Where Were You on March 11, 2020?

I was briefly in paradise. I flew back to hell.

I am a member of the first high school class to unequivocally not be able to remember the events of September 11, 2001. Anyone who graduated high school in 2016 was likely between three and four years old the day the World Trade Center fell and is almost certainly lying to you if they tell you they can remember where they were that day. Later conversations with my parents informed me where I was during the horrific hijackings: walking into my first day of preschool.

Of course, this also means I was also too young to understand the fallout of the attacks. I have no memory of the relative ease of airport security before 9/11, no concept of a PATRIOT Act-free internet, and no recollection of the America First stupor that gave cover to the illegal invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan.

I have always thought it was fascinating to ask people what world events were so impactful to them that they can remember where they were when they first heard the news. I remember waking up to find out Osama bin…