Mehr Grewal, 13 Bellevue, WA The Quarantine Generation: the World on Reboot–From the Lens of a Teenager By Mehr Grewal, 13 I turned 13 on March 28th. My milestone birthday was spent in quarantine. A mightier contender took the spotlight away from me. COVID-19 decided to flex its muscles and turn the world around—a 13th birthday is no match. Family, friends and teachers had been building the excitement around this important landmark which would be a turning point in my life. Indeed, life has turned for not just me, but the entire planet! In fact, we have been forced to reboot, press the reset button and pause… I am a 7th grader in Seattle, balancing schoolwork and a passion for community outreach, with a focus on mental health. I have used my writing, and voice, to raise awareness of mental health issues surrounding my peers today. I strive to initiate programs (like my campaigns “Teen Mental Health Cafés”, youth4positive communities) dedicated to the wellbeing of my peers. Through my work, I hope to impact my community positively. However, the night of February 28th, everything changed for me in Seattle. An invisible enemy invaded my city and decided to shake up our lives. Washington, and the rest of the U.S. quivered under the impact of COVID-19. A vibrant community is reeling under a storm as first responders (like my mother who is a doctor) grapple to save lives. My perspective of the storm is from the lens of a teenager. As I see the amazing adults around me tackle the virus and provide essential services–doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers, grocery store workers–I also see a new world emerging. I am compelled to a realization that my generation, which I now choose to call the “quarantine generation,” is charged with new responsibilities. We are being looked upon to rise up to new challenges. Unbeknownst to us, we will soon be the flag bearers of the NEW world. Let’s take a look at history. Sir Isaac Newton, at home during the Great Plague epidemic of 1665-6, discovered the law of gravity as he observed an apple falling from a tree he was studying. The devastating Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, which took 21 million lives worldwide, triggered research towards developing an influenza vaccine that helps protect us today. The polio epidemic of the 1920s sparked the invention and use of the ‘iron lungs’–ventilators as we now know them. This life saving device takes over the work of breathing from patients who are critically ill, keeping them alive. The AIDS epidemic that began in 1981, moving across the globe swiftly, sparked herculean investigation and experimentation, and in 2020 HIV is a treatable condition with patients living a normal life span and actually, a few patients being cured of the disease. Conditions that seemed unsurmountable, that tried to crush the spirits of populations, generated revolutionary ideas, prompted innovations and triggered new discoveries. Adversity propelled the human mind to stretch and overcome. Today, seemingly, the world is at a standstill and so are teenagers like me. We, the ‘IGens,’ a generation permeated by the mobile web and social media, often restless and anxious, and dealing with our unique emotional challenges, will develop the grit and determination needed to lead the world–thanks to the Quarantine. I wonder when this is over, can I hope the world will emerge stronger? Will this lead to collective resilience? Our generation is armed with the potential for hard work, respect for diversity, inclusion and social justice. Now, this quarantine is arming us with fortitude. I see the birth of a New World– I envision us, the youth, as changemakers in a New World post-COVID. I visualize us as leaders who will steer our communities, scientists who will push towards environmental sustainability, innovators who will find a way to provide universal healthcare, doctors who will find lifesaving cures and fight these contagions, artists who will enrich the lives of a hurting community, and–I see us restoring the harmony in the world. As the world reboots, I will be ready with a new resolve to spearhead change as part of the Quarantine Generation.
Pandemic Prohibitions, a drawing by Leila Ortiz, 8
Leila Ortiz, 8Brooklyn, NY Pandemic Prohibitions Leila Ortiz, 8 In this drawing there are 2 best friends wanting to hug each other but they aren’t allowed due to CoVid19. Pandemic Prohibitions, by Leila Ortiz, 8
A global epidemic through the eyes of a 10-year-old, a journal by Ryan Marcinkowski
Ryan Marcinkowski, 10Basalt, CO A global epidemic through the eyes of a 10-year-old Ryan Marcinkowski, 10 Then I googled it. “Corona is an island kingdom and the birthplace of Rapunzel in Disney’s 2010 animated feature film, Tangled. The central hub of Corona’s kingdom was built on an island and grew over many years.” I had a conversation with my mom’s cousin who was visiting us. He said, “Coronaviruses were first discovered in the mid to late 1900’s. Knowing how witty the writers can be I am sure they had knowledge of these viruses and slipped that in there as a joke back then.” Little did they know how much interest they would create later. * * * Since social distancing, I’ve adjusted to the changes. I have a schedule Monday – Friday which helps. This is what my day looks like. I wake up around 8:00 A.M then brush my teeth, get dressed, eat breakfast, do homework, exercise, have lunch, do homework, go outside to bike, family time, dinner, get ready for bed. I feel okay about the changes in our community but the people in our town and our community have to come together, listen and stay home. People are more cautious but I still notice that people go and hangout with their friends when they should be social distancing. Instead they are not listening and putting everyone at risk. It’s frustrating to see. Local businesses are being affected due to COVID-19. Stores have had to close during this time or offer limited services. Everyone has to wear face masks to enter a restaurant or store. Restaurants have been able to offer food “To Go”, retail shops have been limiting customers to ten people at a time allowed or offering curbside pick up. As a family we have been shopping locally and supporting a local business two times a week. Just think if everyone could do that to support local businesses. It would help out our community. My Journal Log Friday, March 13, 2020 Today school tells us 3 extra days of Spring break due to COVID-19 as a safety precaution. Sunday, March 15, 2020 Today is my birthday party. A lot of people couldn’t come because they were social-distancing, but we still had fun with close friends and family that were visiting. Monday March 16 ,2020 Day 1 of social distancing for our family. Mom and Dad told us that we are not going anywhere for spring break. We originally planned on going to Japan and Thailand. That’s where COVID-19 was, so we changed our travel plans to Hawaii. We ended up cancelling as a safety precaution. Then we found out that no one could travel from England into the United States due to COVID-19. My aunt, uncle and cousin were going to fly out from London over Easter for two weeks to visit. My Grand Dad was going to fly out from California for ten days. They had to cancel their trip. Friday March 20, 2020 My Dad had to tell his managers they don’t have jobs for 2 to 3 months. It is called furlough which is a temporary lay off. It was one of the hardest things he’s had to do. We are very lucky my Dad still has his job. Monday March 23, 2020 My Mom started a realistic homeschooling schedule. Tuesday March 24 ,2020 The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo officially postponed until summer 2021. This has not happened since the Berlin Summer Olympics in 1916 due to the outbreak of World War 1. Thursday March 26, 2020 The stay at home order was issued starting today through April 17, 2020. April 1, 2020 Today Dad drove to Boulder to pick up my god sister who goes to CU to bring her to our home to keep her safe. She can’t fly home to Australia as they quarantine all passengers at a hotel in Sydney for two weeks and her parents did not feel comfortable having her go through that. She will be staying with us until it is safe for her to go back to university or fly home to Australia. I got to speak to my teachers today about online learning. It was great to hear the plan and also so nice to talk to them. I miss them! The Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis announced that schools are ordered to stay closed at least until April 30. We still have not heard an official date from the school district when we will be able to go back to school. April 2, 2020 Today we went on a field trip to check out the free lunches the Roaring Fork School District is handing out off the school bus. It was fun to actually see people for a change. April 3, 2020 My Mom and Dad told me that my archaeology trip to Crow Canyon in June was cancelled due to COVID-19. I was really looking forward to this trip with my teacher and friends. April 6, 2020 The Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis announced that the stay at home order is now through April 26, 2020. April 9, 2020 I had my first online Crew meeting with my class today. It was great to see and talk to my teacher and classmates. April 11, 2020 This morning we woke up to this alert. April 13, 2020 We had an online Crew with our class today. We got to see our teacher and classmates and participate which was a lot of fun. April 14, 2020 We had class online office hours today. We got to do a show and tell. I showed my drumstick I received from the drummer Chris Culos from the O.A.R concert I went to in February. It was great to see what other kids brought and ask questions. April 20, 2020 Governor Jared Polis announced that Eagle County will be the first county in Colorado to open back up. April 21, 2020 Our school district announced that school
