BY: ESTHER MORALES
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, April 30, 2020
With the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the country, all Americans have been affected one way or another. Businesses have shut down, employees have set up home offices, and gloves and masks have now become essential items. The “six feet apart” rule has become the new normal and there is no clear end in sight. College students paying for the campus experience have packed up, moved back home for the remainder of the semester, and must adjust to online classes. Lockdown orders and mandates across states vary depending on case numbers but according to the Center for Disease Control, social distancing is the best way to stop the spread of the virus.
At Alabama State University, students left campus in mid March and are adjusting to their new lifestyle of online classes. I interviewed them via Zoom to see how they are coping. Hali Cameron is from Tuskegee, Alabama, and is currently a senior at Alabama State University. She is a passionate writer majoring in print journalism and plans to graduate this coming Fall if classes return to in-person sessions. Aside from classwork, keeping her on her toes all through the quarantine is her 2-year-old daughter, Cassiti.
Two hours away in Birmingham we caught up with another ASU student, Christian Starkey. Starkey is a senior communication major and has been self-isolating with his sister back home.
The stay-at-home order in Alabama expired on April 30 and immediately following, the “safer at home” order went into effect. Under the “safer at home” order, Governor Kay Ivey encourages citizens to continue practicing good sanitation and stay at home, although it is not required as stores open back up. Since my interview with Cameron, there have been an additional 37 confirmed coronavirus cases in Macon County, bringing the total to 42, and two confirmed deaths.
Over in Jefferson County, 93 miles from the ASU campus, there have been a total of 1,048 confirmed coronavirus cases and 54 deaths. Only going into effect on May 1 is an order requiring residents to wear face coverings when in public places and facilities. Both counties have a curfew requiring all residents to stay home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
As a commuter, Cameron is used to living at home, but for college students like Starkey who have had to empty their dorms, it’s taken more of an adjustment. Currently, Starkey is quarantined in his Birmingham home with his sister. Most of his closest friends are from ASU and he shares it's been difficult not seeing them every day around campus. During the summers when he does return home, he takes the time to visit his old friends and family but that has all come to a halt.
Before lockdown, Starkey looked forward to attending his internship with the Alabama State Publications Department, which as a result of the campus closing has ended. From home now he relies on taking naps, watching basketball, and playing video games to fill his day. For the safety of those closest to them, the only way many people will be able to see loved ones is through Facetime. It's especially dangerous for those who have underlying medical conditions or weak immune systems like Cameron.
People are only urged to only leave their home if it's absolutely essential for medicine and groceries. Apart from that, she says, she is on complete lockdown. This has not only affected Cameron seeing her family, whom she is very close to, but her young daughter has to go an extended amount of time without seeing her father. The only time these two are able to see anyone is when Cameron's mother visits to help watch her 2-year-old so she is able venture out for food.
Hali shares that her commute to the ASU campus was about an hour each day and is currently out of work from her retail job, now receiving unemployment pay. She is a passionate writer and had hopes of attending a summer internship she acquired with The Tallassee Tribune but is now unsure whether or not it will be canceled.
Classes for students at Alabama State for the spring semester have since ended but that doesn’t mean fun in the sun yet. As the state slowly starts to open back up, it’s important for residents to proceed with caution and continue social distancing and practicing proper sanitation. According to the CDC, as of May 13, Alabama has 10,413 confirmed COVID-19 cases and is ranked 26th in the United States for highest number of coronavirus cases. Regardless of these numbers, the pandemic needs to be taken seriously and all people need to continue social distancing until they can show a 14-day decline in cases in order for their state to reopen.
With recreational plans and internships canceled this summer, college students everywhere must remind themselves not to lose hope. Quarantine and social distancing gives us the time to learn new skills and grow relationships as we try and prepare for the uncertain future. During these confusing times, Cameron and Starkey like to look at the positive side of things, as we all should.
Credits:
Created with images by LOGAN WEAVER - "untitled image" • United Nations COVID-19 Response - "Stay home, stay safe. Stay within your personal sphere, and protect the globe. If we are together in being alone, we can save lives. Image created by Tori Bidwell. Submitted for United Nations Global Call Out To Creatives - help stop the spread of COVID-19."