I Came Home From College For Break And Gave My Dad COVID-19

I began my final paper. “American politics have been increasingly polarizing ...” Beep. Oxygen levels: 91%. Beep. Oxygen levels: 90%.

I sat in my room attempting to engage with schoolwork and finish off the semester while next door, my dad was struggling to breathe. Worse, it was my fault: I gave my dad COVID-19.

Like many other college students, I started the semester on campus but in virtual mode. By the time my college retracted its plans to bring students back to campus, I had already signed a lease. Knowing I would be more productive among peers than at home, I spent the semester in Philadelphia instead of Chicago, where I’m from. That is, until Thanksgiving break.

Around Thanksgiving break, I had to make a choice between going home or staying on campus until the end of the semester. There were pros and cons to each.

Going home meant that I would be able to spend more time with my family, especially during a year that showed all of us that time is precious, given how quick and unforgiving sickness can be. On the other hand, it would mean the possibility of transmitting the coronavirus to my parents, who are in an age group significantly more at risk than my college peers.