"It's a Beautiful Life"- Genevieve Galvan Frenes

Well, today was some day.

As a teacher in the Central Valley, I had heard rumors of those in contact with the Corona Virus. Just like everyone else, I wondered whether these were true or not.

I began my day, ready to teach, and as I took attendance, there were way too many absences. This was only first period.

“Is there a field trip today? Or an activity going on?” I asked the kids.

Their response was that kids were most likely scared to come.

“They most likely heard something and are scared to come,” one student remarked.

So as the day continued, there were more absences and questions from the kids.

“Is our school closing? Why are other schools already closed and we’re here?”

I didn’t know what to say. I went about my day just like any other day and tried to reassure the kids that the school district would do their best to keep kids safe.

On the way home, I picked up dinner. I ate dinner with my husband and son. Then the email from the district popped up.

Once I read this email and began to see other districts were closing, I thought to myself, “Now, this is real.”

I didn’t run out to the store. I didn’t start searching the shelves for all the things I knew I didn’t have. I didn’t start proclaiming my religious beliefs online.

I sat down down in the living room, watched a movie with my beautiful daughter, texted my three other children to see how they were, then headed to bed alongside my husband as we read a book of our choice.

I made a small list of items which my husband, the early riser, will get in the morning, hopefully before the hysteria begins.

I heard of the panic. I saw the lines of shoppers in the stores online and was glad I wasn’t there. I acted the same way as any other day.

I’m not sure if I’m not reacting enough or if I should be overreacting. We have water and a portable water filter pitcher if I need more. I have enough food and can improvise and throw various ingredients together to make a good meal. As for toilet paper, we are usually stocked up, so that might be an issue at one point.

However, one thought has crossed my mind as this sudden change of events has occurred.

And that thought is, what are others going through? Are my students and their families okay? Do they have food and resources if needed if one of their members is sick? Do the elderly have someone to help them?

This has been my thought for the day. At the end of this very long day, I don’t know if I should be scared or in a state of panic, or remain calm like I normally act when sudden changes occur out of nowhere.

I’m choosing to remain calm.