Where were you and what were you doing when you realized that the COVID-19 pandemic was a serious problem?

Student Responses:

"I was in school when i started to realize that COVID-19 was actually more serious than it seemed. We hadn't even started on work when my teacher told my class and I that this virus was getting serious. I took my caution and started to do as said. I washed my hands every time as necessary. The day before school shutdown, we were doing work, and if i remeber correctly, our teacher was telling us things that happened due to the virus as the day went on. That day was very scary, but we are now all safe at home."

-- Ximena, 6th Grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"I was at school, and they started to cancel a field trip. I did not think it was that serious a that point. Then they started to shut down stores and then schools. I suddenly realized this was a big deal. The news started to announce that the pandemic was officially in Kern County."

-- Kaydence, 6th grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"The first time I realized COVID-19 was a serious problem was a couple days after school ended. On the last day of school I started paying more attention to it because it gave me a vibe that I should really pay attention to it. After about 2-3 days...I realized that this wasn't a joke and it was really serious. During these times I didn't think it would be as bad as everyone said it was but then all this started to happen and I knew it was very serious."

-- Sarai, 6th Grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"I was at home watching anime when my mom sent me a picture saying that they would close the school. I freaked out saying that we only had a few weeks left of school. During that time, I really didn't care about the covid-19 pandemic. Now seeing it as a problem, I just want it over so I can go back to school. It's still not that serious to me but I just want to know when all the stores are open so I can go to the library to read some manga books."

-- Jasmine, 6th Grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"When all of this stuff was getting serious, I was at school."

-- Lasheau, 7th grade, Emerson Middle School

"When I realized that the corona virus was a serious thing, it was the last day of school. I started asking my friends why school was ending so early again & they told me how serious it was. My mom even gave me a news paper that was talking about it. One time we tried going to Jack in the Box, but we couldn't go inside because the governor said that everything that was non-essential had to close. Some stores were even running low on things like hand sanitizer, soap, & toilet paper."

--Isaac, 8th Grade, Stiern Middle School

"I was trying to do/finish the previous packet when the pandemic became a serious issue. The reason why I wasn't able to do any my classwork was that I was too constrained on finishing the packet when I heard that the packet will impact my grades the most when I first got it.

-- Andrew, 6th Grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"When I realized that the COVID-19 was a serious problem I was at home, and I was just telling my mom about it. I checked everyday day to see how many people have been infected with it and it was just more and more everyday. I also kept checking at how many people kept dying and the numbers slowly gained. People started fighting at stores because people kept taking to much of one thing then there wouldn't be enough for others. Then three days later school was canceled because of it. We had to start getting packets from school and getting chromebooks as well. Certain places had to be closed down as well."

--Maria, 6th Grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"I thought and hoped that my last year in elementary school was going to be an awesome experience; it so far was. Unfortunately, a pandemic that I would remember until my last breath, hit our county. I thought at first that it was just a small infection that was going to last for a week or two. However, I began to notice that the infected numbers grew and the number of deaths grew as well. Then, the camp that we were going to go to was canceled. That is when I suspected that this infection would be the next influenza. I expected that school would've be closed for our safety. I can't get it through my head that I am going through this. The horrible part for me is that, we just have to hope that we won't get infected; and there is a high chance of that happening."

-- Erick, 6th Grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"I was actually sick when I realized that the COVID-19 pandemic was a serious problem. I remember my dad telling me that they were going to shut down all the schools. I didn't believe him until I went to school on Tuesday and they told us that they were going to shut down the school. That's when I figured that the coronavirus was going to be a big problem. But I didn't think it was going to be so bad to where we couldn't leave our houses."

-- Aleeza, 7th Grade, Emerson Middle School

"I first realized that COVID-19 was a serious and concerning issue after listening to my teacher explain how most places in America were closed. I was then informed that school would be closed which brought my concern for COVID-19 even higher. After a couple of weeks out of school, I found out that COVID-19 had spread throughout America. Although everything seems normal by just looking out your window, when going to places to purchase your everyday needs, people try their best to avoid others. This, I have never experienced. It is interesting to view yet, terrifying."

-Adrian, 6th grade, Pioneer Drive Elementary

"We were at home watching the news when they mentioned online classes would be available in every school. I feel scared about it because COVID-19 is a major problem. I am home right now, and scared about COVID 19. I just want it to be over already."

-- Antonio, 7th Grade, Stiern Middle School

"When I first learned about COVID-19 I was at my house playing games and my mom switched the T.V. to the news. As the days went by at school, the school started by having us wash our hands frequently. After 2 weeks, they closed our school. Days later they gave us packets. Then, they gave us a chrome-books to do school work. Now, we have to stay inside and away from friends."

-- Bryan, 7th Grade, Emerson Middle School