Dear Diary…
by: Sarah A
The story of a girl living during the COVID-19 pandemic in Queens, New York City, New York through diary entries.
Thursday, March 12th, 2020
Dear Diary,
It’s me again. School was a lot different today. People are starting to really worry about COVID-19 even though I was told by my mom and teachers that it wouldn’t reach us. Teachers were even talking about school closing for a little while until we can get it under control, but I don’t think I was supposed to hear that. I’m really scared. I don’t even know what to think about it. I asked my mom, but she just told me not to worry. How am I just supposed to not worry when people all around me are freaking out?
It’s later now. My mom told me that school was canceled for tomorrow. I’m going to try to not worry about it for now. I mean, how bad could it really get? Goodnight and I’ll check in later. :)
Sincerely,
Cardon Gray
Wednesday, April 15th, 2020
Dear Diary,
Sorry I haven’t written in a while. Things have been crazy, but also incredibly unbearable. I’ve been out of school for a while now and I guess I’m glad to get a break. It’s still really disappointing. I mean, I’m in high school! I’m 15 and I should be having the time of my life but instead people are dying and I’m stuck at home. Corona just keeps getting worse and worse in the U.S. I haven’t left my house in weeks and I’m rapidly running out of things to do. Easter came and went without any family gatherings; to be honest, it was pretty lonely. I’m getting sick of being stuck in the apartment with just my mom. I mean, it’s nice to spend more time with her, but I’m SOOO BORED. Hopefully things will get better soon and we can end this stupid quarantine. There is no way I’m going to get used to wearing a mask. Anyway, I’ll try and update sooner than last time, but no promises. Bye. :/
Sincerely,
Cardon Gray
Tuesday, June 16th, 2020
Dear Diary,
It’s my birthday today. I’m officially 16. I should be starting to practice driving but Mom doesn’t feel like teaching me right now. She is trying to find a job since the place she worked at closed down and she’s now unemployed. What will that mean for us? Mom won’t really talk about it. Things are getting increasingly worse. There are a ton of Black Lives Matter protests now. I’m glad people are finally speaking up about that so I tried to go march at a protest a little while ago but my mom said it was too dangerous. I mean, it is New York City and the protest would probably end up going down a violent road with the police. We ended up doing some online school through zoom but that’s now over and I’ve exhausted all my options of what to do. I still don’t really leave the house much. I have no motivation to do anything at all anymore. I tried photography but I have nothing interesting to take pictures of. The apartment is too bland. Some of my friends stopped talking to me and shut me out. There are a few I keep in contact with like my best friend Lexi. I’ve been on Tik Tok a lot just spending hours scrolling because I have nothing better to do and it's so addicting. Well, I’m going to go help my mom make dinner and Facetime Lexi. TTYL :/
Sincerely,
Cardon Gray
Monday, September 7th, 2020
Dear Diary,
I’m sorry. This is going to be my last entry for an undetermined amount of time. Corona isn’t getting any better and I’ve lost motivation to do anything at all. I don’t want to write about this time in my life because I don’t want to remember it in any more detail than I already will. I’m so scared with so many horrible things happening. With Kobe Bryant, the killer bees, wildfire, and Covid, the world has become a really sad place. Mom is still having a lot of trouble financially. I haven’t seen any other people in person. I just don’t know what to do anymore. No one was prepared for this and the future is so uncertain. I’m so miserable. I really hope things get better, but for now, goodbye. :(
Sincerely,
Cardon Gray
2021 stinks too.
-Cardon