- VIRUS ‘Silver Lining’ - May 6, 2020
By Zong Moua
Quarantine mandates hold a silver lining in the opportunities opened by time-off from previous obligations.
Time to read that book you been putting off, learn a new skill, write a screenplay, enjoy time with family, these and other shelter-in-place opportunities emerged in a non-scientific survey conducted through Facebook.
Questions asked: “What are you doing to kill time during quarantine?’ and “What is the weirdest thing you’ve done during quarantine?’ There were a multitude of answers.
Katie Shank usually works at Fairbanks Sleep Clinic, she took up crocheting during the first-two weeks confined at home. “It was a great way to pass time and do something other than watch TV mindlessly,” she said. “Since then I have been investing into my health and working out every day after work.’
Keeping a good workout routine can help maintain mental health as well. A new hobby is also a good way to kill time. Many others have claimed to binge Netflix shows or movies.
Some have spent their time enjoying the virtual world. Haley Baker from Anchorage had a super simple answer to what she’s been watching while killing time: “Animal Crossing for hours,’ she said.
Animal Crossing isn’t the only game consuming quarantine time, others stick to their classic PC games such as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, even Minecraft.
For students, the overight shift to online classes brought unexpected complications mixing life and school.
UAF grad student and professional photographer, Sarah Manriquez says, “I work remotely from home and am drowning in mountains of online homework’
In early March, most UAF students had to vacate dorms and residence halls residents hall due to the lockdown measures accompanying Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s shelter-in-place mandates. A few students were permitted to stay in the halls due to their personal circumstances, but most had to move out. Some students from rural areas who returned home faced very limited internet service or none at all. This can make completing online classes difficult.
Among weird aspects reported by Facebook interviewees: “Staying away from family,’ said True Moua.
Gao Chee Vang, a mother of 5, said the same thing.
Having a pet keeps some sane in times like these, reported Serena Wiswar, 21. “I’ve taught one of my rabbits to walk on her hind legs and gave another a hair cut.’
When that remote work gets tedious…
Quarantine haircuts are apparently a huge trend. If you feel like joining in on the haircut fun, but don’t want to ruin your hair, doing what Serena did can be a good alternative. WHAT DID SHE DO?
The best activity opened by quarantine? “Dating,” reported Sarah Manriquez, an art grad student and professional photographer.
Even with all the disaster that is going on in the world, apparently there is always room for love. It doesn’t matter where or who you are, with love still intact, there is hope for us all.
Zong Moua is studying film and performing at UAF with a concentration in film. His main focus is film directing, but he also likes photography, graphic design, and writing. Moua’s films have been screened at UAF, as well as Anchorage as part of the Alaska Teen Media Institute, For a 20-year-old, Moua has more experience with hands-on film projects than most classmates. After college, he plans to move seeking better career opportunities.
