2024

By: Yousef Awara

Hey guys! I’m Yousef, and I'm back with another blog. I am rushing this now because I’m on vacation at the moment, and I am sort of sick. Regarding illnesses, have you guys felt that this year has been a really bad time for colds, flu, and strep throat? I have been sick at least three times this year, although before I got COVID in 2023, I did not get sick since 2019. Anecdotally, I know other people who have been in the same situation. Of course, I am potentially in physical contact with people much more than I was when I was younger, or I am taking fewer precautions against any pathogen. Whatever it is, I feel like the best explanation is that our immune systems got so deactivated from quarantine that all the diseases we did not get are coming to get us. Not only am I getting sick more frequently, but I am also getting symptoms I’ve never had before. I also feel as if my immune system has been sluggish. For example, my symptoms typically start out as a bad sore throat. Then, it turns into a slow-burning sensation in the top of my nose with mucus buildup. This buildup lasts for many days without resolution. Eventually, it turns into a horrible fever, runny nose, or sinusitis. These symptoms have been similar for the past three infections.  

So, folks, what do you think it is? It seems plausible that I’ve just been unlucky these past seven months, and next season will be better. Either way, 2024 has been a weird year for everything. This year has kind of disoriented me in some ways, not just in personal matters but also in family, world events, and more. Maybe we all get these years at some point in our lives, and we should not expect life to be one predictable blur. Especially with the growing instability our generation has to face, we all have to be okay with our future plans changing. Ok, so now I’ve done rambling, y’all can go back to whatever you are doing. Have a great last month of your summer, and don’t forget to check out the rest of the blogs this month.