It has been a little over nine weeks in quarantine now, and I am only going a little bit crazy. The past nine weeks have definitely not been easy at all! When I first heard the news of school being canceled for a short period of time, I was undoubtedly happy because a break from school and stress sounded appealing and I desperately needed it.

However, over the past few months, as we are all stuck in our respective homes due to California’s Shelter in Place Order, I think we have all realized that the severity of this virus continues to grow exponentially. With every passing day, more and more people are testing positive for COVID-19.

These times have undoubtedly been the weirdest weeks of my life. The streets are empty. The parks, beaches, and hiking trails are desolate. The stores are free of all the good toilet paper. Even Rolling Pin Donuts’s line is practically nonexistent! It feels as if the whole world has just come to an abrupt stop, and everyone is attempting to cope with fears and anxiety that no one should ever have to experience.

This crazy time has been solely centered around the fear of interaction because of how much is unknown about the virus. Whether it was fear made from watching the news every day, seeing someone slightly cough, or fear stemming from just the idea of online schooling, it is entirely prominent everywhere.

In my opinion, this time in our lives should not be based on our fears. During this time, it is crucial to unify even if we cannot do so physically. As a nation, we need to come together and tackle our fears to cope with the pandemic. Yes, this time can be scary for many people but the overbearing amounts of fear that lead to panic buying, hoarding, and greed is unnecessary. In fact, it is causing more harm than good and negatively impacting the stability of our communities.

The idea that people are not allowed to step outside for exercise or to get a breath of fresh air is a common misconception. Staying indoors for weeks upon end is absolutely absurd and unhealthy. Going outside for even a short amount of sunlight can be helpful. According to WebMD, “The sun’s UV rays help your body make this nutrient, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system.”

For the average person, going out on a walk with family or taking a day to sit at the beach in the sunny, beautiful weather does not increase the risk of infection as long as you wear the appropriate gear, wash your hands afterward, and obey social distancing rules.

During this pandemic, people’s stress levels have gone through the roof which is partially because people are trapping themselves in their homes. I believe that everyone needs to be spending less time trapped inside panicking when the natural world is out there to explore.