A letter to COVID-19.

Dear COVID-19, you crept up on us without acquiescence. You caused an interruption to our routine. For many of us our lives are now forever changed.

A few months prior, we had heard about you briefly, but never could we have imagined that you would come in and stay this long. We weren’t ready for you. No race, gender, religion, country, economic class, or age could have been ready for you. Not mentally, emotionally, or financially.

COVID-19, it really breaks my heart that the class of 2020 will not be able to celebrate their milestone this spring. Parents with kindergarteners won’t see their kids celebrate. Students transitioning from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school will not get a chance to say goodbye to their teachers and friends. If we would have known, we would have done things differently. High school and college seniors would have made the best out of their semester. They would not have been as worried or anxious about state assessment or focused on crazy exams that have now been waived.

COVID-19, you are pretty ruthless. Families and friends aren’t able to kiss and hug those whom they love as they take their last breath. Proper burials and funerals for loved ones aren’t able to be conducted. Weddings surrounded by friends and family have either been canceled, rescheduled, or orchestrated with just the ordained minister.

You came in and delayed so many people of memories; robbed normalcy. I’m not sure everyone will know how to pick up the pieces after this. But I think it’s time that you exit so that we may learn how to move forward.

O.J.