See how some students say the pandemic has reconstructed meeting new people
Freshmen students (from left to right) Jasmine White, Olivia Waller, Baine Proctor and Cassie Lopez hangout and do homework at the JSAC.(photo by Mia Dickens)
By Mia Dickens | Contributor
As COVID-19 cases are starting to lessen in some areas, many students attempt to adapt to new rules and regulations provided by the CDC to ensure everyone’s safety.
Amongst these rules, social distancing and mask-wearing are key components to help lessen COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, these rules put a dent on many students’ social lives since going out and meeting new people was limited.
Chi Nguyen, a freshman at Augusta University, felt neutral about the situation regarding the pandemic.
“I made sure to stay in contact with the friends I do have at the moment by calling and texting them,” she said, “I think I’m pretty easy to make friends with so meeting new people hasn’t been too big of a trouble for me.”
However, she also found the situation unnerving as she witnessed many people starting to contract the virus.
“I began feeling too scared to go out and do the things I used to,” said Nguyen, “I wasn’t allowed to go out anymore, so I just stayed in the house all the time. It was very boring.”
Nguyen added that she hasn’t interacted with people as much as she used to because of her increasing worry of the virus.
Gabriella Paulos, a junior at Augusta University, said the pandemic has impacted her in both a positive and negative way. Paulos contracted the virus, which adversely affected her.
“Obviously, there is something deadly out there,” she said. “Since I’ve had it personally, it was very unpleasant. Thankfully I’m still okay!”
Despite becoming sick, Paulos reminisced on the quarantine days as a time where she found light in her situation, as she began becoming closer with her loved ones.
“When we were quarantining, I got to spend time with the people I love which ultimately brought us closer,” she said.
Paulos said she considers herself socially awkward which cause her to struggle meeting new friends. She eventually resorted to connecting with new people and personal friends online via text and FaceTime.
“With the masks it’s harder to read people so it’s tough to get close,” she said. “I feel like it’s establishing new barriers between us.”
New guidelines regarding masks have been implemented in many states, according to the CDC.
Contact Mia Dickens at midickens@augusta.edu.
