Reflection on Journal Entries
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation
Author’s Note
After reading and recording several journal entries based on the daily COVID 19 news, I have gained tremendous knowledge and experience about the pandemic’s handling, approach, and progress globally. Therefore, my systematic analysis of these news entries made me reevaluate my pre-formed notions and conclusion about the concerned stakeholders and parties, including the government, health care workers, volunteers, and obedient citizens who abided by the restrictions instituted in their countries and regions. Initially, I had perceived and labeled them as failures due to their inability to contain the virus. However, in the wake of the global COVID 19 spread, these daily journal entries aided in my comprehension that the involved parties were intensively and extensively working to prevent further spread and save the already infected lives. That said, my experience with these journal entries has impacted my life massively, shaping my perspective on caring and helping each other in times of need.
I found out that when the pandemic was declared an international disaster, many nations started grappling with how to avoid cases by closing their borders and quarantining local cases. Nonetheless, bigger economies like the US and France reached out to help poorer countries to handle their cases, which would have otherwise turned into mass casualties due to lack of recommended and necessary equipment and facilities. I could not help think why they didn’t just watch from afar since they possessed no obligation to those countries. Subsequently, it rekindled my belief and conviction that it’s paramount to care for and help each other in times of need. Similarly, I remember recording news entries on hundreds of healthcare workers who sacrificed to help those infected by the virus and prevent further spread through testing. In some countries, the situation would grow even dire due to lack of necessary personal protective equipment, but these brave individuals were determined to serve and help in their capacity. I witnessed many stories that displayed them being grief-stricken because of the suffering they had experienced in the field.
Further, the situation was exacerbated by the high-risk population in nursing homes and care centers since their immunity is low, hence a high risk of contracting the virus. Despite the ravaging pandemic, these acts of selflessness clearly reinstated the theme of caring for each other in times of need. My view on caring was also accentuated by the millions of citizens who willfully abided by the restrictions, such as practicing social distancing and wearing a mask in public. At the same time, they remained home on stipulated curfew hours. Doing so, I came to realize that they were saving their families, neighbors, and friends from contracting the virus. Recently, I found out that different companies, such as Moderna and Catalent, are collaborating in vaccine manufacture to help each achieve quality results within the shortest time possible.
Ostensibly, my knowledge and opinion on the ongoing pandemic have been vastly influenced by the experience of news entries. It has helped shape my view and appreciate the contribution of various groups, stakeholders, and parties towards the fight against the coronavirus. I now believe that despite the seemingly inevitable failure to contain the virus, the government, healthcare workers, and the law-abiding citizens diligently played their part and therefore deserve a pat on the back. My blame on the government for spending resources as aid to developing countries has been replaced by pride and appreciation that it could help in the time of need. Likewise, the global spread of the virus and the subsequent response has taught me valuable lessons on unity, togetherness, and helping each other in times of need.