PART 2: Background Research

My daily routine and responsibilities has definitely been altered, just like most of the people around the world, to adapt to the current situation of the pandemic. These changes range from having serious problems related to corona virus, to other things that are less critical. I will take you through a day in my current life and show you what my thoughts and struggles usually look like. Starting the day with what seems to be a lazy attitude, questioning whether its worth it to wake up early or should I just sleep in and ruin my sleep cycle just because there is nothing to do, there is no more university or morning outings that I will miss.Moving to what my family and friends are going through,as having one of my family members suspecting that they have caught the virus and cant seem to breathe properly, is probably not the best thing, especially as I am still in denial of what is happening around me. I am trying to distance myself and blocking out any news or facts about the Corona virus so as not panic. So in a situation like this I wouldn’t know what to do or how to act, there is only a hotline for information about COVID-19 but I dont think there is much information about where to go or what to do, without using this hotline, that might not even answer the call. Some of the people around me and even in my family, were not quite taking the issue seriously and were ignoring all the regulations and precautions that were advised, claiming that there are very few cases in Egypt and its only a matter of days that we will go back to our normal lives. So the people I was surrounded with, were either carless and going out without bearing in mind what is happening in the world, or they were over-worrying about the whole situation and cant seem to adapt to how their new day is; and I am not sure how to exactly help either of them get through this time safely. Online teaching, is whole issue by itself, starting from not being able to keep track of what is happening in your classes,and what is due soon, to not knowing how the semester will pass by and how the grading is going to be and whether all the courses will be easily understood by just watching the lectures, so I am stressing over the vagueness of the whole situation.Moreover, another very important topic would be me trying to keep my sanity, and making sure that with all the things on my mind, I am still being able to calm myself and be in control of my emotions, or seek help in doing so, in order for me to not get panic attacks or have constant anxious thoughts that will take control over me and my whole body.Moreover, having my mental health and education as my top priorities I find myself torn between wanting to relax and exert less effort in my courses but still wanting to get good grades that will look better in my CV or help me graduate with honors. Also trying not to obsess over the missed opportunities, my last days in the University that I was very excited about, and the progress in my strength and flexibility, that I am no longer able to maintain without having a scheduled dancing class. Also, not knowing wether to be optimistic and start laying out plans for myself or just living the day as it goes without having any expectations for the future,so as not to get disappointed; as I am a graduating senior this was supposed to be the time for me to consider my options after college and I was thinking of traveling to work but that doesn’t seem to be an option anymore. Overall, I am not able to fully grasp what is happening and let it sink in just yet and that is only possible through distracting myself with few available activities such as watching tv shows and cooking.