When looking at the first photo from 2000, it brings feelings of nostalgia. The image reminds us of a simpler time when we had the opportunity to hang out with friends in a close setting and see their facial expressions without any barriers in place. The image also reminds me of the freedom to be where you want to be on campus without having to spend more time looking for safe spots or isolating from others who want to enjoy the same area.As we know, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The life we once knew has been flipped upside down. The way we live has been transformed. With the guidelines and regulations the University of Nevada, Reno has placed, we can continue with our lives with these safety precautions by maintaining six feet distance from one another, wearing a mask and washing/sanitizing your hand often.

Now looking at the second photo, you can see distinct differences from the 2000 photo. One main difference is that the two students are wearing masks. With the social distancing regulations in place, the students are taking precautions when socializing with others in a public setting. Another difference is the designated area where people can socialize. In the 2000 photo, you can see a group of students gathering together in the background. It appears they are engaging in a social hang out whereas today, it would be against campus guidelines that are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Even with these precautions in place, we can still move forward with our lives. People still need jobs to provide for their homes, to take care of their children and themselves. And for those who are trying to pursue their higher education, they still need to be educated whether it is online or not. We are able to do what we normally do, just with added steps. Life goes on whether you believe it does or not. You can still enjoy some time with your friends/family, it just depends if you are willing to put the effort in to ensure that you are not putting their health and the health of others at risk. This is not an excuse to disregard the university, county, and state regulations and the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rather, it is a suggestion to understand what’s truly on the line. By disregarding the guidelines, you are putting the people you come in contact with at risk, their loved ones and many more by not taking the time to make sure you have your mask, maintaining a distance and washing/sanitizing your hands.

If we truly want to move forward with life, we need to accept that this is our new reality and take the guidelines seriously. By following the guidelines, we could possibly be able to enjoy the simple things we once took for granted and learn how to adapt from our experience while also preventing the spread to the best of our ability.