It has been one year since the government declared the pandemic on March 11, 2020. The “World Health Organization” declared this a “Public health emergency.” The people did not believe that this was true so they ignored it and did not wear masks. There were always a lot of people everywhere. Then the government gave a statement for people to follow the sanitary measures. The government established the use of a mask from 6 feet away and also not to have more than 10 people in the same place as in meetings, parties, etc.
This virus at first brought a lot of concern since they said that it was transmitted through the air and the symptoms were very similar to those of the “Influenza (FLU).” When I first heard about the virus I felt fear and a lot of concern since they said that this virus could kill us. As in the news every day there were more and more cases. They also said that there were many deaths and many people panicked. Because we had to be in quarantine to try to get out of our houses and having everything we needed was less possible. There were months that there were many shortages of food and things for the home. I felt very bad and sad about what we were going through in the first months.
I decided to interview Flavio from Michoacan, Mexico who is 14 years old. He is a student who has been affected by this virus just like all of us. Since the pandemic began Flavio tells me that at the beginning of March the state issued a statement so that all schools were closed. So they said that it would only be 40 days but it was not like that. Almost a year ago the first cases of Covid -19 were reported recently the world has totally changed, everything from schools, jobs, people feel bad this has been very strong for all of us.
Flavio says that at first everything was a total disaster in his country since they did not have enough support. The government and also there were shortages of things and utilities for the house. Everything has changed in various aspects both in the family, home, friends and also in mental health. The situation is difficult at these times in the country. My interview told me about how the situation was in our country Michoacan, Mexico and it is not going well. Since most people take this virus lightly as if it were not important they go out to unnecessary things and not take care of themselves. That is why every day the cases of Covid increase much more in the city.
Flavio told me that at least if he takes care of himself he uses a mask and does not come out if it is not necessary. Although he tells me that he feels bad and bored. Since he does not he goes out, he looks for how to distract himself and be able to hang out without risking getting infected While he was talking to My interview he told me how he felt about mental health and he told me that he felt very stressed and sad every day. Just like that that made me think that.
I have not only heard him once but almost every day many Students are already tired of continuing like this. Many say that they do not learn anything and it is true we only focus on being able to turn in the assignments on time and stressed that we are burdened with so much school works. Let’s hope and soon we will all go back to school and we can talk and live together without fear and that we are happy to go to school since in this current situation. The school is going very badly. The students are destroying themselves.
My interview is an example of the similarities between my country and his country. Since both countries experience the same in this pandemic since schools have been closed as well as several entertainment sites. It is also mandatory to have a mask on and 6 feet apart and not out. Compared to Mexico to the United States the government since in Mexico they do not support people at all neither financially nor in health.
Flavio told me all the hospitals are full of sick people and there are not enough supplies for everyone. However here in the United States, they try to help people a little more, but even so, the levels of contagion in both countries are very high, where I live, it’s hard in the same way as in Michoacán / Mexico. Many people were left without work and did not have much money. The economies of the countries were very bad. Another difference between me and Flavio is in my case I have lost relatives and my friend has not lost anyone. It is said that each family affects differently, it also depends on several aspects.
After the interview, I learned that most of us are going through this very difficult time for all of us. But if we want to get out of this soon we must pay attention and do the corresponding thing so as not to lose family members and be able to be well. We must take care of each other.I learned that we must be very understandaing and not pretend that this does not matter. Because this virus is true and no one is immune to it so let’s all take good care of ourselves and be aware of all those we love.
When I think about how my life was a year ago I feel sadness. Since all of us will know that life will not be the same as before because even if they say that everything will be fine. People will be afraid and there have already been many causes that changed all our expectations in life. We know that we will never leave this in oblivion so it affected me enough and it will be impossible to forget. That virus took great people who were part of my family and it hurts us a lot. But we have to accept reality since it will never be the same as it was a year ago but then life will continue. For all of us and we hope everything is much better very soon we all hope for good news. I can appreciate that I spend more time with my family. I can do more things in the day. I can also appreciate how much it is to be with your loved ones and enjoy every second with them.
Because life is so short that we have to enjoy it to the fullest and appreciate it. Being able after all the bad things if it has left us some good things I hope we could go back in time and be able to enjoy more. If we had known that this would happen but okay everything will be better hopefully everything improves in a few months. Very soon and we can have a normal life without being afraid of catching the virus. I hope we are all well but still let’s take care of ourselves and be happy just enjoy life a lot.
Dear Andrea:
I feel grief after reading your post, “Covid-19 Mexico and USA” because you say you lost people in your family. I also lost two of my uncles here in the Bronx, and their names are Domingo and Cesar. Your post helped me remember them.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: “That virus took great people who were part of my family and it hurts us a lot. But we have to accept reality since it will never be the same as it was a year ago but then life will continue.” I think this is sad because we always miss them because they used to come to our house to visit all of us.
Another sentence that I feel connected to is: “I hope we are all well but still let’s take care of ourselves and be happy just enjoy life a lot.” This stands out for me because it helped me connect with others who also lost family members but need to enjoy life now.
Have you seen this article https://khn.org/news/bereaved-families-are-the-secondary-victims-of-covid-19/? I thought you might be interested in this because of how they talk about how ‘’worrisome ripple effects may linger for years’’ for people like us who have lost family members to COVID.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next because you write about things that are important and it is all true.
Dear Andrea,
I am impressed with your post, “Covid-19 Mexico and USA” because you demonstrate a lot of insight. You teach us about the differences in how people have responded to COVID in the US and Mexico. You also make powerful statements about how we can make the best of the situation.
One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: “We must take care of each other.I learned that we must be very understandaing and not pretend that this does not matter. Because this virus is true and no one is immune to it so let’s all take good care of ourselves and be aware of all those we love.” I think this is important because many of us need reminders to NOT pretend that this does not matter. Your plea to take care of ourselves and think of those we love is so valuable.
Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next because I think you are an insightful person who helps us understand topics with the rich details you include.
Ms. N.
Dear Andrea:
I am impressed by your poem “Covid-19 Mexico and USA” because you are saying that people don’t want to wear masks and people don’t believe that this is true the government give a statement to be 6 feet apart and don’t do parties or meetings. One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: ” The government and also there were shortages of things and utilities for the house” I think this is awesome because the government is also following the rules. Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you wrote next because I like how you write it and how you explain it, and how your interview tell you that hospitals are full of people sick.
Jeimy