Stean's Beans

According to sciencedaily.com, cases of mental illness are becoming more and more frequent in the U.S. If these disorders were already at an all time high before the pandemic, it is possible this number could nearly double, or even triple in the midst of this “new normal” we are currently dealing with. As of right now, social distancing is the only way we can fight the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Like any treatment or medication, it is likely this “new normal” of social distancing will bring about its own side effects. The question is: will these side effects be short term or long term?

            Since this pandemic seems to have no end in sight, and most governors have no intentions of re-opening their states anytime soon, it is expected this “new normal” will continue for an unprecedented amount of time. Social distancing is not ordinary human behavior and poses a lot of anxiety for many of us. When the social distancing order was first initiated it was enjoyable for many. We received a much-needed two-week break from daily hustle and bustle, heavy workloads, traffic and for some, the relief from people we’re not particularly very fond of. It granted us the opportunity to relax at home and spend time with our loved ones and allowed us to be thankful for the little things that so often go unnoticed.  As time went on that quickly began to change. Nearly two months later people everywhere are tired of being cooped up and just want life to go back to normal. Many have gone months without seeing a paycheck forcing them to rely on local food banks for meals. Families are trapped inside together. People are unsure are scrambling to pay rent and mortgages. Dreams are put on hold. Suicide rates have drastically increased.

            What will happen if this new way of living goes on too much longer? Is it possible that we may forget what “normal” actually is? In a way it resembles 9/11. Although I was only twelve years old when the attacks happened, I was old enough to realize the world had changed forever. I can remember a time before fear of terrorism and I can remember life without intensive security measures everywhere you went. Not to mention other life-altering anxieties that many were forced to face. Life truly was simpler and less chaotic post 9/11. Now another cultural shift is occurring as the media reports we can expect drastic changes in society. Some of these changes will likely include Plexiglas barriers in between airplane seats, restaurant tables six feet apart and sports games returning without audiences.

Traces of social distancing will always remain in society. The fear will always be there, in the back of our generations’ minds. Many of us will likely suffer from some sort of post-traumatic stress that will forever alter the way we live our lives, just like our grandparents who lived through The Great Depression. Traces of these new ways of thinking are already noticeable in society. There are many individuals who are now beginning to experience anxiety and concern when watching prior footage of concerts and sporting events where large groups of thousands of people are practically on top of each other. Even though this was considered daily life just two short months ago, many are already looking back in shock thinking, “Wow, look at how many people are there in the audience. Isn’t that crazy?!”

When businesses finally do reopen thousands of people will flock to them. But how are these businesses supposed to handle this overwhelming number of customers? It is difficult enough to schedule appointments at hair salons, doctors’ offices and auto garages as it is. Places such as movie theaters only have so many seats, so what will happen when they reopen? Will there be a two- week wait to see a movie? Will there be never ending lines wrapped around shopping malls? Will it take months to get a haircut? Many individuals will continue to hoard everyday items such as toilet paper, cleaners and non-perishable food items in fear they will not be able to find them when needed especially if another pandemic occurs in the near future. It all sounds so crazy, yet it is likely this may become a new reality for many.

 It is scary to think of how much anxiety this will add to our already stressful lives. As much as we crave the freedom to leave our homes, many will not be ready to dive back into public settings. What will this amount of stress do to our wellbeing? Will we lose touch with reality? Will we forever alter human interaction? Will depression and mental illness spiral out of control? Is it possible all of this frustration will lead to more mass killings and hatred?

In 2010 I transferred from Gloucester County College (now RCSJ) to Rowan University as an Education major. My first semester at the university went rather well, I received good grades and had a GPA around 3.2. Within a year later, my world came crashing down.

In mid-2009 a friend who I had been close to since kindergarten was admitted to CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) with a chronic heart condition. At age 19 she needed a heart transplant. She was so weak and frail I could barely recognize her when I stopped by to visit. After a few month stay at CHOP she received her transplant in September and was discharged a few weeks later. Although she returned home her life was far from normal. Because she had a weakened immune system, everyone who visited her had to take extra precautions to prevent illness. If you were sick, or even suspected you may be sick, you were not allowed into the house. Even if you did not feel ill, it was crucial for everyone to use hand sanitizer upon entering the house.

I made sure I followed all of these precautions. The last thing I wanted was for my friend to get sick and it be my fault. I began to monitor my every move. I made sure my hands were always washed before going to her house, if I sneezed on my jacket sleeve I would change my outfit just to be safe. Soon I began to consider the cleanliness of my own home. What if she comes over in a few weeks when she’s better and she touches something in the house that isn’t clean and gets sick? Within the next few months these fears grew out of control. The fear became too strong.

I could not stop washing my hands and cleaning everything I owned. I was now a full-blown germaphobe. The fears grew and I was now concerned for my own health.

What if I don’t clean something right and I get sick?

What if I get someone else sick?

By the start of 2011 I had no choice but to leave Rowan. I was in the midst of a personal pandemic. I couldn’t be around other people: I couldn’t leave my house. I lost my job, friendships, my family’s trust, my self-esteem, and even 15 pounds from not eating. The anger and frustration was unreal. I became a slave to germaphobia.

Over the course of a few years with the assistance of therapy and medication, I was ale to curve my anxieties. In late fall of 2018 I made the decision to return to Rowan University to complete my degree. It was tough to come back. At first unhappy memories occasionally reappeared. But I was determined not to let the past effect me. Within three semesters I was able to bring my GPA back up to 3.4 and accepted into Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society. Things were really looking up for me: the past forgotten.

With the dawning of this Covid-19 pandemic it feels like déjà vu. This time it is not a personal pandemic but an actual pandemic. There is literally a virus out there that has the potential to harm thousands. We must take germaphobic precautions to ensure the safety of family and ourselves. Phrases such as “you’re your hands” and “practice social distancing” is forced upon us about 100 times a day.  People are afraid to leave their homes and cannot see their loved ones. Since I am still taking prescription medications, it seems like everyone around me is panicking over germs while I remain calm. I guess that it is a good thing that I am not paranoid, but sometimes I wonder if the medications are making me to calm and not allowing me to take this as serious as I should. But this also does not mean that I am used to this sort of behavior either. The frustration and loneliness still get to me like everyone else. I worked so hard in the past to curb these actions and behaviors and yet it is now become the new normal. Nearly a decade later I have no choice but to face another pandemic, only this time is not a pandemic that only exists in my mind. It is lurking all around my friends, my co-workers, my classmates and my neighbors and myself. It is an invisible enemy out there that is waiting for one of us to make a mistake and “not clean something well enough”.

It once again seems like there is no end in sight. But eventually there will be an answer to end this crisis. I once thought there was no end to my personal pandemic but then after a long, dark time I was able to find a “cure”. I must remind others and myself that this too shall pass.

I must prevail again.

I will not become a slave to germaphobia, again.

So here we are, stuck in our homes on day number 67864546837. If you are anything like me, you’ re running out of things to do as everyday feels like a CD stuck on track #2. You’ve finished your schoolwork for the week, took a walk, had a bowl of your favorite ice cream and watched just about every Netflix series there is. It’s time for something different to break up the monotony, but you’re not sure what.

To help you out , I have compiled a list of 5 different businesses that can help change up your routine and keep you occupied in new ways you may have never thought of. The best part is that these options can be long lasting and even beneficial after this never ending pandemic is over.

1.) Universal Yums

This website allows you to sample a wide variety of treats from select international countries. Subscribers will receive a box full of various snacks from a surprise country once a month. The shipping is free and box prices range between $14-$36 depending on what size you select. Naturally, the bigger the package the more food you will get. In addition to the food, you will also receive a trivia pamphlet about the country selected, several recipes and an information card explaining why each of the foods are unique to that particular country. Not into international food but know someone who is? Universal Yums can be given as a gift! It would be a perfect pick-me-up for someone stuck at home for their birthday!

2. Memrise

If foreign countries are something you’re into or perhaps you have always wanted to learn a foreign language, now would be a good time to consider the Memrise app. It can be downloaded for free on both Iphones and Androids and offers many different languages to choose from. The app allows you to practice a foreign language on a whole new level. With this program you can hear the words by a native speaker, partake in a Classic Review where you can practice spelling, recognition, and identifying words/ phrases, and there is also a Speed Review that tests your accuracy within a short span of time. All of your progress is saved and anything you learn will also be sent to your linked email account so you can study words without having to rely on the app itself. There are also upgrades you can purchase that will assist with words you struggle to remember and help improve your pronunciation. I used Memrise a few years back before traveling to Germany, and it worked wonderfully! In the past I have used Rosetta Stone, which can cost hundreds of dollars, and I can definitely say Memrise was a lot more helpful, and I only used the free version.

3.) Book of the Month Club

Looking for a new book to read? Perhaps Book of the Month Club will become your new BFF. This company selects five books a month that are either top sellers or written by new, forthcoming authors. For only $14 a month ( first purchase is only $9!) you can choose between 1-3 of the selected books and they will arrive on your front porch once a month. This is a great way to read a good book that may have not been on your radar! It’s ok if you are unable to finish a book a month, no sweating necessary! You can skip a month anytime you want for free. There is also an option to join their BFF club which gives you extra bonuses such as a gift on your birthday! The website also offers a free cancellation policy if you are no longer interested in the program, so no worries go ahead and start reading!

4.) Yaymaker.com

Formerly known as Paint Nite, this company is nationally known for hosting social painting events at local bars. The name change occurred after the company made the decision to expand it horizons and offer a wide variety of events such as knitting blankets, mosaic making, planting terrariums and MORE! Although social distancing may be making these gatherings impossible, the good news is Yaymaker is still offering their classes virtually for a lesser price! The only catch is that you are required to purchase the listed materials needed. If you are not into arts and crafts you can also use the website to take fitness classes and partake in trivia games all from the comfort of home.

5.) Society 6

Want to re-fresh your space or get some new accessories? Then you should definitely pay a visit to Society6.com. This organization provides an opportunity for thousands of independent artists from around the world to sell their artwork. With millions of designs to choose from, you can purchase products such as curtains, yoga mats, tote bags, tapestries, wallpaper, laptop skins, posters and many other items that each feature a unique graphic. They can all be the same print or different as most designs are available on all items. If you sign up for email, you will receive sale notifications that offer free shipping and other discounts at certain times. Not only will this website allow you to create your dream space, but you can also feel good about yourself because you will be helping a starving artist who I’m sure, like many others, would really appreciate small-business support!

So let’s be honest, there are two types of people in this world: those who enjoy socializing and being on the go, and those who prefer to kick back in pajamas and cuddle with the dog. Anyone who knows me is well aware I’m an introvert. I love relaxing at home in my sweats, avoiding other people’s nonsense that dampers my day. Don’t get me wrong I do love to travel and meet new people but I am most comfortable within my own four walls a.k.a. home sweet home. However, now that I find myself in the middle of an enforced stay at home order, I just want to get the hell out of the damn house!

            It’s quite ironic really. You’d think a situation like this would be easy for me, but…uh…yeah, it’s not. I’ve been lounging around lately pondering how this could be. Isn’t his what introverts dream of: a mandated order to stay home, kickback and relax? Don’t get me wrong it was nice for about a week and a half, but now I feel pressed to the limit. I can feel a difference in my mental state. No, I am not feeling depressed or lonely, but I do feel uneasy and jittery. It feels like I’ve done everything I could possibly accomplish at home. In the past month I have gone through a bunch of old clothing, redecorated my bedroom, painted a few pictures and took some photography and photo editing classes, taken walks gotten back into yoga an bout five other activities all in addition to my usual hobbies. It seems like none of these activities are satisfying anymore. I just want to get out and do something.

It’s gotten to the point where I actually look forward to go grocery shopping at with my day once a week at 7 A.M. If that’s not pathetic, I don’t know what is! I guess I never realized how little things like running errands were actually considered an outing. Before this crisis began I have always viewed social outings as a special event such as throw a party or get-together, going to a concert, or perhaps going out to dinner with some close friends. But now I realize all those times when I simply went to Target and chatted with the woman in behind me in line, held a door open for someone on campus, or even saying “thank you” to the pizza delivery guy involved a desirable amount of social interaction.

This pandemic has caused me to look at life a little bit differently. It is interesting to realize just how important the little things in life really are. People like myself who would rather just stay indoors and away from dealing with the nonsense of other people, now miss people more than ever. Never again will I complain about the cashier who was trying to have a conversation with me while I was in a hurry. Never again will I complain about wasting time talking to my neighbors while walking the dog. Never again will I complain about getting stuck in traffic to and from work. From this point on, I will be grateful for every social interaction and opportunity to get out of my house. Each of these is a blessing. I am aware of that now.

One of the hardest aspects of war are soldiers unable to be by their loved one’s side. It’s been used in many writings and movies and is sadly a harsh reality that many in this country have faced in previous wars. After the draft had been removed from U.S. policy in 1973, it was unheard of that anyone in my generation would ever experience something so heartbreaking. But, thanks to the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020, I am now one of those soldiers

Phrases such as President Trump’s, “we are at war with an invisible enemy” and Governor Murphy’s infamous, “This is the only tool we have to fight this thing. You must practice social distancing and stay home when possible”, makes me feel like were involved in Word War III. Now even the U.S. Surgeon General is comparing the next two weeks as “the Pearl Harbor or 9/11 of this generation”. Thomas and I did not choose to fight this war. It chose to fight us. It was definitely not something we saw coming.

It began the Sunday just a few days after my March 4th birthday, when I called my mom from my fiancee’s apartment in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. News of the Coronavirus was spreading fast, blaring from every news channel causing panic throughout the nation. But what the heck was it? It was no big deal right? I called my mom to ask her opinion of the whole situation. We both agreed the media was hyping the situation up in ways that weren’t necessary and decided we would just continue to follow our daily routine. So I opened my birthday presents and spent time with my fiancee, Thomas, until it was time to head back to Jersey. We were late leaving; a few minutes after 11 P.M. to be exact. The only reason I remember the time was because the local news was just coming on as I was finishing up packing. It was shocking to hear a news anchor inform the community that the first two cases of Covid-19 in Pennsylvania had been confirmed. Even more shocking, he was reporting live where the confirmed cases were located: Ardmore.

We both turned to face each other, both of our faces doused in a startled stare. I quickly ran to my phone, calling my mom. The call came just as she was at her shore house getting ready for bed. Not only did the late-at-night phone call scare her, but she did not expect the news I was about to share. She was just as upset as a Thomas and I were. At this point, whatever this thing was, serious or not, just became a harsh reality. It needed to be taken more seriously. More precautions needed to be taken. Once I had gotten home I couldn’t help but ask myself, Is Ardmore safe to go back to?

By the time Thursday afternoon came, my world had been completely turned around. The extended spring break announcement from Rowan came Monday. Tuesday more confirmed cases appeared in Ardmore and their public schools were ordered to close for the rest of the week. On Wednesday, Thomas was notified someone in his department was exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus. His company was now going into contingency and needed to work from home. Later that night an unannounced talk from The Oval Office informed the nation that travel between the U.S. and Europe was suspended. While sitting in my history class Thursday afternoon, my mom frequently messaged me with updates from a live Montgomery County press conference she was watching on TV. She informed me that for two weeks the Ardmore train station would be closed, schools were to be closed, non-essential businesses…my second home began to feel like Chernobyl. Just as class ended that day, the girl next to me announced she had just gotten the Rowan email on her phone saying classes were officially going to be held online for the rest of the semester. At this point the confusion set in even deeper. All I can think was “what the hell is going on?!”Just 48 hours ago I felt like this Coronavirus thing was no big deal, now I feel like everyone in my family is going to die with the next 48 hours.

Since I was in Jersey when all the chaos unfolded, it was best if I stayed at my parents’ house for those “two weeks”. I would’ve never imagined quarantine would’ve lasted this long. As of today it’s been over a month since my fiance and I have actually been together face to face. Of course we’ve still been in contact but it’s obviously not the same as being there with him. But, I guess I shouldn’t complain too much, Skype sure beats having to write physical letters to each other like in previous world wars. Though we mostly communicate via text which is kind of like a letter in some aspects: but a hell of a lot quicker! Skype is the best form of communication but is difficult since he works from home as a senior financial analyst. Thanks to all the craziness this pandemic has caused on the economy, his workload has doubled which means less time to talk. By the time he is done his shift it can be as early as 8:30 PM or 11:30 PM. (Yes, you read that right!) Because he usually works long hours even without the extra workload, our cat Charlie stays with me since my schedule allows me to have more time to tend to him. Since he’s here, Thomas is now at the apartment by himself day and night. He misses Charlie and Charlie misses him too. Just the other day while using Skype, Charlie heard Thomas’ voice, ran into the kitchen and started pawing at the door. It was obvious Charlie recognized his voice and thought he was outside waiting to come in. Even the cat is heartbroken!

Like many others, my patience with this pandemic is wearing thinner and thinner as the days go by. How much longer can this possibly go on? What am I supposed to do, be away from my fiance for a year?! How are we supposed to plan our wedding for next summer? That obviously can’t happen now can it?! This whole thing is just so frustrating and confusing. There is no right or wrong answer, so which is the best option? I can’t be away from Thomas much longer. It’s just not fair or right. I’m doing the best I can not to surrender to this invisible enemy we are at war against, but I don’t know how much more I can take. We’ve got to stay strong!

I began Fact Check #3 by searching “recent study shows” on Google News. Out of the many articles that popped up, I decided to use a Forbes article titled “Upbeat Music Boosts the Benefit of Exercise, New Study Shows”. Published on February 4, 2020, the article claimed “a new study finds that simply listening to high-tempo music during a workout could also produce added health benefits”. The research for this study was conducted on several female volunteers in Croatia in Italy, who preformed exercises on a treadmill or used a leg press. The article then claimed, “the effect was more pronounced for the volunteers using the treadmill versus the higher-intensity exercise involved in using a leg press”.

Before digging any further, I was already skeptical about the study’s results since the headline claimed “upbeat music boosts the benefits of exercise” yet after sifting through the article it turned out this was not the case for all types of exercise. I then followed the link to the Frontiers in Psychology website where I found an in-depth report of the study. The article gave specific names of researchers involved in the study from Croatia and Italy, as well as Luca P. Ardigo, an Italian professor at University of Verona who was quoted in the Forbes article. According to Google Scholar, Ardigo is affiliated with the “School of Exercise and Sport Science, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences”. Frontierin.org Ardigo has a total of 98 publications and 61 editorial contributions.

Returning back to the Frontier’s article, the “Conclusion” statement showed how upbeat music could boost energy levels mostly during endurance training. I also noticed how biased this study was since it was only conducted on female participants between ages 18 and 35 who had “at least one year of experience in fitness training”. So how exactly can upbeat music be “beneficial for exercise” if the study is only based on women who are already gym buffs and are young. What about health factors? Men? Older women? There are way to many glitches in this study for the article to have the headline “Upbeat Music Boosts the Benefit of Exercise, New Study Shows”.

I then decided to look into Frontier’s impact factor. To do this, I searched “Frontiers in Psychology impact factor: – Frontiers.org”. This search lead me to a link to accademic-accelerator.com. This website stated Frontier’s impact factor dropped from 2.463 in 2015 to 2.089 in 2017 before going slightly back up to 2.129 between 2018 and 2019. There was also an impact factor link on Frontier’s website claiming their article had 11,238 views and had 94% more views than any other article they published. I then returned back to the Forbes article where there was an embedded link to “prior research” on the topic. This led me to an article titled “The Effect of Music on the Psychophysiological Measures of Stress” by Brianna Brownlow. This study was based on African-American females. A DuckDuckGo search of Brianna Brownlow led me to her LinkedIn profile. Her profile states she has a PhD from Ohio University, is a student researcher, worked on a psychophysiological project and has won several honors and awards including one for Women of Excellence Leadership Series (WEL).