I still haven’t gotten used remote learning and we’re already 2 weeks in and 2 more weeks to go. I think I still haven’t come to terms with having my life being thrown for a loop in less than a month. Today was the first time I’ve stepped out of my house since I’ve arrived from Copenhagen. The streets are the emptiest that I’ve ever seen them. Parking lots of stores that are usually packed are completely barren. From parks to movie theaters, everything is closed in an effort to discourage people from leaving their homes. The only establishments that remain open are grocery stores, pharmacies, and a handful of restaurants that remain open for take-out. I needed to leave the house to get a couple of groceries and it was quiet an experience.
I got to Walmart thinking I would be in and out since I only needed a couple items. This was not the case. I had to wait in line (6 feet apart from others also standing in line) before I could enter the store. This was because they were only letting a couple customers in at time to limit the amount of interactions. And on top of all this, people would not be allowed into the store unless they had something cover their nose and mouth. When I finally entered Walmart, it was basically a ghost town. This was the busiest Walmart in the neighborhood, so this was something I had never seen before. Feeling weirded out, I rushed to get what I needed so I could hurry home.
I can’t bare to watch the news anymore. CNN now has a daily updated chart of the amount of Corona cases both worldwide and in the US, as well as deaths. Seeing these statistics makes me less hopeful and anxious, and it doesn’t help that my parents have it on practically 24/7. It’s scared to heard of the things being reported in hospitals because I know they are true. I have a friend who works as a nurse at a nearby hospital and every day she tells me how unprepared she is going into work. She isn’t given the proper protective gear and has to treat Corona patients around the clock. She has even witnessed people fighting for their lives right before her eyes. Hearing all this, I can’t help but think of the stark differences in healthcare in the US compared to Denmark. Because Copenhagen has universal healthcare for the most part, testing would be free. Most of the population wouldn’t worry about potentially dying because they couldn’t get tested for a highly infectious disease. Here in my hometown, they will not test anyone who has isn’t showing any symptoms. Just the other day I had a cold and I wanted to get tested to verify that it wasn’t Corona and I got turned away. Even if I were to get tested, I doubt I would be able to afford it.
It’s times like these I miss the sense of security I felt in Copenhagen. I personally feel like situations are being handled better in places outside of the US. Our late responses and lack of problem-solving is costing people their lives. I just hope as a nation we come to our senses soon before it’s too late.
Adventures Abroad 