Summer is here, the sun is out, and in some ways the disastrous spring of 2020 is behind us. Collectively, we’ve released another crop of graduates out into the world. And due to the gradual lifting of restrictions here in Manitoba, many aspects of life are returning to normal.

For now.

Regardless of what happens next, whether there’s a second wave or whether a vaccine is developed quickly, the pandemic has left its mark.

Since last month, Grade Six students at Niverville Middle School have been processing their feelings about the pandemic in a unique way. A trio of middle school teachers—Lynn Albig, Tammy Peters, and Kelley Heintz—have encouraged their students to express themselves through letters.

The recipient of these letters? Covid itself.

Throughout June, The Citizen has been publishing many of these Dear Covid letters, adding some new voices to the public record—the voices of our young people. Today we offer the final collection of letters.

Kaylee Rose Dalupang

Dear COVID-19,

As you should know by now, I am at home with my family, having a new daily routine. You have really affected me and I have gotten to know you a little better. It has been about 2 or 3 months since my life has changed, and I think I am getting used to it. My family and I can’t really go out as we normally would, like going shopping, or having celebrations with other family members. The people around me, started to stay away from me, not long into your career.

I feel like you have worked really hard lately. I would highly suggest you go home, retire and self isolate. If you get bored, plant a garden, start a new hobby, and watch the news to see how the world feels about you retiring. The whole world would probably be happy for you, and happy that we can slowly start getting back to how we were before you started your career.

You have affected so many lives, in so many ways from your hard work. From your hard work, many people are currently unable to see their family the way they normally would. People now have to wear masks, sanitize, and be very cautious of what they do or touch because of your work. Many people have lost their jobs, but the ones who still work have been affected too. People’s health has also been impacted. Many people got sick, and the unfortunate even lost their lives.

I feel like I have learned so much about you in the few months that I have known you. I understand that you are something new that not many people knew about at first. When you first started to work and started affecting people, you got the attention of many scientists that must be working with you right now. I now know that you cause people to have symptoms of other illnesses like the flu. Symptoms such as dry coughs, sore throat, fevers and tiredness. I have learned from research that the people that are affected the worst by you are people with low immune systems or people who already have problems with their health. For example, people who have diabetes or asthma.

I don’t know if your hard work has really paid off. I believe the whole world is quite mad or frustrated from your work. I know that your work won’t bring me down. You will probably help bring me up. Knowing what you have done makes me feel grateful for what I have, and for this time at home that has really helped me reflect on myself and made sure that I try to make the best choices while doing things. You might be wondering “How is this helping bring you up?” Well because of you, the time that I have spent thinking has made me a better person in my eyes. Knowing things that make me grateful everyday reminds me that I am lucky and that I have to cherish the moments while they last.

I know I shouldn’t tell you what to do, but in the end I think you should go home, retire, and reflect on yourself. I hope that if you do choose to retire, make sure that you are happy, and that you are enjoying yourself.

Daniel McLendon

Dear COVID, can you go away?

Ever since you came I couldn’t see my friends. I miss my teacher, she made math so fun!! Sure, it was fun anyways, but she made it more fun!! I loved it when everyone went to Son City, it was much quieter in the classroom. Now I can’t talk to my friends at lunch anymore. I can’t even go to parks anymore because they are all closed. I want to go visit my friends, but we have to do all kinds of social distancing and stuff. I like talking to my friends on Gmail and Messenger Kids, but it’s nicer to talk to them in real life. I wish me and my classmates could play sticks together outside. I really liked that game. But now I can’t play it with them, and our yard is way too small to play it.

COVID, you are making me mad.

I was going to have an awesome birthday at Souris with my friends. We were going to go rock hunting and do all kinds of fun stuff. But then everything started closing so now I can’t. It makes me sad. I can’t visit my friends either, which is also sad. I really want to go to a thrift store or an antique shop with my dad and find some cool antique stuff. I miss going to restaurants with my family. That was fun. I can’t go to school anymore either, lots of people would be happy they don’t have to go to school, I like school, so I like going to it. Now I can’t. For some reason, everyone wants toilet paper, why? Do they want it because they think someone else will get it before them?

Well, now I think that when I get back to school, I will appreciate the quiet tests and peaceful reading periods. I really like peace and quiet. I like being funny, but I like quiet more than anything. I will appreciate the time with my friends and teachers.

Goodbye COVID, you make me mad.

Antonio DePalma

Dear COVID-19,

You have made the world feel very negative, but I guess I can give you a chance. You have helped me think of new goals to set when you decide to hold your horses. I think that I will have a more consistent wake up time, and that I will do all my morning chores on a schedule. I also want to start working out every morning because it will keep me healthy and strong. Of course not now, but when school starts and I develop my new routine.

But you have also made me sad, and here’s some things I would’ve wished happened this year, but didn’t thanks to you. Drag racing season, birthday parties, going out to new places, seeing my friends, sports season, going to Toronto, going to parks without worrying about getting sick, going to stores, going to see new movies, and last, going Go-Kart racing. Please let me have fun soon!

Even though I’m not the #1 fan of school, there are still things I miss about it. Here are some things. My teachers because they are funny, my friends because I love hanging out with them, having gym because I love the physical activity, library because of the large variety of books, and going for walks with my class because I love walking and interacting with my classmates. ELA is one of my favourite subjects that I miss, all the science experiments we would’ve done, the TUSC presentations, the assemblies that contained new announcements, and group projects, because it’s fun to work and interact with your friends.

Now I got to ask you some questions: where did you really come from? Why are you still here? Also when are you gonna stop? Before I go, I am going to say one more thing: please don’t stay here for any longer, you’re not being nice to the population of the world. It’s my only wish.