by Nettie James-Drost, 04/09/2020, Traverse City, MI

Middle School 6-8 Category

This Virus Is a Double Edged Sword

By: Nettie James-Drost

When the school year started I was excited to have a great end to my last year in middle school. I never expected to be a part of a worldwide pandemic that has killed more than 10,000 people and shut down our school 3 months early. I take this time as an opportunity, I take advantage of having this in my life. I never knew how lucky we were to be able to go out and do things whenever, hang out with friends without worrying about a virus or be able to hang out with friends at all. We take so many things for granted. This pandemic is putting our life in perspective.
Although this is an awful time for many people either suffering from the virus, have friends or family suffering with the virus, or the hardworking healthcare workers who put their lives on hold to help other people. It also gives us time to stay home and have more family time and make every single city and town stronger with help from everyone in the community. Either if it’s leaving toilet paper and hand sanitizer on the doorstep for UPS and FedEx workers, or your family throwing a prom at home because you weren’t able to have one this year.

Lots of people still have to work while this is going on, also many kind and thankful citizens are showing many ways to show them how they appreciate what they are doing. Being kind is making our community so much stronger and we are all helping each other out through this time. Lots of people showed up outside a hospital and cheered on the workers as they helped and cared for people who had COVID-19. Certain people in neighborhoods have also put up uplifting messages in their windows to keep our spirits up. This is opening lots of great opportunities to build community through kindness.

Having to stay home is making us realize what we are missing during this quarantine, however it is also making us discover the little things we can enjoy with our family. I know I am glad to be able to still have the internet, being able to walk my dog and have bonfires with my family. I also realize all the things I took for granted, being able to go see my horse any time I wanted and being able to hang out with my friends as well. This is making me appreciate the little things in life.

When this is over I will make sure to visit my horse as much as I can and make sure to have as many sleepovers as I can. I can’t believe a thirteen year old is saying this but I don’t want to sit on my phone anymore. I want to be able to see all the people I miss. I want to go back to school, I miss it! This has shown me how grateful I should be for all the things I have.