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That day the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Even I was still going to school. We left classes for the break in March and shortly after, schools closed due to the pandemic.

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In this photo, I had already started online classes. All of us in NYC were quarantined from the pandemic. It was a whole process of adaptation for me and my schoolmates.

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A not so happy birthday-April 11th, 2020.

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A not so happy birthday-April 11th, 2020.

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That was my birthday and I spent it at home because we were still in quarantine. Also, that day we received the news that my grandfather Feliz, who lives in R.D., had kidney problems and was bleeding. My family and I were very afraid of losing him. Fortunately, he improved after hospitalization and blood transfusions. Now, we plan to go next year to visit him because this year I couldn't go because the airports were closed due to the pandemic.

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This day, my advisor Michelle, from the club to which I belong, suggested that we draw (in whatever style we would like) animals for Earth Day and add unusual and interesting information about them.
"LEPIDOCHELYS KEMPII-Kemp's ridley; Females of this species lay about 90 eggs."

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On May 10, 2020, I accompanied my mother (Yuberky R.) to her doctor for a COVID-19 test. Three days later, we were told that it tested positive, so we all (my brother, my mother, and I) stayed at my house in quarantine for three weeks. We spent a lot of time together, we watched movies, we talked, we made new cooking recipes, we even dyed our hair. After those three weeks, the doctor told my mother that she could go back to work but maintain biosecurity measures at all times.

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My teacher (Mrs. Steffy) from the WCS club at the Bronx Zoo suggested that we make motivational and supportive phrases for those who are also going through these difficult times.
I decided to draw two people talking. One of them is having a bad time and the people who listen to her and understand her, this being an expression of empathy.

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Teenagers see depression and anxiety as a major problem.

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Teenagers see depression and anxiety as a major problem.

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This Matrix Heat Map chart shows that 70% of teens see depression and anxiety as the main problem, caused by different factors, such as a pandemic from a fatal disease, school problems, etc. Compared to bullying, drug addiction, alcohol use, poverty, teenage pregnancy, and gangs; since these occupy a percentage of less than 55% in adolescents and less than 35% in children.

During my quarantine, my anxiety increased, which caused me to spend days in a sad state and I became inactive. June was one of the most difficult months, but I realized that I was not the only one going through it thanks to the data shown in this graph.

I always look for a way out of that dark circle of fear. I let myself feel the sad moment and then I invest time in activities that help me feel better.

When I am anxious and thoughts go through my mind very quickly, I try to focus on a single object until I no longer think of day other than that object. Many times I read the books that I have not finished, I watch a new anime, or take pictures of random things; Those actions make me feel better. I also talk to my best friend; I tell her how I feel and why, then she helps me organize my ideas, that calms me down.

Source: Zraick, Karen. “Teenagers Say Depression and Anxiety Are Major Issues Among Their Peers.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 20 Feb. 2019, www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/health/teenage-depression-statistics.html.

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Biological Sex is also a Risk-Factor % of COVID-19 deaths.

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Biological Sex is also a Risk-Factor % of COVID-19 deaths.

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This Pie graph shows that biological sex is also a risk factor for contracting COVID-19.

Women with a 37% probability of dying from COVID-19, indicates that they have a lower risk of dying from the disease. In contrast, men have a 63% chance of dying from the disease, one of the reasons for this is because the highest number of deaths are male.

I am concerned about these figures because I have male relatives and knowing that they have a high probability of dying from COVID-19 motivates me to help them take care of themselves and others. Especially here, in New York City, cases are increasing every day, and this is where my family members - including males - and I live.

Source:
McCandless, David. “COVID-19 #CoronaVirus Infographic Datapack.” Information Is Beautiful, Information Is Beautiful, 11 Sept. 2020, informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid-19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/.

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The Majority of Infections are Mild Seriousness of symptoms.

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The Majority of Infections are Mild Seriousness of symptoms.

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This bar graph shows the percentage of the severity of infections.

Most infections with mild symptoms have been 80.9% in total, they can stay at home with peace of mind. In contrast, infections with severe symptoms have been 13.8%, which falls into the category of hospitalizations. Concluding with the infections of the critical state, being 4.7%, being these cases those that arrive at intensive care.

I think that the 80.9% who felt mild symptoms, is because the people who were under quarantine, had a greater chance of being cured in a "clinical way" -this refers to when a person, after having suffered symptoms, begins to feel better - and prevent the spread of the virus.

Several people close to me had the virus and did not realize it because they turned out to be asymptomatic, only when they were tested as a precaution, did they know that they had had COVID-19.

Source:
McCandless, David. “COVID-19 #CoronaVirus Infographic Datapack.” Information Is Beautiful, Information Is Beautiful, 11 Sept. 2020, informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid-19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/.

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In this photo we are my nephew (Myles D) and I, a week later because of the whole situation with the pandemic, in addition to the fact that I live in the Bronx and he in Brooklyn with his parents. He was born in Brooklyn on July 6th. He is the son of my older brother (Sergio D.J.) and my crib (Jessenia H.).
For me, he symbolizes the hope of a new beginning. He is someone I am getting to know from scratch, willing to give him my love unconditionally.

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Photo by: Cristina Nagore.

2020 taught me that I am stronger than I imagined; I'm not what I have in mind, or I'd be dead.

2020 changed me because there were many things that I did not know were going on around me, and I did not realize it, but now I can identify those situations and take action against them. I learned that although a problem does not affect you directly, it does not mean that it is not your problem. I learned to be more patient in difficult situations, and empathize with others. I learned that my voice is powerful, that only I can decide what I am and what I do, and that loving myself is the most important thing. I learned to trust my mother more and that made our relationship stronger. I learned to let myself feel the pain and not hide it, because it is necessary to feel it to heal.

In my opinion, 2020 was a reality check for everyone, making us realize that we are fragile but resilient beings. I encourage us to raise our voices against injustices in search of equality and equity.

I think that in the future as something uncertain. It gives me hope that things will improve, but that all depends on how we act today in our present.

I believe that 2021 will be a year of restoration and restructuring. We will be more prepared and informed for whatever may come because our strength has no limits.

I end 2020 with the question:

How will we adapt to daily life with COVID-19?

What will happen if the virus mutates and they don't find a vaccine?

Why doesn't our government act against systemic racism?

Will we get to 2030 without killing the planet first?

Why does being a woman condemn me?

2020 left me wondering: do I want to know everything? Would absorbing too much knowledge make me unhappy or unemotional?

But what I am sure of is that: I am not the same person as a year ago.