Stop Telling Us How to Feel About Coronavirus

By Jaycie Hricak

Senior year of college comes with a lot of emotions. We have to say goodbye to friends and classmates we’ve been around for years, professors we have built strong relationships with, clubs, campus, and for some, the city. I thought I had time.

At this point, I think it can be said that everyone knows how serious the coronavirus is. We see the rising number of cases and overall death toll daily. The media is consuming our lives as panic becomes prevalent amongst many. We see it as a public health crisis. We see, and fear, the lack of a social safety net in America. We know the precautions Temple University, other universities, offices, and the country are taking are necessary. We are thankful for doing what it takes to minimize the virus’ impact on the country.

This moment comes with special challenges. On top of the anxieties we are feeling about the virus itself, soon-to-be graduates are also mourning the loss of our last semester. And that’s okay. I’ve heard numerous individuals attempt to police our feelings through saying things like “Think about the public” or “This is a public health crisis. It is deeper than your ‘special, picture-perfect senior year!’”

We know. Humans are complex creatures. We have the capacity to recognize this as a public health issue while feeling this as a loss. If you are in the mindset of belittlement, there are some things you need to understand.

We do not have to be okay with having only a few hours or days to say goodbye to the people that mean a lot to us. We thought we had another two months to sort through those feelings and say our goodbyes. There are professors and peers who shaped our education and we may never see them again. This campus has become our home. How does one pack up their things and leave their home without any emotions attached?

Temple University is a special school. It’s understandable why online classes are necessary, but what about the parts of the student body that can’t have meaningful classes online? I’m talking about the students who need to be in class to do their art, dance, play their instruments, and work on projects. Their work cannot all be moved online. Even discussion-based classes, like some of my political science and criminal justice classes, are meaningful solely because of the face-to-face contact and connections made while in class. Not every single class translates well online and this makes us upset. We recognize that our professors are going to do their best for us during such a high stress moment in time, but also know we most likely will not be getting the same value as we would in class.

How does one go from daily contact with people with similar passions to isolation? Stop telling us that we have to be okay with this. Moving into isolation is taking the gym, group fitness, after-class Maxi gatherings, and similar pro-social events away from us. For some, these are defining features of our days and do wonders for our mental health. How does one knowingly move into isolation for an unknown amount of time without these things? Especially if we know it may be detrimental to our mental health?

We don’t know if we are going to get a graduation. That in and of itself is an area of grey right now amongst all the announcements. Some of us have already paid for our cap, gown, and chords. Some of us have family who have already booked flights and hotel rooms. The symbolism behind graduation is a big deal for many of us and our families. We are allowed to feel upset about the uncertainty behind graduation. In this moment, it feels like all the hard work was done for nothing. Yes, we still get to graduate and have our diploma, but not having these final goodbyes and big moments hurts. It is allowed to hurt.

Spreading information as to why public health needs to be taken seriously at a time like this is incredibly important. There are constructive ways to do so, and belittling people’s feelings is not one of them. Recognizing that some members of the student body are going through emotional turmoil right now is something that needs to be addressed and understood as we continue to transition online. As a community, we need to recognize the complexities of this situation and support one another. One of those steps is to stop telling others how to feel about the coronavirus. Channel that energy into creating a support system. Let us work through our emotions.

Cover Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash