My name is Julia Lutete, and I'm from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was born in the capital ( Kinshasa) and I'm 17 years old. I'm an African American ( Black) and I am from a Christian family. I came from a family of engineers. I moved to the United States when I was 11 years old. Right now, I'm a Freshman in the UK and still undecided on my major. This blog will be based on my real experience of the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
This virus started in the winter of 2019 but was aggravated in the month of March. This affected people's daily life, it killed a lot of people, shut down businesses, and lower the economy. One unique thing to me about Covid-19 is the fact that I had to (6 meters away from) greet people from far away. This Pandemic turned our life upside down. I could not believe that my senior year would have been ruined just when we were about to graduate. I remember planning my senior year like a wedding. I wanted to attend my first school dance ( prom), but I did not. I wanted to wear my African fabric designed dress, but I did not. Most importantly, I wanted to walk on stage and hold my diploma, but did not. All this because of a Pandemic. Should I blame the Virus?
We know that this is not the first virus to attack the world. We had a similar case in the past such as the influenza pandemic. At least with the coronavirus, the world has advanced with technology which is helping many doctors to find a cure for this virus. For this generation especially, who has never been quarantined because of a pandemic, we can consider this as a “Life War” virus. This pandemic is affected and keeps on affecting many people. Recording cases every single day and having cases in the hospital. I would not say that this virus has been worse for my family, than other people. The world is big, so many have been living in worse conditions. In a different part of the world, people live in total poverty and probably not surviving this situation. Covid-19 is a burden to people with low income, people who have medical problems, etc... In the Republic Democratic of Congo especially on the East side of the country, they just won a battle against Ebola, and not even a month, another virus comes to attack the world.
I’m showing this picture because it reflects on another side of the world. This is Google's picture from somewhere in Africa.
In March, when all the schools were closed, most school districts were hoping to reopen after one week, but unfortunately we ended up finishing school at home. As a UK student and what I have seen the UK doing, UK will probably go online and in-person for all its classes for the rest of this semester. Although we were all tested, there is nothing that assures students and parents that Covid-19 will end this year. The state, the school, and parents are trying to keep the students safe. Why I think UK Will be giving in-person and online classes is to limit the spread of the Virus. We still have cases here in Kentucky and around the US. The United States is farther away with cases than other countries. . We cannot compare cases from the US to a country like The DRC because they had few cases. I think the UK should prioritize the safety of all students just like Congo did. The DRC closed all schools in the country when they only had few cases. They almost announced a white year meaning that every student from all levels will have to repeat their classes. High School senior who was supposed to take their final exam/evaluation were sent back home and almost repeated their senior year. Their first and second exam was canceled, but now the Congolese minister of education had no choice, but to announce the exam since cases are not as before. In the case of the UK, continuing online programs will be safe for students because we have all the supplies and devices to help students.
University of Kentucky testing students. I was tested in the Kroger Field. So many students were tested here, and the UK did a good job keeping everyone safe.
These are my friends in the Democratic Republic Of Congo, who were able to do their exams, after spending their school year at home. Not all schools are reopening. Most schools will open only if everything goes back to normal.
