This week, our class seemed confused and exasperated. Confused why so many people around the country continue to ignore experts by purposefully not following COVID-19 protocols. And exasperated that the pandemic is preventing them from doing many of the things that they usually do this time of year. Read the best excerpts from this week’s journal entries to see how we tried to make sense of these emotions. – Journal Curator, Kenneth Morrissey

“So, I decided to see about getting a coffee at the deli near campus. Couple of observations: #1 Wow. I haven’t walked this path since the last time I walked to work on campus, Wednesday, March 11th. #2 Wow. Newark is dead. Eh, not so unusual for a Saturday before noon. But, still so quiet… Anyway, I got to the corner where the deli is and it was closed.”- A. Paprika 11/16/20

“Masks have been mandatory in NJ since April 28.  Why do we still see so many folks without them?”-Joe Bagod 11/17/2020

“A lot of the conversations I get into often end up with some sort of ‘don’t believe the experts’ theme.  When did we stop believing in experts?  By definition, experts have studied and are knowledgeable about a subject.  Why wouldn’t I consult them, or weigh their opinions?  The anti-expert, anti-intellectual movement really irks me.”- David 11/18/20

“So, a tid-bit of news from China this week. One of my private tutoring clients, who lives in Beijing, told me that he just received a Covid-19 vaccine. Apparently, his school required all students to get inoculated. I didn't ask him for details, but I'd bet that he got the Sinovac vaccine that I've read about in the news. I'm MORE than a little jealous. I am quite vigilant when it comes to the amount of time I spend in indoor public spaces and when it comes to wearing a face mask. In general, I don't think I am quite as bothered by this pandemic lifestyle as many people seem to be. However, even I am getting fatigued.” – Dominic Putko 11/19/20

“Since we have gotten the virus, my family’s dinner table has been subject to constant quoting of random articles, doctors, and friends about when our contagiousness will end and about questions of our immunity. Now that we have it, our whole family is settling into the lull of complacency once more as we believe that our antibodies will protect us against the worst that is soon to come.”- A.W. 11/19/20

“I also spoke to an old friend I had not spoken to in years, she’s actually the sister of the friend whom I went hiking with in a previous entry, and who I’ve mentioned in passing a couple of times. I’ve known both these women for 22 years at this point but while I speak to and tend to spend time with my hiking friend fairly regularly I’ve not really talked to or spent any real time alone with her sister in almost 10 years at this point.”-Nemo 11/20/20

“There recently has been a lot of controversy over politicians and activists asking people to not hold large family gatherings over Thanksgiving. Conservatives, of course, are freaking out over this suggestion. From the very start of the pandemic, conservatives have been trying to minimize the seriousness of the pandemic. They have baulked at suggestions to wear a mask, social distance, and follow lockdown orders. Some of them have tried to prove that the pandemic is fake by holding large gatherings of people. Their stupidity is the reason why America has never really truly exited the First Wave of the coronavirus pandemic like some other developed countries. It is thus no surprise that they have that they have refused to comply with these reasonable suggestions.” – Kenneth 11/21/20

“There is lots of chatter about Thanksgiving next week. The airports were packed today in what was one of the busiest travel days since March. Wow. I won’t see anybody this year. I continue to mourn the lost time with family.”- AT 11/21/20