March 19, 2020

Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?

yes. I had originally planned to go out of the country for my first time to Germany, now I have moved into an apartment and trying to stay inside

How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?

Partially grateful that the university/city of Austin took this precaution and partially worried because I have always known that I was better at learning in person and interacting with my professors and classmates, this is why I chose St. Edward’s in the first place.

Where will you be living while courses are held online? Is this a change from usual?

I had to move into an apartment that I had luckily signed a lease for the week before. This was an affordable housing unit that I had found. However now Im having to pay for both my apartment on campus and my apartment off campus.

What has been your experience with moving classes online? What’s good? What’s not so good?

So far we haven’t had any official classes online, however I imagine it will be difficult getting everyone on one app at once and communicating with professors and people in my groups for other classes

How has the virus (and the precautions taken to prevent it spreading) impacted your daily life?

Last week I waited in line at the grocery store for over an hour. I miss my dad but dont want to go see him because I might put him at risk. My mom has left out of town to ‘stay safe’ at a lake outside of Dallas. I work at Kendra Scott and they have closed for atleast two weeks, I am getting paid time off, however its not as much as I normally make. I know that I am lucky though because some dont have an income at all right now.

How worried are you about getting the virus?

Yes, I live with two other people, one of which works in a large company and he still has to go to work, he has been exposed to the virus. My other roommate has respiratory issues.

Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?

not personally, I know people in Italy whos family passed away

Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?

yes, for the most part. Im binging All American and Drive to Survive on Netflix.

Are you going out? Where do you go and what is it like?

Sometimes, today I went to Zilker park and there were a ton of people there. Other than that the grocery store is pretty much empty at this point when it coms to people and food and drinks there are no non perishables and no waters on the shelves, toilet paper has been the hardest thing to find.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?

Through a close friend who has family living in Europe I have seen pictures of military trucks lined up on the streets in Italy carrying dead bodies out of the city because there is no room left for them in the hospitals. I also know that they have been sending out portable mortuaries because people are dying so quickly. People here in the US are not taking this seriously and dont realize how scary this could actually get. Those partying in huge groups during spring break are going to come back and maybe not realize anything is wrong with them but they could pass it on to people older than them or people around them with preexisting conditions. This is how the virus is going to spread rapidly and it is only then that people are going to realize we might be in trouble