Items

• 2020-05-04

  Quarantine College

  Quarantine College The coronavirus came in with no announcement and changed everyone’s lives as we know it. For me one of the biggest changes was school. I was just about one third through my second semester in college when news of the corona virus began to spread. At first it was said to be only in China, but more and more cases were being seen around the world. Then the first case in Arizona came, and where else would it be but my very own school, Arizona State University. Still there was no panic or change. We continued with school as usual. We then entered our long-awaited spring break. This is where everything changed. We never came back to school from spring break, or we never went back to on campus classes. Every class was moved to online. For many this was a horrible turn of events as in class learning helps many, myself included. As for me it was not bad, at first many of my professors even insisted it was only a temporary change. I still visited campus to see my friends or study, but everything quickly changed. I lived at home, but I saw as all my friends were basically kicked off of campus. I have not seen many of them since. Then came the subject of online school. I thought I would be fine but studying from home was just not the same. On one hand I could study on my own time, but on the other I had limited access to all the universities helpful buildings. I no longer had access to libraries or study areas. Studying at home also means I am with my family 24/7. While I Love my family going to school could be a break from them, but most importantly they can be a big distraction when trying to work. Another problem I have is finding motivation to do my work. I do not not why but it feels as school is optional now even though it is not. I must find a dedicated time to do my work, but I get distracted and or have no motivation. The coronavirus has changed the way everyone lives their lives in 2020. Some positive changes and many negative changes have come. I think I have finally developed a better way to study. Although it was hard to overcome all the challenges that the corona virus brought I will never forget my freshman year of college.
• 2020-05-04

  Being an essential worker

  Being an essential worker Covid-19 otherwise known as the Corona Virus, has affected almost every single life in America. I remember when the virus first started nothing really changed for me or my job at the fast food restaurant, chipotle. Then slowly but surely things began to change in my job. At first less and less people were coming in to receive food, and I was given less hours. Then we closed our dine in option as did the entire state of Arizona. Our Governor Doug Ducey then released a stay at home order, but I as a fast food employee was still considered “essential”. What this meant was that I was still allowed to work, but at what cost. For many being allowed to work can be seen as a blessing or a curse. I was still allowed to work despite all the chaos happening in the world. Everyday more people were losing their jobs or just not working, but I, being an “essential” worker was still working. Things continued to change at my job as we were given questions on Covid-19 and are now asked every workday a series of questions to take precautions against Covid-19. We also now wear masks to cover our faces. Working at chipotle or any fast food restaurant is not the same. Covid-19 has changed the way we operate for a safer environment. This can all be seen as a positive turn of events for fast food workers and other essential workers. For we are being allowed to work. Also many companies are being more precautious in the way they handle things. At the end of this global pandemic perhaps all these changes will have been in a positive light. Overall, in my point of view I see this as a disadvantage. On one hand I am very grateful that I am able to work while others cannot, but I see the disadvantages outweigh the good. For example, the hours I received were already cut and I get paid minimum wage. One of my coworkers even jokingly stated he could make more money quitting and filing for unemployment. We are going to work while this pandemic is happening and are at a higher risk of contracting the virus than others. In the end, I do not believe fast food employees should be essential. This is because the pay simply does not account for the risk these workers are taking to serve food. That is why I am profoundly grateful for the real essential workers like doctors and nurses.