Coronavirus Interferes with the Holidays

This year has been one unimaginable ride for the entire world. With the holidays coming up, many peoples’ holiday spirits are down and many festivities are having to be rearranged due to this pandemic. 

This year has been traumatic for many. From the legendary Kobe Bryant passing away to a nerve-wracking presidential election, and the most painstaking of all, the pandemic that hit the whole world. With the holidays arriving, many are feeling the more negative impacts of the times we are in. Many have been laid off due to COVID-19 and may not be able to provide their family with the holidays they wish they could provide. Many elderly won’t be spending the holidays physically with their families. 

With this year’s holiday season Letty Islas, a mother of two and a wife, has been working with her company for over a decade but was laid off due to COVID-19. 

“I worked at a desk filing reports and answering clients’ calls. I got laid off on the 30th of October of this year,” said Islas. “If I’m being honest, I cry myself to sleep almost every night because of the fear that I won’t ever get called back and give my kids the holiday they deserve.”

Islas had plans and goals to fulfill and accomplish in order for her family to have an amazing Thanksgiving and Christmas. However, little did she know her goals were going to change drastically. From wanting the perfect gifts and hoping to make the best desserts she started hoping her job will call her back. 

Like Islas, thousands of Americans are being laid off this holiday season due to our circumstances. The holidays are already stressful as it is and is understandably more stressful now. According to an article by Irina Ivanova “Workers are being laid off twice as COVID ripples through the economy”, she states, “Madi Portes knows she won’t have a job after November 1. MGM Resorts laid off 18,000 people last month. Allstate Insurance cut nearly 4,000 jobs this month.” This shows a state of mind of the large numbers of individuals that are getting laid off before the holidays start due to this pandemic. 

Every year Lola Diaz, a loving grandmother and mother who cherishes moments with her family, makes her best holiday dishes and invites all her family over to eat, play games, and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve. However, little did she know these holiday traditions were going to not be postponed and even canceled this year. 

“My family will be celebrating Christmas together, but I will stay home alone with my husband this year. I don’t want to contract anything from anyone accidentally, since my body system is weaker compared to others,” said Diaz. “I’m staying pretty positive and putting my faith in God, but I do tend to get depressed and feel lonely just staying in my home and seeing everyone going out.” 

Many elderly who would have started holiday traditions within their families by now will not be performing them this year. As mentioned in an article by the CDC “Older Adults”,  older adults and others at increased risk of severe illness, should take steps to protect themselves from getting COVID-19. People in their 60s or 70s are, in general, at higher risk for severe illness than people in their 50s. The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older.

Anita Ramirez, a productive grandmother and loving mother of many, has many hobbies such as cooking, baking, and gardening, but what she loves most of all is being with her family especially during the holidays.

“It has honestly turned my life upside down, I don’t go to church, I don’t see my family, I don’t go to restaurants nor to stores, I stay in my house all day,” said Ramirez. “I knew COVID was going to affect the holidays when I did not attend my grandson’s Halloween birthday gathering due to the fear of catching COVID. Not only that but the bus tickets were all sold out due to COVID-19.” 

Traveling for the holidays this year is going to be a huge mark in the increase of COVID-19. Many Americans are going to sacrifice not seeing their family for the holidays because they don’t want to spread COVID or increase the number of cases. According to an article by Marine Hunter “Is it safe to travel for the holidays this year?” she states, “On

Thursday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged Americans to skip Thanksgiving travel this year. People who are especially vulnerable to severe COVID-19 illnesses are safest staying home.” 

This holiday season will always be known as the year Coronavirus canceled holidays and this was never something that anyone could see coming until it did. This year, holidays may be a little grayer than years before, but everyone should still try to make the best out of the world’s current situation. 

“I frequently ask God why is this happening to our world, I tend to go into a dark state of mind because staying home and not being with your loved ones really does get to you,” said Ramirez.