Early this year, my family had to make a big decision. Jooyoung, my husband, got a new job in San Diego but my son did not want to move for his senior year. So Jooyoung and I decided to live separately up to my son’s graduation next year. It was a challenge for my family because we’ve never been apart from each other for a long period. We worried about this strange situation, encouraged each other, and tried to help other family members. After Jooyoung left for San Diego, just two months later, COVID-19 affected all over the world. His new company was shut down and he came back to us. We sometimes talk about this ironic situation that we are supposed to be apart but we aren’t now and it’s a kind of gift from a horrible pandemic.
Before the pandemic, I didn’t try to jog since it seemed too hard for me. Getting quarantined longer made my mind change. I try to jog every day a little longer. I accomplished one and a half miles without any break time yesterday. It’s a good change for Woobin, my daughter, and me under quarantine although I need to wear a mask during jogging. It’s not easy to breathe wearing a mask for jogging so we usually cover the face when we pass anybody. Covering the face is the most effective prevention. Korea is doing Coronavirus well with high-quality masks and test kits. I’m so proud of my nationality.
Pandemics, which no one had expected, exerted enormous power to quarantine humanity at home around the world. The enormous death toll is changing every day. Some bad news around the world, such as floods, typhoons, earthquakes, and attacks of locust make it harder for people under the COVID-19. It looks as if the earth cleans itself to survive.
Someone said only humans are harmful to the earth. For mankind to overcome this pandemic and survive, it is necessary to cooperate, free from self-interest.
Submitted by Nina Park, Santa Rosa – Sonoma County.