I have never gone to first grade, and the pandemic hit when I was supposed to start second grade. Ever since then I've been stuck with virtual school, have never been allowed outside by myself either. I'm a sixth grader by now, and I really want independence, a normal life, and a few friends, but my parents always argue with me whenever I bring it up, because they say everyone in the world is stupid, rude, and has covid. It's a really paranoid way of viewing the world but it's not my choice to make. And no I don't want to just make online friends, because I want people I can PHYSICALLY be around and hang out with, not just words on a screen. Virtual school doesn't "feel" like school. I put in all the effort of waking up early and getting ready only to stare at a screen where no one's able to see my effort regardless