With the stay-at-home date in Pennsylvania recently being pushed back until June 4, it’s making me wonder how long it will really take for things to go back to normal. Will life ever be the same post-COVID-19? How long will we have to take precautionary measures once the stay-at home order is lifted? No one truly knows the answers to these questions, and we are going to have to wait and see.

A social-distancing life is something we are not used to; many haven’t seen their loved ones in months. So many people have had to cancel plans they’ve been looking forward to for a long time. We are all slowly adjusting to a different lifestyle and finding ways to keep busy during these difficult times.

It was hard for me to adjust at first, not getting to see the family or friends I’m used to seeing every week, canceling plans, trips, concerts and more. This summer, I was supposed to go to my friend’s wedding in Ireland, but they had to postpone it to next year. I was really looking forward to the trip and wedding, but it gives me something to look forward to next summer.

Throughout quarantine, people have been creative with keeping busy. I am not one of those people; I wish I was, though. I have been watching a lot of TV and going on a lot of walks. I have caught up on all the TV shows I was behind on, watched new series on Netflix and watched a couple movies I’ve been wanting to see. I go on a walk almost every day, depending on the weather. My walks sometimes last two hours; I just keep walking because I know there is nothing I have to be home for.

Although we are all hoping quarantine will be over soon, we are doing it for the right reasons. Remember this quote from William James: “Act as if what you do makes a difference. IT DOES.”

— Mary Melnick, social media and editorial coordinator