Letter from the Editor: Addressing COVID-19

Hello Reader,

How have you been? I hope you are staying healthy and safe. You’ve probably heard this greeting many times from your peers, professors, or employers. It might have been a while since you’ve seen them in-person since you’re keeping in touch with them through Canvas, emails, or Zoom. 

I don’t know about you, but transitioning to online has taken a big hit on my motivation and time-management. My daily routine is gone, and there is little structure to my week. Usually, I am able to be flexible to fit in a last-minute meeting and some extra studying time but not so much a lifestyle change. Change has been a bit stressful for me, especially since I’m expected to graduate in May. How are you coping with change? 

During this time, you are being bombarded with news about COVID-19, and it’s hard to escape conversations about it. It’s always on the news. Heck, this article you’re reading right now is talking about it. Your friends and family are talking about. Even on social media, you see posts or memes about it. It’s everywhere, and it’s hard to take your mind off of it.

As a news source, writing about COVID-19 is unavoidable. The Bark will be covering news related to COVID-19 and how it relates to our campus and our community. The Bark will be not be printing our monthly magazines until further notice. However, you will be able to read them online as well as our daily content on our website, thebarkumd.com.

However, instead of only negative news about COVID-19, we want to write stories to help you cope with the changes that are happening in your life and in your community. We want to write stories that you care about and that you can relate to. We want to give you a platform to write, express, and share your stories, concerns, and ideas. 

Tell us about what it’s been like living back with your parents. Tell us how you’ve been using your new amount of free time. If you found yourself much busier, tell us what you’ve been up to these days. Please feel free to send us messages of story ideas or questions you may have for us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @thebarkumd.

I want to thank you for doing your part in flattening the curve by social distancing and being mindful of your health and others’. And if you’re an essential worker, thank you for what you’re doing to help our community—and this ‘thank you’ is not exclusive to this COVID-19 period. I am thanking you for every single day. You have always been essential. 

Sincerely,

Suenary