Covid has affected each and every person in some form and altered our lives in a way we would have never imagined. What an overused sentence, right? Well, even though we’ve probably heard it about a thousand times, it is very true. It all started with two weeks off from school, then a few more weeks into spring break, and then right before we know it, it’s September.

It is stated: stay six feet apart, wear a mask, wash your hands. When these rules are enforced, everything is completely different. All social activities such as spending time with friends or playing a sport are basically flushed down the drain. These are the things that make students’ lives normal and happy. When all of it is taken away, no one is prepared. Sure, compromised activities such as facetime calls help fill the void of loneliness. But do they really?

Behind a screen, anything can be hidden. The only steps are a fake smile and a convincing tone of voice. It is difficult to transition from what was normal before to what is normal now. Lots of people do not have great relationships with their parents and rely on their friends or their sport to bring them joy. They can no longer be present. They do not get those hugs. They do not get those laughs with their friends until their cheeks ache. They do not get to high-five their teammate after they score a point. Most importantly, they do not get to truly see how one another is doing. It puts a toll on the emotional health of several people, and especially teenagers who only feel comfortable expressing their feelings to certain people. Sometimes, talking over a screen just isn’t enough. 

Despite the consequences that these extremely peculiar times bring, we can learn to cherish the ability to be present with one another. There is no other way that allows us to learn and interpret each other’s emotions that match up to being physically there.