Despite your doubt and mask-less face, coronavirus is still out there. Illustration by Darlene Maes.
By Darlene Maes, Culture Editor
It’s been six whole months since Los Angeles County was hit by the coronavirus. 26 weeks since Gov. Gavin Newson declared his Executive Order for the State of California in a attempt to limit the spread. Roughly 182 days ago was when normality was taken from our daily routine and replaced with unanswered questions and concerns. The stay-at-home order meant just that, staying home. Putting yourself at risk in order to support yourself during the developing health and economic crisis was a must to be considered essential. Parents feared for the safety of their children, family members feared for those considered “vulnerable” by the California Department of Public Health. The chaos of the pandemic obstructs the sense of time, leaving room for unpredictability.
Now, six months later I ask; How is mask-wearing still up for debate? Where along the way did wearing a mask become political? If you walk into a store mask-less, and are not held accountable–are we still in a pandemic?
At this point, being deemed “essential” means nothing because now, phases of reopening with COVID-19 restrictions, within Los Angeles County have started.
According to the California For All website, “California has a blueprint for a safer economy in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities.” If you look around now public spaces are beginning to look normal. The uncertainty of the virus doesn’t seem to be as terrifying as it once was, does it?
This false sense of calm can serve as the result of many who decided to stop listening to lawmakers, health officials, and to those who have been affected by the virus.
Recently, you can see more people flock to retail stores with less of a wait time. Individuals who decide to endure the triple-digit weather by eating in a parking lot inside a plastic tent, rather than make home-cooked meals. And the six feet distance between others is a memo forgotten by those who also fail to remember what personal space is.
As people have grown frustrated with navigating through COVID-19 some have decided to advocate for the ability to get a haircut, a fresh set of nails, or to crowd beaches on holidays. The energy spent on trying to justify not wearing a mask for the greater good and overall health of others amid this pandemic is astonishing.
All of that passion for the counterintuitive reasoning from those who think lightly of the situation, should be directed towards why it is a dire need to go to a restaurant? Or “turn up” at large parties in Airbnb’s with no disregard towards others? The need to ignore the safety protocols provided by experts just leads to one result, the inability to reopen LA County altogether.
Though many benefits come from re-opened businesses, some being, increase in revenue, new employment opportunities, and regaining financial stability–the elephant in the room needs to be addressed. When was it decided that the pandemic just went away? And that more businesses can re-open with less restrictions? The coronavirus has made its mark in our surrounding communities and our campus as well, according to the California State University, Dominguez Hills COVID-19 reporting website.
Does it make sense to read this online in between classes, rather than to hold a tangible copy of the CSUDH Bulletin in your hand? I mean it’s crazy that we aren’t able to hang out on our campus and use the very services that we pay thousands of dollars for.
Is it fair to miss out on celebrating another graduation and instead accept the virtual standards of Zoom University: CSUDH edition for the upcoming year? These questions were once hypothetical but became our reality because of the pandemic. The essence of the “college experience” has been robbed by many students and it is not only at our own fault of selfish decisions. (because we all have made some.) But also at those who we continue to allow to underestimate the impact of social distancing, limiting time in public spaces and the obvious, wearing a mask.
In another six months, it will mark one year of being stuck in isolation.. Memories made virtually and socially distant will serve as a reminder for the 52 weeks spent being cautious to some degree. A grand total of 365 days filled with every emotion while trying to make sense of this insanity. But by this time, with a continuous effort by many, it may just be the complete normal we are all hoping for.
