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  2020-04-08

  Friendships in the times of COVID-19

  During the times of COVID-19, the relationship dynamics between roommates evolve as they shift from being mere roommates to teammates in the battle of staying alive and healthy. COVID-19 demands negotiating new rules, new ways of communicating, new responsibilities, and importantly: new lasting friendships. It is interesting to see how the pandemic both tests and strengthens the bonds between roommates as we navigate responding to each other’s needs. COVID-19 has presented a series of challenges with one of the negative impacts of social distancing, including coping with loneliness. The privilege of living with friends helps boost morale and mental health as we are constantly reminded that we are going through this not alone, but together. Pictured is my roommate celebrating her twenty-second birthday on our back porch on a sunny day in April. Although it is not how she imagined she would spend her birthday, friendship and company offer a silver lining during the coronavirus pandemic. #DePaulHST391
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  2020-04-08

  Allergic Asthma in the times of COVID-19

  Sitting in the front seat of my roommate's four-door Honda, we pay a special birthday visit to my roommate’s cat, Bunny. During the time of COVID-19, quarantining poses new challenges for people struggling with longstanding respiratory issues, which has led our household to temporarily move Bunny’s home to a friend’s residence. Although we miss him here day to day, nationwide shortages of albuterol and asthma medications due to COVID-19 force us to make difficult decisions on how to maintain our respiratory health during this time. For now, our interactions with Bunny include short playdates and visits to prevent asthmatic flare-ups and the use of medications such as albuterol, which have become so much for valuable and sparse during the times of COVID-19. #DePaulHST391