Covid Journal: Maine

Elijah McGill

4/11/19

It’s Passover, and we’ve already had two of the plagues, at least in Maine. First coronavirus, now one of the largest powers outages we’ve seen since the infamous ice storm of ‘98. As a first-born child, should I be worried?

But in all seriousness, it apparently takes two plagues to motivate me to actually begin journaling. So I sit here writing with a headlamp, a candle, and a gas stove that’s keeping me warm (not as good as a wood stove but it’ll do the job).

While delaying my journaling has prevented me from documenting the rawer emotions of the early days of this pandemic, it allows me to write with a little more perspective. The being cooped up with no power for 2+ days definitely adds to the perspective and reflection too. So, here’s my takeaways so far.

1. Motivation is hard at home. Ex: me starting this journal now, a full month later. It's hard enough to get out of bed for a class you know you can always watch a recording of later. It’s even harder to motivate to work on a huge essay when the only places you have to work are your kitchen and bedroom. And I now I have things a lot better than some people. So, #1, motivation is hard.

2. Friendships are surviving and even being strengthened. There are multiple people who I’d say I’m closer with today than I was a month ago. Some of that happened in the week before we left, but a lot of that has happened more recently. For example, when one of my professors mentioned I wasn't in zoom because my power is out, three different people from that class reached out to check on me and offer encouragement, and photos and videos of warmer weather. Little things like that can really matter, and I know it raised my spirits immensely. Tragedy really does bring people closer together. And since we can’t be physically together, people have gotten really creative. Which brings me to my next point.

3. Creativity is the light guiding us through the storm. This means two things. First of all, people are being incredibly creative in how we bond and share important moments. I’ve been part of Zoom movie viewings, Zoom cooking competitions, and Facetimes from all over the world. With hometown friends, I’ve played tennis (because there’s literally a divider between us), gone sledding (since everyone brings their own), and gone for socially distant 3 hour walks. Human connection has found a way to persevere. Second, the arts are really shining. Just within my family I’ve had impromptu sing alongs and family jam sessions. I cried when I watched the whole original Broadway cast of Hamilton Zoom in to surprise a 9 year old girl. I know there have been so many other stories around the world from people singing from the balconies in Northern Italy to the Colorado Symphony playing Ode to Joy over Zoom to lift all our moods. And so many artists have been sharing their work for free. Art is really helping us hold together.

There are a million other things I could write about this time, about lives changed and challenges overcome. But these three points have stood out the most to me, and I think are relatively universal from those I’ve talked to.

Even in these hard times, we’re finding a way.

Sincerely,

Eli