If I had kept a journal, here’s some random things I might have noted prior to writing them up in paragraph form: President Bateman makes an announcement to faculty—no classes next week. I have a week of trying to figure out how to teach my courses online. A next week of making mistakes, with some small triumphs. Difficulties finding supplies. So many people freaking out about no toilet paper. Then no eggs, no paper products. Then stores out of yeast and flour—people wanting to bake bread! Stages of change in my neighborhood with museums, businesses and restaurants changing, closing down. Veterinarians requiring curbside drop-offs. During 119 class one student relays message that Governor Northam just announced stay-at-home order—just when we are talking about Oran being put into quarantine—strange coincidence. My neighbors freaking out about people in our building sharing elevators. Wish I didn’t have to walk my dog so much. Woke up with sore throat—oh no, don’t let it be the virus! Whew, an hour later I’m fine, false alarm. Got email from Fresh Market—have to wear mask to enter grocery store. How to get a mask? Make a mask? Trump is telling people maybe they can inject disinfectant! Boy, we all like Dr. Fauci—he reminds me of Dr. Rieux—why? Jose, Each one of these things could get a paragraph in my journal.
You’ll have to try to go back in time, since you’re starting late, but write it as if you are experiencing it, day by day. You don’t have to have an entry for every day, but at least several times a week. The idea is, thirty years from now, you could come across this journal and relive a bit your experiences; see if it marked a turning point in your life, or in the world. You could even show your kid — “that was the year everyone got sent home from college.”
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