"Covid Inn" - Living in the Isolation Dorm

 

After a month of staying at UK, I finally tested positive for Covid-19. When I tested positive for the coronavirus, I was not able to go home due to Chicago's restricted travel ban. My parents would not be able to quarantine due to their jobs, which meant that I had to stay at University Inn, a designated Covid positive isolation dorm. My stay there was honestly the worst part about having the virus. The virus itself wasn't bad; the fever and chills ended after a day, the cough and shortness of breathe lasted about a week, lost my taste and smell for 2 weeks, and generally felt tired for a little over a week. Having Covid felt like having a bad head cold. Staying in the isolation dorm was lonely, depressing, and constricting. Understandably, I was not allowed to have any contact with anyone. I know that this was to prevent the spread of the virus, but it gets extremely lonely when you don't see another human for 10 straight days. The dorm itself was slightly depressing; there was a single sheet and pillow on the bed, an extra bed that was empty, and only one lamp that worked. My window was locked shut to prevent me from opening it. I was not allowed to sit outside to get fresh air and vitamin D. There was no choice on what food you got, or when it got there. Your only other option was to use DoorDash when the food wasn't appetizing. Once I was feeling better, I got extremely restless and irritated that I was confined to the same 4 walls every day. By the end of my isolation, I was going crazy and needed to get out as soon as possible. I will never forget the feeling and excitement I got when the Lexington-Fayette Health Department finally released me from isolation. Who knew a little letter in an email can make you feel so alive.

City of Chicago's Quarantine Effects at UK

Since May, the city of Chicago has implemented a new policy that states if you visit a "red state", you must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to your daily activities and work. These red states are the states who've had outbreaks in the summer and fall season, Kentucky being one of them. Because of this, my parents have not been able to come visit me since they dropped me off on August 10th. I have also not been able to go home, both for visiting my friends and family and to isolate when I had Covid. College is already challenging without a global pandemic. On top of this, I am 5 and a half hours away from my family, and haven't seen them once in 2 months. I didn't even have the option to go home when I had Covid due to the travel ban. I would have to quarantine for 14 days, which would extend the amount of time I was in isolation, as well as require my parents to quarantine. I do understand Lightfoot's reasons to have a restrictions on movement for Chicago residents, but I do hope I can give my parents a hug soon.

Second Week with Covid

Saturday 9/12 - Today has been extremely boring. I haven't had much energy to do anything (which there's nothing to do). I've spent the entire day watching movies, and occasionally, watching tv show instead. I decided to order dinner through DoorDash tonight as as treat, but ended up losing my taste today. My mom also sent me Insomnia, which did brighten my mood slightly. 

Sunday 9/13 - I still can't taste anything, and now my smell is gone too. My cough is getting better, and I am starting to get a little more energy. This week is exam week, so thankfully I will be busy during isolation. 

Monday 9/14 - My cough is improving, as well as my ability to breathe. I still can't taste or smell anything. That feeling is the strangest feeling. If you gave me orange juice without me knowing, I could tell it was orange juice based off the acid when it hits the back of my throat, even though I can't taste it.

Tuesday 9/15 - I am starting to feel like myself again. I now pace back and forth in my room for hours to try and get exercise. I asked the CRM (Covid Residence Managers) if I could walk around outside for a little bit to get some fresh air, and they said no. They even locked my window, so I am stuck with my AC for the rest of the time here. These isolation rules are honestly the worst part about having Covid.

Wednesday 9/16 - I am feeling 100% myself today! I still can't taste or smell anything, but most of my other symptoms have passed. Hopefully, I will get out this weekend, since isolation lasts for 10 days after your first symptom.

Thursday 9/17 - If I don't get out tomorrow, I might lose my mind. Not being able to go outside and walk around is driving me crazy. It dawned on me today that I haven't seen an actual person in a week and a half. 

Friday 9/18 - I WAS RELEASED TODAY! I still can't taste or smell anything, but apparently this can last for a while after you test positive (UPDATE! I ended up not being able to taste or smell for another week and a half). I moved out of the isolation dorm, and am officially back to my own bed, sheets, and dorm room! WOOHOO!!

Covid's Affect on the Classroom

The main effect the pandemic has had on my life is the way our education system works. Since March, I have been zooming into my classes from the comfort of my home, rather than seeing my teachers and professors face-to-face. This all sounds luxurious; not having to get up from bed, staying in your pajamas, turning your camera off and zoning out when you wish. But, the truth is, online learning is not beneficial, and is creating a large gap between those who can easily access internet, and those who can't. There are some individuals who just can't afford high speed internet or a computer, which are 2 resources needed for online learning. These students who simply can't afford the technology needed for class now are suffering with failing grades, and even are dropping out of school all together. In today's world with the pandemic, your socioeconomic status directly correlates with your future. Students no longer have the opportunity to attend school, since they don't have the resources to join in on the online servers. I believe that there should be a hardship clause for students who truly cannot complete their coursework due to the pandemic. If students are able to prove that they do not have access to internet or a laptop, extensions should be granted by teachers, or even a "gap year" should be allowed to be taken until classes are in person again. Personally, I do not think I am as prepared for my future as the previous years. Online learning is difficult; it's easy to get distracted, challenging to learn concepts on your own, and difficult to keep track of when assignments are due. Students are now expected to learn and grasp a concept without much interaction or discussion. Online learning takes out the application part of our learning, which ensures that students truly grasps the concepts. Because of this, students will either have a harder time in the upcoming years, or the job market and education system will shift due to a whole generation losing so much time in school.

UK Core Issue: How Do We Distribute Covid Vaccines?

I would start by distributing the vaccine to those are at the highest risk. These people should no long have to hide from the disease, and should be able to get some resistance without having to get the disease. Next, I would distribute the vaccine to all front line workers, like teachers and healthcare workers. This would be to help move the process of in person learning along. Most schools are still participating in e-learning because of staff fears of contracting the virus. If the vaccine was distributed to the teachers, as well as healthcare worker who are at the front lines, we can hopefully move from online meetings to larger groups. The students at UK would not be given the vaccine. Most of the students at UK are not in a position of need of the vaccine. It would benefit the community for others to get the vaccine first, and let UK students pass the virus to other UK students. Even though this will increase the amount of cases, I personally think the vaccines should be used on those that need it most, and people who are in direct contact with the virus.

Covid-19 in the 21st Century Pop Culture

The pandemic has not only been the main topic of the news, but also many pop culture references as well. The picture above is my favorite meme concerning the pandemic. Wearing face masks is a new social barrier that many are not used to. The awkward moments riding in the same elevator, or passing someone in the grocery store isle can no longer be softened with a quick smile. Over the summer, I worked in a dental office, and had to wear a mask for the entire day. I quickly realized I had to rely on my eyes, and the tone of my voice to greet patients rather than my smile. The picture below is a meme my high school French teacher sent me. It says "The first word that you find is your vacation destination" and every word on the board is "maison" or "house" in English. The French take their vacation periods very seriously, and often go on extravagant vacations. This meme was very appropriate for the pandemic, while they were on strict lockdowns. This is applicable in the US as well.

Covid During Chicago Riots

 Living in the city of Chicago right now is not the best. People constantly live in fear because of the pandemic, especially since the city is so populated and everyone is packed on top of each other. On top of this, brutal riots have broken out throughout the summer, starting with the death of George Floyd. These riots are extremely violent; citizens smash through storefronts and steal anything in site, people run over cops, cops spray the crowds with tear gas and rubber bullets, cars set on fire, and thousands running without masks. The bridges surrounding Chicago were drawn, keeping everyone outside the city out, and everyone inside the city in. Not only do businesses have to worry about the decrease in business, but many did not make it out of the pandemic due to shop repairs and loss merchandise. The CDC also strongly recommends small gatherings, which is not followed during these riots. People are endangering the lives of the entire city, just by gathering for the riots. Covid can easily spread in that environment, and will only prolong the Chicago-Covid crisis. You currently have to quarantine for 14 days before entering Chicago if you are coming from out of state. This means that I have to quarantine for 14 days before I can go home to see my family, forcing me to stay by myself at UK with Covid. 

Our Covid Food Plan

 My family ate out A LOT more during the pandemic. My neighborhood is full of small, family owned restaurants that really felt the loss during the pandemic. My community stepped up and most of us ate out at least 2-3 times per week to make sure these businesses stay open. My mom even joined a Facebook group called "Western Springs Restaurants" where people would recommend certain restraints, promote specials and deals, and even assign what last names should eat out when to ensure every restaurant was accounted for. The only time that my family was worried during the pandemic about food was during the national meat shortage. We have a butcher shop in our community that always has very fresh meat, but during the shortage, they were selling out quickly. My family isn't necessarily "organic" but we definitely eat as healthy and fresh as we can. Both my parents were worried during the shortage that we wouldn't be able to get non-processed meat, but we ended up having plenty. Staying at the UK Covid dorm, they actually give us quite a bit of food. There's always an entree, 2 sides, and a dessert. I have found myself eating more with Covid than I did while staying in a dorm. The food is delivered to me, and it's cafeteria quality, which is what I would have eaten in the normal dorms. The picture below is my 2nd dinner in quarantine.

My Covid Information Source

At the beginning of the Covid pandemic, I turned to the news to inform me on the pandemic, and any information that I needed. As time went on, I noticed that Covid started to become politicalized, and information shared was different depending on where you got it from. Once this happened, I took a break from listening to "Covid news". This was probably not the best decision because I was very uninformed about what the cases looked like, both in the US and globally, but I also was not staying updated on any new symptoms are precautions. My parents usually watch the same news outlet that I watch, so our information was the same. I do not trust social media, especially social media posts that teenagers post. Most of their posts about Covid are emotional, and promote something we should or shouldn't be doing. Instead of posting factual information about case numbers, deaths, or news about a vaccine, most people of my generation fight about the usage of masks, where to get trendy masks from, or if they even think the pandemic is real or not (yes, I did see a lot of posts claiming that the pandemic is made up). This whirlwind of information is worse than the actual pandemic itself. Causing mass panic and hysteria is not the way to go about a global pandemic, and will not make the stressful and tight situations we all have experienced any easier. The pandemic is dangerous; it's contagious and can seriously affect those who have compromised immune systems. If someone sees multiple posts claiming that it's not real, they might be inclined to participate in high risk activities, become infected, and prolong the pandemic.

First Week with Covid Symptoms

Monday 9/7 - I had a cough, but I can't tell if it's my allergies or if it's something else. My roommate and I joke that I have Covid, especially when people stare at me in the dining hall when I cough. I have no other symptoms though, so I'm fine. I'm excited for my allergies to go away though.

Tuesday 9/8 - Woke up this morning with a 102° fever. I barley slept because I had the cold sweats, fever dreams, and was coughing all night. I have isolated myself in my room, but haven't gotten a test. I still don't think I have Covid (which sounds stupid) but I can still taste and smell, and I always get sinus infections around this time. 

Wednesday 9/9 - I made an appointment with UHS to get a prescription for my sinus infection. She prescribed me a general antibiotic, but is still requiring me to get a Covid test to be safe. I am in Tier 2 UK mandatory isolation, meaning I can't see any of my friends, or go anywhere outside my room.

Thursday 9/10 - I got a call today that I am positive for Covid. My symptoms have gotten worse since Tuesday; I don't have a fever anymore, but my cough is worse, my chest is tight, it's harder to breathe, and I have a terrible headache. My abdomen hurts from coughing so much. My head is so congested. I moved into the isolation dorms today. This is going to be a LONG 2 weeks. The bed is comfortable, and it comes with a fridge and a microwave. I am not allowed to leave my room at all though, and I can't even do my own laundry! 

Friday 9/11 - Today is my first full day at the quarantine dorm. It's so lonely. The food is okay, but I still ordered groceries to get delivered so I have some option. My symptoms haven't gotten any better, but at least they're not any worse. It's hard watching everyone I know get to go outside and actually talk to people. Today, I just did some homework, watched some movies, and slept. Hoping this goes by quickly! The video above is my quarantine dorm, as well as my dinner that was dropped off that night.

When Will We Go Home?

 Personally, I think that we will stay on campus until November. First of all, the university would lose a lot of money if we transitioned to fully online. Many people would no longer wish to live in a dorm and many would require decrease in tuition. This might not be the most moral thing to base a decision off of, but it definitely will be a large impact on the university. Also, UK has an amazing Covid plan compared to other colleges. University of Iowa, for example, has not tested any of their students, which is allowing the virus to spread largely, and undetected, throughout the student body. This is putting all students at risk because they are never sure who truly has the disease, or who is just not feeling well due to allergies or a general cold. Meanwhile, UK just required the Covid hotspot organizations to be retested to help stop the spread. 

Life as a Dental Assistant - Covid Edition

My name is Kate Mitchell and I am an 18 year old from Chicago. Over the summer, I worked in the Water Tower Place as a dental assistant for a cosmetic dentist. Working at one of the biggest tourist spots in Chicago, as well as in a dentistry where face masks can only be worn by patients for so long put me at the center of the Covid pandemic. The picture above is me wearing my daily protective gear.  I am wearing an N95 mask (white), a grade one standard mask (green), as well as a certified face shield (plastic shield). These masks were rotated daily; we had one for each day of the week. Masks and face coverings were so high in demand, and so expensive, our office could not get enough to give a new mask to the dentist, hygienist, and I each day. The office workers were only supplied with grade one masks and plastic shields between the desks because of this. Every day going into the office, we would have to take our temperature and wash our hands, change our shoes so we don't track Covid into or out of the office, change into scrubs, and put on our assigned masks for that day. The 3 extreme layers made it very difficult to breathe, and I often found myself light headed and dizzy due to the lack of oxygen. I also got extremely nauseous throughout the day, both from the lack of oxygen, and not being able to take the masks off to eat or drink water. I often spent my lunch breaks making hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for our office, which was our main disinfectant against Covid. We would wipe down every surface a patient would touch with HOCl, as well as fog the rooms with this solution. Working in a medical facility during Covid made the pandemic much more real, and scary.