I think the hardest part of transitioning into social distancing for me was feeling all alone. Nothing like this has ever happened before, so I felt like I had no one to turn to to talk about how I felt. I couldn't look to anyone for advice on how I was feeling, because no one had gone through what I was going through. I felt like my parents didn't understand what it was like for me to not go to school or see my friends anymore.
That is when I realized that I wasn't the only one feeling like this. I'm not the only teenager whose life got flipped upside down because of Coronavirus. That is why we made Corona TV. I needed a space where I could connect with other teens and hear that they were feeling the exact same way I was.
This may feel like the end of the world to us, but know that we aren't alone. Teens everywhere are experiencing the same thing as us. I feel cheated - this whole situation wasn't fair. I'm a kid, and the adults were supposed to handle this and make sure we could live our lives. Anyone else? I feel like this burden has been placed on me unfairly, and that this wasn't my responsibility. I feel like I am losing out on my high school experience because of this. But I realize that so is everyone else.
We all feel cheated and betrayed by adults who mimicked and put down the seriousness of Coronavirus. So use this space as a place to let out these feelings. If you feel alone, I guarantee that someone else is feeling just as hurt and mad as you are. We are all going through this together, even if it has to be from six feet apart.
Lauren :)
I think that it's really easy to fall into that hole, and feel completely alone in this mess – to tell yourself that your family isn't going to get through it, or that you're going to drift away from all your friends.
At least, that's what I did. I was overwhelmed, and throughout the swarm of thoughts that smashed into me with every new headline, I forgot that every, single, person out there was sooner or later going to worry about the same things that I was worrying about.
And that's the beauty of dialogue.
I realized that the only thing that would calm me was talking it out, taking in other angles on the situations and simply knowing that there were people my age, of all races, ethnicities, and genders, were struggling with the same issues that I had.
Most importantly, I felt selfish for thinking that this entire situation was unfair, that the adults in charge should have figured it out and ensured that there was never a problem in the first place. But as I talked about it with more of my friends, I learned that they felt the same way as well.
That's why we formed COVID-TV – to give teenagers worldwide a space to both see that they aren't alone, and share their messages and unique experiences with our community.
Use our space to share your experience, whether it's been binge-watching Netflix, or grappling with sickness or death. Use our forum to message people worldwide, and share your thoughts. Remember, we're all going to get through this – together.
Kia :)