A tiny little seed that is planted in soil can grow into an immense,

magnificent tree 
where birds will be fleeing

Herbs, shrubs, and trees

Algae and flowers and more

There’s even plants in the seas 

And plants that grow on the floor 

When a seed in planted in my mind

Metamorphosis takes its course and my thoughts are aligned

At once an idea is formed and begins to grow 

And like a green, pure plant, in the air my leaves blow

Leaves of ideas getting put on paper

Writing in the speed of lightning with so much passion, it can't wait for later

My tree of ideas continues to grow 

And with rhymes and my notebook, the words just flow 

When I first heard of the pandemic I certainly did not know that it would lead to how we are today. After a few years of hearing that there are fake news, it was hard to believe that something like a global pandemic was real. However, it soon became evident that the threat was not to be under looked. Initially, it did not seem like it was a big deal and the only thing that mattered to me at the time was no school for two weeks. Little did I know this pandemic would change everything, no school, locked in houses, no social interaction, and all extra activities canceled. It wasn’t until we had lost so much that we realized how serious we needed to begin to take it. Everyone certainly underestimated the power this virus had and how much destruction it could cause. Over millions of people were affected, not only the people who got sick, but also the ones who lost their jobs and loved ones. The responsible people that have taken precautions not to spread the virus still can not see their family due to the ignorant people being careless over something that is clearly not minor. To this day we are waiting for this virus to stop. 

Q: What were your first reactions to hearing about COVID19 when it first became a pandemic last year? 
A: My first reaction to covid was that it couldn't affect us because our government would find a way to protect us. Then I soon realized that this wasn't the case and started to feel fear for my family and friends. 

Q: What has the pandemic made you realize?
A: The pandemic has made me realize the importance of having a healthy family. 

A: The government announced a large economic package to help families recover from an economic perspective that was a very welcomed measure because it will help people recover their employment and move on with their lives. In addition the government announced a very aggressive vaccination campaign which is important to the economy and the recovery of peoples lives in general. 

Q: How is today different from when the pandemic first happened for you, your family, the nation, the world?
A: Theres a lot more certainty about how the virus can be prevented and there are more tools to save peoples lives. In addition the company’s developed the vaccines that are critical to avoid contagion. With these measures the country can plan better how to deal with the situation and open the schools and economies in general so that people can go on with their lives.

Q: Do you see any examples of racism, inequality, etc in events that have happened as a result of the pandemic?
A: The pandemic showed inequalities between countries that were better prepared or worked more carefully in their prevention plans from others. One of the main challenges is that now that an effective vaccine has been invented to make sure that all countries get them as soon as possible to minimize the number of people dying from covid. In terms of racism I saw an unjustified attack towards people of a nation decent as if they would have purposely created the pandemic. This was completely unjustified and I wish the situation is reverted soon.