As I lay on the beach, I observe the individuals surrounding me. The family to the right of me is playing with a frisbee; the teenage girls to the left of me are laying out tanning their backs. I lay on my stomach—my skin absorbs the sun’s rays. My dad does the same next to me, but he lays on his back. 

          It is Saturday, and Ocean City is packed. It is nice out today, so it is no surprise that people rushed here to escape the confinement of their homes and to pick up some color before summer. 

          Groups of friends are sitting by each other in their beach chairs, laughing and chatting like they haven’t seen each other in months. They probably haven’t. 

          The date is May 16–almost 2 months into quarantine for us New Jerseyans. 

          At the beginning, when I thought quarantine would only last for a few weeks, I was excited to do online school and get an opportunity to spend more time with my mom. I planned to start working out, catch up on schoolwork, and study for the SATs.

          Two months into quarantine, and pretty much everyone, including myself, is sick of this situation. Most never thought it would last this long. That’s why the beach is packed—well, that and the weather. If quarantine had just started, there wouldn’t be nearly as many people here. 

          On the boardwalk, a good amount of people aren’t wearing face masks. It is split 50/50. Most don’t maintain a six-feet distance from others. 

         It has become apparent that the possibility of hospitalization or even death from the virus no longer phases many of New Jersey’s inhabitants. Especially ones in their teens and twenties. 

          We often forget the reasons behind why we must stay home. Hospitals cannot handle the amount of patients—and if we keep going out and interacting, this situation could become much worse. 

          I watch the water crash. I watch the seagulls fight. I watch the people converse. 

          The virus is probably spreading before my eyes. 

          This is the first time I’m seeing my dad in two months. I missed him. My mom and I decided it would be good for me to just stay at her house to reduce the risk of transmission for all of us, but it seems like everyone is becoming less and less cautious as of late. 

          I am in no position to criticize people for wanting to socialize. After two months of being in the house with one person (my mom), I am eager to get out and see my friends and the rest of my family.

         On the boardwalk, most stores are closed. Restaurants and a few candy stores are open. 

         I walk across the faded, worn-out boards and wonder: Are we all dumb? Should we even be out? Why don’t we take this as seriously as we did a month ago?

          My friend still isn’t allowed out of his house, unless it’s to take a walk or go grocery shopping with his parents. I think it’s crazy, but then sometimes I wonder if it’s what we should all do. It is very unlikely that they will get the virus, but then again, is it affecting their mental health negatively? 

          Social media is used more than ever during this quarantine. Tiktok, Instagram, and Netflixs’ owners are probably making some serious money during all of this. 

          I never thought I would say this, but I really do miss school. It is very difficult to find the motivation to do work for online school. Most days I don’t even get out of bed during the first class of the day, I just lay there and do work. I’m normally a great student, but my drive has been down. 

          I wonder what life will be like in a few months from now. Summer is bound to be weird. Will we even go back to school in the fall? How will we social distance?

          The beach always clears my mind, but this day has made me even more anxious about everything happening.