MY LIFE AS A
QUARANTEEN
ALTERED ASSESSMENTS PAGE 4
MEET
THE
CONTRIBUTORS CAROLINE MASCARDO, EDITOR IN CHIEF/WRITER/ARTIST Hi, I’m Caroline! Aside from journalism, I enjoy practicing the violin, playing tennis, making art, and volunteering. During quarantine, I have done lots of baking, read a few books, and studied excessively for my AP tests. Working on this publication has been a highlight during this otherwise dreary time. Whether I’m talking to my fellow contributors, making art, or writing, working on “My Life as a Quaranteen” has been a blast.
HELEN ZHANG, WRITER Hi, I’m Helen! My interests include improv, dance, and playing viola. I have spent this quarantine making mac and cheese, binging Netflix, and going on walks. Working on “My Life as a Quaranteen” has helped keep me sane during this pandemic and I’m so lucky to have been part of this publication’s amazing team.
ZOEY GUO, DESIGNER Hey, I’m Zoey! Some of my hobbies are drawing, ice skating, listening to music, volunteering, and playing video games. During quarantine, I have mainly been baking with my sister, studying for my AP tests, and sleeping. Working on this publication has probably been the only thing eventful during quarantine, and I’ve had so much fun working with my other teammates on this project together.
GRACE HUANG, DESIGNER Hello, I’m Grace! Some of my interests include playing guitar, although I’m not that great at it, graphic designing, taking photos, and biking. During quarantine, I have spent almost everyday playing Word Hunt, taking photos, watching Netflix movies, watching anime shows, playing League of Legends, and wrestling my dog. Designing for “My Life as a Quaranteen” has been so fun, and I’m so happy to have been part of such an amazing group.
04 COLUMN 07 CARTOON 08 FEATURE 09 10 NEWS EDITORIAL 12
CONTENTS
COVER STORY
ALTERED ASSESSMENTS
PRIVILEGE CHECK
THE 2020 BASEMENT COMPAIGN
A DOCTOR”S PERSPECTIVE
A COVID19-FREE STORY
LIVING IN A WORLD OF UNCERTAINTY
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Hello! It’s been 74 days since the last ordinary school day of the 2019-2020 school year, a figure we all have difficulty comprehending. I hope that you all have found a way to counter the day-to-day monotony, especially in an era of perpetual uncertainty. (See page 12 to see the contributors’ thoughts on this topic.) In this issue, we focused on how the COVID-19 impact has affected our lives on various levels. In the cover story, reporter Helen Zhang examines the impact the pandemic has had on students’ preparation for AP testing and whether enough resources were provided to promote success. The suspension of school has left many students to study independently for their AP tests, which were administered online from May 11 to 22.
On pages 7 and 8, take a look to see students’ opinions on the 2020 election and privilege in light of COVID-19. In need of a lighter, happier story? Turn to page 9 to read a feature article on doctors at the UIHC, or flip to pages 10 and 11 to read about a new volunteer organization intending to aid ICCSD students without music instruction at this time. If you want to see how your classmates have been spending their time during quarantine, flip to the back page. Everyone on staff hopes you enjoy the first (and last) issue of “My Life as a Quaranteen,” but above all else, stay safe and healthy, everyone! Caroline Mascardo
ALTERED ASSESSMENTS AP EXAMS 202 0
With almost all schools across the country closing for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Advanced Placement program has had to make a few changes to how this year’s exams will be taken. Some AP students feel this has worsened their chances, while others may see it as a blessing in disguise.
BY HELEN ZHANG ART BY CAROLINE MASCARDO DESIGN BY ZOEY GUO & GRACE HUANG
T
earful goodbyes have been said to 2020’s spring musical, prom and graduation. But there is one event that students can still keep on their schedule: AP testing. On March 20, the College Board announced that this year’s AP exams would take place online, each lasting 45 minutes. Each exam will be open-note and essay-based, and will cover material that most students already learned by early March. The dates designated for this year’s exams were May 11 to May 22. This unexpected change has sparked a negative response in several students. Most of the exams this year will only consist of one or two questions, which some feel is not a true test of their knowledge over an entire course. The length of the exam, being shortened from the usual two to three hours, may seem too brief. Although notes
“MY INITIAL REACTION [TO THIS YEAR’S EXAM CHANGES] WAS VERY NEGATIVE BECAUSE CHEATING WOULD BE VERY PREVALENT. IF EVERYONE CHEATS, THEN IS THE TEST WORTH ANYTHING?” - KEVI N YANG ‘20
can be used during an exam, the College Board stated on their website that they will be using “a range of digital security tools and techniques” to prevent acts of cheating, such as plagiarism. However, not everyone feels that preventative methods will be fully effective. Kevin Yang ’20 will be taking the AP exams for Calculus BC, Psychology, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Physics. He believes cheating on this year’s exams will still be prevalent despite any measures the College Board will take. “My initial reaction [to this year’s exam changes] was very negative because cheating would be very prevalent. If everyone cheats, then is the test worth anything?” Yang said. “Although the exam is open notes, there is still room for cheating. People can call or text each other on the test without the knowledge of the proctors.” Cheating is not the only concern Yang has. Technological issues cause worry as well. “My house internet can be pretty slow or straight up broken at times,” he said. Yang would prefer if the exams were like their old formats to more extensively test his knowledge. He feels less confident about his ability to do well on the exams than he did before the effects of COVID-19. “When I go to school everyday, I am surrounded in an academic environment where I can focus on my learning. However, at home, I feel less motivated to do any school work, especially since all classes were voluntary just a short while ago,” Yang said. In contrast to Yang’s worries, Jade Ritchey ’22, who will be taking the AP European History exam, feels more confident about this year’s tests. “This is my first AP test so it is almost like a nice ease into it,” Ritchey said. “Since it is shorter of a test I won’t lose focus on it. Also having notes to just quickly jog your memory if you forget is nice.” Ritchey has also found the resources provided to AP students useful, which includes review videos, practice tests and emails. Due to the short time frame of the test, Ritchey does not believe cheating will be a big issue. Like Ritchey, Samantha Falduto ’22, who will
”I THINK AP CLASSES ARE HELPFUL FOR COLLEGE CREDIT, BUT IF YOU DO POORLY ON THE AP TEST IT’S NOT GOING TO RUIN YOUR LIFE.” -SAMANTHA FALDUTO ‘22
be taking the AP U.S. History exam, is not too worried about cheating. “Since ... you’re allowed to use Google and other things none of it is actually cheating,” Falduto said. Falduto also agrees that the College Board is doing enough to help students prepare for the exams. She feels the same amount of confidence as she did before COVID-19, but would still have preferred the exam to be multiple choice. The value of taking AP classes and exams also has a variety of perspectives. “I think AP classes are helpful for college credit, but if you do poorly on the AP test it’s not going to ruin your life,” Falduto said. Yang also feels that AP exams are beneficial for the college credit. According to Business Insider, a college course can cost over $5000. In comparison, an AP exam is only about $100. Addi-
COVER STORY MAY 26 , 2020
05
“AP CLASSES AREN’T THE RIGHT OPTION FOR EVERYONE AND I THINK IT IS PERFECTLY FINE IF YOU GO THROUGH HIGHSCHOOL WITHOUT TAKING ONE.” -JADE RITCHEY ‘22
tionally, Yang likes the challenging aspect of AP classes. “Subjects are explored in depth, giving interested students more insight and a better understanding,” he said. For Ritchey, college credit was not the main reason for her decision to take AP Euro. “I took the class because the topic sounded interesting to me. Even if it wasn’t an AP class I would have still taken it,” she said.
How did the AP exams go? Two weeks later and the 2020 AP exam season has come to an end. How accurate were students’ predictions about their online testing experiences? For Falduto and Ritchey, everything went according to plan. Both found that the tests went better than expected, and are now more confident about their scores than prior to taking them. “The test was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” Ritchey said. No issues were encountered and the shorter, open-note format allowed for less stress. Yang also found that the exams went pretty well, though some better than others. He feels the same confidence about his scores as he did before. “There was some unexpected stuff, but I don’t think they affected my predicted scores a lot,” Yang said. However, he, as well as Falduto, would still prefer the original test format for a more extensive test covering a variety of subjects. “Something that only covers a short period of time or one specific thing is never a true test of
your knowledge,” Falduto said. Unfortunately, not everyone had a successful testing experience. The College Board reported that during the first week of testing, “less than 1 percent of students were unable to submit their responses.” This small percentage includes Anthony Allou ’23, who was unable to submit his answer for the second part of the Computer Science A exam. “I knew this was a possibility, I just hoped it wouldn’t happen to me,” Allou said. Allou, like many others students who faced this issue, will be taking the makeup exams that the College Board has offered to hold in June. “I think that they should not be blamed for the website, since they had a very short window of time to set it up, but they should take the blame for not coming up with a solution as soon as they realized there was a problem,” Allou said. He does not intend to study rigorously for his makeup exam, and only plans on studying to refresh his memory. For some, this year’s AP exams were less preferable than what they had in mind before COVID-19 hit the nation. For others, it’s one of the few pleasant outcomes of a time like this. Achieving the title of an AP scholar is a desired goal for some, but doesn’t mean the world to all students. “AP classes aren’t the right option for everyone and I think it is perfectly fine if you go through highschool without taking one,” Ritchey said. “They are a nice option for the students that want to take them and will put in the work, but ultimately take the classes right for you and your mental health.”
ACCORDING TO COLLEGE BOARD,
1% 99%
of all test takers were unable to submit their AP exam responses, while of all test takers were able to submit their responses successfully.
College Board claims that outdated browsers or systems were the most likely cause of this problem.
06
COVER STORY MAY 26, 2020
PRIVILEGE CHECK Quarantine has left over 36 million Americans unemployed, many without a stable food supply or access to education. For those who do have their basic needs met, are they allowed to complain about the difficulties of this pandemic? In this column, Caroline Mascardo ’22 explores privilege and the role she plays amidst a coronavirus-centered world. BY CAROLINE MASCARDO DESIGN BY GRACE HUANG
I
was on a charter bus heading back from Florida when I heard the news about coronavirus, or more so what it meant for me. Prior to this, “social distancing” and “quarantine” were phrases I seldom uttered. Soon, they would become the words I lived my life to during the pandemic. Of course, I was naive at the start. It had been on the news for the past couple of months, first in China and then spreading to other Asian countries and Europe, but I thought that it would be of minimal impact in the US. I was wrong, to say the least. In the weeks before spring break, school trips were being canceled and vacations advised against. I ignored these signs and saw them instead as extreme precautions. Then, just a week later, my school orchestra and I traveled to Disney World for a music competition. After a few days, we were walking out of there as the parks shut down. On the bus ride home, things became scarily unprecedented. “The school district just announced we aren’t going back to school for another month,” chimed one voice. In a matter of minutes, the bus came abuzz with discussions on how classes would function, if we would be allowed to see our friends, and so on. A few hours later, we were back in Iowa and saying our goodbyes, not
“
SHOU LD I FEEL GU I LTY THAT OTH E RS ARE TRU LY STRUGGLI NG AN D I ’M NOT? ... I DON ’T KNOW.”
realizing it was the last time we were all together as a group. Ten weeks later, things are about as clear as they were at the start. I know I’m not alone in my distaste for quarantine and social distancing, but I question to what extent I can complain about it. I have a stable WiFi connection, I know that I can eat today, and I don’t have to worry about being especially prone to illness. For the most part, I can address any problems that may come my way during this time. At the same time, I feel uncomfortable. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know how much longer I’ll need a mask and a six-foot distance while talking to someone. I don’t know when I’ll see all of my friends again. I don’t know when I’ll be able to walk downtown and see stores and restaurants bustling with customers again. I don’t know if I’ll be able to thank my teachers in-person for how much they’ve helped me this year. I don’t know when I won’t have to worry about all things COVID-19 anymore. The thoughts running through my head can be daunting, and sometimes I feel like I can’t even acknowledge my fears out of my own privilege. At the same time, aren’t these feelings affecting us all? There’s no one out there who knows the answers nor someone who finds themselves living in their ideal world right now. The thing is, no one likes quarantine in its entirety. However, quarantine has changed different people’s lives to varying extents. As someone whose basic needs haven’t been affected and are being met amidst this pandemic, I feel guilty for the complaints I do have. Toggling back and forth from grieving to being grateful is a slippery slope for my mental health. Should I accept that I’m a human and I have feelings? Yes. Should I acknowledge I’m privileged and my needs are being fully met? Yes. But should I feel guilty that others are truly struggling during this time, and I’m not? ... I don’t know. I think the ultimate uncertainty lies in my role in this mess. While no individual can control
“ WH I LE NO I N DIVI DUAL CAN CONTROL HOW LONG TH IS WI LL LAST, I FEEL POWE RLESS I N THAT I CAN ’T SEE HOW I ’M H ELPI NG OTH E RS AN D HOW PROGRESS IS BEI NG MADE.” how long this will last, I feel powerless in that I can’t see how I’m helping others and how progress is being made. However, I suppose my role is to keep others safe and mitigate the spread of the disease right now. I’m socially distancing from others, wearing a cloth mask in public, and only making mandatory trips to the grocery store. I can’t help that there are people who don’t have the same resources I do, but improvements are slowly being made so that these people are being helped. I suppose the best thing that I can do at this time is to do my part and fulfill my role. That, in itself, is enough. COLUMN
MAY 26, 2020
07
THE 2020 BASEMENT CAMPAIGN The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it, disrupting major events such as the 2020 election. Although Trump’s inadequate pandemic response has lost some of his followers, many wonder how well candidate Joe Biden can run a successful campaign amidst sexual assault allegations, questions of his health, and a pandemic... all while in his basement.
BY CAROLINE MASCARDO
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POLITICAL CARTOON MAY 26, 2020
A DOCTOR’S PERSPECTIVE Three doctors from the University of Iowa give their perspectives on the COVID-19 pandemic and an inside look at what it’s like to be a medical professional in the world today. BY HELEN ZHANG DESIGN BY ZOEY GUO
O
ver 500,000 active physicians are present in the U.S. today, according to Statista, and their work is one of the reasons that, according to Science Alert, over 370,000 people have survived COVID-19. There’s no question about it-- Doctors, nurses and other medical professionals deserve our utmost gratitude for the time and effort they put in to save lives and keep our community healthy. But how much do we really know about the experiences they go through in a time like this? Doctors’ lives, just like everyone else’s, have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic became serious. There are new risks to the job, although many of their responsibilities remain the same. Becoming infected is one of the most prevalent worries. Dr. Boulos (Paul) Nassar is a pulmonologist at the University of Iowa and has been for seven years. Now almost half of his patients are COVID patients, and he has treated around 30
“IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT TO WORK IN THAN WE USED TO, SO IT DOES ADD STRESS TO YOUR DAY-TO-DAY PRACTICE. JUST KIND OF THINKING THAT YOU KNOW AT ANY POINT IN TIME, YOU CAN BE EXPOSED CHANGES THE WHOLE PERSPECTIVE OF GOING INTO WORK.”
-DR. PAUL NASSAR
to 40 so far. He works in the intensive care unit (ICU) and focuses on adult intensive care. “It is a very different environment to work in than we used to, so it does add stress to your day-to-day practice. Just kind of thinking that at any point in time, you can be exposed changes the whole perspective of going into work,” said Nassar. He and other healthcare providers must go through necessary steps to prevent any chance of getting infected, and this can increase the stress they are feeling. Similar stress has been felt by Dr. Saket Girotra, an interventional cardiologist who has been on the university’s faculty since 2012. Girotra has concerns about the virus spreading to his family. “Are we going to bring it home to our families, our children, our loved ones?” said Girotra. Girotra is prepared at all times to work on the frontlines in the ICU, although he has not directly taken care of a COVID-19 patient yet. “All of us are very focused and engaged.. if the need comes we will roll up our sleeves and do what is needed,” said Girotra. According to Girotra, some COVID-19 patients are developing damage to their heart, so as a cardiologist Girotra’s role would be to help manage their cardiovascular system. Fortunately, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has not been overwhelmed by the tasks that this pandemic has brought. “It’s been very reasonable. It’s not been challenging,” said Dr. Mahi Ashwath. Ashwath has been the president of the Iowa Chapter of the American College of Cardiology since March and a cardiologist for about 10 years. This medical association educates the public on cardiovascular diseases and updates the cardiovascular community, as well as being involved in advocacy and enforcing a standard for the quality of cardiovascular care. Ashwath helps with any imaging or testing that COVID-19 patients may require. According to Ashwath, one of the issues that has arised since the spread of COVID-19 has been the reluctance of non-COVID patients to receive healthcare, including those with severe heart conditions. Instead of seeking treatment, they remain at home and become sicker. Ash-
“IT’S IMPORTANT NOT TO IGNORE WHAT YOUR BODY’S TELLING AND TRY TO WAIT IT OUT… STILL SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION, EVEN WITH THE CONCERNS.”
- DR. MAH I ASHWATH wath strongly urges against this. “The heart disease mortality is much higher [than COVID-19],” Ashwath said. “It’s important not to ignore what your body’s telling and try to wait it out…still seek medical attention, even with the concerns.” These doctors also encourage everyone to continue safety precautions, which includes social distancing, wearing a mask when outside, and keeping yourself sanitized. “Thinking that you’re doing it is very different than actually doing it right, so you really need to adhere to these steps because they do make a difference,” said Nassar. “You also depend on other people doing the same.” It’s important to remember that the virus does not discriminate, and people of all ages are suffering from it. “Nobody is completely safe,” said Girotra. It’s also important to recognize that “we’re all in this together,” as Girotra said. Staying positive will also be helpful. For Girotra, a silver lining is being able to spend more time with his family. Additionally, Nassar finds that staying active helps the body and mind. “Things will be back to normal quite soon so just keep a positive attitude and you’ll be fine,” Ashwath said. “Take care of yourself at the same time.” FEATURE
MAY 26, 2020
9
A COVID19-FREE STORY Since the closure of the ICCSD in March, many students have been left without musical instruction. MusiCommunity, a student-run volunteer organization, hopes to fill these gaps and make music lessons available to all through alternate modes of communication. BY CAROLINE MASCARDO PHOTOS BY SOCIAL IMPACT COLLEGE COACHING DESIGN BY ZOEY GUO
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he COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the start of online courses throughout the country, a platform foreign to most teachers. While the transition was smooth for some classes, it is impossible for others. For musical ensembles, like orchestra and band, this transition has left many students without formal instruction. Due to legal issues, the ICCSD and its teachers are not allowed to offer individual lessons via virtual platforms like Zoom. Some students, however, still have access to online private lessons. Music institutions such as the Preucil School and West Music continue to offer instruction, albeit not in person. Nonetheless, these lessons can cost anywhere from $30 to $75 per hour, a price many cannot pay, making music an unaffordable luxury. A small group of musicians at West High hopes to change that, though. MusiCommunity is a national volunteer organization that allows high school musicians to teach music to younger children. This means that no matter where a student lives or what their financial situation is, music lessons are readily available for them. “[MusiCommunity is] important because across the nation, millions of students no longer have access to music education through their school programs. This is the result of regulation that prevents teachers from teaching one-onone or simply due to a lack of resources. Filling this huge gap by setting up programs in districts that allow instruction to continue remains our main goal,” said Andrew Burgess ‘20, the founder of MusiCommunity. After seeing the effect of one of the ICCSD’s
10
NEWS
MAY 26, 2020
“[MUSICOMMUNITY IS] IMPORTANT BECAUSE ACROSS THE NATION, MILLIONS OF STUDENTS NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO MUSIC EDUCATION THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL PROGRAMS... FILLING THIS HUGE GAP BY SETTING UP PROGRAMS IN DISTRICTS THAT ALLOW INSTRUCTION TO CONTINUE REMAINS OUR MAIN GOAL.” -ANDREW BURGESS ‘20
policy changes at the high school level, Burgess began MusiCommunity in 2018 to provide everyone the opportunity to learn about music from a young age. “This was the first year that ICCSD’s decision to cut music programs for fourth graders began to noticeably impact the quality of ensembles and teacher resources in all district high schools,” Burgess said. “We started with in-person instruction through the Neighborhood Centers for Johnson County before being forced to shift to online instruction using Zoom.” The transition from in-person to online lessons has posed numerous challenges, such as creating an entirely new set of guidelines and curricula, as well as the typical issues by using a virtual platform. Nevertheless, the MusiCommunity team has adapted and continued to expand. “So far, we have conducted dozens of lessons in four states and partnered with the ICCSD and a school district in Ohio. We also have had professors at Juilliard, Eastman, USC, and other institutions sign on as advisors, giving guidance on the curriculum and helping our teams,” Burgess said. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of our advisors, as well as the enthusiasm of many of our coaches.” Jonathan Welch, the district music coordinator and orchestra director at West High, sees MusiCommunity as a much-needed solution to the plethora of problems teachers face throughout the district. “MusiCommunity is important right now because we all have a hard time living in this digital world and trying to find ways to reach out and connect,” Welch said. “As the district coordinator, I’ve had problems with mandatory teaching and
equity in giving lessons to students who can’t afford them outside of school. For teachers, meeting with 140 students each week is impossible, and one-on-one time is critical, especially in a time like now.” Welch is also excited about the opportunities MusiCommunity provides for his students. “I think MusiCommunity is a great opportunity for all of our students. As an orchestra director, I value the mentorship of students who’ve been in the program for many years, especially to help kids who don’t have access to lessons,” Welch said. “Younger students can see music from a different perspective with one-on-one lessons that the music teacher might not be able to provide. These folks build off of each other and build a community at West High, and it can serve as an important tool in a student’s education moving forward.” Liam Edberg ‘22 has been a part of the district’s orchestra program since junior high. As a core team member of the MusiCommunity program in Iowa City, he hopes to spread his passion for music to others who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to do so. “[MusiCommunity is important to me because] we are hoping to spread the love and benefits of music to children who might not usually have access to them,” Edberg said. “Music has always had the ability to bring people together, and with the physical isolation that is happening, we need togetherness now more than ever. It’s great to make a connection with someone through something as universal as music.” Although MusiCommunity has already expe-
Liam Edberg ’22 teaches a virtual lesson about auditioning for Symphony Orchestra with an excerpt from The Barber of Seville Overture.
“IT’S GREAT TO MAKE A CONNECTION WITH SOMEONE THROUGH SOMETHING AS UNIVERSAL AS MUSIC.” - LIAM EDBERG ‘22
Andrew Burgess ’20 teaches a piano lesson on Zoom. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MusiCommunity lessons have since moved online.
rienced massive amounts of success on the local level, Burgess and his team plan to do more. Now, their primary goal is to establish more projects throughout the country. “Our vision is for dozens of school districts nationwide to adopt this program and give music teachers the role of matching up students to teach with students who need instruction. In the coming years, it seems many school districts will implement a curriculum that’s at least half online, which will come with the same issues of students being left without music education that we originally set out to accomplish,” Burgess said. It is a hefty goal, but the Iowa City MusiCommunity is making progress. The team has widely publicized the project’s initiative on various social media platforms and met with the district to discuss plans moving forward. Burgess has met with the ICCSD music teachers to keep them aware of what is happening and to begin the process of matching students in need of virtual lessons with student volunteers. Although growth has been constant for MusiCommunity, Burgess’s favorite aspect of the program has been with him since the start: the connections he has made with students who want to learn. “I love sitting down with a kid, even in a Zoom call, figuring out what they like about music, and creating a lesson from there. A lot of music instruction is very formal and rule-based, which turns off a significant number of kids. With this in mind, structuring learning around what kids genuinely enjoy and making progress with that path is incredibly rewarding.” NEWS
MAY 26, 2020
11
LIVING IN A WORLD OF
UNCERTAINTY The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it. However, we can still find certainty amidst a background of ambiguity.
BY CAROLINE MASCARDO
S
ince the closure of West High in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students and staff have faced bounds of uncertainty. These fears extend from healthcare concerns to job security to education plans, and everything in between. Even once-mundane trips to the grocery store have become risky errands rarely undertaken. Now, nothing is normal, and the new “normal” has shifted to living in a world of ambiguity and COVID-19. One has to wonder: When will things be like they were before? With scientific forecasts predicting grim resurgences of COVID-19 in the coming months and an expected death toll of 120,000 by June 1, “normal” is nowhere on the horizon. While some states in the U.S. have already loosened stay-at-home mandates and businesses have begun to reopen, little feels as though it used to be pre-pandemic. Some argue this transition is gradual and promising, but others say the world will never be the same after. The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of the country, including healthcare preparation, supply chains, food security, and educational resources. Unemployment numbers have risen by the millions each week, reaching 36 million in mid-May. Several families now have to ask questions they never did before about paying bills and providing enough food. Although the ICCSD began distributing WiFi hotspots in March, many West High students’ access to education is limited, as they have a job to go to or take care of younger children. The transition to virtual learning has been challenging, and several faults of the online platform have contributed to this. There is no going back after seeing these weaknesses. COVID-19 did not create these flaws; the lack of preparation for the pandemic produced such problems throughout the
12
EDITORIAL MAY 26, 2020
country. These issues were present before, but they went unseen. Therefore, addressing these problems now would prevent them from worsening in the future. Current innovations in science and technology have hinted at what is to
“AS LONG AS WE U N ITE AN D SU PPO RT ON E ANOTH E R , RECOVE RY IS POSSI BLE, NO MATTE R HOW FAR AWAY THAT DATE OF RESOLUTION IS. WE ARE GOI NG TO BE O KAY.” come, but improvements are always necessary. Nevertheless, maintaining positivity is difficult during this time. Constants are none, and guarantees are zero. Little has gotten better
since the pandemic first brought changes to the ICCSD, and with new cases and death tolls continuing to mount, fear is rampant. The spread of disinformation on the news only contributes to these anxieties, and nothing seems to improve. Even world leaders’ outlooks on the future seem sullen. One’s acceptance of the circumstances seems to be the only viable option for coping with it. But there is hope. Although the consensus has typically been to promote unity, that can be tricky when groups are in various situations. After all, how can we unite as a nation, or even a city, when COVID-19 has affected everyone individually? The drastic calls for togetherness can be overwhelmingly daunting at times. Instead, we should connect with our friends and family and check in on them. Practice random acts of kindness for first responders and those who aren’t that close to us. Support first-responders who are risking their lives to protect the public. Make and send gifts to others. Learn new skills and spend time focusing on our interests. Find a new hobby. Take care of ourselves. Above all else, we must focus on doing activities that take us out of a COVID-19-centered world and back into a place of normality. Finding stable, familiar ground is what will help us the most. In times of past hardship, resilience has brought us through. No one is alone during this time of uncertainty. As long as we unite and support one another, recovery is possible, no matter how far away that date of resolution is. We are going to be okay.
DESIGN BY GRACE HUANG
DESIGN BY GRACE HUANG
PHOTO FEATURE Vice-principal Luke DeVries and nutrition director Alison Demory are surprised with a gift during lunch pick-up hours at West High on May 4. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICCSD opened lunch pick-up locations around the community beginning March 23. On a typical day, Devries and Demory expect around 500 people to pick up pre-packaged meal bags from West High. “It’s the silver lining of my day... getting out of the house and helping people,” says Demory.
CAROLINE MASCARDO
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN SPENDING YOUR TIME IN QUARANTINE? COMPILED BY CAROLINE MASCARDO
“PLAYING MY INSTRUMENTS.” - MIKE WU ‘23
“COOKING AND BAKING.” - ELLA HOCHSTETLER ‘22
“TRYING TO FIX A SEWING MACHINE.” - BODIE WILLIAMSON ‘22
“EATING LEMON CURD BY THE SPOONFUL AND BAKING ABSURD AMOUNTS OF FOOD.” - KATYA MOELLER ’22
“WRITING ARTICLES, LOTS OF STUDYING AND ENJOYING EXTRA TIME WITH MY CATS.” - HANAH KITAMOTO ‘22
“PAINTING, PLAYING WITH MY PUPPY AND SELLING OLD CLOTHES ONLINE.” - JULIANA ROSENELLI ‘21
“STUDYING FOR AP TESTS.” - JENNIFER HO ‘22
“PAINTING AND WORKING.” - PAYTON DEVENA ‘22
“I’VE DONE A LOT OF BAKING AND WATCHING NETFLIX.” - NAO OYA ‘23 ART BY CAROLINE MASCARDO DESIGN BY GRACE HUANG
