Dear Morgan of March 2020,

Well, we didn’t see this coming. I’m sure things seem pretty stressful for you right now, but boy is there more coming at you. You see, this whole “virus” situation did not just last two or three weeks like we all thought it would. You did not just get a longer spring break. I am writing this to you in September. Yes, September, 6 months later. I am not thrilled to be telling you that the world has not gotten… better. Actually, it’s gotten much worse.

I know that this might sound crazy, but school is online now. Friday the 13th really is unlucky I guess, seeing how that was the day school was canceled. Some private schools are in person, but Berkley was smart enough to have classes all online to keep us all safe. There are going to be so many people who think it’s a bad idea, but would you rather get COVID or have to go to school in the comfort of your own home? I mean, staring at a screen all day and the panic of technical difficulties is kind of annoying, but it’s better than the all encompassing anxiety that would plague you if you had to navigate the halls with 1300 students like usual. And, hey, it’s not all bad, clubs are still happening (including the play. I know, crazy right?), and there’s a lot more freedom now. Then again, you are still stuck at home.

Current events from March are hard to even remember now; that’s how much has happened since then. Those wildfires in Australia probably seem like a colossal event right now, but in all honesty, that had left my memory until a moment ago. I could tell you what’s been happening in all the months that have passed, but I’m not sure if I want to ruin all of the insane plot twists 2020 has thrown at the world. Honestly, even if I don’t spoil everything, I might as well give you a heads up about a few things.

For a start, stock up on masks now. You’ll be wearing them for a while. And yes, people are still adamant about how masks don’t work and claim that they shouldn’t have to wear them. Those same people as well as so many others don’t even wear them correctly. I’m sure you know this, but the mask should cover your mouth AND nose! There’s no point in wearing it if your nose is just out for the world to see. Second, no, murder hornets are not going to kill you. They only seemed to be a real thing for about a week and no one has heard from them since. I suppose the Universe made a mistake with releasing them so early in the year. Maybe they’ll come back sometime. It wouldn’t surprise me.

I feel like I need to mention the whole toilet paper debacle. Honestly, it’s one of the funniest and biggest overreactions I’ve ever experienced in my life. I’m sure you’ll be in the middle of it soon, but a monumental event that swept America when this all started was the toilet paper shortage. People felt the primal urge to hoard all sorts of paper products (toilet paper, napkins, paper towels) based on the fear that no one would be able to leave their homes to go get such things. This also made it so that people started thinking of fun and crafty ways to use less toilet paper or reuse napkins for a multitude of uses. This now means that people are still in possession of an almost arrestable amount of toilet paper.  In all seriousness, the world and social climate we live in will really start to change for everyone after the murder of a man named George Floyd. His death sparked a social revolution. Our generation has been protesting and fighting for change on racial issues for the past few months. It has been a lot of tear gas, and petitions, and Instagram posts, and explaining to our older (possibly racist relatives) that Black lives do matter. And “no grandpa, ‘defund the police’ does not mean get rid of all law enforcement.” It really has been a lot of work across the whole United States.

I know that all of these things will not make sense to you, since they haven’t happened yet, but trust me, every month will take you by surprise. Time is no longer real. It is most definitely the 200th day of March and no calendar can tell me otherwise.

I know this all sounds like a lot, and that’s because it is. There will be moments when it feels like the world is ending (and sometimes it sort of is), but everyone is in the same boat, trying to get to shore. Although, this same boat is a life raft with at least three holes.

Best regards,
Morgan of September 2020