Accept the Inevitable: 6 Ways to Survive the Winter Pandemic
Your course mates are still obsessed about Senator Bernie Sanders's mittens, which he wore during Joe Biden's inauguration. It may be far from fashionable, but it would keep your hands warm. And you need a good laugh. After the shocking events of January 6, you wonder if the worst is over. Not. Yet. But don't lose hope.
You were aware of that growing sense of behavioral fatigue last fall, and it intensified last month. You must recall the lessons that you learned during the pandemic; you became resilient after navigating (weird) online classes and overcoming canceled birthday parties. Or kindness, when your course mates rallied to send you some get-well-soon cards after you told them that you've been experiencing headache and abdominal cramps last November. Or bravery, when your best friend went to the front of your room's window last Christmas (and greeted you). You may be too tired to read the latest news on race, so you won't mind reading your course mate's blog on Aldous Huxley's strange experience in Hollywood. (He wrote the screenplay of "Pride and Prejudice", but you have enough of Jane Austen's works.) On the other hand, winter might not be the best time to talk about Martin Scorsese's powerful adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis's "The Last Temptation". (Your cousin plans to visit Israel after the pandemic is over.) You don't mind a little gossip, if (former president) Donald Trump really let the members of the National Guard slept in his hotel. Your course mates rather talked about Demi Lovato's rendition of "Lovely Day" (and how Joe Biden's grandson seemed to like it). You've been thinking if this would be the new normal. Possibly.
You might be missing your course mates, whom you haven't seen for months. Invite them to the online version of "Family Feud" - and get a laugh after one of you don't know the other words for "pimple". You can also opt for (the online version of) "Jeopardy", but make sure that you can guess the correct answers to the questions relating to books and authors (and avoid embarrassment). Snow may be falling in March, depending on where you're located, but the long nights would be your chance to have a long sleep. Rest would boost your immune system, which you need to overcome the coronavirus. It would make you sluggish, so help your parents with the household chores. You can also build a snowman in your front yard, which would bring back some (happy) childhood memories. And walking is a good form of exercise. All of these should help you forget about this winter, which you've been worrying about since last winter. What else?
Recommendations That Shouldn't Be Revelatory
Masks will be part of our lives indefinitely. You weren't the only one who noticed the two masks that the number of attendees wore during the inauguration. (President Joe Biden was one of them.) It's not a grim reminder that the pandemic wouldn't end this fall, if not next winter, but it's rather a reality that we must accept. It doesn't mean that you wouldn't go back to the university (and see your friends) very soon, but Dr. Anthony Fauci made a bold prediction: If the majority of the American populace would be vaccinated by the end of summer, if not the middle of summer, then Americans could see a degree of normalcy by fall. You can imagine your return to college, wearing two face masks, and practicing social distancing during lecture hours. Think of the things that you've been missing, which should make you realize that it won't be hard getting used to this safety protocol.
Expect a jagged roller coaster. You sympathized with the students of the University of North Carolina, who were sent home barely a week after arriving (on the campus) last August. It wasn't an isolated case, as other universities, as well as businesses, have been reopening and closing these past months. This pattern will lead to a new way of life. These disruptions would stretch you, but there's no need to throw a fit. You can watch First Lady Jill Biden's recent video, which would assure your professors. Your mother also reminded you about patience being a virtue.
Live like you have the coronavirus. You might not like the idea of keeping a distance between you and your parents (or sibling) during a conversation, but this is temporary. The cold weather puts you and your loved ones at high risk, so think of what to say. And keep it short. You can always rely on your virtual meetings with your course mates (whenever you get the blues). You can chat about the postponement of the release of "Black Widow". Again. (And you can talk about it for an hour or two.) You might miss your roomie's hot chocolate, but you know how to prepare it. Show off the eye-catching the cup that your mother gave you last winter. And don't forget to drink lots of water.
Have you checked your ventilation? Not yet? No need to panic (if you've been occupied with other things). If you haven't read the recent news on the coronavirus, then you must know that poor air quality has long been a source of COVID-19. Make that ventilation upgrade as soon as possible. Restaurants must do the same thing, but it would be better to do a take-out order. This is the best way to help this establishment during this uncertain period.
How to detect the coronavirus? It won't take a minute to answer the question. Paracetamol. Vitamin C. And flu vaccine. The COVID-19 symptoms are quite similar to the flu and cold symptoms, so it would be a challenge to detect it - and differentiate it - during this winter cold-and-flu season. If a PCR test is not available, then read the news. (You must allow ten minutes of your time. If you make it a daily habit, then you can enlighten everyone you know. But expect disagreement.) If you sleep longer, exercise (or move around), and eat properly, then you wouldn't overthink it. Last but not the least...
Don't isolate yourself in your room. You saw a (YouTube) video, where this female writer and photographer lived in the northern part of Sweden all year round. You haven't experienced what it would be like to live in that part of the world during the summer, when the sun doesn't go down, and keep yourself active during the long winter. It would be a long night, but you know what to do. (You bought an Umberto Eco novel many moons ago. You haven't turned the cover page. Yet.) The northern lights would make you get past your curiosity (and plan your trip across the border), but it can wait. This is one way to keep yourself from brooding for hours, but you have better things to do. Ask your tutor. Don't hesitate to message your professor. And this would be the right time to get to know more about the secretary of your department.
The Slow March Onward
The above measures are far from perfect, but your ability to chip away at the spread of the coronavirus depends on how you understand the measures - and follow them. Blaming Trump would be a waste of time. Make plans on how to quarantine if you notice symptoms. Keep yourself updated on medical information. And someone in your community needs help. You will make it through this bad winter.
