The Purple Doctor’s Mask

By Monika, age 6

I remember the start of it like it was yesterday. I was in my classroom in the 4th grade.  At the end of the day we always put on CNN 10. But this time was different…a big red banner came flying across the screen like a flash of lightning. It read, “Covid-19 is spreading rapidly all across China.” So then I quickly turned around and asked my teacher, “You don’t think that will come over here…do you?” 

The next day at swim practice my friend came in wearing a purple doctor’s mask. We all thought it was weird but none of us thought it would become our new reality. I was at my last practice of the year. It was the one thing that made me happy. But then it was gone, it was all gone. I felt like a part of me was missing. But I tried my best to stay hopeful even though we were all in a dark place. Looking back at those times where I wanted to give up only made me stronger. Fast forward to this school year…look at all of us now. For the first time in a long time I am going to get to see my friends’ faces in over two years when going to school.  The school masking policy is being lifted and I feel a sense of joy inside of me. Finally.