We Will Survive This: Our COVID-19 Quarantine Stories

Through all of this, personally, I've experienced a wave of emotions. I'm from Wisconsin, USA; We were one of the first states that took extreme measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. At this point, everything is closed except for essential businesses such as hospitals, grocery stores, and some public transportation.

I've wondered how others are doing through all of this. How are others handling this pandemic and the state of quarantine?

I created a survey and shared it on social media. I got a huge wave of answers.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine affected you?

"I am bored all day and my last track season was canceled :("

"It has made my job a lot harder and has made me feel more isolated."

"Online school, can’t hang out with friends, it’s my senior year of high school."

"It completely changed college for me. The rest of the semester is online so everything is different. Luckily I'm still working."

"Multiple shows I had scheduled with my band were canceled along with a movie I was in. I am about to ask for a medical safety leave from work as well. I can no longer play in my volleyball league or practice with my band as well."

"My job is closing tomorrow and I need to figure out a way to work from home. On the plus side, as an introvert, I tend to stay by myself a lot, but because of this I've been connecting with people more through social media and phone calls and it has been great!"

"Job loss/dismissal for myself and husband."

"I can’t do anything besides go to work and everyone is afraid to come near me when I come home. (I’m a nurse)."

"It has affected me in not being able to go on about my daily life like grocery shopping or going out for a movie or a coffee or even going to church. Although I have been bonding with my family more, I still would like to be out doing what I regularly would do."

"I have begun to work from home. There are no catastrophic losses at this point. But if it continued on for months, I’m not sure if I’d still have a job. But, no reason to worry about stuff like that."

Does anything make you worried or stressed during this time? If so, what?

"My loved ones or children getting sick."

"Thinking about grandparents."

"Thinking about how things will change after this is over. Also work."

"I am immune deficient. I am afraid my body will not effectively fight the virus if I end up getting it."

"finances, family getting sick, the economy collapsing, death, people suffering."

"The uncertainty and the continuing change in recommendations and regulations. Not to know how the day is gonna look like from one day to the next."

"So very much. First and foremost, the health of our country-our doctors, our immunocompromised, our elderly, and anyone directly affected by the virus. The selfishness and mindlessness seem overwhelming prevalent. I'm worried about our economy, and how the government is handling it. And the list goes on and on."

"Being concerned for others. Wondering if school will open back up before summer. Not knowing if the information we are hearing is true or not."

"Just trying to go grocery shopping. I can’t find what I usually buy, or if I do, I have a limit on what I can purchase. I’m not in the hoarding trend, I just need to buy the necessities that’s all."

"I try not to think about it much yet, but this going to tank the global economy. Reinventing ourselves after might turn out to be good in the long run, but it is going to be a painful process for a whole lot of people."

"My worry is not knowing how long this is going to last. Also the panic around me. People are acting like animals right now."

What has been the biggest adjustment for you?

"Not going out for fish fry/ seeing friends."

"Not going to church on Sundays, it definitely gives the whole week a different feel. I miss it!"

"Motivation to get work done at home."

"The way my job has been affected."

“Online courses.”

“Halting my social activities such as playing with my band and canceling shows/movies that I had scheduled.”

“getting off social media to stop the spread of negativity and panic.”

“Emotional and anxiety struck every day. No income for the foreseeable future.”

“Being off work and ensuring that I am using food and resources in the most efficient way possible.”

“Being home more. I have wasted soooo much time on social media…”

“Having no true “Structure” in my day. Also not being able to go workout at the gym.”

Has anything good come out of quarantine for you? Perhaps a habit change or time spent with family?

“More time spent with significant other.”

“Being more intentional in relationships!”

“I’ve been praying more. Been closer with my family.”

“I’ve spent more time with God and learned not to take anything for granted.”

“Time spent with family. Young child at home that gets to enjoy some time with both parents.”

“I have played more board games in the past week than I’ve probably played in my entire life. I’m blessed with a wonderful family and quarantining with them is fun most of the time.”

“Yes! Spend time with family, not waste as much money, be more grateful for the things I do have, use technology and discover new technology and apps to connect with people, connect with people from other parts of the world.”

“It gives me more time to rest, read, and practice guitar! I’ve have some good quiet times where I could just spend however much time I wanted to with God. And that’s nice!”

Is there any scripture, words of wisdom, advice, or motivation mottos that you’re living by right now, that has helped you?

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Joshua 24:15

“This too shall pass. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“God has a plan.”

“Choose faith over worry.”

“Everything belongs.”

“Togetherness. Not a word of wisdom but it’s been incredible to see Christians from all different backgrounds and denominations come together during this time to help and serve others.”

“We’ll get through this. This too shall pass.”

“Romans 8:7 came up in an important conversation about the sovereignty of God yesterday.”

“2 Timothy 1:7 has truly been in my heart. God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Also, the book of Job has been an awesome read for me. It has shown me that God always has a purpose and even through the toughest of tests, He is there with us and His rewards are greater than anything this Earth can offer we just have to have faith in Him and. a RELATIONSHIP. Job was stripped of everything, but he knew God and he knew that God would answer him in his struggles.”

“Adapt and overcome.”

“Romans 8:28, and 2 Corinthians 4:17”

Have you done any self-reflection during this time? Learned anything about yourself? If so, what?

“I am paranoid about almost everything.”

“I’ve learned about how to be resilient, patient, and calm.”

“I’ve learned that I like to be busy with something.”

“I’ve definitely taken a shift in my political beliefs just from thinking about everything that is happening.”

“I didn’t realize how much I value the community in person until it was taken away.”

“I have realized how much I rely on other people’s support. Without crowds to play for, there is no show. Without institutions, there is no one to fund production projects. Other people hold more value than I realized.”

“Learned that my schedule was more my safety net sometimes than God was.”

“Not directly, but largely because I am tending to the needs of a toddler/not much time to my own thoughts, except sleepless nights.”

“Learned that my schedule was more my safety net sometimes than God was.”

“That I really did a lot to help my anxiety outside in public then I knew.”

“I think I have learned that I can be patient. I used to think that I needed to rush things and always be in a hurry to get things done. But during this time it’s ok to postpone things, it’s ok for things to take a bit longer than usual and I’m really appreciating that I am able to find this out. It’s a change of pace.”

“Yes. It’s important to ask for help when you are struggling. There are many people willing to help.”

“Ohhh yes. I’m a thinker for sure. I’ve been reading in 1 Thessalonians and as I prayed through that God’s just opening up my eyes for a deeper need for Him at this time. I see I don’t find contentment in Him enough.”

“Yes, during this time I am learning how badly my anxiety spikes being at home. I think it’s the thought of not being able to do what I want making it spike. This is a time to learn how to control it.”