Your Voice: The impact of COVID-19 on UHCL Hawks

The Signal sent out a Google Form March 16 asking the UHCL community to share – in any method of medium – how the spread of COVID-19 has impacted their lives. Check out submitted stories, photos, videos, artwork and more below. If you would like to share your experience of COVID-19, thus far, you may do so via this Google form link: forms.gle/zodAc5rmfjt3j3dm9

Submitted March 16

Nicholas Stremmel, criminology major

The Kemah bridge is drivable again. Stocked up on canned vegetables.I don’t even like canned vegetables. Although kind of bummed about the rest of the semester. Being extra cautious about cleanliness now.

Jenie Rodriguez, interdisciplinary studies major with EC-6

As an HEB cashier, I think I’ve been traumatized by how people can go in survival mode for a pandemic. I’ve been hearing stories after stories of customers sharing their thoughts, and it feels as if I was in a movie. Two weeks ago we have had hand sanitizers in the front register filled to the top buckets collecting dust, and now every register and shelf with hand sanitizer has been wiped out across the nation. Insane.

Sarita Donaie, history major

Having to use and eat as little as I can because people have been hoarding is totally terrible and I hate having complete uncertainty if I have enough for this week and next, but overall what really is terrible is this school (UHCL) taking so long to decide whether or not to cancel school, which they should in order not to spread the virus. UHCL taking this long to respond shows how much they don’t know or understand about the virus when all they need to do is look outside and online and see how people’s reactions speak louder than words.

Sieana Bernal, accounting major

I am scared. I am a server and I have to still attend work. I am scared to serve my tables. But it is impossible to keep a 5-10 ft distance from people when you have to hand them their food and drinks. I’ve even been experiencing more tables not tipping me. I don’t know if they think I get paid regardless but I don’t. I wish my work would close because I believe if we as a country go under quarantine for 2-4 weeks we could make a positive impact on the coronavirus. I have visited more than five grocery stores to stock up on food/supplies but there is no meat, bread, or vegetables! I have been using my off time to apply for internships this summer and work on projects/assignments due in the future that I can finish now. I wish everyone health and safety.

John Caine, literature major

While my family and myself have not fallen into full panic, we are not far from it. Both my wife and I work in the school system. While she is a full-time employee, there is a lot of uncertainty on how work will go for her. She also works as a tutor and that income is now lost. In my situation, I am a substitute who gets booked several days a week, weeks or months in advance. With schools going to an online format, I have lost all of my income and, likely, my medical insurance. My ability to make extra income is incredibly limited, which creates a lot of uncertainty. This makes needing to go into public and risking illnesses a more extreme situation, so we have to mitigate our exposure as best as possible as more cases come forward all around us. Luxuries like the internet at home have now become a necessity with no access to campus facilities. I understand my place of privilege that allows me to be as well of as I am, though it’s not a great position. I fear that many of my colleagues and classmates will not be as fortunate. I don’t have any answers, just hopes and worries.

Nikita Loftin, public service leadership major

My boyfriend has severe asthma. His work has shut down. We have lost his income. It’s scary. I just finished my job at Target and just started a new job as an employment specialist. I’ve learned one way to do things and now we have to restructure our whole organization.

Gladys Arteaga, student

I work from home and attend online UHCL courses. This pandemic has not impacted my daily routine all that much. I only go out when necessary and keep busy with online work. Other than work, I keep myself occupied by watching new shows, cleaning, cooking, and doing yoga at home rather than going to my gym when I feel like I need a little calming boost. Every now and then, I go to my local park to enjoy some outdoor time. My husband, however, is working long hours at a hospital helping patients as best as he can through all this chaos. I wish I could do more but I know staying home and limiting contact with others is the best I can do to keep our community safe.

Travis Wallace, marketing major

Obviously, I have been doing my best staying indoors and only going out when I need necessities such as groceries but doesn’t help that people are buying in bulk and freaking out. I mean sure this is a big deal but I feel like during other natural disasters I have been in, nobody has taken things this serious so far.

Cynthia Nieto, internship II and EC-6 educator

I am currently in internship II. I have finished my classes, passed my state exams, and am now in limbo because my clinical teaching has come to a sudden halt due to my district closing and moving to online teaching. I was in the middle of my independent teaching and now worry that I will not receive my license. I, and many other internship II students were supposed to graduate in May after we completed our independent teaching are in limbo. It’s heartbreaking, and I am hoping and praying that we receive communication about our status soon from UHCL.

Luis Rauda, MHA and MBA

Upsetting. I’m the kind of student who strictly prefers to take face-to-face classes, and now I’m finding out that my current classes have been converted to an online format. Even worse, I now have to pay to take a final exam which was supposed to be taken in person and free of charge. The least they could have done is place the final in Blackboard and not have students pay out of their own pocket to take their finals through Proctor U. I am very displeased with this entire situation and now my degree hangs on the result/outcome brought by this virus.

Stephanie Ruiz, education major

I have no fear due to the fact that I have a strong relationship with God and because he sent his son to shed his blood for us we are healed. Those who believe shall not perish but have everlasting life. The bible says to be still, he is in control. Unfortunately, there are some areas that I lack in faith. But I am learning to trust in him, at the moment I am not working because they shut down the school district that I work in. I am a kindergarten homegrown student. If there are no students I can not work. Therefore, unlike teachers, they do not pay me for these times off. I believe this isn’t fair, we may not work full time but that is because the job description does not let us. Perhaps you ask “why are you working there?” Well it is said that we will have a guaranteed teaching job after graduating with our degree. I do not know how I will pay for my next payment in my payment plan but I know God will provide. He always makes a way when it looks like there isn’t one.

Joe Meyer, marketing major

Basically staying home. My dad doesn’t believe the COVID-19 is that bad and is still going out. I don’t have the capability to do online classes so I’ll just fail this semester I guess.

Sarah Kirby, MHA and MBA

My kids are out of school but currently, we are all healthy. I need this virus to go away so everything can go back to normal.

Jackie Valencia, healthcare administration

COVID-19 is in my county and seems to be spreading. My job has cut hours by half, luckily we have water and supplies for now.

Crystal Henderson, humanities major

I’ve been gathering supplies like most other people, I’ve been using caution best I can. My moms (plural) have been not leaving the house because of their diabetes and other health problems, so I’m doing my best to keep them busy and do some shopping for them. Luckily I live in the countryside, so we can go on walks and have campfires. I’ve already canceled multiple plans, but luckily the new “Animal Crossing” game is coming out and I can pretend to live a normal life on in a video game.

Gabby Williams, education major

My school district that I substitute in has been shut down until April 10. I won’t have any income coming in.

Submitted March 17

Misty Woods, literature major with 7-12 English language arts and reading certification

Everyone needs to calm down. Yes, this is an issue we should all be concerned about. However, we also need to think about each other. Do people even know why they are buying so much toilet paper? Do you really need a year’s worth of toilet paper? Think about other people who also need toilet paper and leave some for the next person or share with your neighbors. It’s all well and good to have a mask, however, think about other people. Health care workers who are working with sick people and the virus need masks more than you need them. Speaking of masks, check the total prices of things when you order them. Company’s are not able to price gouge the prices of things like masks and hand sanatizer but they can raise the prices of shipping to ridiculous amounts that turn a 2-pack face mask for about $10 into costing over $100. We need to call them out for doing this if they are unable to give us a good reason why they are raising the prices. Also, keep on eye on SGA. They are trying to pass a new constitution that many people have disagreed with and have not provided any changes when they had plenty of opportunities before everything happened and continually did not meet deadlines they set for themselves to publish the purposed constitution with changes. SGA is not postponing the voting either and only started sending out mass communication emails when they were called out for not doing it. They have also been heard saying in an SGA meeting that they just want to get the constitution passed and let the new government make amendments to it; essentially clean up after them instead of purposing a solid constitution they had a year to work on. If you have not already done so, please go to their GetInvolved Page and read the constitution they are purposing. If you would like more information on the subject, please get in touch [with] a student organization officer and ask about the Student Org Officer Discord chat. If they do not know about the chat please direct them to send a message to Clear Lake Anime Watchers, Boss, or IT Club through GetInvolved.

Magdalen Vargas, finance major

I am currently working full time, my daughter is off of school, so she is coming to work with me, which means late hours because not as much work is able to get done. My job is currently working on getting us set up to work from home. I will now have to be my daughter’s teacher for most likely the rest of the school year, which is fine, I love helping her. The only problem is that my daughter comes first, my work comes second because it is my only income to support my daughter, but my school work is not the biggest priority, so it is going to be pushed behind my needs. I don’t want to fail my classes because I don’t have my already limited time to focus on my school work.

Nicholas D, fitness and health performance major with pre-physical health concentration

It looks like the school is going to be closed for some time
In order to have some fun, I’m going to make this poem rhyme

The face-to-face classes are being put online
This is bad news for me and I don’t feel fine

Online classes make feel alone and out of place
It feels like I’m floating around in outer space

I was going to join a student organization to help them with charity
Now disappointment seems like it will be a regularity

I met an amazing person that was incredibly pious
Although now I may never see them again because of this virus

A classmate was teaching me how to play chess
This virus has created such a mess

Spending my days with my classmates was a wonderful time
Now I just feel imprisoned as if I’ve committed some sort of crime

I have trouble seeing myself having a good time until the summer
It’ll probably just be meaningless and that’s a bummer

The days will pass slowly just to end up forgotten
I predict that during this time my soul will feel rotten

I’m scared and just want to be calmed down
Hopefully writing this will get rid of my frown

Writing things like this brings me glee
Hopefully, things will soon get better for me

I hope everyone else is safe and doesn’t get sick
This has been a wonderful poem by Nick

Anai Gutierrez, social work major

I work as an hourly worker for HISD and since HISD is closed until April 10, i will not be getting paid for a whole month. So that is really stressing me out. If there are any options you guys can offer I would really appreciate it.

Brittany Kirschner, education major

So far COVID19 has been really frustrating. My education has been compromised being that we are having to transition online, when I definitely learn better in person. I just landed a dance instructor job at a dance studio, and I’ve only been working there a month. Today the studio closed and I am out of a job. Honestly, I don’t know if I will be able to pay my bills this month. I was also going to try to start a dance organization at UHCL, but now I can’t get students if I can’t be on campus to get the word out. I choreographed a dance showing the Coronavirus through movement and dance.

Submitted March 19

Blair Carter, management major and student ambassador

My mental health is starting to deteriorate again. I’m recognizing my spiraled thinking is getting out of hand. My counseling sessions have been canceled and I’m just hoping I’ve done enough therapeutic work to hold myself together. More specifically with people comparing this to distopian fiction my mind says the sun is going to block out and I’ll forget what it looks like; but a virus can’t block out the sun. I’m realizing the value I place into being a community member. I’m realizing how important it is to reach out for a support network, possibly more so than I have in the throws of my depression, and how important it is to help others even if the most you can do is check in. My parents aren’t taking this seriously. They say half the population has gone crazy with fear and the other half has stock-home syndrome. There’s a heavy focus on belittling those who are afraid, and no effort put into social distancing. They think the effort is laughable; so it feels utterly lonely and irrational. My mind is also drawing parallels to vaccinations. There’s an argument used against Anti-vaxers called heard immunity. The idea is that not everyone can be vaccinated, so those that can should. The same goes for social distancing in a way. Not everyone can work from home, so those that can should. This also provides a large reflection on what the pillars of our society are and who we truly rely on. Notice it’s the minimum wage workers and emergency personnel who are still going during this crisis. I want to thank everyone who can’t go home for the community they provide, and the service they fulfill. I see you, and I hope there’s a newfound respect for you in general. I’m writing this from my desk at work, but I expect to be working form home soon, if not for social distancing, for my mental health. I can’t focus on being productive if the only things I’m understanding are worst case scenarios and watching my mind spiral into an abyss while I’m too embarrassed to ask for help. I want to thank you for providing a space where i could talk about my experience even if you do nothing with what i have said. I hope you all at the signal have a lovely quarantine. Also look forward to the podcast that cab is planning on creating in the near future.

Jennifer Lehnert, student

Sad. We’ve had to cancel my son’s birthday party planned for today. I miss making art in my studio classes which is impossible to do online.

Krystal Mundell, biotechnology major

I am working at a veterinary clinic and trying to stay at home as well. These times are going to bring financial hardships and stress to my family. It will be stressful and challenging to handle classes online while working under such measures.

Submitted March 20

Cynthia Saenz, post-baccalaureate

I am a full time Medical Assistant and a part-time student. I have decided to self-quarantine due to having a low immune system. I have only been at home for the past week and I [am] beginning to feel irritated with my situation. I feel like I could be helping the community out, but if I do I run the risk of infection. In the end, my health and the health of those around me are much more important than me being bored so I will remain at home until it is safe to come out.

Janice Bethany, writing lecturer

Road Trip from Home

In an outbreak,
the roads so empty
we flip our last quarter
on the center line just
to hear another thunk.

Fevered, isolated,
we pray for cures;
we pray for extra lives
to ride by on assembly lines.

Sleeping through news,
we see microscopic spikes
lengthening behind the eyes.

Our ears are tired.
Their canals want to close
like everything else.

Streets over,
a motorcycle’s
heavy patter
distracts us.

With full breaths,
it hits each gear
rhythmically, certainly
flowing away like water.

In dreams
we hitch a ride,
burning across
empty roads like
Roman candles.

We ride,
planning parties
for the next world,
passing meadows
of our missed spring,
flying fast flying hard
flying past every stop.

Submitted March 22

Anita Cerda, education major

This is my first semester at UHCL and I’m enrolled in four classes. One is online and the other three are face-to-face. COVID-19 has made my first semester very stressful now that it has all been converted to online only. I prefer face-to-face, my reason for taking face-to-face classes. I work full time and have a child and home to take care of. This is going to be a huge challenge for me but I have to stay above water for myself and my daughter.

Submitted March 25

Lauren Delhomme, graduate student

Overall, my experience thus far has been pretty…..numbing. I’ve heard of other teachers crying, of everyone being stressed out…and it’s just all…surreal to me. I thrive on being “busy,’ as I know many of us do. I enjoy (and depend on) my schedule so much, that when I took my walk a few days ago, I took my planner with me. I was hoping to write/create a new routine for myself, but I ended up crossing out more things than I added to it….I just want to get back to my schedule.

I’ve had a lot of alone time with my thoughts (and just alone time in general). I’ve second guessed myself on so many things, from applying to grad school in the first place to wondering if I hadn’t stayed so focused on my career and school if I’d have a spouse and family like I “should” by now. I’ve wondered if I should be doing more to help others during this time, and how. I’ve wondered if maybe I’m not worried enough about my students, and maybe something is wrong with me for not crying.

At this point now, I think I’m almost through the “grieving” process. I’m starting to process that we are in this for the long run. I’m thinking of ways to best support my students over the next few weeks – and not stressing about it, I’ve reminded myself of why I went to grad school in the first place, and that I must be doing the right thing – and lastly – that I think I’ll be “okay” just relaxing and reading for a bit during this time. I still plan to volunteer some for my local animal shelter, processing foster applications from home, and volunteering at the food bank as long as I stay healthy and well – but – this pandemic has shown me that it’s okay if I’m not “busy” all the time. At the end of the day, a checklist that just says “I enjoyed a nice run or walk in the sun and read an amazing book.” – is still a marker of success.