Coping with COVID

how is the spectrum staff coping with covid?

What have you been up to during stay-at-home periods?

"Baking, making crafts, working out." - Rachel

"Reading and Binge watching favorite shows." - Britta

"At home I have been getting more work done in study hall because it is easier to work with a desk instead of on the bleachers. Non-school wise, I have been working out a lot more and making sure the house is clean since I am home a lot more." - Abby

"Trying to keep my health/physical activity up." - Brooklan

"Watching Netflix, online shopping, facetiming my friends." - Andrea

"Cleaning, organizing, calling friends." - Lily

"I have been watching a lot more Netflix. This time has given me the opportunity to become a little bit more organized, read a little bit more, and draw/doodle/make art. I have also been spending a lot of time listening to music & finding new music which has been really cool." - Maggi

"During stay-at-home periods I have organized my room and closet along with visiting various Metroparks in Northern Ohio." - Elena

"Doing schoolwork, working out, going on runs, and playing video games with my friends." - Jackson

Do you have any song, book, show, or movie recommendations that helped you pass the time?

"Brooklyn 99, Community, Disney movies." - Rachel

"Grey's Anatomy, Dash and Lily." - Britta

"Music has for sure helped. I watched all 8 Harry Potter movies with my friends and family which was fun since I had only read the books before." - Abby

"ThisTime by Arrows in action, The Selection series, The Mandolorian, Scooby Doo, or The seven deadly Sins." - Brooklan

"American Horror Story." - Andrea

"The Office (of course), American Horror Story, and The Great British Baking Show." - Maggi

"One of my favorite shows over quarantine has been American Horror Story. I also enjoyed re-reading all of the Harry Potter books and watching the movies as well." - Elena

"Well The Office is an obvious suggestion, but other than that I'd say Criminal Minds." - Jackson

How do you feel about being back at school?

"I'm so happy to be back and able to see my friends and teachers in person again, but I'm still nervous about safety, especially now that the county is purple." - Rachel

"I was just getting into a online routine, but I am glad to see my friends." - Britta

"I love being at school and being able to interact with everyone, but the risk of getting people sick before the holidays is concerning because it should be time spent with family, not in quarantine." - Abby

"It is a double-edged sword. At home, I was simultaneously able to go to school and get other things done. However, the one thing that was lacking on online school was restored when we came back to school: the social aspect that we need as developing teens. But being back in school has taken away some advantages of being online." Brooklan

"I like in-person better than online, so I am happy." - Andrea

"Concerned." -Lily

"I feel okay. After adjusting to online school, it was a little weird to be back at in person school. It was definitely a very stressful and overwhelming first week back for me. I'm not exactly sure how safe it is to be back, but it is nice to be back around my friends. I also think that I learn better in school as opposed to online school." - Maggi

"I am thrilled to be back at school because I find that it is easier to learn and absorb the material when I am in school versus at home." - Elena

"I'm glad we are back at school, being at home makes me unmotivated and I learn better in person."
- Jackson

What ideas do you have for COVID-safe holiday activities?

"Driving around to look at Christmas lights and virtual movie nights with Netflix Party or Google Meet screen share." - Rachel

"A social distanced with masks worn outdoor family bonfire for Thanksgiving." - Britta

"Instead of doing Christmas parties, my family is doing a zoom and we drop off gifts on their porch. Also, being outside is better than inside so getting cozy with an outside fire could be fun and social distance friendly." - Abby

"Keep it limited to immediate family." - Brooklan

"Zoom Christmas dinner with family and friends, sending Secret Santa gifts from online straight to your friends' houses." - Andrea

"Calling friends." - Lily

"Staying home with your family and watching Christmas movies or having a game night. Also baking Christmas cookies." - Maggi

"During the holidays, it is always fun to watch your favorite Christmas movies. In order to stay socially distanced, you could watch Christmas movies over Zoom with your friends or family." - Elena

"I made ginger bread houses with my family today." - Jackson

How are you spending your holidays?

"My family wore masks and ate in separate rooms for Thanksgiving. We're also having more FaceTimes with extended family." - Rachel

"At the same place we always do, but probably without seeing family." - Britta

"I am traveling to the Florida Keys with my family to spend some time with our close friends." - Abby

"I'm keeping it small." - Brooklan

"My family is planning a Zoom meeting with my cousins and aunt/uncle on Christmas because we usually go over there." - Andrea

"Staying home with family I've been with for several months." - Lily

"I am spending my Christmas at home with just my immediate family, which is very different from past years because I have a big family and we usually celebrate with all of my aunts & uncles & cousins. So this year, sadly, it is just us. We will probably do a zoom call with the rest of our family at some point too." - Maggi

"This year instead of spending the holidays with my grandparents and cousins, I will just be celebrating with my family. We do not have a plan yet, but we will most likely FaceTime with my grandparents."
- Elena

"I'm really just spending Christmas at home with my family like usual." - Jackson

Do you have any helpful advice for anyone who's been struggling with being at home?

"Keep yourself busy, find a new hobby, spend as much time outside with real sunlight as possible, set aside time away from screens, reach out to old friends, and be sure to take care of yourself! This is a difficult time for everyone, so relax and take a break when you need it :)"
- Rachel

"Find some ways to stay in routine - even though you can stay up all night doesn't mean that you should." - Britta

"Try to make your own schedule. Knowing you have to get up and get ready at a certain time really helped me feel like I was still at school. Also try to go to a different room for every class to get a different setting. Working out also really helps get your body moving since we aren't moving as much during the day." - Abby

"Use this time wisely." - Brooklan

"Talk to your friends every day and make sure to have some 'me time' scheduled frequently." - Andrea

"I would say to just find ways to keep yourself busy. Treat your daily life as if it were normal - get up, get ready for the day, and then find things to do. Try to keep a positive outlook on this entire situation - try to remind yourself that we are staying at home to protect our loved ones and those serving us." - Maggi

"When you're constantly stuck at home, you tend to feel trapped. I've found that going outside for a walk everyday drastically changes your mood and it helps you sleep better as well!" - Elena

"Just try to find a new hobby that sparks your interest." - Jackson