Uncensored Musings [from a graduate student finding her purpose]: The Sequel

A week ago, I would have never anticipated all the events to unfold with the new coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Wuhan, China is still feeling the effects of being "locked down" and is slowly becoming active. Many countries in Europe are doing quarantine after Italy had a lot of new cases. Lastly, the United States is in a state of emergency. States have rapidly cancelled schools for at least two weeks, dining in restaurants have been stopped, nursing home have limited visitors, and grocery stories have reduced hours. These are going to change our lives, including our mental health. I wanted to hit on this topic because I noticed that it was affecting me beyond the typical concerns (jobs, classes, thesis). Up to the initial announcement of closures, I became very panicked and it seemed random at first. My [new] adviser had a trip booked for Jamaica for spring break and I was very anxious about her going. I knew the quarantines were happening and I know she is older. I pani...

Coronavirus, COVID-19, quarantine, travel restrictions, Wuhan, school closures, presumptive cases - these are some of the buzz words that I have heard in person, read on npr or nbc.com, or seen on passing social media posts and memes. As an aspiring researcher for vector-borne diseases and microbiology, I have been researching the facts and science behind the pandemic - which means there are lessons for everyone to take from it and apply going forward - as long as we remain calm during this ordeal. I do feel that COVID-19 is much more publicized than I remember H1N1 being in 2009/2010, when the flu strain had affected my age group more than what is predicted currently.  Compared to 10 years ago, social media is more widespread - with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, so many others. Everytime I go onto a social media site, I see posts related to the pandemics, including school closures and events cancelled. Also, being in the sciences, I know the biotechnology is way more ad...