Summary

The author recounts their personal journey through the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, initially underestimating its impact but ultimately adapting to achieve their goal of moving abroad despite the global disruption.

Abstract

In December 2019, the author was optimistically planning for a transformative 2020, setting ambitious goals and envisioning a significant life change by moving to a different country. Despite past pandemics like H1N1 and Ebola, the severity of COVID-19 was initially dismissed. The author's focus remained on their objectives, even as the pandemic took hold globally. The reality of the situation began to sink in during March 2020, yet hope was maintained through quarantine and personal challenges, including a family argument. Eventually, the reopening of international flights allowed the author to fulfill their dream of moving abroad, navigating the complexities of travel during a pandemic to start a new life, which now seems surreal but ultimately led to positive systemic changes and personal growth.

Opinions

The author initially perceived the coronavirus as no more significant than past pandemics.
There is a belief that ignoring the news contributes to better mental health.
The author had a strong conviction in their plan to move abroad, demonstrating determination and optimism.
Quarantine was seen as a necessary measure to prevent the spread of the virus, but its impact on personal plans was not immediately grasped.
The pandemic led to significant family tension, resulting in a strained relationship with the author's brother.
The reopening of international flights was met with disbelief and relief, signaling a glimmer of hope amidst the pandemic.
Traveling during the pandemic was fraught with concerns about health and safety, yet the author felt it was a risk worth taking to pursue their dreams.
The pandemic has left a lasting impression on the author, who reflects on it as a surreal experience akin to a bad dream.
The author acknowledges that the pandemic has led to lasting changes in public health protocols and personal hygiene practices.

Have You Ever Heard About The Coronavirus Pandemic?

It was crazy…

I remember when I first heard about the coronavirus. I didn’t think it was a big deal.

We’ve had other pandemics before, right?

H1N1, Ebola…

What can be so bad about this one?

It was December 2019. I was living my best life planning all the amazing things I’d do in 2020. I’d never planned a year like that before.

I’d created a list of goals along with the steps I needed to take to achieve them and had envisioned every month of the year.

I had even written a letter to myself describing exactly how and where I was going to be living by the end of the year.

My goals weren’t your normal goals or ordinary new year’s resolutions.

I had a solid plan to save money to move to a different country. I’d been thinking about it and working for it for around three years.

Then January 2020 came, then February… I still didn’t think coronavirus wasn’t that big of a deal.

Maybe because I had gotten into the habit of ignoring the news because they tend to mess up with my head and my mental health.

So I was just living life one day after the other with my eyes fixed on that goal.

Then March came and hell broke loose. But I still had my hopes, you know?

I faced quarantine with the best of moods. It was exactly what I thought needed to be done. People needed to stay home to prevent this thing from spreading further. But somehow, I still hadn’t grasped how that would affect my plans.

I believe I just didn’t want to accept my new reality.

March went by. April went by. April was probably the worst month because I got into a huge argument with my family and my brother stopped talking to me. Thank God we’re more than 3000 miles away.

May went by. May was cool. June went by. July went by. August went by.

And when I thought I’d have to wait countless months more… I received the news: They’re reopening international flights.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but yes.

We got our tickets. Rented a place abroad. Packed our bags. Said our goodbyes. And left.

It wasn’t easy. Traveling during a pandemic. Obviously we didn’t want to get sick nor help spread the virus.

But we made it. We arrived at our new place. It was small but nice. It had a little terrace.

And that’s how we started a new life practically in the middle of a deadly pandemic.

That happened a long time ago. Way before you were born. I still get that weird feeling of how surreal that was. I guess I’ll never stop feeling it was like a bad dream.

But we’re good now. That pandemic helped strengthen a lot of systems.

The coronavirus pandemic is the reason why now you need to take a shower inside the airport right after you enter. And that’s why your mom looks like a lunatic when she cleans the house every day.