COM Outlook Summer/Fall 2020

20 | DR. KIRAN C. PATEL COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE I have traveled more frequently since starting medical school than I ever had before. It has become a routine of mine: log into my United Airlines account, search for a free weekend each month, and schedule a direct flight from Tampa International Airport to San Francisco International Airport. I set this goal prior to starting medical school, because I knew dedication was required for my long- distance relationship to work. Fortunately, it has worked. I recently proposed to Evelyn—my girlfriend of six years—and we have been engaged since Christmas 2019. So, when NSU announced in March that all lectures would be held online due to the spread of COVID-19, I immediately flew home for spring break and canceled my returning flight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that symptoms could appear anywhere between 2 and 14 days after contracting COVID-19. So, upon landing in San Francisco, California, I quarantined myself for the next 2 weeks at home with my family. What if I caught the virus while traveling? I was unsure, and while the only thing I wanted to do was see my fiancée of two months, I knew it was a bad decision. I already felt guilty for taking the risk of coming home, potentially passing the infection on to my family, but I did not want to risk passing it on to Evelyn or her family, too. As a result, we agreed to not see each other for two weeks. My dad is a small- business owner, which requires him to interact with the public on a daily basis. Although he has taken the neces- sary precautions to stay as safe as possible, there is always a chance he can be infected and pass it on to me and our family. I can then unknowingly carry the virus when I visit Evelyn and pass it on to her and her family. The thought of either my parents or Evelyn’s parents contracting the virus—and being hospitalized in their older age—is terrifying and not worth the gamble. When we visit each other’s homes, we continue to social distance ourselves, mostly remaining in our backyards. No hand-holding. No hugs. No kisses goodbye. It’s paradoxical. Throughout the year, I am exactly 2,906.3 miles away from Evelyn. Now that I am within driving distance, however, I have never felt physically farther from her. Elias Makhoul is a first-year KPCOM student. BY ELIAS MAKHOUL Socially Responsible Decision-Making FIANCÉ Elias Makhoul Throughout the year, I am exactly 2,906.3 miles away from Evelyn. Now that I am within driving distance, however, I have never felt physically farther from her.