Pandemic of Despair is about the physical and psychological impact this COVID-19 Pandemic has had on the population especially the elderly. Isolation, disorientation, change, and fear being the few of many emotions felt during this time and are the themes of my piece.

My grandparents have been in isolation alone for more than half a year now with me being the only person they have allowed in their home. They only contact people through the phone or text message. 

“This pandemic is affecting us being able to live our lives in our older years—- it is better to burn out than to fade away. We miss being able to smile with people in person, talking on the phone is not enough sometimes.”

I want all of you every morning when you wake up to think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to enjoy, to love and that you are able to leave your home even for the simplest task of getting groceries without being as at risk as someone older than you. Be grateful, the measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort but where they stand in times of challenge.