We all remember the day school was cancelled in March. School never prepared us for the hardships of living through a pandemic. It was quite apocalyptic in a way. As the hallways began to fill with fear, we looked around and thought: “Am I going to be able to see my friends?” Hanging out with friends might not be the best idea on the planet right now, but there are other alternatives.

In the beginning of quarantine, we were all profoundly afraid of the virus. As of April of 2020, there were about 12,753 cases of COVID-19 In the state of Washington. Present day, in the month of November, we’re at 130,000 and counting. In switching from in-person school to online school, many of us felt lonely. So, when the summer heat started rolling around, people began to take risks by hanging out with other people. In August, Washington State University said there were 43 new cases on campus, a situation possibly tied to students holding parties. While we don’t know if students partied or not, there’s still the question of what they were thinking throwing parties during a pandemic. The CDC recommends asking yourself if you really need to go to that party or if you just want to go to it. While it seems fun and carefree to hangout with others, it’s not safe. And it’s okay to say no to a gathering.

"The problem is that while you may not die and you may not even know you're sick, you may be killing other people," Dr. Charles Lockwood, the senior vice president of University of South Florida, says. Young adults and teens might not be immediately affected by COVID-19 as elderly people, or people with serious health conditions, but if we don’t take responsibility, it could cost countless lives. Your want to go to a party easily can result in someone’s need for a hospital bed.

If you absolutely need to meet them in-person, make sure to have a conversation with your friends. Ask questions like “Who have you seen lately?” and “Have you been tested? If so, what were your results?” After all, real friends hold each other accountable.

Over 10 million people have been affected by COVID-19 in the United States. The virus attacks everything in the body; it’s not something we can just brush off. A simple check-up with a friend shouldn’t mean you have to sacrifice your safety and health. Having a talk about boundaries and your behavior helps others as well as yourself.

It’s necessary to reflect on your own actions before considering talking to others. Liz Neely, a lecturer at Yale, advises to begin where you are, claiming, “You are most effective when culture, context, and identity align.” Neely praises having the responsibility of teaching yourself about the pandemic. Most of us are oblivious to the flawed logic we sometimes follow, that “if someone else does it, then it is okay.” But in this case, our actions apply to every individual. It starts with us, but the consequences don't end with us.

Isolation is a sickening feeling, and you may feel like your mind is deteriorating. However, trust that a lot of your peers, friends, and family are going through the same feeling. According to a survey conducted by the CDC, almost 50% of the participants (5,470 people) have reported having symptoms of poor mental health more than once during quarantine. It is important to remain in emotional contact with your loved ones, though physical contact needs to be limited.

There are safe ways to spend in-person time with your friends. According to CDC guidelines, a two week quarantine must be organized before spending time with others as well as a two week self-quarantine afterwards. Most students should be able to do this, unless there is a job or sport conflict, so please adhere to the CDC guidelines. Wearing a mask for the duration of the visit is also required. The pandemic is a very serious issue. Be smart, and don’t be the reason for the infection of another person or yourself.

What are some ways you can manage the stress and anxiety that seems to surround this pandemic? Find new hobbies that make you happy or expand on existing ones. For example, listen to some new artists or genres of music. According to research performed by Harvard University, “An authoritative review of research performed between 1994 and 1999 reported that in four trials, music therapy reduced symptoms of depression … A 2006 study of 60 adults with chronic pain found that music was able to reduce pain, depression, and disability. And a 2009 meta-analysis found that music-assisted relaxation can improve the quality of sleep in patients with sleep disorders.” Take some suggestions from friends or social media!

Another good way to calm stress is to take a nap. The online school cycle can be draining, so catch up on some z’s.

Try finding a production company or director you really enjoy watching and watch ALL its movies and shows. There are also apps like Netflix Party that allow you to tackle movie night with your friends.

Read some books!

Remember that you are not alone in these feelings, and although it may seem like this will last forever, it won’t. Hang in there!

The only way this pandemic will end is if we take the necessary precautions to slow down the spread. We know it’s not ideal, but there are several ways to help yourself. Listen to the experts. Take precautions, don’t be afraid to get tested, check in with your friends, and take the time to learn about yourself and world events.