A day without having to physically go to classes usually sounds great to the average college student. It gives them a chance to unwind, rest their minds, and do things they normally would not have time for on a regular day. However, what if they were forced to stay into the confines of their homes, rarely having the chance to work because their jobs have closed down, and still have schoolwork to do?
This has become the new reality for UofM students due to the recent outbreak across the country of Covid-19, or “Coronavirus”. With lawmakers cracking down on self-distancing to minimize the spread of the illness by passing laws forbidding people to leave their homes without a viable reason, students are left thinking about how to spend the time. Yet, just how are UofM students managing their time in isolation?
With nowhere to go for the next few weeks, students have found a variety of ways to keep themselves busy throughout the time, from meditating to making Youtube and Tik-Tok videos. Junior chemistry major Andy Wilkins said she has spent the time drawing and painting again. Wilkins said the free time has allowed her to get back into her hobbies, all the while keeping her mind off of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I think it’s imperative to do things that relieves stress from us throughout these times,” Wilkins said. “With all of this time in isolation, it’s crucial for us to just relax and pick up some hobbies so we don’t become depressed with everything going on.” Wilkins is not the only one picking up hobbies, as music major Jerald Walker has used the time to make Youtube comedy videos on music. For Walker, making the videos was always something he wanted to do, but never had the time to do it. Now isolated, he had more time to practice his new hobby.
“Making these videos is a major stress reliever from the coronavirus scare,” Walker said. “It keeps me from getting downhearted hearing about all of the people infected and dying.”
Yet, some students have used the time to track the progress of Covid-19, and are trying to warn others to take it more seriously. Freshman Tobias Freeman said he has spent his time looking at local and national news regularly to keep up with the virus, then streaming on social media platforms to warn others about the severity of it.
“I don’t think enough people are taking it as seriously as they should, especially younger people,” Freeman said. “I still see some of my friends going out and hanging out while all of this is going on. People have to realize how serious this virus is.” As of today, more than 65,000 people have been infected nationally, with 931 deaths recorded so far. In Tennessee, there 903 active cases of the coronavirus, with three deaths so far.
