By Jackie Pollack
I am currently sitting in my bedroom (where I spend most of my time these days in quarantine). I have lost track of how many days it has been since my friends and I were all together. The only times I venture outside are to run and get some fresh air which is my favorite part of the day.
In search of things to do to escape the house, people are naturally gravitating towards the aqueduct. On nice days, runners, bikers, and dog walkers flood the path, keeping just enough distance between themselves.
Every once in a while, I’ll see a friendly face while being outside, but we are conscious of the necessary separation between us. Typically, the only large groups I see walking together are families.
Since the administration prohibited public access to the school’s athletic facilities, people have not been congregating around the fields. That measure greatly discouraged large group hangouts. Now, it seems like everyone is doing their part with social distancing to flatten the curve.
Local stores have lines of masked people outside the door, ensuring that there are not too many people inside at once. The Harvest Field Market and Bagel Emporium took the initiative of placing tape on the floor to indicate the appropriate distance between customers waiting on line. These precautions are effective in protecting the health of our community members.
So what is there to do while social distancing? Of course besides binge-watching Game of Thrones for the second time, I’ve decided to start reading for pleasure again, as I do not have much time to do so during the school year. I’ve also been passing time by baking an assortment of treats to share with my family. Going on walks and runs helps to clear my mind, and FaceTiming friends and family is also an easy way to brighten my day.
Though we are all bored and are waiting for the moment to be reunited with our friends and family, we are all going through this difficult time together. Keeping our social distance will help us see each other sooner.
