Argument

What We Can Do

By Shreya Kumar, 6th grade,Avondale GATE Magnet School, Auburn Hills, MI

The world was great before the pandemic, which caused an impact on all lives, young or old. Due to this crisis, many stores, movie theaters, restaurants and other businesses had to shut down. Lots of people have lost their jobs because of these closures.. According to cidrip.com, 8.7 million Americans lost jobs due to the virus. The virus started off in a small place and traveled all over the world, affecting everyone’s life. We have lost many loved ones. I miss going out with my friends or going to school. I miss being able to be at various places without wearing a mask and keep wishing we didn’t need to keep a 6 feet distance from other people.

There are many ways to stop the spread of this virus, but some people refuse to take those measures, and that’s why the virus is still spreading. If you are one of those people, please follow the safety measures because they are important not just for you: it is necessary for the ones around you to stay safe and help save the world.

Scientists have proved that wearing masks does help stop the spread of COVID -19. Some people are asymptomatic, which means they don’t have any symptoms even if they do have COVID-19. Some asymptomatic people go out in public without knowing they have the virus and spreading it to other people if they come close, and that’s why people need to keep 6 feet distance. Sanitizing also helps. The CDC recommends to use a sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol in it.

Hospitals don’t have room for lots of Covid patients, and in several places. Luckily, now we have vaccines and if people take the vaccines, the world would be a better place. We want to thank all the hard workers during this pandemic, such as teachers, doctors, nurses, scientists, and all the people who followed the safety measures and continue to serve society in this global pandemic. In conclusion, if we follow all the safety measures, listen to the CDC, and take the vaccine, we’ll be fine.

Shopping Smart is Shopping Small: Lessons for the Post-Covid 19 World

By: Ria Kokkengada, 12th grade, Great Valley High School, Malvern, Pennsylvania

In 2020, the world turned upside down. Everything was halted. Our daily schedules and routines were a thing of the past. While the battle still continues every day, there are lessons learned that we must apply to move forward.

Undoubtedly, the central theme of the past year and a half is that we are all in this together. The need to stay apart brought us closer than ever. We all began to lean on one another for support as we learned to live in the company of ourselves. Today, we must continue to unite – for good, for others, for better. We must especially help those that have been most affected by the pandemic, including small businesses. Many of these businesses are located in the heart of a town, where people gather during weekends to meet with neighbors or for a breath of fresh air. Not only will you be contributing to the local economy but also meeting the basic need for human connection that a video call, text, or phone call won’t satisfy.

According to a September 2021 survey by Statista, of the 885,000 businesses surveyed, 23.4 percent of small businesses in the United States claimed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a large negative effect on their business. In contrast, only two percent of respondents said that the pandemic had a large, or any, positive effect on their company. I believe, each of us can help. A small choice made today may lead to a better tomorrow for someone in your community.

By choosing to shop locally, you are making the conscious decision to support a business that needs your help. You will check an item off your to-do list and walk around with a feel-good smile that results from the part you played in the Covid-19 recovery effort.

So, next time you are doing Sunday groceries run, needing a new shirt, or craving a snack – stop by a small business. We no longer need to seek a silver lining but have a chance to be a part of a change.