COVID-19 Pandemic Catalyzes an Evolution of Relationships
By: Daniel Solakian
Tags: Relationships, Lifestyle, Covid 19, Isolation

Guest’s carefully file into the backyard, each in masks, and sit down in chairs spaced six feet apart from each other. Then they start singing ‘Happy Birthday’.

Ten of Lucy Coleman’s closest family and friends have gathered in her backyard in Calgary, Alberta on June 2, 2020, to celebrate her 16th birthday. For many of them, it is the first time they’ve seen each other or even left the house in over three months. Though the look and feel of this birthday party is different, Coleman and her friends and family say they were happy to be there.

“Having everybody come together to celebrate my sweet sixteen was just so special,” says Coleman. “Quarantine has been difficult, so getting to connect with everyone again in person meant the world to me.”

Erin Hubbard (left) and Madeleines Silbert (right) spread out a picnic blanket in Willard Park, Berkeley. Erin is a senior at UC Berkeley while Madeleines, a recent graduate, works in admissions. Erin and Madeleines live in separate apartments that form one social circle. “I feel safe if we just keep our in person socializing limited to just the two apartments,” Erin said. (Aidan Guthrie / J110)

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought numerous challenges, including the consequences of isolation on relationships. Mass quarantine has built boundaries between friends and families, however, like Coleman’s socially distanced sweet-16, individuals around the world are finding creative ways to ensure they can still connect with their loved ones.

Maintaining human connection is an essential part of an individuals well being, so now over three months into quarantine, social isolation is taking its toll on people as they miss out on important parts of their life.

“I really miss my high school and the people that come with it,” Coleman says. “I’ve had classes on zoom but it really isn’t the same. There’s been so many days when I’ve felt sad and just wanted to see my friends, but I can’t.”

UC Berkeley senior Chris Lamb and prospective UC Davis junior Gabriella Solakian open up about their struggles and experiences during the lockdowns in California during the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020. (Daniel Solakian/J110).

The misery of missing relationships is a global issue that extends to individuals from all walks of life. Rita Tripathy is a 55-year-old lawyer from Calgary, Alberta who has spent the last three months working from home.

“I miss the large family gatherings we used to have,” says Tripathy. “I really miss my mother who’s isolated in a senior’s home that she finds very depressing. Beyond that I miss my friends, I would exercise every Sunday with a group of my closest girlfriends, and I haven’t been able to do that and I miss my colleagues at work too. It’s been tough to go so long without seeing the people who are such an important part of your life”

While Tripathy experiences loneliness from the confines of her own home, frontline workers are facing their own sets of challenges from lost relationships. Luis Alejandro Coronel is a baker at Jelly Modern Doughnuts who has helped keep the store open during the pandemic.

A poster attached to an electrical pole in Berkeley, California warns people of the need to wear masks for both their protection and that of others. (Aidan Guthrie / J110)

“To be honest, I sometimes wish I wasn’t working so I could spend time at home with my family like everyone else,” says Coronel. “My dad has asthma and a heart condition too, so I can’t visit him. But I have bills to pay and a family to support so I have to keep working, even when I’m missing people.”

Though the COVID-19 pandemic has separated extended groups of friends and families, one unexpected positive of the crisis is how it has allowed people to connect with those closest to them as they spend time with those they are quarantined with.

“COVID has given me some really nice family time,” says Coleman. “My brother came home from university so we’re all together again, and that’s been great. We go for hikes, play sports, watch shows. I think we’ve taken advantage of our time together.”

“Quarantine was such a drastic change from our usually busy life to being at home,” Tripathy explains. “But with all the extra time, we’ve stayed sane by keeping a routine and spending time together. We go for family walks, we play board games, we watch family movies on the weekend, we cook and we even have lunch together every day.”

Beth and Norman Edelstein walk up and down Russel St. in Berkeley, California. Beth is a retired published and Norman a retired chemist. Beth and Norman live in the Elmwood neighborhood where they like to take walks. Walks are a way they can socialize with their neighbors, keeping distance while they pass by. (Aidan Guthrie / J110)

While quarantine has allowed people to spend quality time with those closest to them, they are also finding creative ways to maintain relationships with their friends and family members outside of their quarantine bubble.

Andy, 21, a senior at UC Berkeley talks about the different ways they have been able to stay connected with friends and family via video chats and socially distanced hangouts.

“I’ve still been very connected with my friends,” Coleman says. “I facetime them all the time and stay in contact with social media. We’ve had zoom parties where we play games, watch movies or celebrate events. Even my high school’s graduation was virtual.”

Adults are using technology to stay connected too.

UC Berkeley students Vivian Kim and Michelle Wang share the brevities and some challenges in their lives under quarantine. Jasmine Fuller talks about her budding relationship initiated mid-quarantine, and, alongside UC Berkeley student Kevin Lu, how they spend their time in isolation. (Daniel Solakian/J110).

“We frequently have zoom calls with my extended family,” says Tripathy. “We’ve done calls for things like birthdays and mother’s day. I’m actually talking more with my far-away family members than I was before.”

As the world opens up people are finding safe ways to connect in person as well.

“I’ve gone on socially distanced walks with my friends and their pets,” Coleman describes. “And then we had my socially distanced birthday party which was really awesome.”

“We’ve started to have safe and distanced family gatherings again,” says Tripathy. “We recently had a picnic and have had outdoor gatherings too.”