MA 07:05
Thank you.
This item was submitted on September 21, 2020 by Daniel Blauvelt using the form “Share Your Story” on the site “A Journal of the Plague Year”: https://covid-19archive.org/s/archive
Click here to view the collected data.