Poll taken by the Middle College News staff April 3-9.

By David Dilday

The coronavirus pandemic has changed everybody’s lives, from bustling workplaces to academic education, and it has put a strain on everybody differently. But how well have people adhered to social distancing and how have senior years been affected?

All seated classes were moved to an online environment. Although these changes have been hard on all students, they have been especially hard on the class of 2020. Many say this is not the way they ever thought their high school careers would end.

Jordyn Rust, an 18-year-old senior at Kickapoo High School, discussed the struggles of being in online classes.

“It depends on the class,” she said. “For anatomy, I’d rather be in the classroom so I can actually ask the teacher [questions].”

Rust is also a part-time employee at Papa Murphy’s. According to her, business was negatively impacted when the stay at home order first began. But just recently, business has begun to pick back up.

“People just aren’t as scared anymore,” Rust said.

With trying to stay six feet apart from co-workers and customers, it can be difficult to work in the food industry. Employees are trying their best to take every precaution there is, such as wearing gloves and masks. Some businesses are even offering curbside service, such as Papa Murphy’s.

“I feel that we are being safer about it,” Rust said about offering curbside service. “One girl actually complimented me about how I had gloves on whenever I went outside to take their money.” She said that most places are not doing that, thus, they are contaminating other things.

Although most businesses are trying their best to practice social distancing, it can be quite challenging for others. Doctors and nurses must come in close contact with their patients. But, just like everybody else who works in a place of business, they are taking extra precautions to avoid infecting anybody else around them.

Katlin Werre, a dietetic intern and room service assistant at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, shared her observations about social distancing.

“Personally, I don’t think people are adhering to social distancing that well,” Werre said. “People are still out when it may not be necessary for them and they may not follow the six feet apart rule or proper sanitizing.”

According to Werre, the hospital is strict about who is allowed on patient floors and rooms, as they are trying to keep employees spaced out as much as possible instead of just staying in one place.

“But thankfully, I’m doing fine,” Were said. “Just make sure to do what I can by wearing a mask, [practicing] proper hygiene, and using good judgment.”

The use of good judgement is a huge key factor in the stop of the spread of the virus. Staying indoors when you can and not going out when it is not necessary is also another way to stop the spread. But, unfortunately, it can be difficult for people to stay inside their homes for a long period of time.

Rust said that she has some close friends that are obeying the rules, but a lot of them are not.

“Most of my friends are hanging out with a lot of people,” she explained. “One of them is going out every single night, hanging out with different people.” Rust feels that she has been cautious, but not super strict about social distancing.

She enjoys time with her neighbor, and she does not really see a problem with that because they are in the same neighborhood and they are around each other often.

“I’m not hanging out with people that I usually like to hang out with,” Rust said.

COVID-19, David Dilday, Social Distancing