by Rachel Klein ’22

I keep thinking to myself that this isn’t so bad, but in reality, it is. I have done some research on the topic of dangers of social isolation in teens, mostly because I have nothing better to do. Social isolation can be very harmful to not only teen’s, but everyone’s mental health. Personally, I’m not sure how much longer I can stand being around the same three people for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As much as I love my family, it is only normal to become sick of the people you are around too much. Before this shelter in place that Governor Hogan put in place, I was able to go outside with my friends, skateboard, paint outside, play sports, and basically anything else that is fun to do. However, I am now trapped inside my house, and am extremely stressed over all of this school work and lack of direction. 

One of the worst parts is not knowing what is going to happen next. What is going to happen during the fourth quarter? I won’t know until we get there. The suspense makes the anxiety worse. Not only did the coronavirus take away socializing, but it is taking away precious time in our adolescence. That sounds very cheesy, but I was just starting to learn how to drive, which is a very big deal to me. The MVA closed just a few days before I was eligible to get my permit. I was supposed to go to Disney World this summer with my friends, but now I’m not sure that will happen. Coronavirus is taking away everything that we have to look forward to, and nobody knows when it will end. I still try to find the bright side … but it is getting harder with each passing day.