The two-year mark on the pandemic

Two years of living through a pandemic has pushed the world to reflect on how far we have come. In the GA community, the anniversary comes with newly-loosened restrictions and mixed emotions surrounding the school’s journey throughout the pandemic.

I took my mask off for the first time in what seemed like forever. The cool air touching my skin felt as though I was doing something wrong. It was as awkward and uncomfortable as the first time I put it on. My face is now unsheltered from the protection of the cloth I wore for so long. 

As I walked through the hallways, I saw smiles and heard laughter echoing through the hallways louder than usual. The reveal of everyone’s full face made me wonder just how long it had been. I was delighted with a feeling I longed for, and taken for granted two years ago–normalcy. The word is hard to define, because our “normal” keeps changing, and it is hard to pinpoint an environment that seems so distant from the past. But the feeling was familiar and easy to love again. 

As the two-year mark on the COVID-19 pandemic approaches, the whole world reflects on the time, changes we have overcome, and the loss and celebration that comes with it. Two years of living in an environment where it has been unsafe to gather in large groups, transferring common activities to online spaces, wearing masks to protect everyone around us, and so much more has taken a toll on everyone mentally.

 Many of the events we used to enjoy were either restricted or canceled, and many people knew someone who suffered because of the virus. It was just two years ago that students were delightfully surprised that they had only two weeks off from school, the talk of a “virus” not meaning much realistically. It was then that the long road ahead stretched before us. Our journey of the pandemic has allowed us to reflect on what life has been like, and what is to come. 

The pandemic is not over, and there are still many things to be aware of as restrictions loosen and normalcy is brought back again. Precautionary steps will be taken into account as we monitor the behavior of the virus, but for the most part, things seemingly will go back to the way they were. 

I spoke with some members of the GA community on their feelings about this two-year anniversary, especially given the newly adjusted guidelines and return to normalcy. One student, Hannah Manusov ‘23, reflected on how far GA has come with the pandemic, talking about the stages of the pandemic, and everyone’s resilience. She says that the school is “really embodying the motto of ‘through persevering we shall see the fruits.’” She says, “we’ve gone through so much as a community and now we’re finally seeing the effects of all of our work.”

Manusov notes that outside the GA community people didn’t wear masks a couple of months ago, and there were less restrictions, but “out of school people can do whatever they want, which can also be dangerous.” She also hopes that “school can be 100% normal” for her senior year. Hannah even details the journey of her high school experience concerning the pandemic, saying that “time has flown by so fast.” She says, “I started out as a freshman, and in March had to go fully virtual, so I didn’t even have a full year. Every year has been getting better, so I hope that my senior year can come full circle.”

Looking forward, she is excited that many pre-covid activities are back, and about masks being optional. “It was definitely a weird feeling,” she describes walking into school without a mask, “my face felt almost empty and vulnerable.” She notes though, that with her excitement towards being able to take off masks, “people are starting to get Covid again, which is scary,” but still feels safe. 

Taryn DiFranco ‘25 had a bit of a different experience through the pandemic. She says, “these years have been different in comparison to before, between being virtual for over a year in 8th grade, and now most of 9th grade being in masks, it’s crazy. I never would have thought it was going to last this long.”

She wonders if “it is ever going to be normal again.” She adds on by saying she is feeling “tired,” and “this time last year I felt the same, but I was still really hopeful. Honestly, at this point I’m just used to it, it’s almost like everyday life now.” 

She notes that in comparison to two years ago, “no one could be near anyone,” and with scientific studies, we now know that we can still be together safely and in person. When walking into school on the day that the mask mandate was lifted, she thought it was “weird how no one was wearing masks.” DiFranco continues to wear her mask despite these changes, because she is still hesitant about the nature of the pandemic in some ways, and is taking more precautionary measures.

The feelings surrounding new milestones reached in the pandemic vary in many ways, especially with newly loosened restrictions and a return to normalcy coming with it. But the feeling of excitement and anticipation for what is to come is universal. As the 2-year anniversary arrives, it is important to reflect on the things we have overcome as a community and celebrate our resiliency, while also continuing to follow guidelines and recommendations for our safety.