PAC Student Media

By Ariana Mendoza
Pulse Staff Reporter

Despite China’s efforts to contain the new virus known as COVID-19, it has spread rapidly throughout the world. Months ago I was having lunch with my friends, talking about meaningless things that always guaranteed laughter and discussions between us. Now we find ourselves separated, each living our own quarantine. 

“Everyone is expecting to go back to a normal life, but everything will be different. Nothing will be the same, starting with my job as a waiter at Don Pedro, since I don’t know if I will be re-hired once everything ends, if it ends,” said Felipe Trujillo Mejía, a UTSA Liberal Arts Junior. 

Many theories surround how this virus started, but the real cause is still unknown. What is certain is that it spread quickly, mainly by person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets from an infected person. Some people without symptoms can also spread the virus. 

This caused the world to go into quarantine, forcing people to stay in their homes until further notice. Most people know how to cope with this situation, although others still cannot get used to the idea of staying home for so long, especially when you have to share your space with more people. A tense environment can form. 

“My family is getting irritated about spending a bit too much time together. Sometimes I just want to kick my sister out of the house, but I know she wouldn’t make it,” said Maleny Barrera Menchaca, a San Antonio College Nursing Sophomore.

Education has also been affected since most students are now taking online classes to prevent them from getting infected and losing the school year. Online classes have been an adjustment and not always a pleasant one. Menchaca said online classes are more frustrating, and she believes they have increased anxiety and depression in most students. My brother is also taking online classes, and although he knows they would be better in person, he found a way to adapt to them and get the best of it.

The economy is also suffering. At the moment more than 36.5 million people are unemployed in the United States and more than 100,000 establishments are going bankrupt after closing to decrease physical contact. My mother lost her job as a thrift store warehouse worker, but she managed to get unemployment. Although the situation did not drastically affect us, many people are having a rough time.

Social distancing is another thing that makes the situation more difficult, and I know that I am not the only one who misses being close to friends and family. 

“The coronavirus has impacted our daily lives, but I think we should all take the necessary precautions to prevent this virus from spreading. And although I miss going to the clubs with my friends, I know that right now safety is first,” said MaryCarmen Casillas Mojarro, a Palo Alto College Pre-Nursing Sophomore. 

We all want to return to normality. For that, we have to take the precautions that have been preached to us more than a thousand times. We need to stick together from afar. It is better to say “See you soon!” than to give someone a final goodbye.