Volume 15, Issue 1

Volume 15, Issue 1

Fishers High School

October 2020

N THE RED

TIME TO STEP UP Responsibilities of faculty, students increase during Phase II of instruction www.fishersnthered.com

2

N the Red

October 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS California Wildfires Polls Celebrity Example Nurses Custodial Staff Zoom Advice Teachers’ Classrooms Halloween Costumes Apples Playstation Tie-Dye Girls Soccer Boys Soccer Boys Tennis Girls Volleyball Boys Cross Country Professional Sports’ Health Trick or Treating Gap Year Mail-in-Voting Vaccines Editorial-Split Decision Front Cover: During a meal pick-up outside the school, food service workers deliver meals to cars. Photo

by Hayley Brown.

Fishers High School 13000 Promise Road, Fishers, IN 46038 317-915-4290 fax: 317-915-4299

4-5 6 7 8 9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30-31

Check out fishersnthered.com

Photo story Sports continue despite pandemic

News story BLM movement influencial at FHS

WANT MORE?

@fhs__nthered

Follow us on social media

@FHS_NtheRed

Advertising

N the Red

N the Red Staff Editorial Board

Fletcher Haltom Copy & Opinion Editor

Riley Gearhart Social Media Director

Lily Thomas Features Editor

Rebekah Shultz Arts & Culture Editor

Emma Tomlinson Photo Editor

Ava Hunt

Ben Rosen

Anna Mossing

Hayley Brown

Nicholas Rasmusson

Katie Barnett

Emilia Citoler Freelance

Sydney Territo Freelance

Grace Mossing Editor-in-Chief

Andrew Haughey Sports Editor

Nate Albin Online Editor

Kristen Rummel Design Editor

Reporters

3

4

N the Red

October 2020 Wildfires create orange skies above an apartment complex in San Carlos, California. Photo provided by Ceverly Strand.

West Coast wildfires cause nationwide plight Wildfire effects spread from San Francisco to Fishers Katie Barnett barnekat000@hsestudents.org

O

ver five million acres of California, Oregon, and Washington have been scorched by massive wildfires since the onset of the unprecedented 2020 fire season. California has borne the brunt of this devastation with nearly four million acres of its land burned. Residents have lived under otherworldly orange skies and thick clouds of smoke for weeks.

The effects of the fire spread beyond the West Coast. According to maps by AirNow.gov, an air quality database created by the EPA, the smoke plume from the fires has stretched across the United States, even reaching across the Atlantic Ocean. Air quality has plunged in many regions, including some areas of Indiana.

Nationwide Implications San Carlos, California resident Ceverly Strand, aunt of junior Zooey Russel, has firsthand experience with the fires.

“I’m right outside of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and for about a week the air quality was really bad,” Strand said. “You couldn’t go outside. It was Key: very, very smoky.”

The Santa Cruz Mountains, which lie just south Red= Heavy Smoke; Hazardous of San Carlos, were engulfed in a large fire earlier Orange= Moderate Smoke; Some this year. According to Strand, life was strange Yellow= Light Smoke; Little Risk during this period.

“The biggest impact I felt was on the one weird day when there was an orange sky,” Strand said.

AirNow.gov “It was definitely like that all day. It was like an Graphic by Katie Barnett apocalypse, and I wondered ‘What is going on in this world?’”

Strand, who is a former Indiana resident, said that life in California is much different than it is in Indiana. Senior Morgan Joiner can attest to this. She traveled to California for college visits in late

United States Smoke Plumes Risk

Features

N the Red

September and experienced life surrounded by flames.

“When we first got there, we were in our hotel room and you just stepped off the balcony and you could smell the smoke,” Joiner said. “I didn’t see the fire, but I saw the effects of it in San Francisco and Los Angeles.”

Joiner feels that the experience gave her a new perspective.

“You watch all the news stories and hear about the fires, but then to actually be there and smell the smoke is different,” Joiner said. “We don’t have to deal with that stuff in Indiana. It made me realize that this is actually happening.”

Causes of Wildfires Wildfires are caused by a number of factors.

According to the National Parks Service, humans are the largest contributing factor with 85% of cases resulting from human action. This is largely caused by items such as unattended campfires and cigarettes, although at least one fire was ignited by a pyrotechnic device at a California gender reveal party earlier this fire season.

Customer Success Manager Julie Ragains of local environmental technology company Encamp is alarmed by the trends of the recent wildfires.

“This fire season has broken so many records already, and it isn’t even over,” Ragains said. “Many people’s lives are at risk, and in some cases it is because of the irresponsibility of other people.”

However, her biggest concern is the role that climate change has played in the fires. Researchers from the United Kingdom recently published a study that concluded that rising temperatures have had an “unequivocal and pervasive” role in fanning the flames. Ragains shares the same beliefs.

“Climate change isn’t necessarily starting the fires, but it is increasing the occurrence of fire weather and the overall intensity of the fires,” Ragains said.

“They will only get worse if action isn’t taken soon.”

Ragains hopes that people will recognize the legitimacy of the science of climate change so that progress can be made in the near future.

Ways to Help There are many relief organizations working to stop wildfires and help the victims in the aftermath.

The American Red Cross is accepting donations to their wildfire relief efforts. Donations can provide meals, shelter, medical care, and much more. The California Community Foundation is also accepting donations to their Wildfire Relief Fund. Both organizations are accepting contributions on their websites.

There are several other relief organizations working to help victims and first responders, as well as to prevent future wildfires. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to complicate recovery efforts, so any additional support is appreciated.

Infographic by Katie Barnett

5

6

N the Red

October 2020

Adolescents fulfill civic duty Despite their inability to vote, students participate in election process Sydney Territo

A

Graphic by Sydney Territo.

Pictured below are the Billericay Park Building (left), and Fall Creek Township Offices (right), which are both polling sites approved for the 2020 general election.

Photos by Sydney Territo.

terrisyd000@hsestudents.org

s Election day approaches, so does the anticipation for voting and its results.

While most students cannot vote, there are other ways to become civically involved in activities surrounding voting, the biggest one being the Hoosier Hall Pass (HHP) recruitment project.

On the Indiana government website, it is stated that the HHP “provides an opportunity for students to learn about democracy, to actively participate in their community and work to support free and fair elections in Indiana.” It allows students who cannot vote yet to get involved in the voting process and familiarize and educate themselves with it before they can begin voting at the age of 18.

According to the 2006 National Civic and Political Health survey, 7% of 15 to 25 year olds participated in 10 or more community engagements or political activities within the previous year. One civically active student is junior Kaelyn Tai. “I can derive most of my political interest from eighth grade when I had We The People,” Tai said.

“After becoming more civically aware, it made me want to be more civically active.”

Tai is enthusiastic about civic activity, and believes voting is essential for the making of a healthy democracy. She hopes that our generation will change the low turnout trend for young voters.

“I’d really like to work at the voting booth to see all the types of people that are willing to vote,” Tai said. “This year, because of the coronavirus, I am unable to volunteer at a polling station. However, I would like to rope my friends into the process next year if possible.”

Some students have already participated in working the polls, and plan to take part in it again this year. One of these students is senior Quinn Lowry, who helped out during the June 2 Primary

when his mom showed him an article about young poll workers being needed due to the pandemic.

“My favorite aspects were helping some people vote for the first time [when] we’d all applaud if they were a first-time voter or just chatting with the other workers,” Lowry said. “Despite America being extremely polarized, the polling location was one of the most friendly places I’ve ever seen. We avoided talk about politics, and instead discussed past voting or poll working experiences and just life in general.”

In order for students to work the polls, they must be at least 16 years of age and have written approval from their principal and their parent or guardian. They also need to be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the county they will work for and must complete the training required by the county election board.

“In my government classes, I always ask if people are interested, and then I direct them with information on who to contact,” government teacher Liz Paternoster said. “They do provide meals and a stipend [at the sites]. Students have gotten anywhere from $115 to $125 for the day.”

The best ways to get information on how to participate is through the school’s government teachers and by contacting county officials.

Paternoster can be contacted through her email, which is lpaternoster@hse.k12.in.us, or can be found in room H127. The county election administrator can be contacted through the phone number 317-776-8476, and the voter registration office can be contacted through the phone number 317-776-9632.

“I absolutely would recommend it,” Lowry said.

“It’s a great way to help your community and get involved, even if you can’t vote.”

Features

N the Red

The power of influence

Social media stars throw events and parties with large crowds during COVID-19 Hayley Brown

T

brownhay000@hsestudents.org

ikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and other media platforms have given people the opportunity to connect with others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Media influencers use these platforms to keep their viewers and fans entertained while being in quarantine.

Many of these influencers produce content while practicing social distancing and wearing masks, but some influencers are doing the complete opposite.

Los Angeles is a home for many social media influencers and is a gateway for them to make collaborative content with each other. The county has approximately 13,821 COVID-19 cases as of Oct. 5 and is a hotspot for the pandemic due to the high population. California Governor Gavin Newsom has placed Los Angeles county in Tier 1 of his risk scale, making Los Angeles one of the most at-risk counties in California. This information has not stopped popular influencers that reside in their county from holding events or parties with other influencers such as James Charles, Tana Mongeu, Jake Paul and many others.

“Obviously, there is a global pandemic going on, and for figures who are partying in Los Angeles with collectively millions of followers, it’s a terrible way of representing to their followers of what they should be doing during a pandemic,” junior Abbie Kilgore said.

Some influencers have received consequences including TikTok personalities Bryce Hall (14 million followers) and Blake Gray (6.9 million followers). Both have been charged with misdemeanors after throwing parties in the Los Angeles area that violated public health protocols set for COVID-19.

Hall and Gray face $2,000 in fines and up to a year in jail.

“I feel as if they do not realize the damage the pandemic has caused too many people and understand the importance of certain protocols that have taken place,” senior Ali Danielson said.

YouTube creator Tanner Fox posted a video of his positive test for COVID-19 via YouTube. Fox said he was in contact with influencer Jake Paul a few days prior to getting his test results back. Paul said he was not worried about potentially being exposed to COVID-19 and did not selfquarantine after receiving news from Fox. “I think they are not following protocols just because of the monetary value they can gain from making more content with other people who are famous will end up with them getting more views,” Kilgore said.

Older creators, such as Tyler Oakley, warned younger influencers to lead a better example for their audience.

The age range for many of these young creators on media platforms varies from 18 to 24-years-old, according to the Statista website. 41 percent of TikTok users are between 16 to 24-years-old, according to the Omnicore website.

“I have noticed many of these creators are younger,” senior Charles Scott said. “I feel many of them think they are invisible and believe they won’t get the virus.”

Creator Jessica Serna or known as MyCurlyAdventures on TikTok has recently produced content combined with her adventures in Texas, recognition of small businesses, and COVID-19 safety protocols. Social media has been used to share information regarding the pandemic, and ways to protect yourself and others.

“I’ve seen doctors on TikTok giving tips about sanitizing and the benefits of wearing a mask,” Danielson said. “It’s helped me realize how serious this pandemic is, and how I can keep myself and others safe.”

Instagram poll taken on Oct. 1. One hundred and three people took the poll. Poll and graphic by Hayley Brown.

7

8

N the Red

October 2020

Fishers front line Nurses monitor health of school community Grace Mossing mossigra000@hsestudents.org

B

two or more symptoms related to COVID-19, the y screening students who may have nurses will most likely ask them to go home and COVID-19, the clinic keeps the school recommend that they get tested for the disease. healthy and safe through the pandemic.

The school has asked teachers to only send School nurses such as Donna Lund and Amy students to the clinic when there is a great need Hanna accommodate students as best they can by for them to be seen. Unlike previous years, there changing protocols due to the pandemic as well is no resting allowed in the clinic unless absolutely as staying safe themselves. They wear protective necessary. The clinic also restricts admittance for gear such as face shields and gowns as needed and issues such as allergies, brushing teeth, cuts and social distance when possible. ruined clothes.

“We truly are on the front line in dealing with "I understand that necessary safety precautions COVID-19,” Hanna said. “We are tasked with need to be taken in order to prevent COVID-19 making the decision whether a student needs to from spreading in terms of preventing students go home and get tested or if their symptoms are from lying down," senior Maya Fotedar said. unrelated to COVID. It can be difficult to make "On the other hand, I believe that there should that decision because there are so many gray areas still be facilities open where students can receive with COVID.” ibuprofen or other medications."

The clinic has begun to screen students as With the cold and flu season quickly they enter the clinic, which is different from how approaching in the next couple of months, many students were able to walk in freely before the people are asking about how COVID-19 protocols pandemic. and student health will be maintained.

“We are trying to limit the amount of kids who “We’ll see an increase of students with cold and come in and stay in the clinic,” Lund said. “We flu season,” Hanna said. “Because of COVID, are trying to keep kids who need to come into the parents have been doing a great job of keeping clinic at a very low risk and away from anybody kids home that are sick. I imagine that will that could possibly be sick [with COVID-19].” continue throughout the cold and flu season.”

As an extra precaution, the nurses have Both Lund and Hanna are very passionate about implemented a follow-up call procedure. Parents working in a high school environment and found who call their child in sick with symptoms shared nursing in a school environment later in their

by COVID-19 are followed up with, in order to professional careers. They are happy to be back in establish more accurate contact tracing. school and see the students that they care for each “We go through scenarios with them like have day. they been in contact with anyone, or do they have seasonal allergies,” Lund said. “We try to figure out if there’s something else that could possibly be wrong with the kid, but there is a possibility that they were exposed to someone with COVID.” If any student comes into the clinic with a fever, they are automatically Nurse Donna Lund washes her hands in the back room of the clinic before she goes to see sent home. If a a patient. Photo by Grace Mossing. student presents

Features

N the Red Custodian Linda Vineyard cleans the sinks in the upstairs A-hallway bathroom after school. Photo by Emma Tomlinson.

Cleaning up FHS Faculty, students do their part to keep the building safe Grace Mossing mossigra000@hsestudents.org

W

ith students returning to in-school learning, the custodial staff, teachers and students are now responsible for keeping the school clean and safe. In addition to wearing masks and being socially distant, the school focuses on disinfecting surfaces and organizing classrooms.

The custodial staff kept working even through the pandemic, as they are essential workers. While the school was closed, they moved furniture to disinfect parts of the school rarely uncovered and cleaned up classrooms.

Little changed for custodial roles when students and staff returned to school, but cleaning became more strict. They stay informed with the schoolwide calendar that shows every event held in the building.

“The most important thing is knowing where they [students] have been,” head custodian Joy Kiskaden said. “If we don’t know that they’ve had a meeting or know they’re meeting in the cafeteria for a dinner, then we don’t know to clean after.”

Kiskaden has added employees to the day shift to keep commonly touched areas and student and staff seating sanitized. The busiest part of their cleaning tends to be during the exodus of people from lunchrooms.

“Everybody has stepped up,” Kiskaden said.

“We have 99 tables to clean off in less than five minutes. We’ve had cafeteria workers help us, and some students and administrators have helped by just gathering rags and making sure the next group coming in has a disinfected table.”

On top of teaching and counseling students, teachers have also picked up a new role as cleaners of their classrooms. Every teacher has a different

method when it comes to keeping their classrooms clean and organized.

English teacher Erin Domokos spent three hours getting her room ready before students even got to school. She taped the floor and desks to mark where students could and could not sit. On top of in-school preparation, Domokos spent her summer stockpiling hand sanitizer and Kleenex, in case of a shortage in the schools.

While in the classroom, students clean their own desks, and she makes sure to socially distance herself by staying in her desk area for most of the class.

“A lot of students and teachers are in different places physically, mentally and emotionally with this [in-school learning],” Domokos said.

“So if they can see that their teachers have been preparing and making sure that everything is as safe and structured and orderly as it can be, then that might give some people and their mental health a sense of control that could help them throughout the day.”

Students such as sophomore Brooke Butts feel safer in school with cleaning precautions put in place. She believes that the disinfecting helps her know that the surfaces she touches are safe from germs.

“In most of my classes, they just take the last five minutes of class and spray down the desks,” Butts said. “And then when I walk into my next class, they have us wipe them down. It’s really easy.”

With custodians cleaning the building, teachers trying to focus on the organization and cleanliness of their classrooms, and students keeping their work areas disinfected, school has been able to stay open.

9

10

N the Red

October 2020

Online on time Tips for connecting to Zoom classes with minimal issues Lily Thomas

O

thomalil000@hsestudents.org

ver 80% of Americans face a daily tech struggle, according to a poll by technology support company Asurion. From scratchy audio to frozen videos, technology issues commonly occur during Zoom meetings. With the current hybrid schedule, teachers still rely on Zoom to teach their online students.

As Zoom becomes more widely used, more tips and tricks have been brought to light, which range from keyboard shortcuts to a beauty filter. There are also features such as breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds and video filters to enhance the Zoom calls.

Technology issues With some students at school and others at home, a range of technical issues may occur. Librarian Renee Isom said audio issues are a common Zoom problem for both students and teachers.

A lot of the time, my teachers will be talking and they’ll cut out at important parts of the conversation and then I don’t know what’s going on,” sophomore Mayalyn Graves said.

To combat this problem, Isom recommends properly restarting computers and keeping them up to date. Sometimes, these audio While in her backyard on Oct. 3, senior issues can be a result of poor Wi-Fi connections.

Technology specialist Amy King encourages students to use Sofia Solis tests out the Zoom beauty filter. The photo on the left is without the the Chrome browser to access their Zoom links.

I have been kicked out of meetings because I lost connection,” filter,and the photo on the right is with the junior Ben Crowe said. “There’s points where everything freezes filter. Photo used with permission of Sofia Solis. on my end and I can’t see or hear anyone.”

To improve Wi-Fi connections, Isom suggests limiting how many devices are connected to the Wi-Fi at one time. For example, using your phone to stream a show while on Zoom will negatively impact connection, so it is best to limit the use of other devices to optimize internet speed. Closing unneeded programs and tabs may also improve connection.

In the case that Wi-Fi cuts out in the middle of class, one solution could be using a phone to communicate the issue to the teacher via email or attempting to join the Zoom call on your phone. According to King, using a phone to participate in the Zoom call can also be a good option if computer microphones and speakers do not work well.

General tips and tricks There are several ways to navigate Zoom via keyboard shortcuts. The “push to talk” option utilizes the spacebar to temporarily unmute a microphone. The combination of keyboard buttons for each shortcut varies based on the type of computer, but some shortcuts include turning video on or off, raising or lowering a hand and opening the

Features chat. A list of keyboard shortcuts per computer type can be found on the Zoom Help Center website or in Zoom settings under the keyboard shortcuts tab.

“I do use the spacebar shortcut if I’m in a class where I talk a lot so I can easily unmute when I need to say something and mute when I don’t need to so I don’t have to worry about clicking the mute button every time,” Graves said.

Within settings, there is a “touch up my appearance” option in the video tab. According to an article on the Elite Daily website, the beauty filter gives off an “airbrushed effect.”

I use the beauty filter because it’s easier in the mornings. If I’m not ready for the day yet, then it’s easy to click on the beauty filter and not have to worry about things as much,” Graves said.

Besides the beauty filter, Zoom has more filter options under the background and filters tab.

These filters range from video colorings to virtual sunglasses. In the same tab, participants can change their backgrounds to an outer space scene provided

by Zoom or they can upload an image of their own.

“I think they [virtual backgrounds] would be useful if you had a messy background so you don’t have to worry about it. And I think they’re fun,” Graves said.

Breakout room awkwardness As stated on Zoom’s website, breakout rooms can be used to collaborate in small groups and have discussions in regards to the meeting. However, students like Crowe and Graves find that their breakout rooms tend to be awkward.

“It’s awkward just being in small groups in class and now you add the fact that you are at home on a computer talking to people,” Crowe said. “It’s even more weird because people talking in real life is way different than talking to people on Zoom.”

Graves said that she tries to break the ice by

N the Red asking small-talk questions such as the grade of her classmates. Other topics include asking about each other’s days or finding a common interest amongst one another. Although Graves considers herself a talkative person, she mentioned that most times people do not reciprocate in conversations over Zoom, and the breakout room remains silent.

Improvements and During his lunch period, freshman Zach Thomas tries out a new Implications Zoom background and the sunglasses filter on Oct. 5. Photo by While Zoom Lily Thomas. has several features, Isom wishes Zoom would add one that allows teachers to name breakout rooms that participants can self-select. This way, students would be able to enter a room of their choice.

Overall, Isom believes that Zoom is a sufficient application because it offers easy access and simple use.

“We have implemented this tool with zero training from our district or the company,” Isom said. “So its intuitive nature and online support has helped us continue teaching throughout the learning experience of this pandemic.”

Infographic by Lily Thomas.

11

12

N the Red

October 2020

Faculty find their niche New teachers adjust to different school, decorating their classrooms Rebekah Shultz

shultreb000@hsestudents.org

F

ourteen new teachers joined the faculty this year and have decorated their classrooms according to their taste. Along with the 100% virtual learning expectations for the beginning of the school year, the new teachers were also adjusting to their new classrooms and new school.

“I taught eight years in my other classroom, so I knew where I wanted to stand when I taught,’’ new math teacher Torissa Becksvoort said. “I knew where I wanted to put my papers so I can grab them easier and not lose them, and I have not figured that out yet. I just think it’s just taking a lot longer to get more comfortable in a new place then it would have if we would have just dove in. I would have had it figured out by now.”

Along with adjusting to their new environment, teachers have had to decorate their classrooms quickly due to the school board providing teachers only two weeks to prepare for students’ return for 50/50.

“When they said you have two weeks [putting up decorations and set up the classroom following COVID-19 procedures] and kids come back is when I started putting stuff on my walls,” Becksvoort said. “Then I panicked and I still have not finished, so it was not a good plan on my own part. I figured the computer was the classroom so I tried to get Canvas pretty before my room was pretty, and it kind of blew up in my face.”

Contrary to Becksvoort, new English teacher, Mike Czech has already decorated his room with a specific theme in mind: his favorite bands from when he was in high school.

“I want the classroom to reflect some of my interests so my students can get a chance to know me a little bit more, and my interests,” Czech said.

Czech plays guitar and also collects vinyls. He has over 2,000 albums, and all the posters in his classrooms were posters he had in his room when he was a high school student.

“It [decorating the class with music] also opens space for me to talk about music, which I like to parallel a lot of the literature and the stuff that I’m teaching to music,” Czech said.

Art teacher Alyssa Choplin’s classroom was already established because it was set up as an art room before she came, so her decorations are mainly students’ artwork.

“Art rooms, by nature, are usually filled with artwork, which makes the space feel creative and inviting,” Choplin said. “[Students’ artwork] makes it feel more personal, for them and for me.”

While each new teacher decorates differently and has a different idea for their classroom, they are becoming comfortable here.

“I am adjusting very well,” Czech said. “I like being here, the students are great, I like my seniors, and the freshmen are great as well.”

A poster of a camel with a thought bubble hangs underneath the white board in math teacher Torissa Becksvoort’s classroom in C211. Photo by Rebekah Shultz.

In English teacher Mike Czech’s classroom is a U2 poster and Pink Floyd album cover in the corner of his room. Photo by Rebekah Shultz.

Arts & Culture

N the Red

On the side of art teacher Alyssa Choplin’s room in C103, an art board with students’ projects is posted on the wall.. Photo by Rebekah Shultz

A live concert poster for Pink Floyd in 1966 is taped on Group of colorful math rules that are on the right side of math teacher Torissa the wall in English teacher Mike Czech’s classroom. Photo Becksvoort’s classroom. Photo by Rebekah Shultz

by Rebekah Shultz.

13

16

N the Red

October 2020

An apple a day keeps the doctor away Fall recipes to enjoy this year during apple season Anna Mossing

mossiann000@hsestudents.org

A

pples are present in grocery stores all year round, but according to the Food Network, apples reach their peak in the fall harvest months of September, October and November. There is an abundance of recipes to make during peak apple season including apple bread, sparkling apple cider, caramel apples and apple crisp.

Apple Bread The apple bread recipe is similar to other bread recipes such as banana and pumpkin. Ingredients for this recipe were simple and easily accessible, and preparation only took about 25 minutes. The most time-consuming part of preparing the bread was cutting up the apple into small pieces because there has to be a lot in order to make the bread flavorful. After a 50 minute bake, taking the bread out of the oven filled the kitchen with a lovely fall smell.

“It was flavorful with a good texture and wasn’t too dry or dense,” junior Will Jansen said, “But I wish it had some more apple pieces.”

Sophomore Sydney Meyer suggested spreading butter on top, as she thought it would make the bread taste better. The rating of the apple bread was 3.5/5 stars because it was a little plain.

Infographics by Anna Mossing

Sparkling Apple Cider Making the sparkling apple cider was fast, cheap and easy. Only three ingredients are needed: apple cider, ginger ale and maple syrup. There is little to no preparation for this drink, the process simply includes adding ½ cup of apple cider, ½ cup of ginger ale and a dash of maple syrup. In order to keep the drink cool and refreshing, it is recommended to add a few cubes of ice. The process of making five sparkling apple ciders took less than five minutes.

“It was a nice cool drink for a perfect fall evening,” senior Morgan Casey said.

She suggested the addition of some lime to the drink to give it a little more of a tang. It was given a rating of 4/5 stars because of the missing zest.

Arts & Culture

N the Red Caramel Apples This treat only requires 3 ingredients: which are apples, caramel pieces and nuts. The caramels are the most expensive and difficult ingredient to find, the ideal kind to get is the individually wrapped pieces. Melting the caramel can pose a challenge, but the most effective way is to melt them in a bowl with some water in the microwave. Make sure to microwave in intervals and add water between each to prevent burned caramel.

In order to avoid hands becoming covered in caramel, consider putting sticks into the apples before beginning the coverage.

Caramel covered hands are a recipe for a sticky disaster, especially while adding nuts on top.

“I would make the caramel less chewy and thick and cool them [the caramel apples] before eating,” Jansen said.

The caramel apples received a rating of 2/5 stars due to the fact that they were a bit messy and difficult to eat.

Apple Crisp This layered dessert was simple to make, and similar to the bread, the ingredients were straightforward and readily available. All ingredients were dry, so it made the mixing fast and easy. The apple slices took the most time because the recipe calls for thin slices. The layering of this treat consists of the foundation of the mixture, a layer of apple slices and a final blanket of the mixture. After 45 minutes of baking and five minutes of cooling, the dessert was ready to go.

“It was so delicious, and I would love to make it for my friends,” Meyer said. “The only thing I would say would be more apples.”

The crisp was by far the fan favorite, as it received an outstanding 5/5 stars for its delicious and fall taste.

Preparing and sharing some of these desserts with friends or family makes for a fun fall activity. If baking and eating with them isn’t an option right now, consider dropping one of these treats off to add some delightful apple joy to their day.

17

20

N the Red

October 2020 Junior Isabelle Streeter works the ball backwards to fellow defenders in a 1-1 tie at Hamilton Southeastern on Sept.

9. Photo by Kathleen Tran.

Tigers begin season again Girls soccer team restarts after COVID-19 quarantine Nate Albin

R

albinnat000@hsestudents.org

ight when the girls soccer season began, it was put on hold. After visiting McCutcheon and scoring an 8-0 victory, their season was suddenly stopped. Due to exposure to COVID-19, the team was put into quarantine. This meant that the team was no longer able to play games or even meet up to practice for 14 days. Once they were able to return, the team had to hit a practice threshold so they could be considered fit to play.

“We had to readjust,” junior Sami Bird said. “After quarantine, we had to complete 6 practices before we could play a game.”

The girls team missed a lot of in-person training, but they still put in work virtually. During their Zoom training, the coaches strived to keep practice as similar as possible.

“We did all the same training we would do at practice, besides playing competitions,” coach Samantha James said. “The girls watched more film than usual, which we felt helped when we came back to live competition.”

The team’s first game was on Aug. 15, but it took until Sept. 5 for the team to play a second game. In their return, they faced defending state champions, Noblesville. This return brought some extra emotions.

“The girls were definitely nervous to come back and play,” James said. “But having the game be against Noblesville brought a new level of nerves. A lot of their club teammates play for Noblesville, so of course they wanted to come out strong and with a win.”

Noblesville defeated the Tigers 1-0 that night. Despite losing in their return, the team felt they were more connected as a group after the quarantine.

“We got a lot closer,” Bird said. “It served as a bonding moment. We learned to get closer without being in person.”

For some of the players on the team, the initial response to COVID-19 was not as serious. But after the quarantine, the team experienced a shift in its perspective on the pandemic.

“Before the quarantine, there were instances where girls forgot to have masks on or would get really close to each other,” junior Taylor Hamilton said. “We started making sure to stay safe at practice so that we could continue with our season.”

Hamilton noted the quarantine was a wake-up call for her off the field as well. She sees how connected safety on and off the field are now.

“I have definitely gotten more nervous about how quickly it spreads,” Hamilton said. “I was obviously nervous before, but once I realized how it can happen, I learned I have to do everything I can to protect the people around me. I have to be smart and make sure I don’t bring anything dangerous to my team or home to my family.”

Sports

N the Red

Schmidt goes for two Boys team opts to play different goalie each half Nate Albin

W

albinnat000@hsestudents.org

ith all the action happening in front of them, goalkeepers serve as the last line of defense for a soccer team. Once an opposing player takes a shot attempt, it is up to the goalie to make the save to keep their team in the game.

This season, the Tigers have quite the unique situation. Instead of one goalie for the whole game, senior Nick Rambo plays one half while junior Tyler March gets the other. For coach Philip Schmidt, this is new.

“In 20 years of coaching, I have always had one goalie,” Schmidt said. “I’ve always had a number one goalie. You ride with them unless they get injured or aren’t playing well, then you play your number two. But this year, we have two number one goalies.”

While the two goalies are sharing minutes, there is no animosity between the two. According to Schmidt and both players, the two goalies are good for each other’s game.

“It is a positive relationship,” Rambo said. “Tyler and I have known each other for years now, and in the past two years, we’ve split time on JV, so it’s not new to us. We always try to push each other so we are the best prepared when we go into the game.”

Under the current plan, Rambo plays the first half and March plays the second. This does not mean that one is better based on the half they play, but it instead is another testament to how strong the goalkeepers are.

“I like being the person in the net closing out the game,” March said. “I have enough confidence in myself where I can close out the games. I have just as much confidence in Nick if he was closing out games. Either way, we’re in a really good spot.”

Even without sharing time, playing in the goal can be a mental challenge. Keepers must be ready to make big plays in big moments, being that they are the player that ultimately determines whether or not a goal is scored.

“I’m the last line of defense,” Rambo said. “Everyone is depending on you more than anyone else on the field. A goalie needs to have a short memory. If you make a mistake, forget about it.

You can work on those later. In a game, you need to focus on the next action.”

Schmidt, Rambo and March all believe that the two-goalie experiment has worked well so far. They also believe that the overall team is better than their record shows, and this is something that Schmidt has been stressing.

“Water finds its level,” Schmidt said. “We are a few injuries to key players and a few unlucky breaks away from being 13-0-1 instead of 7-6-1.”

As the team heads toward the postseason, the two-goalie system will remain. With not much of the season remaining and not many guaranteed games left, Rambo, March and the third varsity goalkeeper, senior Justin Sharkey, are enjoying the time that they have left together.

“I love playing with Nick,” March said. “And I’m going to miss having him on the team. And Sharkey is like the hype man, and I am going to miss him too when he graduates as well.”

1

2

1. Senior goalie Nick Rambo sets up for a goal kick in a 10-0 win over Whiteland on Sept. 5. Photo used with permission of Nick Rambo. 2. A graphic displays a comparison of stats between the two goalies, Rambo and junior Tyler March. Graphic by Kristen Rummel.

21

22

N the Red

October 2020

During Aug. 12 the boys tennis team practices on the FHS tennis courts. Photo by Kathleen Tran.

Facing adversity Boys tennis see COVID-19, other challenges in season Ben Rosen rosenben000@hsestudents.org

A

1

2 1. During practice on Aug. 12, junior Ben Jeschke works on returning the ball across the court. 2. Freshman Jack Butler serves during practice on Aug. 12. Photos by Kathleen Tran.

fter a rough start consisting of two consecutive 3-2 losses against Guerin Catholic and North Central, followed by a 4-1 loss against Zionsville in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference opener, the boys tennis team went undefeated for the rest of the regular season, finishing with an 11-3 record.

“The team has performed the best this season when we got our number one singles player back during the season. Then we started going on all cylinders, and we haven’t lost a match since he has returned,” junior Drew Barker said.

Junior Andrew Leonard believes there is more to the success than the return of their top singles player.

“I feel like the team has been more focused in practice than previous years, which makes a large difference when it comes to matches,” Leonard said.

In addition to the team’s mentality being changed, some of their traditions have been altered.

According to Barker, COVID-19 has impacted the team’s methods in a few different ways. This season, only immediate family members were allowed to attend matches, and the team was not allowed to have shared meals to celebrate the aftermath of a match.

“This season has been drastically different for us,” Barker said.

“For some of the simple things, we can’t shake hands and we must always wear masks in introductions.”

Barker added that the players need to be careful this season due to COVID-19 concerns and take precautions as an entire group, not just certain individuals.

“We have to be much more careful because if we, the players, test positive, we have to sit out 10 days of our season,” Barker said.

Each match has become more significant because the season could be suspended at any given moment, meaning that matches against rival HSE, a fellow sectional member, and conference opponent Zionsville, one of the three consecutive losses to start the season, carried more importance. Despite this added importance, the team was up to the challenge.

“HSE and Zionsville both play with great energy which is actually a bigger part of your game,” junior Logan Kay said. “Both teams had a bunch of experienced players who were really talented.”

The teams season ended on Oct. 1 as they lost to HSE in the sectional championship match by the score of 4-1.

Sports

N the Red

Setting up for success Girls volleyball seeks strong mentality for postseason Nicholas Rasmusson rasmunic000@hsestudents.org

T

he postseason is approaching for the girls volleyball team, and they are preparing for whatever obstacles come in their path, whether it be mental or physical.

Junior Mia Fehlinger believes that playing with emotion is key, and she makes sure to emphasize it.

“We want to make sure that we’re working hard, and we’re playing with passion on the court,” Fehlinger said.

Fehlinger, along with senior teammate Camryn Haworth, stated that the attitudes at practice have become more competitive and focused.

“As postseason play approaches, the attitudes of everyone have become more serious in preparation for our hardest games of the year,” Haworth said.

Right now the team is working to polish off their skills before the state tournament begins, but Haworth also emphasized how important the mental aspects of the game are. “[The keys to the game are] staying calm when points get tight while keeping the intensity up,” Haworth said. “We have really worked on our energy during the match with cheering on the court and on the bench.”

Haworth said that she and her teammates have learned to appreciate the game more this year, which has helped the team, by bringing them closer to each other.

“I think our mentality and appreciation for the game has changed a lot this year. With COVID-19 limiting our fans and not getting to go to other sporting events, we have realized how important volleyball was for us.”

Senior Olivia Lux has taken the opportunity this season to get to know her teammates better, and said that it has paid off well.

“The team’s mentality, right now, I think, is stronger than ever because of COVID and everything, because we can only really be with each other, so we’re closer than ever,” Lux said.

The team has been very successful this season, posting well over a .500 record. Head coach Steven Peek is very proud of this team.

“The girls have sacrificed a lot to make Fishers volleyball a priority, and I’m so happy they’re being rewarded with a fun, successful season,” Peek said.

Peek emphasized that the girls play with passion and have a will to win.

Junior Samantha Perdue hits the ball at practice on Aug. 5 at Fishers High School. Photo used with permission of Kathleen Tran.

“Our program has a passion for the game, and we’re reminded of how important that passion is every day,” Peek said.

Despite the team’s success, Peek is quick to remind the girls that they must keep their heads down for the long haul. Peek highlights HSE, Westfield and Yorktown as difficult opponents, but notes that all of these teams are beatable. Yorktown is always top five in the state, and Westfield has 11 seniors and is in Fishers’ sectional.

While Peek sees these teams as difficult opponents, he keeps the game plan simple.

“To beat them, we have to do the fundamentals. Play great defense, serve well and help our teammates know where to hit the ball,” Peek said.

Once the regular season concludes, the IHSAA State Tournament will start on Oct. 13 with sectionals at HSE.

23

24

N the Red

October 2020

Racing with change Boys cross country team splits into subgroups Andrew Haughey haughand000@hsestudents.org

T

his season has been different than most for the boys cross country team as the coronavirus originally threatened to cancel any plans for a 2020 season.

Nonetheless, the season has gone on, and with it, changes have occurred.

The first of these changes happened near the beginning of the season when many runners had to adjust to the fact that they may not be able to run in meets.

Senior runner Nathan Jordt said this was because the team is traditionally divided into a primary group and a secondary group. He said that the primary gets most of the attention from coaches.

“Secondary was told at the beginning of the season that they would not be racing at all,” Jordt said. “That impacted a lot of people because they began to question what the point [of being on the team] was. That hurt our team a lot.”

Jordt explained that the team was further broken down beyond the primary and secondary groups into subgroups.

These subgroups are arranged so that the first subgroup contains the fastest runners, the second group contains the second-fastest runners, and so on.

“In primary we’ve always been a bit nervous about what could happen [in regards to the coronavirus],” Jordt said. “So we are a bit more careful than the rest.”

Another change this year has come from the coaching staff.

Junior runner Alec Foster said that there have been new volunteer coaches this year. These coaches have helped to puch

Graphic by Andrew Haughey

the team.

“It’s been really helpful for coaches,” Foster said. “With a 70 person team it’s really hard for two coaches to control everybody.”

Two of these coaches ran at Fishers when in high school and have been able to help coach due to being in the area because of the coronavirus.

“While coaching they are able to run with us, which helps to push us,” Foster said. “Since they’re previous runners they’re not just coaches telling us what to do. They are able to bring some of their own coaching styles in.”

These coaches have been helping to manage the many subgroups mentioned previously. Sophomore runner Tate Meaux said these subgroups are not a normal feature of the team.

“We’re split into groups this year to minimize the spread [of the coronavirus],” Meaux said. “It’s been different not having that whole-team interaction.”

Despite the lack of interaction between the subgroups on the team, Meaux said the goal this year is the same as it is every year: win state.

“Every day we come to practice with the attitude that this [winning state] is what we want to do,” Meaux said. “Each workout and each week is getting us closer and closer to that goal.”

The varsity team races again on Oct. 17 in regionals at the Delta Regional cross country course.

Sports

N the Red

COVID-19, protests complicate sports Leagues use up testing supplies but provide platform for change Nate Albin

S

albinnat000@hsestudents.org

ports offer an escape from the harsh realities of life for many. I know that sports have been a go-to stress reliever for me in the past. After a tough week of school, it is easy to relax watching a good football game on a Saturday in the fall. But, like almost everything else right now, those feelings of normalcy have left and controversy has spread.

There has been a lot of controversy over just playing sports right now. One of the most notable debates in the public has been over whether or not to play college football. Some conferences have canceled, other conferences have said they will not stop for the pandemic and conferences, like the Big Ten, have managed to do both.

It is plain to see why some people believe now is not the time for sports. USA Today reported that the NBA, MLB and MLS were using about 19,000 tests per day in July. That was before any NBA or MLS teams traveled to their respective bubbles and began testing more often. It was before MLB teams began travelling from city to city, which also required testing to increase. The NBA is testing so much that scientists were able to conduct enough trials to develop a new salivabased way to test in the bubble.

This massive usage of tests is a problem when Business Insider is reporting that there is still a testing shortage because of supply shortages. Shortages of ingredients like reagents are causing some hospitals to be unable to use 20% to 33% of their test kits. With reports saying that this shortage may not end soon, cancelling pro and college sports would be a way to easily free up tens of thousands of tests, especially considering that the NFL, WNBA and colleges all across America are now running tests daily in addition to the leagues mentioned earlier.

Colleges also present major issues. Without sports, they are already having a hard enough time keeping outbreaks under control . Many schools are struggling to monitor with Greek life and parties on top of having classes. The majority of schools have encouraged students to stay in their rooms and travel as little as possible. Well, it can seem a little hypocritical to say that and then send 90 football players, as well as coaches and trainers,

across the region to play a 60-minute game.

The argument against playing sports in a pandemic is there. Cancelling sports would free up tests, as well as medical personnel, and bring down unnecessary risk brought upon by travel.

However, sports can also be the perfect cure for our society during tough times. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt made sure baseball was played to provide the nation an escape during a time when so much else was being taken away from citizens. There is precedent for this.

Having sports is not just an escape. Sports right now are serving as a platform to keep the fight for social justice going. With each action taken by athletes, the conversation continues. The NBA practically put the sports world on hold to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin. During her US Open championship run, tennis player Naomi Osaka wore masks with the names of Black Americans that were victims of violence. Playing through injury, she said that she was motivated to win the championship because winning it would mean she would get to wear more masks and honor more lives.

Protests through sports have been prominent for a long time now. The summer of 2020 has recently been compared to the summer of 1968.

That year at the Mexico City Summer Olympics, Black American track athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised a fist with a black glove on to protest racial discrimination in America. This was a global platform while their country’s national anthem was playing. Fifty-two years later, the image of protesting on the podium remains one of the iconic images of the civil rights movement.

Clearly, there is a good argument for having sports right now too. I do not even know how to Tommie Smith (center) and feel on the matter. It is a complex issue. Sports John Carlos (right) raised serve as a platform for change, something that is their fists in support of necessary right now, but not having sports could the civil rights movement open up testing for those unable to access it. during the 1968 Mexico Neither side is right; neither side is wrong. Either City Olympics. Protests way, one thing is painfully obvious. It is time to have been an integral part take the pandemic plaguing the United States of sports’ return in 2020. seriously and work to end the systematic injustice Photo used with permission that also plagues our nation. of Flickr.

25

26

N the Red

October 2020

Headless Horseman actor stands before a wagon as visitors ride the Headless Horseman attraction at Conner Prairie on Oct. 4. Photo by Riley Gearhart.

Trick or tragedy Fall activities put participants at risk

Riley Gearhart gearhril000@hsestudents.org

H

Information about fall activity safety rankings from the CDC. Infographic by Riley Gearhart.

alloween, for Americans, is one of the most celebrated holidays among youth and teenagers, according to The Guardian. Even in the walls of Fishers High School, you can hear students talking about how thrilled they are for it to be colder outside and when they plan to start going to pumpkin patches. About 25% of the Fishers population goes trick-or-treating every year according to IndyStar, as it is ‘Indiana’s best trick-or-treating town.’ While these activities have been longstanding fall traditions, they need to end this year due to COVID-19.

The CDC recently released a list of fall celebration activities ranking them as low, moderate or high risk. However, Indiana is not encouraging the same guidelines as the CDC while in Stage 5 of the reopening plan.

According to the Back on Track Indiana plan, some of the guidelines for Hoosiers include wearing a mask and maintaining a distance of six feet when in public. While helpful, these guidelines are not sufficient enough and should be the same as those from the CDC. This will make it easier for everyone to know what rules should be followed, especially with the Halloween season approaching.

As fun as trick-or-treating may be, it is not worth risking our health and the health of everyone else. According to the CDC, the coronavirus spreads through respiratory droplets that someone may inhale or that may land on them. This creates a large risk of germs being spread through people either passing candy to one another or simply being within close proximity of one another. There is no way to know where the candy has been or where the people have been.

Similarly, there should not be any large fall or Halloween events this year, such as indoor haunted houses or costume parties. These events also create a great risk of spreading the coronavirus, as it would be difficult to socially distance and some people may not be wearing masks.

I am not saying that this Halloween season should be entirely different. I know that I would love to be able to enjoy all of these activities this fall. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has prevented us from doing most activities the way that we typically would, including Halloween.

However, enjoying some of the CDC’s recommended lower risk or even moderate risk activities can still be a great way to celebrate, as long as everyone wears a mask and maintains social distancing.

The city of Fishers has released a list of events open to the public that will be free and safe. The Boo Bash is Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater and will provide a one-way trail for kids to trick or treat along, with masks being required.

Conner Prairie will be hosting their annual fall festival every Thursday through Sunday night in October (except for Halloween night), where a variety of activities, including their Headless Horseman hayride, will be offered. Every attendee will be required to wear masks, and guests will have to buy tickets for the Headless Horseman hayride in advance. With the safer alternatives provided in our community this Halloween, we should take advantage of them and not participate in traditional activities that may put us at risk for contracting the coronavirus.

Opinion

N the Red

Mind the gap Students take a break from the academic track Emma Tomlinson tomliemm000@hsestudents.org

T

his year, a record number of students have taken a gap year, mainly due to the coronavirus. A gap year has many purposes, from saving money for tuition, traveling or just trying to find out if you actually want to go to college. Unfortunately, many high schools discourage their graduating seniors from taking one and promote college as the only viable post-secondary option.

Twenty percent of first-year students admitted to Harvard University have chosen to defer their acceptance and take a gap year this year due to COVID-19, according to a statement by the university. During the summer, a study by SimpsonScarborough indicated that around 40% of high school seniors said they would seriously consider a gap year as an alternative to attending college this fall.

Colleges this fall semester are offering mostly online classes. Some schools offer all online classes or a combination of online classes with one or two in-person classes a week. A number of colleges are not allowing students back on campus.

School counselors do not tend to offer a gap year as a suggested option after graduation. This may be due to the fact that the school wants a higher rate of graduates to go straight into university, which reflects well upon the school. However, taking a gap year doesn’t necessarily mean that a student will not return back to school.

According to a study by Middlebury College, 90% of gap year students return to college within a year.

A year off of school can lead to academic benefits.

According to the same study done by Middlebury College, students who took a gap year tended to outperform by 0.1 to 0.4 points on a 4.0 GPA scale. This disproves the commonly heard argument that gap year students return to college less academically motivated.

Students may also take a year off to travel the world and volunteer. Foundations and organizations, such as the Student Conservation Organization, offer internship and volunteer opportunities within government organizations, nonprofits and conservation groups. The organization also sponsors gap year students, providing

funds that students use to pay tuition when they return to school.

Money is one of the most important issues when it comes to getting a college education. The student loan debt in the United States is around $1.6 trillion, according to the National Student Loan Data System. The average student loan debt for a single American is around $32,000. Taking a year off to save up money is less feasible for students who have to pay their own housing and living expenses, as those costs would outweigh their money earned. Institutions such as Princeton and Florida State University offer financial aid to students who take a year off to perform volunteer work, supporting gap years.

In a study of students at Temple University who took a gap year, 96% reported increased self-confidence, 93% had increased communication skills and 98% said the year helped them develop as a person. Mental health among teens and young adults is heavily influenced by school. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health problem during their school years. Recently, schools have been emphasizing the importance of student’s mental health, but their attempts to help have fallen short. Some students simply need a break from the pressure of school.

Additionally, going straight from high school to college, a high-pressure academic situation, can lead to burnout.

Fewer than six out of 10 college students graduate in under six years. Hours of homework a night combined with academic pressure leads to high levels of stress. In the National Alumni Survey conducted in 2015, 82% of students who took a gap year indicated that they wanted to take a break from the academic track.

Adding up the academic benefits, financial savings, and benefits for student’s mental health, a gap year should be more normalized for high school seniors to consider.

Whether it’s traveling the world, or working to make a little extra money, taking a gap year can greatly benefit students.

Infographic by Emma Tomlinson

27

Opinion

N the Red

Vaccine efforts must be refocused Rush for COVID-19 treatment has lead to medical oversight Fletcher Haltom | haltofle000@hsestudents.org

A

mid any disaster, a natural reaction is to seek a solution. For many, the perceived solution to the COVID-19 pandemic is when a vaccine is created, and patience is waning. Recently, for example, President Donald Trump made an ambitious statement to advisers, claiming that a potential treatment will arrive as soon as November. While this assurance of a vaccine sounds promising on the surface, there is an array of challenges and questions that lie beneath the initial promise.

According to research collected by the New York Times, there are currently five versions of vaccines that are approved for early or limited use. While this is encouraging, it is important to weigh the potential downsides of expediting the creation process. Ted Ross, the director of the Center for Vaccines and Immunology at the University of Georgia, recently said the first vaccines “may not be the most effective.� Similarly, some experts worry that the technique many developers are using, delivering a protein called spike to alert the body’s immune system, is unproven and therefore unsafe to rely on completely.

Even the most promising vaccines have potential pitfalls, especially related to production. RNA vaccines from companies such as Moderna and Pfizer have shown favorable results in early tests, but virologists worry about largescale production. Many companies and laboratories simply are not built to produce the sheer magnitude of vaccines that will be necessary around the world.

Following the creation of a vaccine, there are widespread concerns related to distribution, particularly the costs associated with reliability, effectiveness and safety. In a deal with the U.S. government, Pfizer is requiring a cost of $19 per dose

of their largely experimental vaccines, and other companies have even higher cost requirements. These prices raise questions about the economic aspects of creating and distributing a vaccine.

When a vaccine is developed, extensive distribution should be a necessity in the name of public health, not a luxury for only some to afford.

Perhaps the most prevalent challenge with the creation of a vaccine is that many efforts are focused on the wrong goal. The development of a vaccine may not lead to the conclusion of the pandemic because the vaccines in development are targeting the wrong problem. The overwhelming majority currently in development, including leading approved vaccines such as Ad5 and Ad26, are focused on preventing COVID-19, the disease, not SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Preeminent vaccines serve to also block the transmission of the pathogen between people, not to simply prevent the disease the pathogen causes. While the overall focus on preventing COVID-19 can be attributed to mounting pressure to create a successful vaccine in record time, it makes the problem no less drastic.

Vaccines that prevent COVID-19 will not necessarily prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, which will only cause the pandemic to become lengthier.

In order to remedy this issue, vaccine creation efforts need to be refocused to eliminate the transmission of SARSCoV-2, not just COVID-19. Vaccines need to be efficiently, safely and effectively created, and widespread distribution is a must. Without restructured vaccine research and production, the end of this disaster may be much further away than previously projected.

Graphic by Fletcher Haltom. Information from The New York Times.

29