Local college freshman will not let public response to coronavirus pandemic dictate his life
Harold Washington College freshman Nicholas Turner is adjusting to the new scholastic norms caused by the spread of the coronavirus.
Since Monday, March 16, in-person classes have been temporarily suspended due to health and safety concerns for the entire school community. Starting Monday, March 23, the schools will be moving to remote learning, with students completing class assignments and communicating with teachers online.
Yet, Turner feels that despite these efforts, coronavirus is being blown out of proportion, and he can not allow it to control his life.
“Just because this thing is coming around doesn't mean I have any time to stop,” Turner said. “I have to still go to work. I still have to eat. I still have to live. I have to pay off school. These things aren't going to just stop because people are acting crazy because of this epidemic.”
Turner, who currently works at a Jewel-Osco as the assistant manager of produce, says during his night shifts he can see the panic in people's eyes.
“I’m on the daily seeing people come in and act as if the world is about to end and just stockpile on the most ridiculous things as if they’re not going to be able to just get up and leave their house,” he said.
Turner's way of dealing with the coronavirus has been doing research on the virus so he can have a deeper understanding of what it is and how it could impact his body. He worries more about how the world perceives him as a young individual of color who has dreadlocks because of stereotypes that surround the idea of people of color who have the dreadlocks. Turner plans to own his food trunk locally where he can sell food and create more opportunities for other people he meets throughout his life.
“Sure, there’s a chance you can get sick but the world deals with a lot more crazy things.”