# Reflecting on Three Years of the Pandemic: Insights from Youth
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Chapter 1: Memories of the Pandemic
As we reach the third anniversary of the global pandemic, it’s evident how much has transformed since March 2020, yet the memories linger. Over the past three years, I’ve engaged with twenty children and adults to explore how the pandemic has shaped their lives. To ensure authenticity, each participant chose a fictitious name, allowing for unfiltered and genuine responses. Assisting both kids and adults in navigating the social ramifications of COVID-19 has been a fulfilling journey. Witnessing the joy on their faces during our discussions as they expressed long-suppressed feelings was truly rewarding. Now, I am excited to share these interviews as I prepare for my upcoming book.
Interview #6: Bob Markus III, Sixth-Grade Baseball Player (Part 2 of 2)
I had the opportunity to speak with Bob on March 16, 2023.
The Quarantine Experience
Bob reflected on his quarantine experience, saying, “I missed my friends, and my family couldn't go out much. Masks were mandatory; if we didn’t wear them, we couldn't go anywhere. Most of our meals were prepared at home.”
When asked about weight changes during this time, Bob admitted, “I gained some weight because I wasn’t playing baseball or exercising.”
For entertainment, Bob shared, “When I got bored, I would shoot hoops outside, mess around upstairs, or play in the pool with my dog.”
Passion for Baseball
As a baseball player, Bob expressed, “I missed being with my team the most. Not being able to participate in tournaments was dull.” He also remarked, “It was disappointing that professional baseball was sidelined; fans wanted to enjoy games live.”
Bob recalled, “When restrictions lifted, we could only watch games on TV. Stadiums were still off-limits for fans due to safety concerns.” He speculated, “Close-contact sports like baseball were halted because of the virus. The league delayed the season to prevent germ transmission.”
Reflecting on the cardboard fan cutouts that filled stadium seats during games, he said, “They were supposed to create a sense of atmosphere, but I didn’t like them.”
Reuniting with Friends
I asked Bob if he managed to sneak out and meet friends during the quarantine. He said, “We generally followed the rules, but we met up after things eased.”
When they finally reunited, Bob exclaimed, “We were thrilled! We just hung out and joked around, even doing fist bumps.”
Distance Learning Challenges
Shifting to distance learning, Bob commented, “I wanted to see my friends, but it was hard to communicate during online classes.” He added, “While it was sometimes fun to goof off on Zoom, it couldn’t replace in-person interactions.”
He described how he and his friends entertained themselves: “We’d change filters and make funny faces. Sometimes, we logged on early to chat before the teacher arrived.”
Bob had mixed feelings about his teachers during this time: “The first one wasn’t great, but the second was fun; she even played games with us.”
Aspirations and Wishes
When asked what he would do if he could choose anything right now, Bob said, “I’d want to celebrate my birthday with ten friends and play paintball.”
If he could be anywhere, he’d choose, “Magic Mountain with friends.”
Bob shared his wishes: “1. To get another dog. 2. To have endless money. 3. To have the best Pokémon cards.”
He revealed, “I have friends who trade Pokémon cards with me. My favorite is the shiny Charizard GX, worth about one hundred dollars, but graded cards can fetch between one to three thousand dollars.”
Final Thoughts
Bob concluded with advice for those curious about the pandemic: “If you want to learn more, check out a book on it.”
I appreciated Bob’s openness during this interview and am grateful for his insights.
This marks the end of Part 2 of 2. If you missed Part 1, click the link below.
(Part 1 of 2) Interview #6 — Three Years, Twenty Interviews: Helping Kids and Adults Cope with…
A Social Impact Project
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25 (NIV)
Three Years, Twenty Interviews: Helping Kids and Adults Cope with COVID-19 A Social Impact Project