This is a story of what it was like as a freshman in college during the pandemic and how it affected me. Sharing my story is essential because it helps people with similar experiences not feel alone.

And it came to pass in those days, when nations were troubled and fear moved unseen among the people, that the watchers of health took their stations. At a national public health centre, a few young trainees listened as experienced voices spoke of waves yet to come. The virus was still a whisper, but it carried urgency. A team was formed — not of heroes, but of learners ready to serve. Trained to trace, to ask, and to listen, they worked with case forms and a shared sense of duty. Lessons once taught in lectures became practice: words turned into action, maps and numbers into strategy and stories. Then silence came. Delhi locked down. Roads emptied, skies cleared. The hum of traffic faded — replaced by the hum of phones. Coordination continued through remote surveillance. Managers, travellers, and staff were contacted daily to identify symptoms, confirm exposures, and initiate follow-up. Case and contact forms recorded networks of households, workplaces, and communities. Data from many sources were verified and analysed to guide timely response. The numbers later faded, but the quality endured — of purpose, empathy, and the collective commitment to care. The outbreak revealed that the strength of public health lay in relationships — in trust built through listening, coordination, and compassion. Behind every dataset stood people working quietly, connecting systems and communities. Blessed are those who serve unseen, who pour water for the thirsty, and share bread with the hungry.

This short communication reflects my field experience during the COVID-19 response in Delhi, India, where I supported public-health surveillance, contact tracing, and data management during the first wave. The experience revealed that epidemic response is not only about data and technology but also about empathy, patience, and teamwork. Through daily coordination, digital validation, and human connection, I learned that ethical sensitivity and compassionate communication are as vital as technical precision. This reflection is important to me because it captures both the science and the humanity that shaped our collective fight against the pandemic.

I still remember very vividly when they closed the beaches in San Diego. It was near the beggining of the Covid-19 pandemic and fear reigned high in Calfornia cities. In an effort to curb high traffic of visitors, local government enforced lockdowns on all public beaches. No one was allowed to enter the beaches for weeks at a time and security tape lined their edges. Never in my life had going to beach been something illegal. My two roommates and I, barricaded by empty takeout boxes, sourdough starters, and dalgona coffee creations, banded together in our misery, sharing new memories over card games and wine nights, the beaches' waves reaching for us.

I was a freshman during my undergrad at the University of South Carolina. I was in my second semester in March of 2020 pursuing my bachelors of music education. I remember spring break was approaching fast and I remember being very excited to have a break from classes, go home and rest. I have a very vivid memory of sitting in my last music theory class before the break on a Friday. My teacher told each of us to have a great break and proceeded to crack a joke "I'll see you all in a week, but if things go bad you may have a semester long spring break." Of course we all laughed and thought nothing of it, well at least I did. Going home, I was so excited to see my family and pets. Then, a couple days before I was set to go back to campus, I receive an email saying spring break was going to be extended for an extra week due to the virus. Of course, I was slightly happy I would receive an extra week of break. Then during that second week I received another email stating we would not be going back to campus for in-person classes, everything would be taken digitally, Honestly, this is a nightmare for a music major. I suddenly had to do everything at home or go back to campus to practice and turn in assignments by video. My schedule became utter chaos, as I was not prepared to have theory and aural skills classes over Zoom. This continued through my summer sessions as well. Imagine having to send your professor clips of you practicing the piano and learning the oboe through a computer screen. I felt like I did not truly learn anything during this time. I think that this truly hindered my university learning and social experiences. Once we were able to come back into the classroom, I was so excited to be back, but at the same time I felt so behind. This is just one of the many ways COVID-19 affected me.

Covid really hindered my experience at school through college. I graduated high school the year of covid. I was thankful for the first half of that semester I got to go into the classrooms and enjoy my senior year. Covid took away my senior prom and trip that my class was planning to take to Germany. At the time I did not care about the prom or the trip. The only thing I cared about was having a graduation. We did end up having one even though it was small. After, that I started college in the fall of 2020. It was an experience because Galveston College had every single class on zoom that semester. I legit did not get to experience college like most people do at all. I struggled to make friends that year. Eventually we got past that semester and started going back to school normally. After I graduated Galveston College, I transferred to UHCL. I still wore a mask even when they told us we did not require one. The reason is because I legit developed a fear phobia over it. I did not want to bring it home and get others sick. Slowly, through my remaining years at UHCL I took off the mask and got back to life normally. I made friends and I joined a club. My life was back to normal. Looking back, it seems covid was such a long time ago. Covid will always be a part of our history, but I can’t help and say that it shaped us to become the best versions of ourselves. Who I was back then was scared she would never make it in college, but she would be proud to know that I did. Through covid, I came out of my shell and got the best memories ever!

This e-mail was sent out to parents and students of the Cherry Hill, New Jersey school district on March 16, 2020, just two days after the district announced it was suspending in-person classes for at least two weeks. The e-mail outlines a "continuity of learning" plan, intended to ensure a smooth transition to online learning. Cherry Hill was one of many public school districts, all across the country, to make the transition to online learning. Cherry Hill schools did not return to any form of in-person schooling until spring of 2021. This meant high school seniors in the class of 2020, like myself, finished high school at home. When the school year began in September, I could not have expected that I would be watching graduation from my bedroom. I know many, many kids felt the same way.

Had to draw an image of the world to the US senator. I haven’t drawn since a child thought this was something special to me at the time to become an intern in Atlanta ga. My goal is to become a US attorney and thinking about working alongside the senate was something that excited me and motivated me for the next chapter.

From Jack & Sarah H.: "The streets of Christiansted, St. Croix, were usually bustling with people. This photo was taken in front of the island's infamous silver shop, at the time sat empty. Although its charm retained, the city was never the same without passer-bys remarking about the weather or idle chatter of the elders that sat on the steps."

From Tennison Q.: "Usually this court is alive with locals and tourists alike, but during Covid, you had to bring your own ball and sneak into the park. Nobody would ever come to chase you out, but you'd also be shooting by your lonesome. Still, I think the solidarity added to the photo factor of this beautiful court."

From Dave D.: "The thing I hated most about lockdown was that it separated me from the golf course. I just retired! What else was I supposed to do? So one day I decided 'to hell with it' and snuck out to my local course to play the par 3. Lo and behold, I ended up a foot short of a hole in one... and it was my birthday. Certainly one of the most memorable shots in my life!"

From Sage S.: "I got quite lonely over Covid as I had just moved into my own studio apartment far from home and any family. So I went out and decided to get a cat, and now I have Ciri! Named after a character from The Witcher, she's a crazy cat. Never calm and certainly not the brightest, and totally attached."