A Personal Perspective 

By: Gabriella O’Gorman

The 2003 North East Blackout “switched off” many routines.
Credit: http://www.Gothamist.com

When someone asks, “Where do you see yourself in 2 years?” your answer has a lot to do with what is going on in your life at the moment. We do not ever put into consideration what could happen to you the next day that could affect your future plans, because why would you? 

It has not happened yet.

       Two months ago, I was planning on going to Georgia to visit a friend during spring break, as I always do. Right now, instead of being days away from leaving for Georgia, I am currently quarantined in my home as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.

            The Coronavirus pandemic has put a halt on the lives of everyone. This outbreak has put a stop to work, school, and so many birthday plans. Most of my friends are working from home, while others have no job at all. Something as simple as going out to eat, has become such a thing of the past.

       The Coronavirus outbreak affects people of all ages, and to younger generations, this is all very new and can be difficult to grasp.  In my adult life, I cannot think of another time something so polarizing like this has happened. 

My father, Anthony O’Gorman, has compared this to a number of different events in his lifetime. One event I was alive for that I can remember clearly was the east coast blackout of 2003. At the time I was about 7 years old, so it did not have much on an impact on me.

            In 2003, most of the east coast lost power. Our Mayor at the time, Michael Bloomberg, blamed it on old power lines, summer heat, overgrown trees, and outdated equipment. My father tells me how it was one of the nicest days of the summer. Since he had been working a lot that summer, he wanted to take the day off to enjoy the new pool we had just gotten.

       “I remember laying in the backyard, I was just about to go into the pool when I heard the pool filter shut off,” said O’Gorman. “I thought that was strange until your Mother came outside to tell me that all the power in the house was out too.”

        The blackout lasted the entire weekend. No one went to work, stores were closed, and most of my neighbors made their way over to my house to enjoy my new pool. Unfortunately, no one can come over now and enjoy my pool because gatherings are, for the time being, prohibited.

     Having a mother with a compromised immune system makes it important for me to stay as safe as possible. I have been trying my best to stay busy but staying on top of my schoolwork has been hard. I feel discouraged because I have fallen out of routine. 

It is difficult to understand how everything changed so quickly. Losing my routine is taking a heavy toll on my lifestyle and productivity. As a person who constantly was on the go, having to sit and do nothing is a lot harder for me then it seems.

      Having signed up for June classes, I hope to be able to attend them. If I cannot, it will take me longer than expected to graduate, setting me back from a future I have been working so hard to achieve.

This virus has drastically changed the life of millions, for years to come.