Four years ago today, the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. We are to use this day to reflect on all the things we learned as individuals, communities members, and global citizens. It is easy to point out all the mistakes, but we should be concentrating on the victories and expanding our knowledge for future occurrences.

One lesson I believe we learned from the pandemic is that our mental health is fragile. As a teacher, who had to teach high schoolers virtually, I was shocked by the rapid rise in depression my students exhibited. I daily encouraged my students to find something to put their time and energy into. I wanted them to develop hobbies or bodies of knowledge. Set a goal and try to achieve it.

I focused on two things during the pandemic — reading and watching Leslie Allen Jordan Tik Toks. I loved the amount of time I had to read, and Leslie Allen Jordan never failed to bring a smile to my face. For whatever reason, I loved his ability to tell a good story. And even though I never met Mr. Jordan, I wept his death as if we were close friends. I wonder if he knows the impact he made on so many people.

What were you doing during the pandemic? I imagine many authors used the time to write more. And I am sure many felt the need to write about the strange world we were living in. For example, Jodi Picoult’s Wish You Were Here was written during the pandemic, and it features the Covid as a prominent plot point.

Diane O’Toole has her whole life planned out — married at 30, family finished by 35, and continuing to climb the cutthroat ladder of art auctions. Diane is sure that Finn, her surgical resident boyfriend will pop the question on their dream vacation to the Galapagos islands. And the night before they are to depart Finn breaks the news that the new virus has made it into New York. He cannot leave, but he sends Diane because he doesn’t want to waste the non-refundable vacation package.

Diane makes it to the Galapagos, but soon the traffic to the island is shut down. Diane is quarantined on the island until the virus subsides or they learn how to deal with it better. Out of her comfort zone, Diane has to learn to make friends and rely on strangers to survive. But will she come back the same?