The Sailors' Log (June 2020)

the

Corona Diaries

During these unprecedented times, everyone is affected

by COVID-19 in one way or another. Here are stories of current students and faculty as well as alumni from around the world.

Mike Myers, senior, & Andrew Basse, teacher – p. 2 Sarah (Lamkin) Boucher, class of 2000 – p. 3 Michelle Robinson, class of 2012 – p. 4 Holly Fredericksen, class of 2008 – p. 5 Hannah Carlson, class of 2017 – p. 6 Ann Judson, parent of a senior & seventh grader – p. 7 Alex Anderegg, class of 2010 – p. 8 Erinn Taylor, class of 2012 – p. 9 Amanda (Matthews) Keller, class of 2012 – p. 10 Calder Burgam, class of 2008 – p. 11 Emily Grevel, class of 2012 – p. 12 Franny Kromminga, class of 2012 – p. 13 Justin Cook, class of 2000 – p. 14 Machelle (Cook) Westrate, class of 2005 – p. 15 Mark Gaynor, class of 2004 – p. 16 Ryan McCarl, class of 2004 – p. 17 Scott Swinburne, class of 2001 – p. 18 Shayna Hoch, class of 2015 – p. 19 Steven Pasco, class of 2001 – p. 20

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the Corona Diaries

The Sailors’ Log

Senior shows compassion by helping others in crisis

By Samantha Sewick Staff Writer Most seniors spend their final year getting ready to leave for college, saying goodbye to family and friends, and preparing for a new chapter in their lives.

This year, though, was slightly different for senior Mike Myers.

Myers, most known for his athleticism on the football field on Friday nights, has spent his quarantine from COVID-19 helping those on the front lines.

“These people are risking their health and their lives to try to help others,” Myers said in an email on April 20th. “They had little to no protection. I couldn’t just sit around and do nothing.”

Myers decided to take action by donating face shields that he had made after a family friend asked for some help.

“I have a family friend that runs a nursing company, so he asked me to help him make a few for his nurses,” Myers said.

“We had more material than we needed, so we decided to make more and see if the hospital needed any.”

Until getting involved, Myers said he had no idea how bad some hospitals were struggling to get supplies.

“When we got in contact with a few hospitals, we found out they only had a few shields,” Myers said. “One of the hospitals has none at all, so we decided to try our best to get as many as we could to these hospitals.”

When Myers first took action, it was difficult to create a process for getting every-

thing done.

“Once we got into the rhythm of it, we could donate them the same day we made them,” said Myers, who made and donated about 30 masks every day.

The hardest part about the entire process wasn’t getting started; it was continuing on with the project. It wasn’t for lack of trying, either.

“It’s so hard to find materials,” said Myers, who made about 200 shields for those in need before the materials started to dwindle. “We can’t find them anywhere. We even bought out four stores that sold the acrylic that we were using.”

Myers’ decision to make the best out of a bad situation helped the people who are doing everything they can to keep everyone safe. Myers said he wouldn’t take a second of it back, either.

“Honestly, I’m so glad we did it,” he said. “Hospitals need all the help they can get right now.”

Helping Hands

Senior Mike Myers displays the face shields that he donated to those less fortunate. His shields have been used by hospitals all over Muskegon.

Robotics coach does good deed by creating PPE’s

By Samantha Sewick Staff Writer

Everyone knows about the robots that industrial arts teacher Andrew Basse helps create, but during this time of need, he decided to use his skills to help essential workers.

“I was contacted by the maker group from the MCC Fab Lab downtown and also by a few robotics friends about putting our equipment to use to help,” said Basse in an email on April 20. “Knowing that I could offer equipment that would help them was a no brainer.”

Basse, who lives next door to two essential workers for Mercy Health, heard all about the shortages and decided he couldn’t sit around and do nothing. Being proactive, Basse reached out to the Ottawa County Basse Deputies.

“The Deputies have been seeking Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and have been unable to secure enough,” Basse said.

But Basse also had a personal connection that motivated

his actions to help keep our community safe.

“I am immuno-compromised and have type 1 diabetes,” said Basse, who is considered a high-risk individual himself. “It motivated me to keep healthcare workers and first responders protected so they can continue to do all the amazing things that they do.”

Basse and his team of workers, all people involved in the high school robotics program, have donated almost 900 face shields and ear savers since quarantine started.

“The printer has been running non-stop ever since (superintendent Bill) O’Brien and (principal Jen) Bustard gave me permission to get it from the school,” Basse said.

“Luckily, donations are accepted at the Boomtown Market in Downtown Muskegon, so drop-offs are pretty easy and convenient.”

Basse’s work hasn’t gone without some challenges or difficulties. Much like all those trying to help out the front lines, Basse is struggling to find materials.

“I’m having a hard time finding more supplies to order,” he said. “Amazon is up to a two-week delivery window for non-essential items, and everywhere else is completely

sold out.”

Basse said he recognizes the danger of not being able to make more supplies for healthcare workers, but the even bigger issue is if they end up using them.

“My hope is that nobody will ever have to use our printed items,” Basse said. “If they do, that means the proper, real equipment is all gone and healthcare workers are turning to the public for their supplies. It’s so scary knowing these people are putting themselves on the line for us.”

Basse’s reflection on how scary the current situation is just goes to show his character in a time like this.

“The people I know that work in healthcare and as first responders are the most selfless and kind people I know,” Basse said. “They deserve to be protected from the dangers they face to help others every day.”

Basse said he doesn’t do all that he does for our community to get recognized for it; he did it out of the goodness of his heart.

“I guess a little bit of good karma never hurt anyone either, though,” Basse said. “It’ll come back to me when I truly need it. Until then, it’s the least I can do.”

The Sailors’ Log

Exchange student coordinator faced heart-breaking goodbyes

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Holli Brus Staff Writer Sarah (Lamkin) Boucher was flying over the Atlantic Ocean when she heard of the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boucher, who is the Local Coordinator for West Michigan for International Experience (IE) helping exchange students find homes, was traveling to Germany on March 12 to facilitate a seminar for future foreign exchange students.

“Although there was some talk prior to my trip about COVID-19 potentially impacting it, when I left Michigan, there wasn’t any indication that the trip wouldn’t go as planned,” said Boucher, a 2000 Shores graduate.

“When I landed in Germany on the 13th, it was decided the best course of action was for me to return home due to the uncertainty of what travel would look like. I have many friends in Germany, so I was never worried about whether I would be taken care of had I needed to stay, but having kids at home, returning to the USA was the best choice for my family.”

And when schools began closing on March 13, Boucher had even more on her plate.

“Due to schools being closed and the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it was the best decision for students to return home and be with their natural families,” Boucher said in an email on May 5th. “It was

As a Local Coordinator for IE (International Experience), 2000 Shores graduate Sarah (Lamkin) Boucher (inset) gets the opportunity to bond with many foreign exchange students and create special bonds and traditions. Every year, they do a group event with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The students along with their host families get to tour the arena and watch the players warm up from the bench.

Foreign Affairs

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

very emotional for the students and their host families (and me too!) as there were so many plans that abruptly ended, and no one was ready to say goodbye, especially in this unexpected way.”

Boucher explained that many host families still tried to do a mock commencement and Prom photoshoots so that the students could experience these monumental steps of graduation.

She also said IE is still expecting foreign

“In regards to handling COVID, it’s a challenging multifaceted situation, and there are no easy answers. Our country and state leaders must make difficult decisions, and

exchange students for the 20-21 school year, and many families are more than eager to host even amidst the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are thankful for the many families who have committed to hosting and appreciate their enthusiasm as they get to know their students via video calling, texting, emailing, etc.,” Boucher said. “On the flip side, some people are even more willing and ready to host as they have had time to accomplish their ‘to do’ lists, have had time to look into hosting, etc. Many families who had a shorter exchange experience than anticipated this year are also eager to host again to finish off their ‘bucket list’ of things to show exchange students in the USA.” As for Boucher personally, the school at home for her children as well as not being

often it’s a balancing act that is an impossible feat.

As a representative of IE, I prefer to keep my personal opinions on political issues separate and not share them in conjunction with

as active as normal has been challenging.

But on the bright side, Boucher said she has been able to accomplish many projects around the house as well as visiting many local parks with her children.

Uncertainty for many is a scary thing.

People like to be in control and don’t like it when life throws them curve balls. That’s the same for Boucher.

“For me personally, the unknown is always a challenge,” Boucher said. “I am a planner, and so rolling with the ever-changing situation has been something I’ve been adjusting to. I am also a person who goes a million miles an hour, so slowing down has been challenging. However, I am quickly learning that it is a good thing to slow down, and [I] have enjoyed the opportunity to reevaluate how my time is spent and focus it on the most important things in life.”

sharing information about our organization and students. It’s important that my personal opinions on such issues are not in any way associated with the organization as I do not

want anyone to interpret my personal opinions as that of the organization.” – Sarah (Lamkin) Boucher, class of 2000.

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The Sailors’ Log

Therapist finds new ways to work with patients

By Emily Kuznar Staff Writer As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, those working in healthcare are shown to be the most vulnerable to infection.

For Michelle Robinson, a 2012 graduate of Shores, frustration, sadness, and disappointment are only a few words to describe how she’s been feeling in response to current events.

“I am very sad to be living in one of the wealthiest countries with simultaneously one of the highest number of COVID cases,” said Robinson, who is an occupational therapist at a pediatric home healthcare center in North Carolina. “I am very sad that we knew the steps to slow/end this very early on and did not take them. I am very sad that our healthcare system, which was already failing, is failing harder right now because they don’t have access to medical supplies... Mostly, I am sad that our country, which is so admired and upheld as one of the greatest, has been reactionary instead of progressive.”

When Robinson first became informed of the pandemic, her initial thoughts were for the health of her patients.

“I remember the exact day I heard about it actually. It was Feb 28. I fly a lot for adventure and work. I was coming home that weekend from Phoenix, Arizona,” Robinson said in an April 14 email. “After learning that we were about to be struck hard with a national pandemic, I called all my patients’ families I was supposed to be seeing and told them I would have to wait and talk to my supervisors on Monday. Surely, my company wouldn’t want me seeing my immunocompromised birth-3 patients, right?”

In this case, Robinson was mistaken.

“I called my supervisors. No one is thrilled with my decision to not see patients over the weekend,” Robinson said. “They were even less thrilled when I called them later that Monday and said after doing more research about how serious this could get, I would not be coming back to see kids in person. When you tell your job you refuse to work, they, of course, let you go.”

Robinson was left jobless, but as the severity of the pandemic increased, her em-

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

ployers realized she was needed. She was hired back two weeks later.

“I have no hard feelings for my company,” Robinson said. “Unfortunately, they along with the rest of the country did not have much information to know to take this seriously. What matters is they are taking the important, right steps now to keep our patients and families safe.”

Even after getting her job back, Robinson’s career was far from normal.

“I’ve had to learn how to go from being a very hands-on therapist to now a therapist who coaches parents through a therapy session via a video camera,” Robinson said.

“It was hard at first, but it’s forced me to be more creative in how I do my job.”

While Michigan is taking the pandemic seriously, Robinson said that North Carolina hasn’t been as effective in controlling the situation.

“It was frustrating to be from a state (Michigan) where they were shutting things down early, doing testing, and taking measures that needed to be taken to slow this growth to now living in a state (North Carolina) where they weren’t,” Robinson said.

Even though it’s frustrating, she doesn’t want to place blame on individuals, Robinson said.

“I also don’t feel it’s fair of me to blame individual people for not understanding the seriousness of this,” Robinson said. “When people know better, they have the potential to do better. I’m very grateful to have the education and access to resources that I do to have known to take this seriously,

“I am continually disappointed in this administration’s reaction to a global health crisis. I am sad that we are just now finally flattening the curve because of taking necessary steps, and instead of continuing

As an occupational therapist in North Carolina, Michelle Robinson, a 2012 Shores graduate, has continued to provide therapy sessions via Zoom, while social distancing in her home. but I also understand that a lot of people do not.

When your state and government officials aren’t relaying the seriousness of this to you, why should you know to take this pandemic seriously?”

Those working in the medical field, like Robinson, are facing some of the toughest situations of their lives. Often, the reality of this pandemic can be overwhelming.

“The toughest part is crying with old coworkers working on the frontlines in Michigan who have held gloved hands of dying people - dying people who don’t get to be around family in their last moments,” Robinson said. “Crying with current pregnant coworkers who have to deliver their first children without people they love in the hospital room with them coaching them through it. Crying for my best friend who’s having to delay her wedding. The toughest

Seeing the Good

that downward trend, we are letting states make individual decisions about opening back up. We have states that are opening back up entirely, despite experts who continue stating herd immunity is not

part has been waking up almost every day and finding a new reason to cry because this is hurting so many people in so many different ways.”

In these times of uncertainty, Robinson remains optimistic that better things are coming.

“There are so many sad things happening right now, but there are also so many people doing good,” Robinson said. “I’ve had old friends I haven’t heard from in years reach out to me to just check how I’m doing mentally with all of this. I see people on my social media feed doing virtual happy hours with their friends, serenading their older relatives in locked-down nursing homes outside their windows with music, learning new recipes, catching up on sleep, being mindful, and finding it’s okay to not have a constant schedule. When this is all said and done, in who knows when, I hope we come out of this realizing what matters.

It’s people. It’s our connections. It’s how we love each other, and rely on each other, and support each other. The world may be physically distancing, but I hope we come out of this mentally coming together.”

the answer. Giving false hope to the country through Donald Trump tweeting that the states that are opening up are showing promising healthcare numbers when we still have yet to do extensive nationwide

COVID testing is disappointing.

I just am sad that the nation that claims to be the best in the world has leaders who aren’t listening to healthcare experts.” – Michelle Robinson, Class of 2012

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Athletic graduate assistant make best of bad times

By Sophia Fisher Staff Writer As an Athletic Operations Graduate Assistant at Aquinas College, Holly Fredericksen has dealt first-hand with the frustration COVID-19 is presenting to athletics.

“Mentally, many of our athletes were very disappointed with the news of their seasons being canceled,” said Fredericksen, a 2008 Shores graduate, regarding the cancelation of the spring sports season.

“Along with that, they were no longer able to practice or workout as a team.”

While the spring season was canceled, Fredericksen said there is a silver lining since the NAIA has granted those athletes an additional year of eligibility as long as the student-athlete is enrolled full-time.

While this is not ideal for any athlete, senior spring athletes have experienced the most devastating impact of COVID-19 from the athletic aspect, but they might be able to play again.

Normally, Fredericksen’s job consists of game/event and facility operations for all athletic events and events within athletic facilities as well as managing all of the undergraduate student staff working in athletics, so with terminating the season, it has not only impacted her job but her life.

“Work was incredibly chaotic for about two weeks while everything was changing so quickly around us,” Fredericksen said in an email on April 14. “I also miss working with people, my student staff members specifically. I truly love going into work and talking with everyone, so this has been a change.”

Fredericksen, who initially did not think the coronavirus would affect her personally or professionally, said it directly impacted her. She was having to reorganize and keep up with all of the changing rules.

That impact hit around spring break, which was the second week of March.

At that time, a lot of the school’s athletic teams were on spring break trips, forcing them to end their season and return to campus earlier than expected.

Fredericksen said Aquinas College and the WHAC (the school’s conference) were understanding of the severity of what was happening and canceled both the remainder of the winter season and all of the spring season of sports.

Luckily for Fredericksen, she could con-

tinue working from home. Although this is not what she had in mind for this season, she said she is making the best of it while she is socially distancing back home in Norton Shores.

Fredericksen has had a definite shift in workload since the “stay home, stay safe” orders took place.

“My focus has shifted from game and event operations to more long-term projects,” Fredericksen said. “Our student staff members all returned back to their permanent homes, so I haven’t been working with them as much. I keep in contact with all of them every time I get a new update from the school.”

For Fredericksen, working from home does impose some familiar hurdles and difficulties though.

Fredericksen’s focus on her job has shifted but so has her mentality in regards to her job.

“Productivity and motivation are just not the same when working from home; however, I’m thankful to be able to keep my job through this pandemic,” Fredericksen said.While this is not an easy time for anyone, Fredericksen said she continues to keep a positive outlook on things.

With high hopes, Fredericksen hopes the light at the end of the tunnel is near and that our lives will be able to go back to how we knew them before COVID-19.

“At the end of the day, I hope everyone is staying safe at home if they can, and we will return to our normal lives before we know it,” she said.

Focusing back to athletics specifically, Fredericksen shares some hopeful info. “The silver lin “The silver lining in this pandemic for us is that it has given our athletic department time to plan, prepare, and make policy

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

Holly Fredericksen, a 2008 Shores graduate, has seen her onfield job as Athletic Operations Graduate Assistant at Aquinas College become an off-field job as all spring sports were canceled.

Games Off changes for next year,” Fredericksen said.

“Once sports are in season, there is little “Once sports are in season, there is little down time to make any changes, so hopefully this is setting us up to have a successful year.”

“II believe it is a good thing that the government has imposed shut downs and encouraged people to work from home. I

also think that the increase in unemployment benefits for those who are struggling has been a

beneficial thing to those in need.”

– Holly Fredericksen, class of 2008

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The Sailors’ Log

Local business owner works to help others

By Mia Dickson Staff Writer With the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging across the nation, hospitals everywhere are faced with shortages of masks and other essential medical supplies necessary to protect medical professionals and patients.

With the masks that are available, many people on the frontlines have found them uncomfortable and irritating to the ear, especially when fighting against this virus for long and grueling shifts with no end in sight.

Using the resources she had from her headband business, Hannah Carlson, a 2017 graduate from Shores, decided to step in and make a change and help protect those on the frontlines.

“I first heard about COVID-19 in one of my English classes,” said Carlson, who attends Central Michigan University. “My class was making light of it because at the time it was not in the U.S., and we did not know how serious it was.”

What started out as a joke between her English class caused Carlson to completely uproot her life and business.

“COVID-19 first impacted my life when I was on my way home from spring break and got an email from the president of CMU saying that we would be transitioning to online classes,” said Carlson in an email on May 4th. “I moved back from my apartment in Mount Pleasant and have been living with my parents and sisters in Norton Shores.”

Carlson started her business called HLC Stitched with Love in October of 2019. With her college apartment in Mount Pleasant as her warehouse, Carlson began making and selling headbands.

“I run every aspect of the business from the making, packaging, marketing, and everything in between,” Carlson said.

After getting messages from nurses in the area, Carlson decided to temporarily change the focus of her business.

“On March 30th, I received a DM on Instagram from a nurse asking if I was making headbands with but-

tons on them to protect nurse’s ears from becoming chapped and irritated,” Carlson said. “I had been tagged on Facebook by a few friends who thought it would be a good idea, but at the time, I did not know the need for them was so high.”

Listening to the requests, Carlson decided to take immediate action to help the nurses on the frontlines.

“I replied immediately that I was going to figure it out,” Carlson said.

“And on March 30th, I sewed the first button I had ever sewn in my life and made a few buttons headbands.”

With summer business plans canceled, Carlson decided to put her materials up for a good cause.

“I had been stocking fabric for months because I was planning on having craft shows all summer so I had the materials,” Carlson said. “I knew that making button headbands for those on the frontlines was something that I needed to do.”

What started out as just “a few headbands” has now grown exponentially.

“I have donated over 600 button headbands and over 500 masks for those on the frontlines or essential employees,” Carlson said. “ I have sent button headbands all over the United States to different hospitals and medical facilities. These headbands have made it to Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Florida to name a few. The majority of them have been donated right here in Michigan.”

While we are currently living in such uncertain times, Carlson was certain she could make a change so she did.

“They are working so hard and in such unknown situations that it was the least I could do for them right now.”

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

“I feel at times the national government, including President Trump, have handled the situation

Hannah Carlson, a 2017 graduate of Shores, has made and donated hundreds of buttoned headbands and masks to help those on the front line.

Headbands for Heroes

well and other times poorly. This is a time that everything is so unknown, [and] they are

doing what they believe is best and not everyone is going to agree with what any leader would do in

their position.” – Hannah Carlson, class of 2017

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The Sailors’ Log

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HealthWest social worker takes a positive look at COVID

By Bailey Graham Staff Writer At first, Ann Judson, a Reeths-Puffer graduate and mother of two current Sailors (Paige, a senior, and Toby Judson, a seventh grader), said the coronavirus was worlds away and far from her comforting life in the United States.

“I remember hearing about COVID sometime in January 2020. At that time, it didn’t feel like it would be a high-risk to the United States, and as a healthy person, most definitely not to me personally,” said Judson in an April 29 email. “It was unfathomable that if it did strike the U.S., that we would be unable to swiftly manage it. Honestly, I think I was blinded by privilege, which manifested in ignorance to the stage being set for a massive worldwide impact.”

When the impact of the virus became a hot topic of discussion in late February and early March, Judson, a Social Worker/Clinical Services Manager at HealthWest, said she began to have some serious worry in the matter.

“I recall asking some of the medical staff in the organization about just how serious this was,” Judson said. “By mid-March, it was pretty evident that this was nothing to take lightly, and it started to significantly impact my work and home life.”

Starting on March 18, HealthWest mandated that all staff work from home. Judson and her coworkers soon had to find other ways to help those in need.

“We developed plans and established protocols in order to provide essential services while ensuring maximum client and staff safety. We moved quickly to offering telehealth services, including case management, therapy, and psychiatric services,” Judson said. “We developed virtual groups to provide added support to our clients and community members alike.”

From completing her work for HealthWest at home to working with new people, including those on the front line helping with the fight against the pandemic, Judson’s workday, like most other professionals, was scrambled into a seemingly different job.

“My job has changed pretty drastically in multiple ways-supporting clinical teams and supervisors in learning new ways to

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

accomplish their work; providing emotional support and encouragement to individuals on those teams who are working from home and feeling challenged with managing the blend of work/personal life along with caring for children and coping with fears/stressors as related to the pandemic itself,” Judson said.

Outside of her work life, the pandemic had rearranged her life at home too.

“In terms of my home and personal life, the impact has also been strongly felt. My daughter is a senior, so the loss of traditional graduation along with a missed senior tennis season was disappointing for her. My son, while he isn’t missing out on graduation, has also sacrificed his tennis season, along with many other activities,” Judson said. “Personal challenges include the rise in work hours along with primarily working from home. Also, a shift in recreational activities and adaptations required for socialization has been challenging.”

During this challenging time, Judson said she is relentless in staying positive and making the most out of these hard times.

“The most difficult part of this for me has been the unknown. Will I get sick? Will people I love get sick? Will one of us be severely impacted? How long will the stay at home orders need to go on?” Judson asked. “While those, and many other unanswered questions loom in the background, I feel largely blessed through this pandemic, having been able to continue working, maintaining health for myself and my children to this point, and having a multitude of social connections and recreational activities available to me.”

Judson said she has found ways to keep positive but added that the state lockdown can cause challenges for those who have a difficult time with mental health.

“The hardest part about the stay-at-home

“With regard to the federal government and President Trump, I think there is much to be desired. First and foremost, I think there are many brilliant people who are working hard to protect the

As a social worker in Muskegon, Ann Judson said she is taking each day at a time. She is assisting the community in their needs for better mental health and how to cope with the rising stressful situations that the pandemic has placed the community in.

Mental Motivation orders in the context of mental health is that humans are interdependent creatures who require social connectedness and human touch to maintain optimal psychological health,” Judson said. “The current situation can cause many additional stressors, in addition to an increased experience of isolation. While these concepts apply to all of us, those with existing mental health issues often have fewer resources to manage stressors and tend to be more isolated in general, so the impact can be magnified.

For those who’ve experienced trauma and/ or adverse experiences, additional insults may have a deeper and longer-lasting impact, and their capacity for resilience and recovery may require more support.”

For those struggling with the mental battle during these times of isolation, Judson has advice and reminders to individuals who need it.

“Establishing routines, structure, and engaging in a variety of activities, along with finding ways to stay socially connected, are all vital to maintaining our mental health,” Judson said. “That said, I think it’s most important that we offer ourselves a

nation, but it seems to be a team divided, caused by a leader who has a knack for simultaneously instilling fear and disdain in his team and misguided hope in some of his more loyal constituents. His

little grace and accept where we are at on any given day. In a world where we seem to reward independence, I would like to remind us of our humanness and that we really thrive on interdependence; people need people, so we should not hesitate to reach out to others for a helping hand or a listening ear.”

These days are stressful and it is difficult to understand how this lockdown could be a good thing but Judson’s words are a reminder, to everyone, to make the best out of the situation out in front of us.

“While this pandemic has presented some hurdles, it has also created opportunities to develop new skills and relationships at work, engage in home projects, explore new hobbies and recreational activities, and engage in friendships and relationships in a different context,” Judson said.

For those who need support, Judson said HealthWest can be reached via phone (231722-4357). HealthWest also offers free virtual groups that are available for anyone in the community. For more information about the groups, visit (HealthWest.net/ communtiy-resources/virtual-groups/).

leadership has lacked integrity, wisdom, and the capacity to leverage the expertise available to him. Further, his leadership has been wrought with pitiful self-promotion.” – Ann Judson, parent of a senior

and a seventh grader (Note: Judson’s political opinions are hers alone and are not affiliated with HealthWest in any way.)

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The Sailors’ Log

Fighter pilot takes new job due to grounded flights

By Paige Judson Executive Editor Because of COVID-19, most flights have been grounded, and the military has been put on a “stop movement” order.

For most people, those two restrictions would only have been minor disruptions to their lives, but for Alex Anderegg, a fighter pilot in the 100th Fighter Squadron of the Alabama Air National Guard, in Montgomery, Ala., these restrictions have been a major disruption to not only social life but also to almost every aspect of his work.

Anderegg’s typical day of flight is training in F-16 Fighting Falcons to maintain a Combat Mission Ready status, ready to employ USAF combat airpower and defend the nation at a moment’s notice.

“What that translates to is that we train every day in employing the F-16 as a multirole airborne weapon system to defend our troops on the ground,” said Anderegg, who graduated from Shores in 2010, in an email on April 29. “It’s an immensely challenging job. The skill of flying is extremely perishable.”

However, since the coronavirus outbreak and stay-at-home orders, his routine has changed a bit.

“My job was first impacted by COVID-19 mid to late March 2020,” Anderegg said.

“It was then that the government implemented a ‘stop movement’ for military members, restricting all travel unless it was absolutely necessary to accomplish the mission of our parent service. I relied on traveling each month to March ARB for flying duties so I could remain on military orders (a form of military salary). With the travel restriction, I was forced to make other arrangements to still earn a paycheck.

Although Anderegg found a way to keep a paycheck every week, moving to any other position other than a pilot is far from ideal.

“I have had to take a step back from flying temporarily, and I’ve been assigned a special duty assignment as a student instructor at the USAF Officer Training School,” Anderegg said. “It’s not an ideal job for me as a pilot because it is not remotely close to what I have spent my education and career

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

working towards; however, I am extremely grateful to still be employed while so many U.S. citizens are unemployed during this pandemic.”

Anderegg is stationed in Alabama, so in addition to the disruption to his job, he is also working on a different “stay-at-home order” timeline than those in Michigan.

Alabama was one of the last states to issue a stay-at-home order and put precautions in place for safe social-distancing.

Anderegg, although in support of the government, said the delay in putting those precautions in place was unnecessary.

“The state government should have implemented the stay-athome order sooner,” Anderegg said.

“Many other states had orders set in place for their citizens weeks before the state of Alabama followed suit. That simply comes down to a matter of ‘flattening the curve’ and limiting the exposure of the virus to the people living in Alabama.”

However, like most people, Anderegg never thought that this virus outbreak was going to become a huge pandemic across the globe.

“I first heard about COVID-19 in December 2019 or January 2020,” Anderegg said. “I remember it being in the news and thinking it was just a very unique, lowthreat illness that had suddenly emerged and was being contained in Wuhan, China.”

In addition to a change in Anderegg’s work life, his social and home life has seen a drastic difference as well.

“I think that the federal government has taken some very positive actions during this chaotic time. I cannot comment on when we first heard about COCID-19 and how long or why it took so long for us to take action to

Totally Grounded

“Homelife has changed considerably due to the measures the CDC recommends to ‘flatten the curve,’” Anderegg said. “I haven’t been able to hang with friends at all for the last two months. We will usually get dinner and drinks on the weekends, but instead, we’ve been confined to our homes in quarantine. You never realize how social we humans are until we’re forced to isolate ourselves for extended periods of time.”

This pandemic has brought challenges

protect our people. The bottom line is that appropriate actions were eventually put in place to help mitigate the risk of the virus. I think it is important that we listen to the instructions of the professionals and experts appointed because

As a Fighter Pilot in the 100th Fighter Squadron, Alabama Air National Guard, Alex Anderegg, a 2010 Shores graduate, has been forced to take on a new role within the Air Force. for everyone. No one ever expected to have such a great disruption in daily life. However, Anderegg has been able to see some of the good that has come out of these trying times.

“The toughest thing for me has been adjusting to a new and significantly unfamiliar job,” Anderegg said. “Flying has been my sole form of employment or the last six years, so focusing on a different line of work has been a true challenge. I’m looking at it as a great opportunity to serve my country in a different capacity, learning new things that I can apply to different aspects of my life.”

their guidance will give us the best chances recover from COVID-19. We can go round and round discussing things that the federal government has or has not done well during this pandemic. At the end of the day, I feel it’s more

important for us all to come together and support and respect the nation’s leaders and their advice, rather than point fingers and cast blame.”

-- Alex Anderegg, class of 2010

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News personality defends journalists’ role on reporting

By Warren Kent III Adviser One group that has been negatively looked upon during the COVID-19 pandemic is the media, but Erinn Taylor, a 2012 graduate of Shores, wants people to know that she and other media members are just doing their jobs.

“I would just reiterate that ‘the media’ does not make stuff up,” said Taylor, who is a News Reporter/MultiMedia Journalist for WFRV-TV, the CBS affiliate in Green Bay. “I don’t know where people think our information is coming from, but I know from experience that we’re just reporting on what we’ve been told by national, state, and local leaders, as well as doctors and other health officials.”

Taylor, who shoots, writes, and edits stories daily for the news, as well as creating content for the website, WeAreGreenBay. com, said she remembers the H1N1 virus when she was in high school, but it was nothing like this.

“I don’t remember (H1N1) impacting my life outside of having to get a shot because my dad was a first responder,” said Taylor in an email on April 14.

However, the impact of the coronavirus was much greater. Taylor said COVID-19 first entered her vernacular in February during a daily editorial meeting when the virus was an international story with no real local angles. Eventually, they found an angle.

“The first time we covered a story where COVID-19 impacted our area was when an area family was trapped in Wuhan during the outbreak,” Taylor said. “We spoke to them over Facetime or Skype. I remember thinking that it all seemed very under control. They were taken to a military base in California for a two-week-long quarantine before being allowed to come home. I really did not think that this illness would come to impact our daily lives so much.”

But it did.

The first week of March, Taylor said she spent three out of five days covering COVID-19-related stories. She spoke to the Green Bay Diocese about how Mass would be adjusted to prevent the spread and the University of Wisconsin-Green

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

Bay’s Study Abroad Adviser about how that program was being impacted.

“The stories about coronavirus were increasing, but it still didn’t seem like it was actually going to impact us,” Taylor said.

“It seemed like everything was being done out of an abundance of caution.”

The next week, though, everything changed. By that Friday, it was announced that schools would be closed for the remainder of March, and her boss told her that she would be working from home, so she took home a camera, a tripod, a work car, and a laptop, and she said she has only made a couple of trips back to the station since then.

“It felt like there was a ton of build-up, and then all of a sudden, the ball broke away and started rolling wildly down the hill,” said Taylor, who lives by herself in a one-bedroom apartment. “I’ve been working from home for almost a month now, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight.”

But being part of the media, Taylor keeps working. Every morning, she calls into the morning editorial meeting, where she pitches a story and receives her assignment. She then makes calls from her apartment and then either heads out to conduct interviews or records Zoom calls in her apartment.

“I edit everything on the laptop I was provided through work, and I make a lot of phone calls back to the station to let everyone know where I’m at and what’s going on,” Taylor said. “Communication has always been important in this field, but it’s become vital.”

“I wish we had been made aware of what was coming.

I feel like everything was business as usual until it wasn’t. We didn’t know how big or dark the cloud on the horizon was until it was

As a news reporter for WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Erinn Taylor, a 2012 Shores graduate, has continued to do her job from both the confines of her living room and out in the field, where she uses a social distancing pole that the station provided.

Taylor said Wisconsin has been a few steps behind Michigan throughout this pandemic.

“I remember hearing about Michigan’s schools closing and telling people at work that it was going to happen here too, and sure enough, the next day our schools closed,” she said. “Same goes for the closures of restaurants, bars, and nonessential businesses. Wisconsin still isn’t seeing the numbers Michigan is, but our state’s response has largely followed Michigan’s closely.”

While Taylor said she has gotten off lightly compared to other people because she is single without children and her workplace understands her limitations, she said she still struggles, especially with the lack of knowing when this will end.

“I can handle not seeing my friends or

Media Frenzy

already swallowing us up. I can see the divisiveness that the lack of preparation has led to. Some people think this is all a conspiracy, and to me, that’s really concerning, especially as a member of the

family and working from home, but I wish I knew when or if everything will go back to normal,” Taylor said. “I’d like to be able to have a countdown.”

With no countdown, Taylor continues to work and said she has seen a shift in the angles of the stories she has covered.

“Soon after everything shut down and after the initial shock, the stories I’ve been covering shifted from how different organizations (like the Boys and Girls Club and the city buses) are working to stop the spread to an outpouring of good deeds and stories about people looking out for each other,” she said. “There’s a silver lining here. I see it every day that I get to talk to people who are doing their best to make this difficult time easier for someone else.”

And through it all, Taylor knows one thing for sure. “(Media members) didn’t want this to happen,” Taylor said. “Our lives have been impacted too. I wish this was a normal April day and I was reporting on the stories that I took for granted just a couple of months ago.”

media. People don’t want to believe that this is real, so they accuse us of sensationalizing the pandemic. I try not to read Facebook comments on the stories we post on the station’s page, but they’re

hard to ignore. I see people arguing that this isn’t real, even on posts reporting death tolls.” -- Erinn Taylor, class of 2012

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The Sailors’ Log

While difficult, pandemic is time for humankind to shine

By Warren Kent III Adviser One constant for Amanda (Matthews) Keller during the COVID-19 pandemic has been one word: confusion.

Ever since the 2003 Shores graduate first started hearing about the coronavirus at the end of January, the word “confused” has remained prominent because Keller has had to deal with so much, including dealing with the closure of her children’s school to handling the shutdown of her own workplace.

“There has been, and continues to be, so much that is unknown about all of this. Information is changing and changing fast,” Keller said in an April 18 email. “It is confusing, overwhelming, and scary. When it seems we have a grasp on information regarding the coronavirus/COVID-19, we learn more and have to edit previous thoughts. That, in and of itself, is difficult for people to do.”

One thing Keller, who is a licensed cosmetologist who is employed by The Edge Barbershop in downtown Rockford, would like to remind people is that this is a fluid situation.

“I know many people who have fixated on information that was given in regards to this crisis and when new information is discovered, they cling to the information they were given previously and can’t seem to accept any new information as true because, ‘they said this first,’” she said. “It is frustrating because we are dealing with the unknown, but we just have to try and get through this. We’re all going through this together.”

And Keller, her husband, and her two children (Elizabeth and Lilah) are definitely going through it together since both parents are not working and both children, who attend Rockford Public Schools, have been doing their education remotely ever since March 13.

“Home life has changed in every way,” Keller said. “Just like all other public school families are coping, the new on-line school situation is taking some getting used to.”

However, Keller said that while these

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

times can be stressful, she does relish this extra time with family.

“We have always made it a point to eat dinner together at the table every night, but the canceled activities that normally keep us so busy have presented more time to spend together,” she said. “I am trying to enjoy this as much as I can because when life gets back to whatever normal is going to look like, our schedules will be full once again.”

In addition to watching her children struggle with the absence of traditional school, Keller has had to deal with missing her clients from work, but she still keeps her sense of humor.

“I miss going into work and seeing my clients, some of which have become friends over the years,” she said. “I have enjoyed (and cringed at) all of the home hair cut videos and pictures I am seeing on Facebook and that my clients are sending me. I am anxious about going back to work thinking about how busy we’re going to be (this is the calm before the storm) and all of the mistakes I will be fixing.”

W h i l e Keller ’s family is traversing this pandemic as well as they can, she remains confident in the direction that Michigan’s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has been leading the state.

“I understand why the state government is taking the steps that they are,” Keller said. “They have to consider not what is good for ‘the one’ but what is good for ‘the many.’ I know a lot of people in this state feel that their liberties are being taken away from them, and they are very vocal about it. Governor Whitmer does not take these decisions lightly, and there is no way that she can make everyone happy; it simply

In an attempt to get out of the house during the coronavirus pandemic, Amanda (Matthews) Keller, a 2003 Shores graduate (right) visits Luton Park in Rockford with her two daughters, Elizabeth (16) and Lilah (11).

Constant Confusion

“I am not a fan of President Trump; I never have been.

His behavior is unbecoming for a leader of a nation; it is unbecoming for a human being. He has a loud mouth and doesn’t know when to stop talking. His backpedaling

can’t be done.”

She also points out that these safety precautions have been working.

“As a result of her Stay Home order, the curve has flattened,” Keller said. “Our hospitals on this side of the state are not overrun, and we are able to accept patients from the Detroit area, which is overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases. Who knows how bad Michigan would be right now had Whitmer not put the Stay Home order in place? I don’t even want to imagine what

is infuriating. President Trump was downplaying this situation from the beginning, claiming it was a hoax and something the Democrats made up to mess with the Presidential election.

He has taken nothing about this situation seriously. Now

that would look like. I feel it is better to be able to look back and say: ‘By taking the precautions we did, things didn’t escalate like they would have had we done nothing.’”

Through it all, Keller said she has tried to remain calm even though she is Type A personality.

“I thrive on structure, rules, and planning,” she said. “Not knowing when this is going to start to decline and start moving toward more normalcy, not knowing when I’ll be able to return to work, not knowing what day it is without looking at a calendar because all of my days run together is driving me up a wall.”

But before she climbs to the ceiling, Keller said this is a chance for everyone to shine.

“This is a chance for humanity to come together and be kinder to others,” she said.

“Even if this is not affecting you personally and you view this as a huge inconvenience, other people’s family/friends are getting sick and some are dying. Show some compassion and stop complaining about your problems, consider yourself lucky. It’s all in the way you look at things.”

that it has gotten to where it is today, he is saying he always knew from the beginning that it would be a pandemic. I’d think a little more highly of him if he put his pride aside, for once, and addressed the nation with an apology. The coronavirus/

COVID-19 is not President Trump’s fault, but he could simply admit he was wrong in his reactions and apologize for not taking it seriously.”

-- Amanda (Matthews) Keller, class of 2012

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11

Helping those in need more important than ever

By Warren Kent III Adviser Working at a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged individuals, Calder Burgam has seen the devastation of the COVID-19 outbreak firsthand.

“I spoke with a man last week that had been laid off from his job at a restaurant,” said Burgam, a 2008 Shores graduate who is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Arm in Arm that helps people in Mercer County, N.J. “Since he was sub-letting his apartment and was not officially on the lease, his roommate was able to kick him out when he was not able to pay his portion of the rent. He called asking for help with food saying, ‘I’m willing to work for it. I’d like to work. I just have nowhere to go.’ Hearing and seeing the pain that this crisis is causing is tough.”

At his job, Burgam helps operate three food pantries in addition to providing housing assistance and job support. He said his job varies quite a bit day to day, but it boils down to educating people about the needs that exist in the community and telling the story of how Arm In Arm is addressing that need.

Obviously, those needs have only grown during the coronavirus pandemic, which Burgam said he didn’t think much about at first after reading about it in the New York Times in January.

“Similar viruses like SARS and MERS had cropped up over the years without causing major disruption to life in the United States,” Burgam said in an email on April 15. “I figured this would not be much different.”

But, as everyone now knows, it was much different.

New Jersey, which has the greatest population density of any state in the country, is a high-risk state, and Burgam said that when you add that to the state’s proximity to New York City, you get the second-highest total of coronavirus cases among states.

“Fortunately, our state was among the earliest to issue a stay-at-home order; oth-

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

erwise, the situation could be much worse,” he said. “Unlike Michigan, we have seen no significant backlash to the stay-at-home order. As of April 15, our curve has appeared to flatten with approximately 69,000 cases and 2,800 deaths.”

The first disruption to Burgam’s life due to the stay-at-home order was canceling a vacation that he and his fiancée (Shores alumna Jillian Newton) were planning on taking to the Dominican Republic, where his mother is the interim principal at an elementary school.

“We were scheduled to depart on March 18th, but the situation began to spiral across the globe the week prior,” he said. “After we canceled our tickets, the Dominican Republic ended up closing their borders so we wouldn’t have had a choice either way.”

So now, like everyone else around America, Burgam and Newton are quarantined at home; however, Burgam said they are fortunate because they have not had friends or family contract COVID-19 nor has he been at risk of losing his job, which has reduced their stress significantly.

“We also don’t have kids, so it’s been a relatively easy transition,” he said. “We both spend a lot of time at our computers with Jill studying for her Master’s Degree

With groceries ready to be delivered to those in need, Calder Burgam, a 2008 Shores graduate who is the Community Engagement Coordinator for Arm in Arm, helps people in Mercer County, N.J. and me working Arm in Arm’s major annual fundfrom home. Like a raiser was canceled, and much of Burgam’s lot of folks, I’ve picked time is now spent reaching out to commuup running again simply nity members by email, phone, or video to avoid conference to inform them about the orgas p e n d - nization’s service changes and needs. ing every “We have continued to provide food to w a k i n g those in need by modifying our service,” hour in the said Burgam, who began working from same 700 home on March 16. “To reduce risk, we square foot are now delivering pre-packed groceries apartment. directly to people’s homes rather than inOther than viting them to select their groceries at our that, we’ve pantries. Unfortunately, the number of peotaken the ple that need emergency food assistance opportunity to FaceTime with friends from has gone up dramatically. We have fielded across the country much more often. Home hundreds of calls from people requesting life has been good overall, outside the per- food deliveries. More than 80 percent of sistent existential dread.” those calls are from households that had not The biggest change, like a lot of other previously utilized our pantry services.” working Americans, has been adjusting Because of the people that Burgam’s to handling day-to-day work things from organization helps, for the past eight home, Burgam said, especially since his months, he has also been helping to get full place of work is considered essential. Please see LIVING, page 17

Assisted Living

“The Trump administration’s response to the crisis has been disastrous. President Trump received official notification of the outbreak on January 3rd and then took 70 days to take any meaningful steps to prepare for the pandemic. As late as March 10, President Trump said, ‘Just stay calm. It will go

away.’ The administration did little to ensure that we had adequate testing, PPE, or ventilators, forcing states to bid against each other and find suppliers internationally. In his press conferences, President Trump has continued to spread falsehoods, including promoting unproven medicine and claiming

testing advancements that have not been made. When all is said and done, the Trump administration will be most to blame for taking a manageable hardship and turning it into a full-blown catastrophe. Congressional action has been markedly better, in large part thanks to efforts to include more

help for workers and greater oversight of corporate loans.

It is likely much more action will be needed, so hopefully Congress continues to recognize the needs of ordinary people, many of whom were struggling even before this crisis hit.” -- Calder Burgam, class of 2008

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The Sailors’ Log

Moving to a new city for new job adds adventure

By Warren Kent III Adviser For Emily Grevel, moving across the country from Michigan to her new job in Seattle was supposed to be a wonderful life-changing moment.

It was definitely life-changing for Grevel, a 2012 Shores graduate who took a job with Amazon as an email marketing manager at the end of February just as COVD19 hit the United States.

A week after she arrived in the Pacific Northwest, Grevel, who manages the global email operations for Amazon Advertising, which develops email advertising programs and strategies that encourage & assist businesses and manufacturers to launch & advertise on Amazon.com and beyond, said she left work and went home to research COVID-19.

“At first, I was nervous,” Grevel said in an email on April 17. “Driving a car to work isn’t common here. I ride the bus into the city every day and was very paranoid about the people around me. I had not been in the city long enough to know where to grocery shop or where to get supplies, so I needed to learn very quickly to prepare for lockdown.”

And it is a good thing she did because Amazon sent employees home after it was discovered that an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Immediately following that, crews, Grevel said, were sent into bleach/clean walls/stairwells/elevators.

Additionally, hand sanitizer was placed every 50 feet or so throughout the company’s 40 buildings in downtown Seattle.

Because Washington was where the first cases of COVID-19 were discovered in the United States, Grevel has been in isolation a few weeks longer than Michigan.

She said that businesses went on lockdown right away and social distancing was put into effect.

“I think Washington has done a great job,” Grevel said. “I think there was the potential for this to go very poorly. Amazon led the way in sending employees home right away, and many large companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, and Zillow followed suit right away. We’ve kept the number of cases moderately low considering this is where it all started.

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

Grevel, obviously, was one of those workers who was sent home, where she now does most of her work “If I have a meeting with colleagues in Europe or China, it’s done from our living rooms,” she said. “In the advertising world, we have had to adjust a lot of our advertising messaging to be more sensitive to economic hardships that some businesses are facing around the world. Rather than try to encourage businesses to invest in advertising, we’re working with them to pivot and adjust their strategies to continue to be successful during these difficult times.

Some businesses are out of stock, others sell medical supplies & devices that can no longer be sold to the general public. We’ve had to move very quickly to adjust and create strategies that help our customers.”

Grevel added that she is proud to be working for Amazon because they have recognized that businesses everywhere are cutting back on their sales messaging and catering more toward developing an environment that lets customers know that businesses are on their side during these difficult times.

“Amazon, on a larger scale, has been a powerhouse in delivering necessary household items that help eliminate the need for people to go to the grocery store,” she said. “Delivery drivers are working overtime and, as you may have seen, two-day shipping has been put on hold to prioritize ‘essential’ items.”

In a short time, Grevel has had to navigate a new job in a new city while also

Emily Grevel, a 2012 Shores graduate, was only weeks into a new job at Amazon in Seattle when the state of Washington went into lockdown due to COVID-19.

Here, Grevel takes a break (pre-lockdown) at the Amazon Spheres in downtown Seattle. staying connected to those she left behind in Michigan.

“Onboarding for my new job has been strange,” she said. “I never imagined moving across the country to have to work from home and train myself from the comfort of my living room for a new job. To keep up with the social aspect of things, I have to reg-

Life Changes

“I disagree with President Trumps ‘blame game.’ He is quick to accept responsibility for the positives of the virus and how he alone is

‘flattening the curve.’ But when it comes to things that are going poorly, he’s quick to shift blame to WHO for not shutting down things sooner.

ularly schedule Zoom calls with friends back home in Michigan.”

Even though Grevel said she tries to gain a little normalcy with work and Zoom, she said it is not always easy, but she has kept her humor intact.

“The toughest part has been the total isolation,” she said. “I moved here alone and, given the shutdown, have been unable to meet new people or explore Seattle. Playing ‘tourist’ is the first thing on my list once our lockdown is over. I’ve lived here for almost two months and was only able to check out a handful of restaurants and work in the office for three days before I was sent home. I’m interested to see if I can find my desk when I go back.”

He seems to have some skewed viewpoints of what his powers are as an elected official.” -- Emily Grevel, class of 2012

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13

Closure of theaters keep actors from ‘breaking a leg’

By Warren Kent III Adviser “There’s no business like show business.”

When Irving Berlin wrote the lyrics to this song for the musical Annie Get Your Gun in 1946, he obviously could not have foreseen COVID-19 in 2020; otherwise, his song would be re-titled to “There’s no business in show business.”

And for Franny Kromminga, a 2012 Shores graduate who is a self-employed actor/artist, the closures of theaters around the country have impacted her life.

Kromminga said in an April 27 email that while she does a lot of work from home normally – practicing material, reaching out to network, or updating my on-line content from home – all of her remaining auditions have been canceled, and the auditions she already did and were given offers of employment from have canceled their seasons through the summer, at least (many have already canceled for fall).

However, Kromminga and her fiance Tom Cilluffo, an opera singer who is facing the same cancellations as she is, are trying to make the most of these trying times.

“We don’t anticipate getting back to traditional live performance for a while,” she said. “Luckily, both of us have additional skills as artists and makers, so we have been continuously receiving commissions from that line of work.”

NPR recently took a survey of artists stating that 95 percent of artists have lost income since this began, an average of $24,000 per person, and furthermore, twothirds report outright unemployment.

And if people think the coronavirus is only impacting those who perform on stage and behind-the-scenes, the same NPR article said that according to the National Endowment for the Arts, the arts contribute more than $760 billion annually to the United States’ economy.

Normally, Kromminga said spring is “audition season” in theater, and she added that this coronavirus quarantine, while

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

difficult now, will ultimately change the industry for the good.

“I think we will get much more comfortable with long-distance collaboration and video auditions, which will hopefully be helpful,” she said.

Kromminga, who now makes her home in Denver, said she first heard about the virus in January.

“It first started impacting my job in February, as I was traveling for work (auditions),” she said. “There weren’t quite as many people flying, and some were wearing masks. I was traveling between Denver and the west coast, which had confirmed cases by that time.”

Since then, Kromminga said she has supported what C o l o r a d o ’s government has done, which has been similar to Michigan’s timeline.

“The state government has been thorough and science-led in their decision-making,” Kromminga said. “I don’t envy the tough choices this crisis presents to leaders. However, I am concerned that they are considering ‘reopening’ too soon.”

For now, Kromminga acknowledges that she and Cilluffo have been lucky compared to others; she said that the two of them are not currently in danger of going hungry, losing their housing, or going through financial ruin.

In a screengrab from “The Life of the Party” from Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, Franny Kromminga, a 2012 Shores graduate who is an actor/artist, shows her wild side. For now, her wild side consists of working from home where she lives with her fiance Tom Cillufo, who also performs as an opera singer.

“If it weren’t for the uncertainty of the future, there are many things we’ve been able to enjoy about isolation,” Kromminga said.

“The most difficult thing for us has been contending with the fractured multi-state response: because we were looking at contracts in four states, we are having to navigate four states’ worth of pandemic ‘rules,’ and also how different companies are responding to those rules.”

She said she is more concerned for those at the forefront of this pandemic.

“I am glad that the proper precautions are being taken to keep people safe,” Kromminga said. “I am much more worried about my friends who are essential work-

Show Stopper

“The federal response is complex as it includes multiple branches. As for the Trump administration, the handling has been a blazing dumpster fire. Trump and his administration effectively removed our ability to respond when he dismissed the pandemic defense team in 2018. And when he repeatedly

downplays the danger of COVID-19, bullies reporters who ask difficult questions, spreads misinformation and errant speculations fact, and attempts to gaslight the entire country with excuses and lies... I mean, poison control centers in NYC got double the calls the day after he suggested using

ers, who have conditions that make them especially vulnerable, who are responsible for more mouths to feed and school than I am.”

Kromminga said that if any group of people can handle long periods of isolation it is actors, performers, and artists. “(Those individuals) are often used to long periods of uncertainty in their lives and livelihoods,” she said. “While I’m sad that there’s no live performing work out there at the moment, this won’t discourage us long-term. We’re used to inconsistent income.”

The final lines to Berlin’s song go like this: “Yesterday they told you you would not go far, that night you open and there you are / Next day on your dressing room they’ve hung a star, let’s go on with the show!!”

Just when the show will go on is anybody’s guess.

“Unless it’s self-producing work alone or teaming up with others to do on-line collaboration, there is no business in show business these days,” Kromminga said.

bleach and disinfectant internally as a cure. The man is a trash goblin. If we had had an adequate response from the beginning, social distancing would never have been necessary, we would not be suffering such high numbers of death, infection, or economic devastation. And, federally, the money has been

flowing to the wrong people: we need to direct bailout money to people, individuals and small businesses, and not big corporations who use bailout money to buy back their own stocks. This barely touches the surface of why I am dissatisfied with the federal response.” -- Franny Kromminga, class of 2012

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The Sailors’ Log

Virus proves worthy foe as dad succumbs to COVID-19

By Warren Kent III Adviser If the coronavirus were an athlete, it would be a heavyweight boxer with the ultimate punch.

Just ask Justin Cook, a 2000 graduate of Shores, whose father succumbed to the virus on Easter Sunday. “(He was) knocked down for the count by a shockingly worthy opponent,” said Justin in an April 29 email.

Justin said his father Joel, who lived in Fort Myers, Fla., spent a lot of time boating in the Gulf of Mexico with two friends, one of whom had been exposed to COVID-19.

Joel’s father became sick soon after, near the end of March.

“We can’t know for sure that is when he contracted COVID-19, but it is the working theory,” said Justin, who is the lead writer for Pro Golf Weekly. “He did not even need to be around a large crowd of people to get it; it’s just really, really contagious.”

Joel, who was 61, had existing medical conditions, including a degenerative nerve condition that put him in the high-risk category for the coronavirus. However, Justin said his father never went to the hospital.

“He learned about the extremely low survival rate once a coronavirus patient has been intubated, and decided if he was going to die, he did not want it to be while on a hospital ventilator,” Justin said.

Justin said his father became weak physically and was having trouble with even the most mundane tasks.

“He was struggling to breathe, and by the end, he was often unaware of what day it even was,” Justin said. “It was very tasking for him.”

Justin said that in one of the last emails he received from his father, Joel described a frightening incident where he woke up soaked in sweat, had very little lung capacity, and reported a temperature of more than 105.

“He believed it was time to go to the hospital but lost control of his body when he tried to call 911, fell over, and was stuck on the floor, after crashing into a table, without the strength to make the call he needed to (he lived alone),” Justin said. “Fortunately, that was not the end, and after coughing

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

up considerable discharge, he began to feel better.”

Even with that scare, however, Joel opted against the hospital.

“He still had a fever the next morning but felt better,” Justin said. “He seemed to think it was promising.”

While this was happening to his father, Justin was 1,300 miles away in Grand Rapids.

“Obviously, it was difficult, but as serious as I knew it was, I had a hard time really believing (the coronavirus) would take actually (kill him),” said Justin who amplifies that his father, despite health conditions, was “very, very tough. He had gone through so much in his life, things that would break most people, but he always survived. My sister Jennalee has compared him to Keith Richards, in that he appears to be in rough shape, but he somehow takes each crushing blow and survives to his next.

He was the quintessential fighter.”

Until coronavirus knocked him out.

“I knew there was a higher degree of risk with him than many, but as concerned as I was, he had survived so much (he had so many ‘I almost died’ stories), and I thought ultimately, he would pull through,” Justin said. “(The coronavirus) needs to be taken very seriously, and you’re not necessarily out of the clear when it ‘seems’ to be getting better. My dad had a few really bad days where we had trouble contacting him and got worried, but after a text to my sister where he claimed to be ‘not dead with improvement,’ I thought

“I do not envy Trump during this time. Having to lead a powerful and populous country during an unprecedented (at least in modern times) would have to be extraordinarily difficult. That being said,

In happier times two years ago, Justin Cook (right), a 2000 Shores graduate, spends time with his father Joel and his then 2-year-old daughter Ella. Justin’s father Joel died on Easter Sunday from complications due to the coronavirus. we were over the hump.

Then, a few days later, I got the call from my cousin and sister that he had passed.”

Now, Justin sees COVID-19 totally differently than he did when it was just a virus.

“My dad’s death made this more personal,” he said. “In a sense, it feels a lot more ‘real.’ Until then, I didn’t have a face to put to the death numbers shown on the news.”

Gut Punch it is difficult to give his administration anything better than failing grades for their emergency preparedness.

They dismantled the team that was created to deal with things like these before they become

a crisis, they failed to have the widespread testing measures that have been needed, and Trump repeatedly referred to coronavirus as ‘a hoax.’ They were clearly underprepared, and they doubled down on the

failing grade with a stimulus package that mostly just helps his rich friends and campaign contributors. This country deserves better.” -- Justin Cook, class of 2000

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15

Children’s heartbreak makes Stay-at-Home policy difficult

By Warren Kent III Adviser As a mother of two young children, Machelle (Cook) Westrate saw the heartbreak on their faces when schools were closed.

“My eldest loves school and was so hurt that she didn’t get to say bye to her teachers and friends,” said Westrate, who has 6-year-old in kindergarten and a 4-year-old in preschool. “My youngest misses playing with her friends and teachers.”

Westrate, a 2005 graduate of Shores who was also co-editor-in-chief of the yearbook, said she is lucky because her children are so young, and she has been teaching meaningful lessons with everyday activities like cooking, cleaning, decorating, gardening, sewing, etc.

“The kids don’t really fully understand the goings-on,” she said in an April 13 email. “They just know their routine was stripped from them with no notice.”

While her children’s routines have been disrupted, Westrate continues to go to work every day at UPS as a preload sorter from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. Her job means she organizes, sorts, and loads smalls packages into cars for home and business delivery.

Like most people, Westrate could not believe the impact that COVID-19 would have on her and those she loves.

“At first, my thoughts were, ‘Wow, this is way overboard. There’s no way it’s really that bad,’” said Westrate, who added that she first learned of the coronavirus when Italy went into quarantine. “I didn’t know it was going to be so impactful here. I didn’t realize the threat was real.”

It became real, Westrate said, when schools were closed.

Luckily, she and her fiancée, who also works for UPS on the same shift, have Westrate’s brother to help nanny the children since he was laid off from his job.

Working for UPS has had its challenges, Westrate said, but for now, everything – life-saving medicines, critical care supplies, cleaners, and even paychecks – are still being delivered.

Inside the building, she said administrators have implemented more safety measures, such as social distancing inside the

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

building, encouraging handwashing more often, offering hand sanitizer and cleaning cloths to each individual throughout the day, and sanitizing equipment on every shift.

Additionally, some areas of the building are reducing staffing in areas that require close proximity. For example, on a sorting machine that would usually be staffed with two people across from each other, it is now staffed with one. Westrate said that the production is slower, but it significantly lowers the risks for individuals.

While Westrate’s work life is going as smoothly as it can, it is her home life that is never far from her thoughts.

“The toughest thing for me and my family has been teaching the kids to cope and teaching myself the patience to help them cope,” Westrate said.

“I had all these great ideas of things to do together, and all the stress of this whole situation has just skewed the plans.

The kids continue to ask when we can go to dinner, or the grocery store, or to the playground. I keep explaining that we can return to doing those things after ‘the sickness’ and they just look crushed. My parents can only driveby visit with no hugs, and that’s just so sad.”

And while Westrate, her fiancée, and her brother work to provide the children a safe home, Westrate said she gets frustrated by those, including the two children’s father, who are not sticking to Michigan’s “Stay Home” policy.

“The kids’ father is still visiting his parents, taking them to the beaches, and play-

“I think Trump did an awesome job of passing the buck, shirking the blame, and failing as a leader. In my opinion, he is handling this

Above, with her two children (Charlotte, 4, and Clara, 6), Machelle (Cook) Westrate provides some fun time with s’mores during the coronavirus lockdown. Below, Westrate shows off masks that she and her partner Jen created for workers at UPS, where they work. grounds,” she said. “It’s frustrating not having that control and having to wonder and worry what’s going to happen when they aren’t with me.”

Regardless, Westrate said making sure her children remain healthy during this pandemic is her No. 1 priority because there are so many unknowns.

“This is our war. This is our history. This is our impact,” she said. “As brave as we are, we still are not in control. There is so much unknown. Will this return every year? Will those who have survived be immune? Will we ever have a vaccine? It’s scary. It’s hard. It’s sad.”

Scary & Sad pandemic exactly on par with the character he has shown since inauguration. Trump has lied, downplayed the truth, and failed to produce

the results he promised and failed to protect Michigan and offer aid to Michigan because our Governor ‘didn’t treat him right.’ I do not approve

of Trump as President.” -Machelle (Cook) Westrate, class of 2005

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The Sailors’ Log

Healthcare worker feels effects at job, home

By Warren Kent III Adviser Mark Gaynor’s stressors have run the gamut.

From skepticism to heartbreak to fear to optimism, Gaynor a 2004 graduate who works at the University of Colorado Health in Colorado Springs, has experienced them all with COVID-19.

Skepticism Like many in America, hearing news reports about a new virus in China had Gaynor not overly concerned because it appeared to be selected toward old patients with multiple co-morbidities.

However, he said he was also skeptical because China has been known to downplay prior infections that originated in the area.

That skepticism soon became a reality, for Gaynor, an Internal Medicine Hospitalist and Medical Director for Patient and Provider Experience, around the middle of February when he started getting notices in his work email regarding the infection.

“Data was very limited at that time, and it was mostly letting us know similar details to what the media was presenting,” he said.

“As February progressed, and cases started showing up here, the memos became more about planning for what was to come.”

Heartbreak Gaynor, who takes care of patients 18 and over who are admitted to the hospital, said his role is to be the physician quarterback for patients to ensure they receive what they need while in the hospital. It is also to ensure the physicians and patients throughout the hospital are treated the best that they can be.

“I have personally managed heartbreak with patients who have died from the disease,” said Gaynor in an email April 22.

“The stress of having to go to work on the front lines managing multiple patients who were COVID positive was overwhelming.”

That stress hit Colorado Springs on March 15.

Gaynor said he was working the night shift at one of his organization’s smaller hospitals when he was notified at 2 a.m.

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

that one of his patients had attended a bridge card game tournament a week prior and another participant, who would eventually die from the virus, had potentially exposed hundreds of vulnerable people with COVID-19.

“His oxygen requirement went up dramatically over just two hours,” Gaynor said. “It got to the point that he needed to be intubated. I went and evaluated him in my full PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). I discussed with him the need to intubate.”

Sadly, due to visiting restrictions, none of his family was able to be with him.

“I told him he should call his wife of 40 years,” Gaynor said. “He tried, but it went to voicemail. He was sure that she had taken her hearing aids out and couldn’t hear the phone.”

F o r Gaynor, it was important that this patient contact his wife, for intubation meant he was being put on a ventilator to keep him alive.

“I told him to call back and leave a message,” Gaynor said. “He did; then, he turned to me and looked me in the eyes and asked, ‘Doc, how serious is this?’”

Luckily, this story has a happy ending as the patient was extubated 12 days later.

Fear In addition to the heartbreak he saw with his patients, Gaynor also had to worry about himself.

As a news reporter for WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Erinn Taylor, a 2012 Shores graduate, has continued to do her job from both the confines of her living room and out in the field, where she uses a social distancing pole that the station provided.

“Being in the hospital and seeing a variety of patients, it is certainly likely that even if one of my patients was there for a totally separate issue, they could certainly be a carrier of the disease,” he said. “This made every interaction worrisome that I could contract the virus.”

Gaynor said that even with the best PPE in the hospital, there was always the fear of being infected with the coronavirus.

And if Gaynor contracted the virus, that would lead to fear for his own family since he and his wife Ashley were expecting their first child in mid-April.

“The fear of bringing the virus home to my pregnant wife was significant,” Gaynor said. “Every day I left for work concerned

Stressed Out

“I will speak for myself, but I will note that I feel my opinion has been echoed by most health-care workers. The federal government’s ineptitude should be considered criminal.

I understand the power of the states and the distinction of what should be state-driven versus federally driven;

however, this virus does not care about state boundaries.

Hurricane Maria shined a bright light on the issues with the supply chain in healthcare and lessons were learned to implement. This administration threw out that playbook. I am two months away from graduating with my MBA in

that today would be the day it would happen. As the due date approached, the fear grew stronger. What if I started showing symptoms and would be banned from being there for my wife during her labor?

What if I wasn’t allowed in the hospital to meet my baby? Worse yet, what if I infected my wife or my child?”

He didn’t, and their son Declan was born healthy on April 16.

Optimism Since the virus hit Colorado, Gaynor said the hospital has been eerily quiet, mainly because there are no elective procedures.

“The biggest change in my day-to-day is the underlining fear that lays deep in every employee at the hospital,” he said. “Most of us have seen the rapid decline COVID causes, and we know that we are all highrisk to contract and pass it on to others who may be at higher risk of serious complications than we are.”

Gaynor said there is a subdued sense of fear throughout the hospital.

“However, with this fear has come some amazing teamwork and camaraderie,” he said.

Health Administration, and what the administration has done is magnify how tragically messed up our healthcare system is. Hearing about the PPE shortages in the richest country in the world is laughable....or cryable. Having New York, California, Michigan, and Illinois compete and bid

up the price for Chinese goods is exactly what happens in the healthcare industry every day. The administration had an opportunity to use economies of scale to better purchase and distribute PPE which would have saved lives and money. ” -- Mark Gaynor, class of 2004

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17

Law professor finds political failures disturbing

By Warren Kent III Adviser When Ryan McCarl first learned about COVID-19 in February, he reacted proactively.

He read news and science articles about the virus.

“It made me very worried, especially when I saw how many people were dying in Italy,” said McCarl, who is a 2004 graduate of Shores.

At that point, he also reached out to everyone in his family to make sure that they understood how serious it was and that they planned to isolate themselves at home.

McCarl, a law professor at the UCLA School of Law as a Fellow in Artificial Intelligence Law and Policy, said the government of California, which was one of the first states to have COVID-19 cases, handled the pandemic well.

“Because our political leaders shut everything down early and spoke to the public clearly and truthfully, California has so far been able to avoid mass casualties,” McCarl said in an email on April 14. “My family in Michigan feel that Governor Whitmer has done a great job there as well.”

That state shutdown, as well as the global impact, affected McCarl’s life in both his nonwork and work areas.

His wedding to Nora Gilbert-Hamerling, which was scheduled to take place in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, in May, was postponed to December.

Additionally, his fiancée and he are both

working from home full-time.

“We live in a tiny apartment in Santa Monica, but I set up an office space for myself in the back room so we could work separately,” McCarl said. “Thankfully, we live in a beautiful area and can walk or run outside a lot. We walk together to the ocean once a week.”

While others have been impacted extensively by the pan-

In the Know

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

LIVING

demic, McCarl said he knows he is one of the lucky ones.

“I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to work remotely,” he said. “The pandemic hasn’t had much of an effect on my work. It is annoying that I can’t do my work at the places I prefer, but it’s a great privilege to have something minor like that be a concern when other people don’t have a paycheck.”

Through it all, McCarl continues to be proactive and say up-to-date on the virus.

“I read the news a lot and feel for the families who have lost loved ones without being able to say goodbye,” he said. “It is incredibly sad and frustrating to watch thousands of people die unnecessarily because of political failures.”

“The federal government’s response to COVID-19 has been an unmitigated disaster, and responsibility for that falls directly on President Trump. Trump was warned about the disease throughout

Continued from page 11 Census participation in his community.

This is important to Burgam because the Census determines how billions of dollars in federal funds is distributed, including money for food stamps, school lunches, and public housing, it is incredibly important that we reach everyone.

As a law professor, Ryan McCarl, a 2004 graduate of Shores, makes it a habit to make sure he has the latest information about a lot of different things, including COVID-19.

January and February, but he ignored those warnings and did virtually nothing to prepare. Even worse, Trump continuously lied to the American people by telling them that the virus was no

“Much of our outreach was dependent on face to face interactions with people that are least likely to be counted,” Burgam said. “With that no longer an option, I have had to spend a lot of time incorporating our Census message into the makeshift services popping up across the county.”

Burgam said that although there is a lot of talk about how this virus doesn’t care about the amount of money in your bank account or the color of one’s skin, the real-

big deal and would just go away. Trump’s inaction and lies have led to thousands of unnecessary deaths. In countries like South Korea that have competent political leaders, many fewer people

ity is that low-income folks and people of color are seeing disproportionate harm. In Michigan, for instance, African Americans make up 14 percent of the population but 40 percent of coronavirus deaths.

“The coronavirus has laid bare the faults in our institutions and society unlike any event in our lifetimes,” Burgam said. “As our country recovers, I hope we take the opportunity to address the structural problems that hindered our response to this cri-

have died. It is also angering that almost half of the country still thinks that Trump is doing a good job.” -- Ryan McCarl, class of 2004

sis and the deep inequalities that have exacerbated the pain.”

Burgam said all Americans need to be taken care of until the pandemic subsides.

“Until then, please donate to a local nonprofit if you’re able,” he advised. “Food pantries, domestic violence organizations, and healthcare organizations are responding to unprecedented need, usually on shoe-string budgets. In times like this, your help can literally save lives.”

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The Sailors’ Log

Father of three works to balance work, homelife

By Warren Kent III Adviser As a regional director for an organization that provides opioid treatment programs, Scott Swinburne realizes that his clientele needs him on a regular basis, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States, that need became even more important.

“We don’t directly provide care for COVID-19, but if we were not operational, our patients would suffer greatly,” said Swinburne, a 2001 Shores graduate who works for Acadia Healthcare in Virginia.

Swinburne’s company, which was first impacted by the coronavirus in mid-March, is the largest behavioral treatment provider in the country. Additionally, they are an essential healthcare program on the federal and state levels.

Acadia’s comprehensive treatment centers provide medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders. Medication-assisted treatment is a combination of medication (Methadone, Suboxone, or Vivitrol) and therapy (DBT, CBT, Individual, group, etc) to help people suffering from addiction to heroin and prescriptions opioids (Vicodin, Fentanyl, Percocet, etc.).

Swinburne, who is labeled an “essential” worker, said 300 to 550 patients visit their sites on a daily basis, which caused its own dilemma because those numbers needed to be reduced in order to thwart the spread of the virus.

One change Acadia made was implementing telehealth medical and counseling appointments so that fewer people needed to show up in person.

“This completely changed our operations,” Swinburne said. “(It was) a lot of adjustments for our counselors. We also really struggled and scrambled to find the supplies we need for our operations and cleaning. Masks were being bought up quickly. Lysol and disinfectant wipes disappeared. I was reaching out to a variety of vendors to find supplies.”

Prior to this Swinburne was like many Americans when he heard about the virus in China in January.

“I was listening to the news and heard about the travel ban to and from China,” said Swinburne, whose sister is Heather Hall, the psychology teacher at the high school. “My initial reaction was, ‘Well that

stinks, but at least it isn’t happening here.’

That was obviously short-lived.”

On his homefront, Swinburne also needed to make adjustments. He and his wife Alicia have three children: Trey, 8; Sloan, 3; and Tripp, 1.

“We have always spent a lot of time together, but I think the hardest part was Trey having to adjust all of his schooling,” Swinburne said. “He is now being homeschooled, and it can be really difficult when you have a 3-year-old and 1-year-old sitting at home that need a lot more attention while you’re ‘teaching’ a second-grader.”

Being an essential worker, Swinburne said he is thankful to still have a job, a luxury many Americans do not have now.

“I am blessed to be able to continue to work,” he said. “I wouldn’t know what we would do if I lost my job. I would honestly say that I have worked harder in the last month than ever before. A lot of phone conference meetings; providing support for my team; displaying leadership to help people remain calm. But I still visit my sites and make sure they have everything they need in order to provide good care. My teams are in the trenches, coming into minimal safe contact with patients, so I do my best to help clean and sanitize areas when I visit, bring them lunch and treats, and take time to answer questions and listen to their concerns.”

For now, Swinburne will continue to keep working and providing for his family while Virginia’s stay in place order, which he supports, is in effect until June 10.

“Everyone is continuing to learn more and more about this virus,” Swinburne

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

Like many people, 2001 Shores graduate Scott Swinburne (right) is trying to balance work, where he provides opioid treatment programs, and family, including his wife Alicia, 1-year-old Tripp, 8-year-old Trey and 3-year-old Sloan. said. “Whether it is a local politician or a doctor in the field, we are learning every day how to manage during this pandemic. Thankfully, there are a lot of businesses that are still able to operate.

Our state government is doing their best with what they know. This is uncharted waters, and they are doing what they

Team Player

“I believe things are being handled well. Everyone is continuing to learn more and more about this virus and making adjustments

as needed. Whether it is a politician or a doctor in the field, we are learning every day how to manage during this pandemic. I

think is best to keep our state safe for all individuals.”

And through it all, Swinburne said he will continue to take care of those around him – both at work and in his own home.

“I have a lot of people who rely on me to lead,” Swinburne said. “My team looks for answers from me. Employees act selfish, usually out of fear. They go into protection mode. While at the same time, I’m managing to keep my family safe and taking care of their fears. I feel like I set aside my feelings because I’m trying to help manage others’ feelings and thoughts.”

think our government and President are doing their best with what they know.

This is uncharted waters and I believe they are

doing what they think is best to keep people safe.”

-- Scott Swinburne, class of 2001

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The Sailors’ Log

19

RN struggles with those who don’t see severity

By Warren Kent III Adviser As an essential worker who sees the impact of COVID-19 on a daily basis, registered nurse Shayna Hoch said she struggles with the number of people who don’t understand the severity of the situation.

“It is incredibly disheartening as a health care worker to see people completely disregard the measures that are being put into place for everyone’s safety,” said Hoch, who graduated from Shores in 2015.

Hoch said those measures, which were put in place by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, have been vital to combating the coronavirus.

“The Stay-at-Home order, in my opinion, is a smart move in order to help decrease the number of people infected as long as people follow the directions correctly,” Hoch said in an email on April 18. “If we allow things to go back to how they were too quick, we risk the potential to create another surge in COVID cases that could be even worse than the first. With Michigan being in the top 10 for most COVID cases, it is important that we take every precaution necessary to keep the number of cases trending downward.”

In her home life, Hoch has also been taking precautions to protect those she loves, including both her boyfriend and their dog.

“I change out of my scrubs and into normal clothes before leaving work,” Hoch said. “When I get home, I immediately go and take a shower before I touch anything in my house, touch my dog, or even get a chance to say hello to my boyfriend in the morning. My main concern, even outside of work, isn’t about protecting myself, it’s about protecting all of those around me from the virus since I work in a hospital and may be exposed at any point in time during my shift whether I am aware of it or not.”

Since Hoch is in the health care field, she first heard about COVID-19 in November 2019; however, she said she thought it would be like influenza and was not worried because the virus would be manageable.

“I didn’t anticipate it being spread so easily and being so difficult to get under control,” she said. “I believe that my thoughts toward the virus at first were to try to downplay the severity of the virus.”

Hoch, like everyone else, soon learned the severity.

“Once we started seeing a rise in cases in New York and the president declared a national emergency was when I could really feel a shift in my day-to-day life as a nurse,” Hoch said. “For me, my job is constantly evolving to match the most current recommendations of the CDC. Every single day there are new things we learn about the disease, leading to a change in hospital policies and practice that we need to stay up on.”

Hoch, even though she is at the forefront of this virus, said she knows there are a lot of people who deserve gratitude.

“I would just like to add my sincere gratitude for all of the essential workers who are all working during this time fighting the same fight as me to help others during this time,” Hoch said. “To all of the grocery store workers, bank tellers, truck drivers, food service workers, etc.

I would like them to know that they are appreciated and valued, especially at a time like this.

Thank you.”

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

At the Front Shayna Hoch, a 2015 Shores graduate who is a registered nurse, said it is disheartening to see people disregard health care measure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I believe that the national government could have done better to handle the situation. I think that it

was not taken seriously at first, which led to actions being taken too late to try and combat the virus from

spreading too far. With travel being the main issue that allowed it to spread so easily to many different

states, and then within those states.” -- Shayna Hoch, class of 2015

20

Navy personnel prepped for virus in January

the Corona Diaries

The Sailors’ Log

By Warren Kent III Adviser While most people in Michigan started preparing for the coronavirus in March, Steven Pasco, who is stationed with the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan, began his preparation in January.

Pasco, a 2001 graduate who is the Culinary Specialist Submarines Chief and the Leading Chief Petty Officer for Directorate of Public Health Services US Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan, leads the medical team that tests, traces, and tracks all Navy and Marine Corps members and their families on the island of Okinawa, Japan for COVID-19.

With this responsibility, Pasco said he and other personnel started planning for a pandemic event in mid-January for a training drill to test their hospital’s ability and find any weaknesses in the processes.

“I thought our hospital would get very busy, and it would affect our lives dramatically,” Pasco said in an email April 17 about the hospital on the 70-mile long island.

Their training drill was made into a reality in March. Prior to that month, Pasco said he was leading sailors dealing with routine public health matters like shipboard inspections, food establishment inspections, and awareness for Preventative Medicine.

However, since the beginning of March, he said he has been a part of the planning and execution of the hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pasco said procedures were also put in place on the entire island: movement offbase is restricted (only essential movement is allowed e.g grocery store or doctor appointments), restaurants are take-out only

Steven Pasco, a 2001 Shores graduate who is stationed with the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan, wears his mask at the COVID-19 Response Cell. who is an ER nurse at the hospital, are feeling the stress.

“The increased workload has been very stressful on us and our three children,” he said. “Not having our extended family around to help out has made everything more difficult.”

When the Japanese government declared a nationwide state of emergency because of the coronavirus, Pasco said it was the right now, and schools have transitioned to on- been disrupted. thing to do and he agrees with that deciline and “telework.”

“Every aspect of health care has been sion.

Pasco also said the grocery store on base impacted,” he said. “A lot of routine care “Japan has always been very conscious of has long wait in line times because a max- has been postponed, and only emergency handwashing and wearing surgical masks imum number of customers allowed in the services have resumed protecting patients when sick,” he said. “The policies set in store has been set to maximize social dis- and staff.” place seem to mirror other countries. I feel tancing to the greatest extent possible.

With all of this, Pasco has seen an in- it is a proper response seeing the numbers Additionally, all military members must crease in his hours spent at work, which of infected people off base growing.” wear a cloth or surgical facemask at all has doubled from 40 hours a week to 80 times. And normal health-care needs have hours a week, meaning he and his wife,

Prepped for Pandemic

How do you feel the national government, including President Trump, has handled the situation?

“With the current economic and political situation and

my status in the U.S. Navy, I think it is in my best interest

to avoid this question.” -Steven Pasco, class of 2001