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A year has passed since the world was shaken by a global pandemic. Our lives have been transformed through quarantines, mask-wearing, social distancing, testing, and vaccines—at least for some of us. This year has been filled with fear, anger, confusion, and significant loss. Yet here we are, a year later, trying to adapt to this new normal. But how normal is it? Not very. However, it’s the best we can do to stay safe and, hopefully, survive. That’s how adults think. But what about the kids?
My seven-year-old son recently shared a thought that caught my attention: “Remember when we thought this would all be fixed in just three weeks? Now we’ve missed two St. Patrick’s Day parades. I wish adults would just do what they’re supposed to.”
It’s a great question. Why aren’t adults following the guidelines? Why do some continue to go about without masks, endangering others? The unfortunate truth is that many adults can be quite selfish. They often believe their age grants them wisdom, but true wisdom comes from experience. Those who understand the seriousness of this pandemic are the ones who have faced pain and loss. They harbor a reasonable fear of the unknown and want to protect themselves and their loved ones by taking the necessary precautions.
Intrigued by his comments, I asked how school was going. “Horrible. I hate wearing a mask. You have to wait forever to take it off, and it’s super annoying. At lunch, I have an assigned spot for the whole week, and I can’t see my friends. We have dividers that we just want to break, but we can’t.” Hearing him express this made my heart ache.
We continued our conversation. “I know I have to wear a mask because people are getting the virus. You get it when you sneeze, and the droplets can spread to someone else. I don’t want to get sick or make anyone else sick.” I was impressed by his understanding. “That’s also why we use so much sanitizer at school. Just in case we touch our faces when our masks are off outside. And after touching the lunch tables and everything.”
“What’s recess like now?” I asked. “Well, we don’t play tag much because we aren’t supposed to touch each other. But thankfully, we don’t have to wear our masks during recess. Inside recess is the worst because we just have our own box of stuff.” Each child had brought a plastic shoe box filled with activities to do alone during indoor recess. There’s no chance for group play, which makes me sad.
When he was doing distance learning, he appreciated being able to work in a t-shirt and boxer briefs. Now that he’s back to wearing a uniform, he still prefers it to being at home. “I missed my friends. Talking on Google isn’t the same. We didn’t get to tell jokes and it was hard to focus when people didn’t mute their microphones.” I reflected on how many parents are juggling remote work and children’s education. It’s a tremendous challenge.
“I’m glad people are getting vaccinated now. Maybe that will help things go back to normal faster. I’m glad Mom got hers so she’s not as worried about getting sick.” I share his relief. Our family is vaccinated, and we can finally gather again without fear. While I still wear my mask, the thought of hugging my parents doesn’t fill me with anxiety anymore.
“You know what I want to do when this is all over? I just want to go to the store and not panic if I forget my mask in the car. Remember when that happened to my little sister?” I recalled a recent trip where she wasn’t wearing a mask. When I realized it, she panicked, crying and covering her mouth as if something terrible was about to happen. I quickly found a mask for her, soothing her fears. It struck me how conditioned she is to view the world as a place filled with potential danger.
It pains me that this will be a significant memory from their childhood—the years spent in masks. Yes, years. This pandemic isn’t going away anytime soon, and while things improve daily, I believe we’ll still be sending our kids to school with their faces covered next year. I try to make it cheerful by letting them pick out fun masks that match their personalities, but that excitement fades quickly. They endure so much while I go about my day. Kids are the real heroes, handling these challenges with resilience. I’m incredibly proud of them.
What’s the way forward? We must continue vaccinating, wearing masks, and washing our hands. That’s how we can return to whatever normal means. As my son wisely said, “I just hope this never happens again. I don’t want my kids to have to go through this. It really sucks.” I feel the same way, buddy.
For more insights on family life during these challenging times, check out this post about navigating parenting in a pandemic. If you’re looking for more information on at-home insemination options, visit Make a Mom. Additionally, March of Dimes offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination.
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Summary:
This article captures a heartfelt perspective on the pandemic from a seven-year-old’s viewpoint. It highlights the challenges children face during this time, including the impact of masks, social distancing, and the longing for normalcy. Through candid conversations, it emphasizes the resilience of kids and the importance of continuing safety measures as we navigate these unprecedented times.
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