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My brother:

How is today different from when the pandemic first happened for you, your family, the nation, the world?

Well, to start it off, my family has a lot more freedom. We are able to go out, see people, in specific friends and family, who we weren’t able to see before. Also, we are able to leave and eat out in places, but we weren’t able to before. Many learning ways have reverted slightly back to normal, having some in school students and that helped my brother and sister with their learning.

The nation was hit pretty hard by the virus. Many people fell into deep holes because of things such as loneliness, loss of family members, and no control under the lockdown. The world was also shut down and out through a crisis. Some countries weren’t too bad, but others had it terribly. Certain countries suffered and have found their feet a little more than before. Now though, as a whole, the world is doing much better and are working together to get rid of the virus. But over the course of this time, things are getting better and people are happier so that is what matters.

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My mom:

Did you have to cancel any major event like a vacation, a Bar Mitzvah, etc. because of the pandemic?

Response: Yes, we did. We had a vacation, which we planned way ahead of time, cancelled. We were going to see our family friends who we are extremely close with, and travel with them.

They live all the way in Singapore, so we were planning on meeting them there, staying a few days, and flying out to other places such as Thailand, Bali, and Dubai. It was going to be a great experience for both families, but sadly it was cancelled. We see them every summer, but we didn’t get to see them this year. I has been almost 2 years since we last saw them.

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What has the pandemic made you realize?

This terrible period of time hurt me a lot. I missed so many things I loved, my family, basketball, and many others. It made me realize that at any moment in your life, something crazy may happen to change your life. It can take a turn at any second for the worse, or also for the better. But no matter what happens, it gives people a second opportunity to quit whatever they started because it is hard. Because it wasn’t what they expected or felt, people just stop what they are doing. But whatever they go through, it may take a quick turn, but we as people, must push through. Everyone must keep going whether it is fun or hard. It has to come from the heart, a sense of determination, to finish what you started. Just because that turn comes, doesn’t mean we should quit. We must keep moving forward. It may bring us down for a second, but use it as fuel and bounce back even stronger. I have been thinking like that because I have had a hard last year and a half, as do many people, but I kept that mindset. Everyone should keep that too no matter what they are doing.

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How has your life changed since first going on quarantine last year?

My life changed drastically during this period of lockdown. I wasn’t able to see my grandma and grandpa, who I would see everyday. I wouldn’t be able to eat their food, or leave my house. It was like my life was so different because I was such an outgoing person. I loved to see my friends and hang out, but then I matured a lot over the period of time. I made many decisions, to become more serious about sports and school rather than other things. I chose a different way, and now I don’t act the same way in a classroom or anywhere else. Also my biggest passion, basketball, the thing I pursue, was completely shut down during this time. I couldn’t do anything because of COVID. I had my first tournament with my new team, excited to start something new, just before every gym, tournament, and even outdoor courts were completely shut down. It made me angry because I had my first shot, but this ruined it. I wasn’t even able to play pick up because rims were taken down! But then instead of looking at the bad side, I just worked hard over quarantine to wait until this passed, and now I have another chance with a new team. I was patient and kept strong through thick and thin.

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What were your first reactions to hearing about COVID19 when it first became a pandemic last year? Did you think people were over-reacting? Underreacting?

My reaction to the pandemic arising among the US did many things to me. When it happened, I was a little confused on how to feel. It was almost like a shocked feeling, but then I also didn’t think it was truly that bad. It was mild to me, and I was comfortable living at home. I was losing many things though. I realized that and now that I’m able to do and see those things, I cherish them even more because I felt what it was like to not have them. I heard that it had spread through America, but as many others, I also didn’t think it was going to be this severe to our country. I was with my friends, and they told me about it. As I covered earlier, I didn’t think it was that bad. My narrative about the disease changed immediately after it. I understood how many people were suffering from it and I changed my opinion. I thought it was terrible and hurt many people in many ways, not just the disease itself. People were struggling to keep their mind together as time went along at home. It was bad and people began to become aware as they should’ve before.

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I have a couple people who I watch, only because they make mixes for certain players who deserve it. Mixes are a group of highlights of players or a team that have effects to make it cooler.

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During quarantine, I watched several channels on YouTube that regarded basketball, and I they had all the high school basketball highlights that were still going on during the lockdown. This helped give me film, comparisons, and knowing where I have to be soon. I enjoyed watching these channels.

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My brother helped me through quarantine. He helped me with basketball and just pushed me to be my best self. He was annoying at times, but he helped and didn’t let me stop whether it was school or basketball.

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My dogs have been a big part of my life. They keep me up when I’m down and making me happy. I feel better whenever I’m around them.

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Injuries are gruesome to me when I play basketball, I sprained my ankle four times during basketball this year. I also rolled it many times.

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Over the course of a year or so, basketball has been a way for me to cope with certain things and release specific emotions.

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Over quarantine, I too began playing more Xbox. I didn’t play all the time, but I balance an amount a day. I played for about 30 minutes a day, but I enjoyed the time. I played many games in the console and grew more interested as time went along. I don’t play as much anymore because I don’t have time, but I play whenever I can

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Over quarantine, I grew even closer to basketball then I was before. I began talking the sport more seriously and with all the time because we had to quarantine, I played basketball about 5 hours a day. I began playing and playing, watching the best play, and just living around the game 24 hours a day.

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George Floyd had been a man who suffered from police brutality. He had been murdered harshly and for no reason. The officer, Derek Chauvin, had been convicted for murder several months later. He had charges of manslaughter and murder.

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Terrence Clarke, one my favorites in basketball, had passed away days after signing a contract with a new business. He was about to enter for the draft and was about to make it. He went in a separate car from his good friend and future NBA player, BJ Boston, who had seen the crash first hand. This hurt me a lot because I looked up to Terrence Clark, he was basically one of my idols.

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Joe Biden had between out former President, Donald Trump, to successfully maintain the position at the head of our government. It was an extremely close vote, but I ended up with Joe Biden prevailing over Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump then shot back causing a massive riot through our Capital Building, causing him to be impeached.