My Life Changer: 2020

Morgan Larson, Writer

Extra! Extra! New Decade New Pandemic. New deadly disease, promptly named “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19” is sweeping the globe at exponential rates. Read all about it!

Hopefully, we can all remember the simplicity of the word “normal”, which is something that will need redefining for the future. We are currently in October of 2020 and this pandemic isn’t anything new to anybody. Don’t misinterpret this piece as just one person solely being affected by this global pandemic.  The whole world is being affected in tremendous ways. Everyone can relate to the misfortunes it has brought upon us. Hopefully, this can be relatable to you, the reader. Just how coronavirus has impacted my life and state my opinion on how it’s effects will shape my new definition of “normal” through Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC).

Let’s face it, coming into a new decade was supposed to have been something to be excited for. I called this, “The 2^nd Roaring Twenties”, as I walked into work after ringing in the new year.  Only ever hearing, “coronavirus” for the first time during the Holiday season. It was something I was not a keen to knowing the meaning of or the effects it was going to have on my impending future at the Photo Press. 

I was a part of the Graphic Design department at the Fairmont Photo Press, a print shop and weekly newspaper distributor to various counties and readers. An educational degree which I obtained from Iowa Lakes Community College in 2016. For the last three years, my position was always in the hot seat for deadlines. I was the sole creator and designer for each newspaper every week that needed to be out to press every Tuesday.

Never had I ever thought COVID would affect my county, in particular, in the whole state of Minnesota when the breakout was becoming massive. My county, at the time, was primarily seeing people 50 and over being the casualties of COVID and people in their 20’s being the carriers. Farming is the life source of my family’s existence since we came to this country in 1871.  Our operation picked up more land this year, and my dad fell under the 50-year-old age risk of getting COVID. I could not sit idling by, for not just my sake, but for my families.

Unfortunately, COVID finally hit hard in the community.  I was approached to make a decision. One that I thought was the right only for all parties involved. The Photo Press knew of all the employees concerned and chose to provide us with their plans to combat this . They told employees that whatever we decided, our job would be secure no matter the outcome. Whether staying on board or taking unemployment.  (Keep this sentence in your mind).  I was told they understood my standpoint.

I knew that I had to consider my work aspect for my job to be safe. Knowing my position is the most intense position there, I knew this was going to be tough. I was the only employee trained for that job. I knew I had to make a choice, stay and keep the Photo Press functioning and take that risk of COVID exposure or take unemployment for the well-being of my family.

I could not let COVID take control. I refused to bring COVID home and jeopardize my family.  Sadly, it was that simple, honest, the gut feeling decision I thought was right.

I went from the end of March 2020 to the end of June of 2020, not knowing if my job really was safe.  I would try to contact the Photo Press to keep in touch and ask when I would be able to come back.  They would not give me a date. This went on for those months.  Until one day, in May, I was told my insurance would be running out at the end of June.  Red Flag.  Something was going on behind the scenes when I was away.  This was not a good sign being in uncertain times. Emotionally draining.

The Photo Press did have to close its doors to the general public, start to reduce employees and other matters. After three years, the company decided to eliminate my position, which was one of the two graphic design positions. The position was offically eliminated on June 24, 2020 due to the effects of COVID.

I think COVID is a ticking time bomb for people like me in the type of business I was in.  A lot can be said with the employment options there were for the degree I initially have. My graphic arts degree from ILCC provided me with great opportunities, but with COVID, this job field was to a minimum to none.  I had to make yet another choice to deflect COVID the best I could and look to my future.

I decided to go back to ILCC to pursue a similar degree in which to find more job opportunities that could function well during this pandemic. It was a few days after I heard from the Photo Press, that I enrolled back to ILCC for their Digital, Social & Broadcast Production. ILCC provided me with that hope that so many of us in the U.S. and the world are trying to seek.  ILCC is the start to my new “normal”.  With the combination of my two degrees from Iowa Lakes, I am confident that even with COVID still on the horizon, I will prevail. 

I hope that whoever reads this, that even though COVID is a serious occurrence in the world right now and it can take anything. A loved one, your job, your normalcy; there is still a glimmer of hope. Whether you are able to find another job or pursue in a totally new direction. Don’t let COVID define your new way to “normal”. 

Mine, happens to be with ILCC.  I am proud to be a Laker once again. It’s never too late to go back to school, whether online or if it can be face to face. We will overcome this ordeal and once we do, I hope you have started your steps to your new “normal”. We were put here for a reason; my reason is with ILCC.  They gave my life purpose back in that dark time.  I’m glad to be “Laker Proud” again.