What is the future going to be like? Is there going to be flying cars, maybe advanced technology? Thinking of 2020 in the past seemed like such a far away place, almost unattainable. We were so sure that by now as a society, there would be a noticeable advancement and peace. What we got instead was sensationalism and fear. In the start of the year all was well, and an overall sense of change was amongst us all. Twenty-Twenty, sounded like such a big year, an imposing yet exciting new change to daily life. Unbeknownst to the public, our troubles were already here. They were lying in wait, dormant almost. Sitting in the previous year we were so eager to leave behind. As it turns out, there were already signs of the virus back in September and October. But these results were deemed an unnecessary worry. How do I know this information? I am currently a Respiratory Therapy student. I was doing clinical hours fervently in several different hospitals each term. I witnessed the progression from a calm, and even joking demeanor. To a worried and stressed disposition from my soon to be peers. My own family took to the craze and even the most sensible soon lost their nerve. My aunt, who is currently a Respiratory Therapist, took the brunt of the news. She received daily updates that she relayed to me. Including the news regarding the fact that Covid-19, was already on the radar back in 2019. Regardless of that, not even my preceptors (Clinical teachers) saw this coming. I quickly went from attending campus and my hospital site, to being at home 24/7. I received a call late one night from my aunt saying " you're not going to school anymore". Confused and alarmed, my only thought was she was kicking me out of school. The school was still sending students to hospitals despite quarantine. The school took the initial thought that every healthcare worker had "its not a big deal". To healthcare workers, we see outbreaks all the time, and live in a different world than the public. My aunt had contacted the school and told them I wouldn't be going to the hospital. Due to the fact that we had my 70 year old grandma at home, who was susceptible to the virus. I felt she was overreacting, but was glad to have a break. Respiratory Therapist's are currently at the forefront of this virus. However the minimum work hours consist of 12 hour shifts 3 times a week. The hours are long and require the entirety of our focus to provide optimal care. Because of this, sometimes our work sabotages our relationships. This is where work becomes our home and co-workers become our family. The last 2 days at my hospital site were spent sitting in the department. Even our preceptors were worried to send us out with them and let us study in silence. This silence had me reflecting on the current events. I worried about one of my preceptors, who had before the flights stopped, left for Italy. I also thought of my aunt, my reason for joining, still being at the epicenter. Almost everyone in my household is at risk for the virus except for my brother. My grandmother and uncle in age, my mother with VA appointments, and my aunt in exposure. In addition to missing out on valuable hands on experience, I also lost my part time job. I worked as a parking supervisor for events, but with no events there was no need for staff. Since all this has taken place, I had to unfortunately apply for unemployment. While the everlasting effect of this virus is very serious, I can't help but feel this pandemic turned into a media frenzy. Everyone is either afraid, indifferent, or trying to capitalize. The virus surprisingly had competition for the spotlight every month. Between giant hornets, aliens, the tiger king, earthquakes and fires, there was a lot going on. Recently, I was surrounded by two fires. One down the street from me, and another that snuck up on me in Downtown LA. The daily face mask I wore was not enough to keep out smoke inhalation. I sympathize for the 12 firefighters who were injured in the explosion. I fear that all these catastrophic events will lead to a sense of normality where there shouldn't be. In light of all these events sudden or subtle, I hope it brings a sense of unity that we all dreamed the future would have. That Advanced nature we all dreamed of, the sense of action that should've taken place. While we saw evidence that covid was coming, future pandemics are hard to predict. No one saw this coming, the public nor the healthcare workers alike. Life in quarantine may not be the best situation for everyone. But like my time in the department it is a time of reflection. Life in 2020 is not what we wanted. But it begs the question, are you where you wanted to be in life? Is this the life you saw for yourself before quarantine? It gives us the chance to have hobbies, work on ourselves and be with our families. Make the 2020 that you wanted to see possible.