When will the pandemic end? That is the question. The future looks bleak and we are still looking for solutions on how to treat the virus.

I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard this before, “I just wish the coronavirus is over,” or “when the coronavirus is over, let’s do… XYZ.”

I get it. I’m over the virus too, and so is everyone else. I wish we could all go back to normal and not have to wear a mask anywhere we go, and social distance from everyone we meet. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The pandemic isn’t over yet, and it will end. We, as a society, need to find the solution to this pandemic and get it solved. 

People are over the coronavirus because of these three things. We need human interaction. We want it to end because we are adapting our daily lives based on this pandemic, and finally, we can work together and follow the protocols like we are supposed to. 

We are over the coronavirus because we need human interaction. It’s in our nature to socialize with other beings. Social distancing and wearing masks to protect ourselves can only take us so far. Do you miss having a personal interaction with someone, such as hugging someone? I know I do. I work in child care, and there was one time where a co-worker of mine was exposed to COVID – it scared us. Since then, I haven’t been able to hug my parents and give them any physical affection, like I used to. I fear that I might pass the coronavirus from me to my parents. It’s a scary thought! 

Because of this, there is an awareness of mental health issues in many people, especially during the quarantine time. People are also stressed out because they fear they will get the virus themselves, and what would we do if we had it? More the reason why people are stressed out is that the majority of them are struggling to get by when it comes to finances and job security. 

During our professional development week at my work, my boss showed us this video, How to Make Stress Your Friend. I thought showing this video during a pandemic can really help and enlighten you all.

How To Make Stress Your Friend Ted Talk via YouTube

Another reason we want the coronavirus end is that we have to follow health and safety guidelines. That means we can’t go to places that are only indoor businesses and any place, activities, or events that have big crowds. The guidelines are always changing. Yes, some of these businesses are closed permanently due to the pandemic, and some of them have their services outside. But it’s just not the same thing. When will this last? Will this be temporary or will it be permanent? No one knows.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, and the stay-at-home orders were initiated, I was okay with it being under quarantine, for a little while at least. Part of me believed that maybe it is because it’s short term, it will eventually go away. But now, since it has been about seven months and more, the short term has become long term. 

Not too long ago, I imagined what I would’ve done on my actual birthday. I wanted to go to a spa and Disneyland, but both were closed because of large gatherings or conflicted with indoor space. It made me a little sad because I was uncertain when will ever be a time where I can go to these places again.  

We are now forced to adapt to living in the coronavirus pandemic. 

According to BBC News, The Economist, the head of the WHO (World Health Organization) and Bill Gates, predict that the coronavirus pandemic will be over within two years. That could be the end of next year, 2021, or somewhere in 2022. At least there’s hope. 

Then, finally, how can the pandemic end? Well, for one, we will still need to wear masks and continue social distancing. Countries across the globe have put precautions in place. Places like Europe and New Zealand, for example, have lower case numbers of the coronavirus. As for the United States, and other parts of the world, the cases are increasing. We are in bad shape and we have a lot of work to do. According to VOA News, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says, “…it is easier for a virus to spread today than 100 years ago because we are more connected now… but at the same time, we have the technology to stop it and the knowledge to stop it.”  

On the bright side, there is a coronavirus vaccine underway, and it could come sooner than we think. On The Guardian, the article talks about how researchers are racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine against the coronavirus. My parents went to see their doctor, and according to their doctor, he believes that the vaccine will be readily available by the fall of this year. 

We have been over you, coronavirus. Now, it’s up to us to take a stand on how we can end the coronavirus pandemic once and for all.