UNITED OVER DIVIDE

It is without a shadow of a doubt that 50 years from now, this time will be known as the COVID ERA. Students will flip through their history textbooks and see the forbidding year labeled 2020 that we all know a little too well. They will glide over pages filled with “Covid Death Rate” infographics, lists of “Covid Procedures,” descriptions of mask and vaccine mandates...and most of all the political polarization on pandemic policy. As a nation, we simply cannot agree on what is best for our country. Is it more beneficial to require all citizens to be vaccinated for the common good? Or is it considered unconstitutional to mandate a controversial vaccine?

We want to question our trajectory as a nation. Will we continue to bicker and fight over who’s right and who’s wrong as we manage coronavirus? Will we judge people who don’t wear masks, or people who don’t get vaccinated because they are viewed as “selfish?” Will we label others as “ignorant,” or “naive” for listening to government officials about public health policies? Are we self-righteous when we distrust the government?

We think that it is essential for you to stand up for what you believe in, and advocate for your beliefs for the growth of a healthy nation. However we challenge this and every generation in the COVID ERA, to consider alternative perspectives and care deeply for unity. A threatening divide makes us all victims.

We propose that we should spend more time thinking about what we have to be thankful for and reminisce over all the good things in our lives. When we realize all we have to be grateful for, we will begin to repair the divide: we often are grateful for the

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same things.

For the majority of our community, and the world as a whole, something to be grateful for is the fact that we-- the students, teachers, and other faculty members--are BACK IN SCHOOL. So what if we have to suffer the inconvenience of wearing masks, or getting the occasional covid test? At least we are back to in-person learning! And for students or teachers who would prefer to continue distance learning, they have the ability now to do so.

We have a sports season this year! Last year many teams experienced a short season, or no season at all, so that’s one more thing to be thankful for.

Ah, joyousness of social interactions. We get to see family and friends now without the fear of infection or death. Because of the intense research, and advancement in health safety, retail stores and restaurants are open again

We cannot afford to take what we consider to be “normal” for granted. We must find a way to appreciate more, or else we will be bound to the shackles that divide us if we criticize opponent or refuse to listen to the shortcomings of our favorite views.

So despite the rules, protocols, mandates, and policy changes at our school and beyond, let us demonstrate our gratitude for all that we have in our lives and the very gift of society itself. Especially during a time of an increased fear, let’s spend more energy on the privilege and gift of living

Then we will once again be the United States of America.