My First Days: Far from Home

Personal Narrative of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic

An account of my personal reactions, emotions, and actions on the first days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Akshay W.

Akshay W.

Akshay W.

September 28, 2020

Akshay W.

I have written and own this document and thus distribute it freely to this archive

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English

Oral history narrative account

     After the fear that I felt for Ebola, this novel Coronavirus honestly seemed like a joke. The 2014 outbreak scared me as a child of 13 years, as did the Zika virus, which followed in its footsteps; however, the non-existent impact that both viruses had on my life instilled a false sense of security in my mind. Thus, the Coronavirus seemed like nothing new – it would be a virus that would rampage across specific areas in Asia and necessarily fall through as it reached the industrial walls of more developed countries. Although severely misplaced (and incredibly embarrassing to admit), my confidence in America's capitalistic greatness and selfishness assured me that I would be immune and safe in our bubble of money and advanced technology. By March 10, 2020, the news about the virus was spreading and becoming more serious, labeled as an epidemic and threatening Asia's entirety. My own apprehension only grew as the urgency of Rutgers University emails increased, and more and more events were canceled, along with labs and other social activities. Much of the danger behind the virus flew under the radar for me, as I was dreading an upcoming debate tournament for which I was severely underprepared and desperately hoping that it would be canceled. It was. Like Christmas come early, classes were closed prematurely before spring break, exams postponed, clubs and outside commitments canceled, and the campus attained a liminal status in which the students could enjoy themselves while not worrying about any work. At this point, "Corona" (which quickly became the new vernacular) seemed to be a blessing in disguise!

     I woke up on the morning of March 11 to about 5 missed calls by my parents and a multitude of texts inquiring about the state of the virus and my speedy return home. The impending discussion included talks of expediated travel – bookings of flights were made, and apocalyptic rhetoric was thrown around casually as my parents insisted that we had to be together as the end of the world happened around me. Although they were excessive in their caution and worry, there was a change in the atmosphere and a sort of chill in the air throughout campus and in the dorms. Following the CDC's announcement on March 11, I soon realized the gravity of the situation that the world was in – this announcement was a critical turning point in the lens through which I was viewing the world. I was terrified not only for my parents and isolation from home, but also for my imminent travels, leaving my girlfriend, and not returning to campus for a long time.

     The following day, I woke up to an incredible barrage of notifications inquiring after my health from friends, family, and acquaintance the like. I immediately called my parents, and they showed me this Facebook post made by my best friend's mother: The post, filled to the brim with tragedy and import, urged all those who knew me to pray for me and my uniquely dire situation as a student in New Jersey and my impending doom. The deluge of responses and worried queries were mortally embarrassing, albeit touching, but was very indicative of the romanticized and fearful narratives traversing the world. Within the campus, however, parties were rampant, and everyone was enjoying their free-time in a bubble of safety; fraternities were holding parties – one especially notable one was the "NOVID PARTY" - which blatantly disregarded all policies and caution.

     The days around the announcement of the pandemic were chaotic, to say the least. From the complete disregard of rowdy undergraduates to my family indulging in the national toilet paper war, to my friend's creating an altar for me in their house, Coronavirus induced a noticeable volte-face of the people and society around me. Of course, this was nothing compared to the months that would follow, but there was a defined gradient of reaction that everyone followed: from excitement, to worry, to shock, and finally panic. These three days were suffused with emotion and activity, and I battled a two-sided confrontation between my life in Albuquerque and that at Rutgers-Newark.

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