6 Journal Entry – Alison R.
Alison R. says, “Below is a journal entry from March 20, 2020, when the Coronavirus really started spreading. This was a time of fear, paranoia, and confusion. I mention paranoia, because I start questioning what is happening. I think a lot of us did, and no one really knew what it was at the time. Joe is mentioned in the entry; he is my significant other and the only person I live with. I feel like this journal entry was me trying to get facts down that we knew at the time, but also trying to process what was happening.”
3/20/2020
Today is Joe’s 33rd Birthday. We couldn’t do much because there is a virus going around called the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. Things have gotten pretty crazy in a short amount of time. A few weeks ago, people started getting informed that there was a virus that started in China. This virus is killing people who are elderly, people who have a weak immune system, and people with health conditions. They started quarantining people and people stopped going to work. Well, that virus has spread all over the world. It is being called a Pandemic. The news keeps creating fear among people. Italy is on lockdown and now has more deaths than China. People are being ordered to social distance themselves and stay indoors. When cases started appearing in Washington State, about a week or so ago, people started panicking. There are travel bands to other countries, and the other way around. Cruise ships are stuck at sea with yellow flags indicating quarantine. People are not flying or using public transportation. Literally a week ago, I knew this was going to be bad. Joe and I went to the local Walmart, and I’m glad we did when we did. Everyone was scared, I could see it in their faces. Rice, pasta, toilet paper, Lysol, and hand sanitizer were almost all gone. The shelves were looking very bare. We stocked up on some canned food and cat food. Figured I should buy some toilet paper too, while there was some left. People are panic buying all over the U.S.: hoarding toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and cleaning products. Hospitals are short on masks and PPE. There is limited testing for the virus. I was asked to leave work because I had a runny nose and cough. We live in a valley full of allergies, but my boss said we don’t know what is causing my symptoms. A week with no pay. Now, California has a shelter-in-place law (and other states), but hasn’t been made official in Oregon, yet. They closed schools, movie theatres, bars, and restaurants. Food is only available for delivery and take-out. Grocery stores are still open and essential businesses like hospitals, the bank, the post-office, and animal hospitals (where I work). What scares me is how fast this is all happening. I believe this was planned. Not sure how bad it’s going to get, but so far not looking good. People are buying more guns than usual. Could this be the beginning of Martial Law? I don’t even feel comfortable at work. I bought some survival gear and need to prepare in case shit goes south way fast. Our economy is crashing. I just hope I get to see my friends and family again.