INTRODUCTION:
In the event that you cannot find three people
to interview, or you feel less inclined to conduct interviews on the topic
given the status of COVID-19, then you may use this option as an alternative.
This will be a practice in empathy. Instead of
interviewing others, you will attempt to envision yourself in three different
scenarios that align with the experiences that many people are currently having
with the COVID-19 outbreak; specifically, for those that are losing or have
lost someone close to them during this outbreak.
SCENARIOS:
Scenario 1: An immediate family member (mother, parent, spouse, child, sibling) is
confined within a hospital, or assisted-living facility, but is unable to
receive visitors. COVID-19 has been brought into the facility, and your
loved-one has contracted the virus. They are not responding well, and
unfortunately, they succumb to the illness and pass away. You weren’t able to
spend any time with them, and neither of you had the opportunity to say
goodbye.
Scenario 2: You have contracted COVID-19. However, you’re asymptomatic and are
unaware that you have it. Your family has a get together that you attend, and
unfortunately, one of your relatives that’s immuno-compromised contracts the
virus. Within 10-days, they pass away.
Scenario 3: You
have been a habitual smoker for a few years. You attend a party with friends
who don’t seem to be too worried about COVID-19. One of them has the virus, and
you get infected. You start showing symptoms three days later, and due to your
smoking and compromised immune-system, the virus attacks your system with
ferocity. You go to the hospital where they admit you. However, you are not
allowed to see anyone. On Day 14, the doctors inform you that the virus has
caused too much damage, and they believe you have less than 24 hours to live.
You die within the anticipated timeline, alone.
OBJECTIVE:
For each scenario, in no less than 1500 words,
please write about the following considerations:
1.
Describe the types of thoughts that you would
likely navigate during the following phases:
o
The initial moment you discover the virus has
been contracted.
o
The moment you realize that the situation is
grim and death is a likely scenario.
o
The moment you realize death is a certainty.
2.
Consider the same thing(s) for the people on
the other side of the situation. How does the perspective differ? What are some
other considerations for what they might experience?
3.
How would the emotions of fear, guilt, despair,
and/or anxiety factor in? Go one-by-one.
o
Think about this in the first-person for each
scenario.
o
Then, think about it from the other’s
perspective (parent, sibling, friend, etc.)
4.
Paint a picture of the time after the loss has
occurred.
1. How does it differ compared to other types of loss?
2. Given the circumstance, would there be a higher magnitude of a negative
psychological response? Explain.
5.
Based on what you’ve shared, describe the
measure of empathy you feel and how this exercise has impacted you.
PROCESS:
1.
Go through each scenario and fulfill the “Objective”
for each one.
2.
Compile your responses into one written Word
document.
o
Please organize each response with the
numerical separation listed in the “Objective”.
3.
Submit your response within the original “Experiential
Project” assignment portal.
NOTE: Your entire
submission should be no less than 4500 words (1500 word-minimum for each
scenario).
