R.E.M. once told me I would feel better at this point in my life, but it genuinely feels like we are living through the apocalypse. Michael Stipe, I can assure you, I do not feel fine. This year has been fraught with anxiety and paranoia, yet his lyrics in “It’s The End of the World As We Know It” seem eerily relevant—especially the part about needing “some time alone” while I find myself stuck in home isolation.
The Onset of COVID-19: A Harbinger of Anxiety
My partner, Jake, was quick to grasp the gravity of the situation early on, around March 7th—just days after his birthday. He calculated the exponential growth of the infection rates, looked at me with concern, and declared, “We’re in trouble.” A trip to Wal-Mart resulted in an eye-popping bill of over three hundred dollars; a clear sign that we were entering a panic-fueled preparation phase.
The following day, I urged our kids to hurry up and get their shoes on because I declared, “This might be our last chance to go shopping.” And it was. Once school closed, I knew it wouldn’t reopen anytime soon. I called my mother, insisting she move in with us, even though she chuckled at my suggestion. I told her, “Mom, we don’t want you alone until August.” We were already making plans for a trampoline and an above-ground pool, aware that this situation would last longer than we initially thought.
The Nightmare of Social Distancing
Social distancing became our new normal, with six feet between us at all times. The CDC advised mask-wearing, and the idea of COVID-19 became synonymous with paranoia; it was as if we were living with Schrödinger’s virus. Every trip to the pharmacy was laden with dread. Opening the mail felt hazardous, prompting the creation of our own “Mail Protocols.” I even had a panic attack after visiting the pet store, overwhelmed by the lack of social distancing.
Sometimes, I look at Jake and remind him, “We have to stay home constantly because we are in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.” He just nods, lost in thought.
Nature’s Additional Nightmares
And then there are murder hornets. Seriously? Is this some sort of biblical prophecy? According to Science News, these massive creatures can sting and are a danger to honeybees. They claim 40-50 lives annually in Japan. What a relief—if you only get stung a few times, you might survive! Meanwhile, Vox reported on swarms of locusts ravaging East Africa and India, potentially pushing another 130 million people toward starvation. The world feels as if it’s spiraling into chaos, with fears of not just murder hornets and locusts but also an impending apocalypse.
Rats on the Rampage?
As if nature hadn’t thrown enough at us, rodent experts warned of “starving, angry, and cannibalistic” rats roaming the streets due to the pandemic, as reported by NBC. With restaurants closed, their food sources vanished, and now they are engaging in cannibalism. Great.
The Social Unrest: A Different Kind of Nightmare
Then came the tragic death of George Floyd, a stark reminder of the systemic racism that pervades our society. The backlash was swift, with citizens tearing down Confederate statues and protests erupting everywhere. Our president’s actions—using tear gas to disperse peaceful protestors for a photo op—only added to the chaos. As we confront our own biases, we are often shocked to discover that those we once respected are, in fact, harboring racist views. It’s a heavy burden to bear.
I can’t help but wish for 2020 to be over—like, yesterday. And Michael Stipe? That earthquake in California? Just another reminder that we’re in this anxiety-filled nightmare together.
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Summary
2020 has been an overwhelmingly stressful year filled with a global pandemic, social unrest, and environmental chaos. From the onset of COVID-19 to the emergence of social issues, anxiety is at an all-time high. The narrative reflects not only personal experiences but also broader societal concerns as we navigate through these tumultuous times.