March 25, 2020

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

Yes and no. My family had a trip planned to Durham, North Carolina to attend my cousin’s wedding, and, while we were still able to go, basically everything in Durham had been closed down temporarily. We spent most of our time that would have been exploring the town just hanging out at the AirBnB we rented, watching Netflix. We did end up leaving a day early and catching an early flight back to Austin. The airport was kind of awkward for me since I have a pine allergy, and Durham is filled with pine trees. So, I had a coughing fit and about 5 people looked at me like I was infected with COVID.

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

I was freaking out, not gonna lie. I’m taking 3 courses: Playwriting, Intro to Game Animation, and Performance 1B. All of those classes need meeting times, to either critique plays, use the animation software in Moody 301 (Game Lab), and to do performances. I trust that my professors have plans in place, but I am still a bit worried that I will not be getting the full experience of the class.

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

I will be living at home.

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

The Good: It allows me to stay at my house, with my dog, and in pajama pants, and work in an environment that is very comfortable to me.

The Bad: I am going to miss out on my theatre showcase, which was supposed to happen at the end of the semester. I also have concerns as a student on the autism spectrum; routine is something so important to me, that having it suddenly thrown off like this will mean that I need a lot of time to adjust. I know the extra week of spring break is supposed to help with the adjustment, but I don’t think I will fully adjust until the new routine is established, which could take a while.

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

The lockdown has made it hard for me to leave my house, aside from walking my dog, so I haven’t seen anyone except my mom, dad, and sister. I have a tendency to self-isolate when stressed or upset, so I am taking extra care not to isolate in my room and make these feelings worse.

How worried are you about getting the virus?

I’ll admit it, I am a bit worried, since I spent time in airports. I am currently self quarantining with my family until we know we are symptom free so that we don’t spread it to others (in case we have it)

Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?

Nope, and hopefully my friends and family stay healthy.

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

Mostly, I am playing video games (lots of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Guild Wars 2), drawing, training my dog, and watching Hulu/Netflix. I have also started a journal, where I write down the events of each day in order to create a primary source. It is also helping me to stay sane, by allowing me time to reflect on the day. Much like the 8 days last semester that I was in a psychiatric hospital, keeping a journal is a good way to pass time and to think through everything happening.

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

I go on daily walks with my dog, and there is almost nobody outside in my neighorhood. Before the virus, my neighbors a couple houses down would constantly be having parties and people over (people who didn’t know how to park), but it’s quiet. Kind of eerie, actually.

What is giving you hope and/or strength right now?

It’s gonna sound weird, but my hope right now is a video game. Specifically, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. In the game, you have your own island, where you can plant flowers, fish, catch bugs, and live your own peaceful life as the only human, surrounded by anthropomorphic (2 legs, capable of speech) animals. There is also online capability, allowing me to see my friends on either my island or their island. The game is visually stunning and peaceful to look at, and helps me to see some good and peace in a time where everything is scary and uncertain.

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

I am scared, but hopeful. We will make it through this.