An Archive
This virus has been a radicalizing moment for me. As the neoliberal order continues to drag their feet, failing to produce tangible assistance to the tens of millions of workers out of work because of this virus and the tens of millions more who may be in the coming months, I find myself increasingly disgusted and disaffected. Americans have always seen ourselves as cowboys; as rugged individualists. But no one ever did anything worth a damn alone. We have to help each other. We have to see learn to live as a community. This virus has made that clearer than ever.
The proliferation of social media and the move to an online existence has made the modern world an especially lonely place to live. Never before has it been easier to connect with friends, family, and strangers alike. And yet we’re more disconnected than ever.
Walks with Bernie
I’m not sure how to fix any of this. I’m not sure anyone does. Maybe that’s what’s so infuriating: the helplessness. It’s impossible to know when this will get better. I just hope we can come out the other side better, and together.
I cannot imagine quarantining alone, as so many millions have to right now. My heart breaks for the elderly, for the isolated, for the lonely. This virus makes that reality more pronounced. I feel so lucky to be riding out this tumultuous time with my girlfriend. The other day we went for a walk with our puppy Bernie. For a moment life felt normal. Finding those moments of happiness and normalcy is more important than ever. I’m going to keep looking for them.
Matthew Riley, 22 years old, he is from Sycamore, Illinois. Matthew is a senior at Mizzou majoring in Political Science and Women's and Gender Studies. Matthew is currently quarantining with his girlfriend in Columbia, MO.