UF Community and beyond find ways to pass the time during the COVID-19 crisis

by Hope Brant

With the Coronavirus pandemic worldwide, people are coming up with creative new ways to keep themselves busy during the stay-at-home order by the Ohio’s Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, CDC. 

Mikaela Hann, junior sonography major at the University of Findlay is staying busy chasing around the little ones at the childcare where she works in Findlay Ohio.

“I’ve been watching a lot of Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ to pass the time. I plan to buy some canvases to start painting to help make the time go even faster,” said Blair Harmon, Occupational Therapist.

Harmon took just the simplicity of going to the grocery stores, restaurants, and just public places in general for granted.

“You don’t realize how much you go out until you are asked to stay in,” said Harmon.

Colbi Colchagoff, kindergarten teacher at Cardinal Stritch, also misses being able to see her grandma. However, she also misses being able to go to church, being out with friends, and being able to see her students every day.

With Colchagoff being a teacher, she said that teaching remotely has its pros and cons.

“Pros, I can teach in my comfy clothes and I am getting more planning done but however, I do not get to see my students everyday which is very much a con,” said Colchagoff.

David Henley is also a teacher. He is a history and math middle school teacher at Our Lady of Consolation in Carey Ohio. Henley thinks that teaching remotely has great potential.

“I am currently preparing instructions for students that guide them through a week’s worth of work at a time,” said Henley.

During this pandemic, Henley has been trying to stay active as he was before this crisis at hand. To keep him busy he has been trying to play disc golf at local parks but also trying to be responsible in regards to social distancing.

Social distancing has taken a toll on Hann.

“I did not realize how much I enjoyed seeing people until this pandemic took that privilege away from me,” said Hann.

Whereas Hann is trying to adjust to this new temporary way of living, Henley is trying to keep a positive mindset during this crisis.

“All these restrictions are temporary. Recognizing that we will get back the things that we have lost is important, we can also remember that while we have lost many things, there are a vast number of other good things that we still have,” said Henley.

For more information on the Coronavirus here in Ohio and to stay up to date visits https://ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/site/home/