Pandemic 1

SW 622 Reflection 3: My First and Prayerfully Last Pandemic

D’Corey Sullivan

The University of Mississippi

Pandemic 2

As I sit here reflecting on all of the things that have transpired since our last reflection the only

thing that comes to mind is my experience living through a pandemic.

To start, throughout grade school we learn about different pandemics that have happened

through history but, I never thought that I would be living through one. Currently, all of our lives

have been affected in various ways due to this horrible virus. As you know I work at Walmart

and to just see the changes that the virus has forced upon us associates is interesting, to say the

least. When I first began to realize that this pandemic was serious, I was super nervous and afraid

to go to work. I wondered why Walmart was even still open when we were being told by the

government to stay in and don’t be a part of large crowds. If we’re being honest Walmart is one

place that always has a large crowd. I felt like I was risking my life by coming into work every

day and for what? I’m guessing the higher-ups in the company got wind of our uneasiness and

decided they would award all of the associates a bonus. We already get bonuses every quarter

based on sales. The Oxford store is a 100-million-dollar store so our bonuses are always very

lucrative but this time they decided to award associates with 300 dollars. Trust me I’m not

complaining because that extra money did come in handy but still, at that time the company had

done nothing to ensure the safety of their associates up until 2 weeks ago. Now, before any

associate clocks, we go through a mini health screening. We have associates who are apart of the

health team who check our temperatures and gives us masks and gloves upon clocking in. If your

temperature is a fever range then you immediately get sent home. I still feel a little uneasy going

to work but all of the safety precautions the company is taking makes me feel a little better.

Next, this pandemic has shown me how much I take for granted, for example, being able

to get up and go to the barbershop for an edge up or to a salon to get my dreads retwisted. I

haven’t been to a barbershop and a salon since before my spring break trip the DC and NYC.
Pandemic 3

Normally I would go to the barbershop every 10 days for an edge up because I have a

reoccurring standing appointment. In African American communities’ barbershops are known as

a safe haven for men and boys. It is a place where all men young or old can come together to talk

about life experiences, sports, politics, and even religion. Going to the barbershop is my personal

form of self-care. When I leave I’m always in a good mood because not only do I now look good

but I feel good because of the atmosphere. Since I haven’t been to the barbershop, I haven’t

looked good in a long time and I’m quite over this feeling. I wish they were considered essential

businesses because they are essential for me and a lot of other people. I’ve had thoughts of trying

to edge myself up but I think after I finish, I may feel and look worse than I do now.

Lastly, COVID-19 has hit way to close to home. Earlier this week I was notified by my

cousin that her mom which is my aunt had tested positive of the virus. My aunt Lynn works at

Ellisville State School which is a community living for people with intellectual or developmental

disabilities. They recently had an outbreak of the virus amongst patients and workers. She is one

of the lucky ones who have no symptoms of the virus. She only got tested because she knew

there was an outbreak and she wanted to take extra precaution because she is a breast cancer

survivor. Hearing the news that one of my loved ones who I’ve known my whole life put

everything in perspective. This virus is really serious and it doesn’t matter who you are or what

you do, anybody can contract it. All the doctors did for my aunt was write her a prescription for

Tylenol and told her to self-quarantine in her home. Interestingly, my aunty contracting the

disease may be bringing my family closer. I am a part of one of those families who lost their

matriarch and fell into dysfunction. My mom and my aunt haven’t spoken in years despite living

right next door to each other. Since the diagnosis my mom has been cooking for my aunt and

leaving food on her front porch, going on grocery store runs, and just talking on the phone and
Pandemic 4

being the sister that my aunt needs. I guess out of all the craziness that’s going on in the world it

is good to see anything positive coming from this situation.