This piece first appeared in our March 2021 Magazine
March 11 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In the following days, then-president Donald Trump declared COVID-19 a national emergency and issued travel ban from Europe.
In the following weeks, states issued stay-at-home orders, restrictions on the amount of toilet paper and hand sanitizer that can be bought and high unemployment rates.
Now 500,000 deaths later, we are approaching one year since our lives have experienced change emotionally, physically and mentally.
Dr. Paul Erwin, dean of the School of Public Health, said he remembers telling employees to be prepared for change in the way class is conducted for the next few weeks.
“I recall having a lunch meeting across the schools, and telling faculty that they may want to be prepared to not come back to work Monday,” said Erwin.
Emily Magda, a junior majoring in political science and international studies, said the changes caused chaos.
“Everyone was freaking out. Professors didn’t know what to do, the administration didn’t really know what to do,” Magda said. “Professors especially had to adjust all of their teaching, all of their modules, assignments, projects to online. A few of my classes just dropped off,” she said.
Magda said UAB was scrutinized for its response but she said she takes a different approach.
“No one was prepared for a pandemic. No one. I think they did the best job that they could” said Magda.
One year ago everyone was trying to figure out what was going on. Professors were transferring their teaching format to all online and students had to leave campus in a matter of days.
Erwin said COVID-19 has impacted more parts of our campus life than just classes.
“I can’t think of a facet of our lives where COVID hasn’t impacted while living in the pandemic” said Erwin, “There is something to be learned and gained from me as a dean to walk around and interact with faculty and staff throughout the building,” he said.
Magda said COVID-19 has given her an opportunity to be alone and live a calmer lifestyle.
“This whole COVID period has forced us to be alone with ourselves or alone with our family. It has provided a period of slow paced life for a lot of people which I think is very important,” Magda said.
Residence and housing has also taken major hits by the pandemic.
Capri Alex, a senior neuroscience major and a residence assistant for Blazer Hall, said the pandemic has changed her job a lot.
“Being an RA during the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely been a challenge and unlike living in the residence halls during a normal year,” Alex said. “Student Housing and Residence Life has been working tirelessly to try to give residents an enjoyable and safe college
experience,” she said.
Alex said other RA’s have been finding unique ways to make housing more like home for their residents.
“I think it has brought out a lot of creativity on our staff. Although it’s been a challenge, Blazer Hall still feels like the community it always has been thanks to our residents and staff,” Alex said.
Erwin said he is proud of all UAB students of their efforts in helping combat this virus; however, he said he has a few reminders so we can go back to normal in the safest way possible.
“Pay heed to guidance and recommendation of limiting the number of people we gather with,” said Erwin. “Hang on. Keep doing these protective measures. Keep limiting these exposures. We will get beyond this. It may be a few months yet, but we will get beyond it. I have confidence we will get beyond it.”
