This spring The Bengal’s Purr received more than 70 responses to a survey about Lewiston’s one-year anniversary of the 2020 lock-downs for COVID-19. Below are a few of their responses, and more student responses are available at bengalspurr.com.
Lindsey Lincoln
How did you feel about the lock-down when it first started in March 2020?
I hated it because we couldn’t see anyone face- to-face and it felt like we were in prison in our own house.
What do you remember about your last normal day?
My last normal day was still pretty sad because It was when my boyfriend and his step-dad went buffalo hunting that weekend. After that weekend he was supposed to come back, but he couldn’t because that was when the whole thing kinda blew up. Then we were in quarantine. It was so long before I could see his face.
What has been the hardest about the last year?
In my opinion, the hardest part was adjusting from being in a classroom to not being in a classroom. It was hard not getting that one-on-one time with the teachers, and having to see teachers though a phone screen or a computer screen.
Jacob Reese
What was your day like when you first went into lock-down?
It felt weird but it honestly felt like a snow day, just without the snow, because I was able to do really whatever I wanted.
How did you feel about the pandemic then?
It sucked. I felt really down and bored because I wasn’t able to do anything. A few of my friendships kinda fell apart over quarantine because I sometimes had a hard time keeping in contact with my friends.
How about now?
It honestly kinda feels like it didn’t even happen. It feels like it happened so long ago, but it still scares me to think we could possibly go back into lock-down or anything similar.
What good things came out of this year for you?
I think I’ve humbled myself a lot, realizing that these types of things can and will happen. It can be a really scary time, but you just need to keep a cool head, and be prepared for anything.
John Zimmer
What specific memories do you have of the start of quarantine?
Getting a job and working every single day so I had money.
When did you know the pandemic was serious?
I wasn’t affected in the slightest.
What has been the hardest about the last year?
When I took a week off work and wasn’t making any money.
What good things came out of this year for you?
I made bank this summer.
Jacob Isom
How did you feel about the lock-down when it first started?
I was honestly excited to stay home.
What do you remember about your last normal day?
Our science teacher told the class what the plan was for school if people had to stay at home.
How did you feel about the pandemic then?
I felt like it was really serious and that everyone needed to abide by the safety procedures.
How about now?
Now that we know more about the virus, it seems like less of a threat but everyone should still be cautious and wear masks.
How’d you feel about online school?
Right now online school is unnecessary with the low virus transfer rate between kids. It was necessary at first, though, because we didn’t know much about the virus at the time. However, it wasn’t done very well and the schools could’ve organized a better online program. Online school is possible, we just aren’t ready for it.
Paige Frary
How did you feel about the lock-down when it first started?
I thought, “Oh, cool, no more school for a while.”
What specific memories do you have of the start of quarantine?
It was the most time my family and I have spent together. COVID-19 really brought us together.
What do you remember about your last normal day?
It was really windy and my friends and I were just hanging out before school started. It was just a normal day. I had no clue of what was going on.
How did you feel about the pandemic then?
I thought it was okay. I thought it was fun that I didn’t have to go to school.
How about now?
It sucks. People are still trapped in their homes, and their mental health is getting worse.