Panorama COVID-19 April 2020

PANO RAMA

Read more about how COVID-19 is affecting businesses on pages 13–15.

April 2020, Vol. 68, Issue 8, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, 1201 S. Warson Rd. Ladue, MO 63124

STAFF Editors-in-Chief

Jackson Bry Katie Shaw Bradford Siwak

Head Design Editors

Cassie Beisheim Anna Liner

Managing Editor

Sydney Crump

Head Copy Editor

Alexander Fu

Print Photo Editor Managing Photo Editor

Nicole Kalishman Burke Howe

News Editor

Rhea Patney Katie Holland Erin Turkieltaub

In-Depth Editor

Grace Hu

Opinions Editor

Ethan Willick

Arts & Entertainment Editors

Hugh Chan Caroline Tyrrell

Sports Editors

Domenic Fenoglio

Social Media Editor

Grace Hensley

News Staff

Lucy Lochmoeller Jamie Korenblat

Features Staff

Clayton Coughlin

In-Depth Staff

Sophia Liu

Opinions Staff

Caroline Edgar Tariq Lashley Marissa Mathieson Charlotte Woodhill

Sports Staff

Jacob Korn Thomas Margulis

Business Managers

Jason Pummer Jake Tackes

Staff Writers

Daniel Chayet

Staff Artists

2

Sunny Lu

Sports Photo Editor

Features Editors

EDITORS’ NOTE

Joanne Sung Danielle Zhang

Staff Photographer

Ginger Schulte

Adviser

Sarah Kirksey

APRIL 2020

-Katie Shaw, Jackson Bry and Bradford Siwak

Leading up to Ladue’s scheduled spring break (March 13-22), production for the April Panorama was just starting. We planned the issue, which had an in-depth about the many (new) faces of marijuana and its legality, to be released April 20.

However, just after school let out, it was apparent that our plans would need alterations. Based on the rising anxieties over the new coronavirus, we knew the disease would need to be addressed. We considered a seven-page in-depth, leaving the marijuana news story elsewhere in the paper. But as society underwent several drastic shifts, we knew that a mere section would not suffice.

We imagined the irony of our staff working from home, editing restaurant reviews for establishments

that had closed. We pictured the absurdity of sending out magazines through the mail only for readers to open the manila envelopes and find articles regarding sports teams that had since disbanded or club victories that had since gone unchallenged. We thought of our journalistic principles as a top high school magazine, and it was clear: the effects of COVID-19 warranted a specialty edition. From there, we wondered whether we had enough to say. To remedy this concern, we listed a plethora of article ideas off the top of our heads over text. Within minutes, we had 14 story ideas about how COVID-19 was affecting the Ladue community — and this was when only one family in the county had been quarantined.

COVER STORY We wanted to include a face mask on this month’s cover and we thought it was important to show someone’s face, as COVID-19 is more than a statistic — it’s affecting real people around us every day. Eventually, we decided to use art. The mosaic of colors used throughout the piece encompasses the color palette established for this issue, which includes shocking swatches of bold red and sterile shades of blue. We purposefully did not want to give the model a race, as COVID-19 does not discriminate.

SPREAD DESIGN BY J. BRY, K. SHAW & B. SIWAK

NEWS 5. A look at how COVID-19 grew to what it is today.

6–7. How various Ladue events have been affected by COVID-19.

8-9. A list of a few worldwide cancellations.

10. Students offer help to others giving what they can to those in need.

11. How COVID-19 is affecting medical professionals.

12. Junior Sophia Kuehner and her family are doing their part to ensure safety for those at risk of contracting the virus.

IN-DEPTH 13-15. As the Coronavirus ravages the economy, Panorama tells the story of two St. Louis businesses that have been forced to alter their operations.

FEATURES 16-17. COVID-19 forces both Ladue seniors and alumni to change their plans.

18-19. Panorama surveyed over 200 students to find out how they have been spending their time at home.

20-21. Sophomore Avinash Kamath works as a grocery store employee during the pandemic.

SPORTS 22. Seniors miss out on sports because of COVID-19 cancellations.

21. Panorama offers exercises you can do at home to stay healthy during this pandemic.

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A&E 24. Fun dessert recipes to make while you are stuck at home.

25. Activities to keep you occupied while you stay home with nothing to do.

26. The best local restaurants to order delivery from.

STAFF & CONTENTS

OPINIONS 27. Thinking differently about the environmental impacts of reduced human activity; COVID-19 has enabled TikTok trolls’ racism.

28. How COVID-19 has been driving us apart; staying positive during self isolation.

29. Lack of pandemic preparedness leads to shortage of coronavirus tests.

30. Panorama editor-in-chief Jackson Bry shares his first hand experience with COVID-19.

31. Pano Perspective: You need to stay at home.

3

POLICY Panorama is a monthly newspaper that strives to inform and entertain students, staff and community members and to uphold professional standards of accuracy and fairness. The publication hopes to engage the student body by eliciting dialogue among students.

It aims to reflect the diversity of the population it serves and to observe the journalistic principle of doing no harm.

All surveys are completely anonymous and cannot be used against you. Panorama welcomes letters to the editors. Please bring signed letters to room 1311. Panorama reserves the right to revise submissions as long as original intent remains unaltered.

Panorama is produced 9 times per school year by the newspaper class of Ladue Horton Watkins High School at 1201 S. Warson Rd., St.

Louis, MO 63124. The publication lab is located in room 1311, (314)-9936447 ext. 5844. Read more stories online at laduepublications.com.

Follow @laduepublications on Instagram and @laduepanorama on Twitter. Editor-in-chief photo by Sunny Lu. Cover art by Katie Shaw. Staff page, table of contents and sponsor list by Jackson Bry, Katie Shaw and Bradford Siwak.

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APRIL 2020

SPREAD DESIGN BY J. BRY, K. SHAW & B. SIWAK; A. FU

FROM CITY IN CHINA TO GLOBAL CRISIS How the new coronavirus started and its effects as a global pandemic ALEXANDER FU head copy editor

T

uesday March 10, the Center for Disease Control confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in Missouri: a 20-year old college student who studied abroad in Italy and returned to her home in St. Louis County.

As of April 7, 3,037 individuals in Missouri have tested positive for COVID-19, a respiratory disease that has thrown the entire world into panic. A stay-at-home order in the state was issued March 21, encouraging people to avoid excessive social mixing and closing all businesses save for essential establishments like grocery stores, banks, government agencies and news outlets. Students in afflicted areas around the world have had their classes moved online. With such sudden changes in people’s lives, it is important to understand the spread of COVID-19 until now.

The first official cases of the virus appeared in Wuhan, China in late Dec. 2019. Symptoms were likened to pneumonia but with unclear cause. The disease was later believed to originate from the Huanan wet market, where outdoor stalls sold live sea creatures and wild animals. Dec. 31, these cases were reported to the World Health Organization’s China Country Office.

After linking this illness to previous coronaviruses like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome, WHO issued guidance to countries on how to detect and handle individuals with the disease.

The outbreak later spread to China’s neighbors throughout the month of January, mainly Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.

As the cases and death tolls rose, Wuhan was locked down Jan. 23,

confining residents in their homes.

Wuhan also shocked the world when two new hospitals were each built in less than two weeks to house more patients. WHO declared the virus as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” at their second Emergency Committee meeting Jan. 30. The novel coronavirus was named COVID-19 Feb. 11.

The pandemic has since spread to six continents, with over 1 million cases and 70,000 deaths, but the severity of the virus varies from country to country. According to Worldometer, whereas the U.S. has over 300,000 cases and 10,000 deaths, many African and South American countries have no more than several hundred infected people. It is unclear how long COVID-19 will persist into summer.

As for the effects on events and businesses, many governments’ orders have forced non-essential retail to close. Any gatherings of more than 10 people have been prohibited, causing events like concert tours and the Olympics to be canceled or postponed to next year.

Missouri itself has been afflicted with this crisis in recent weeks. The number of cases since the end of March have doubled, and the rate at which new reports are coming in has risen exponentially since the start of April. As such, school districts have abided with local and national ordinances to slow the virus’ spread. “We’re complying with [officials] in terms of social distancing ... the stay-at-home order, and that has clearly impacted school,” Principal Brad Griffith said.

Infected Counties in the State of Missouri St. Charles 221 cases St. Louis County 1,203cases Kansas City/ Jackson County

219/154 cases

St. Louis City 399 cases

Key > 100 cases < 100 cases no cases

graphic courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

TOTAL

DEATHS

:53

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

Updated as of April 7

SPONSORS & NEWS

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ALL THAT COULD HAVE BEEN

A look into some event cancellations within Ladue due to COVID-19

HUGH CHAN a&e editor

art by DANIELLE ZHANG

With help from practical arts teachers and DECA sponsors Christopher Geisz and Jessica Kennedy, over 100 Ladue students worked to gain knowledge about the fields of business, finance and marketing.

Students were able to choose from an enormous selection of competitive events, both individual and team, to specialize in. In early February, the team competed at districts, with 49 individual students qualifying for state, including 20 first place finishes. The state competition was dissolved over fears of COVID-19, and despite initial efforts to compete through online methods, both the state and the subsequent international competition were cancelled. “It is very unfortunate because I know every member worked so hard in preparation for this season,” junior Aidan Oiknine, DECA president and 2019 international runner-up, said. “I am sure that next year we will make up for this temporary setback and have our best season yet.”

DEBATE

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DECA

The speech and debate team has had their season dramatically impacted by COVID-19. Six students qualified for state, but the competition was cancelled. The national qualifying tournament was also cancelled, and a bid system is being discussed for the national tournament in June, which is being held online. “Our team put in so many hours into preparing for those last few tournaments,” senior Eli Goldstein, co-coordinator of interpretation events for the team, said. “It was really upsetting to see these opportunities get cancelled, not just for the seniors but for everyone who was going to compete.”

APRIL 2020

chess

SPREAD DESIGN BY H. CHAN

The chess club’s season ended with the arrival of COVID-19.

In the Gateway Chess League, Ladue sailed through the season with a perfect record as the team reached the league championship before the league was called off. The state tournament was also cancelled, preventing junior Erik Tkachenko from defending his title as 2019 state champion. “I was looking forward to the chance to prove myself again,” Tkachenko said. “I only have one year of high school chess left, and these are huge missed opportunities.”

one acts music prom ‘20 The annual senior-directed One Acts, short plays directed by seniors, were cancelled around a month before their scheduled performances in late April. Performed in the black box theatre during the school day and at night, the One Acts offer a platform for seniors to say goodbye to the theater.

This year, there were supposed to be two plays: one directed by senior Lili Sheley and the other by senior Tori Campos. “I always think that the One Acts are really fun,” Sheley said. “I think that a lot of people would have worked very hard to make these shows amazing, and it is devastating that they were cancelled.”

The musical instruments program, which boasts three orchestras and two bands, was halted after the closure of the school, along with any planned events. The orchestra trip to Washington, D.C., the band trip to Chicago, the orchestra concert, the band concert and the percussion concert were all cancelled.

“It would have been my last high school concert ever,” senior Lilly Tung, violinist for the orchestra, said. “I was looking forward to performing our senior piece and celebrating the seniors.”

mock trial

The mock trial team’s season, which began in late October, ended abruptly as the team was preparing for the state round. Under the direction of professional attorney Robert Samuelson, as well as social studies teachers Robert Snidman and Christopher Saxton, the team advanced through districts and placed fifth at regionals. “It’s a shame to have the competition cancelled after months of hard work,” junior Johnny Yeldham, attorney for the mock trial team, said. “But our team has much more experience now and will come back stronger than ever next year.”

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The Roaring 20’s-themed prom was scheduled for April 4 at the Chase Park Plaza. The junior student council, along with various members of the staff and administration, began planning prom in mid-January by producing a promotional video for the event and deliberating over decorations and the dinner menu. “Prom would have been a lot of fun because of how much thought we put into it,” junior Jack Kirby, secretary for the junior student council, said. “It’s unfortunate that it won’t happen at all.”

sports

With the cancellation of school following spring break, all sports were put on indefinite hold. Ladue’s wide range of spring sports include boys and girls track, lacrosse, water polo and ultimate frisbee, boys tennis, baseball, golf and girls soccer. While most sports have not been outright cancelled yet, all were greatly affected as measures against COVID-19 left a slim possibility of the season’s return. “Sports being cancelled feels horrible,” senior Blue Crew president Elijah Clark said. “I feel bad for the athletes, especially seniors hoping to possibly get scholarships or just enjoy their last year.”

NEWS

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a World stopped in its tracks A look into the many world events that COVID-19 has put to a halt

LUCY LOCHHMOELLER news staff

The Boston Marathon was originally scheduled to take place April 20, but has been postponed to Sept. 14. The London Marathon, a possible Olympic trial for runners, was scheduled to be April 26 but has been moved to Oct. 4. The Tokyo Marathon took placce March 1, however the organizers of the race were forced to limit the amount of runners. The race was avaliable to only elite runners and wheelchair athletes. 38,000 runners are normally expected, however only 200 competed this year.

Broadway

Broadway initially suspended all plays and musicals for 32 days and was scheduled to reopen April 12. However, the Broadway League has shared that this date may be pushed back into June or July. Many employees for Broadway, such as set designers, actors and muscians have been left unemployed, however a short-term pay deal has been created. Broadway will continue to pay these employees for the first few weeks of the shutdown and has also promised to cover health insurance for a month. Broadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shutdown could potentially lead to a $565 million lose in revenue.

Cherry Blossom festivals around the world, such as those in Japan, have been forced to cancel their events. While some parks themselves are still open and the trees can still be viewed by tourists, the many festivals and events held during the Cherry Blossom season have been canceled. The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. was scheduled for March 2o through April 14, however, many of the events have been cancelled, such as the Blossom Kite Festival at the National Mall on March 28.

Coachella 8

Major Marathons

Cherry Blossom Festivals

Coachella, a famous music festival held in Indio, California, was scheduled for the weekends of April 10-12 and 17-19. The festival has since been rescheduled to the weekends of Oct. 9-11 and 18-20. Goldenvoice, the company organizing the event, claimes that they hope to feature the same performers and events. However, it has not been announced if the many performers, such as Travis Scott, Lana Del Ray and Frank Ocean, have agreed to peform at the October event. Goldenvoice has also battled the cancellation of Stagecoach, a country music festival they run as well.

Stagecoach was planned for April 24-26 but will now be held Oct. 23-25.

APRIL 2020

SPREAD DESIGN BY L. LOCHMOELLER

art by JOANNE SUNG

Professional Sports The National Basketball Association has decided to cancel its season entirely. The National Hockey League has put the hockey season on hold and Major League Baseball canceled the remainder of Spring Training and has postponed the season opening. For professional golf, the Masters was scheduled for April but has been pushed back to November. The US PGA Champtionship has been postponed to August.

As LGBTQ Pride month is June, many Pride festivals around the world have been forced to reschedule due to COVID-19 Los Angeles Pride was supposed to be June 12-14. However it has been rescheduled. London Pride and Sao Paulo Pride have also been postponed.

However, InterPride and the European Pride Organizers Associations came together to create Global Pride, a virtual festival, so Pride month can still be celebrated by the many pride organizations in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The virtual festival will include speeches from several human rights activists and musical performances. The celebration will take place June 27.

pride Month

2020 olympics

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics were originally supposed to take place July 24 through Aug. 9. However, the International Olympic Committee has announced that the event will now take place a year later, July 23 through Aug. 8, 2021. A task force named â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here We Goâ&#x20AC;? was created by the IOC and the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission to answer questions about the rescheduled 2021 Olympics and how it will be run. This posponement will be the first interruption to the Olympic games since the cancellation of the 1940 Japan Summer Olympics and the 1944 London Summer Olympics, which were both called off due to World War II.

Nascar has postponed all race events until May 3. Officials have said that they still expect a 36-race schedule, as opposed to the normal 38-race season. Nascar has been helping fight the pandemic by printing medical face shields at the Nascar Research and Development Center. In North Carolina, Charlotte Motor Speedway partned with Atrium Health and has turned zMAX Dragway into a COVID-19 testing center for residents in the surrounding areas.

Kentucky Derby

Nascar Races

The Kentucky Derby was scheduled for May 2 but has been moved to Sept. 5. Derby week was supposed to be held April 28-30 but has been moved to Sept. 1-3. The 146th Longines Kentucky Oaks was also postponed from its original date of May 1 to Sept. 4. Churchill Downs, the company that organizes the Kentucky Derby and other major races, has promised that the rescheduled event will replicate as much of the original Derby week and Kentucky Derby as possible.

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NEWS

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Students lend a helping hand Past and current St. Louis high school students use their resources to help those in dire need JAMIE KORENBLAT news staff

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has left many people and businesses out of work due to stay-at-home orders placed by state governments, in addition to a variety of other challenges. Some who have recently been laid off have found that they don’t have enough money for groceries and have to rely on others for help. During this time of uncertainty, many students have helped others in serious need of everyday necessities that are often taken for granted.

While just recently most Americans have become concerned with COVID-19, the beginning of its spread dates all the way back to December 2019. Alex Madaras, a former Marquette High School student who now attends William Mason High School outside Cincinnati, paid attention to the virus’s spread in China, and when it started to spread here, she knew it wasn’t going to stop.

“I remember being concerned for everyone in China and grateful that the Chinese government had such an effective and strong response to the pandemic locally,” Madaras said. “Every day in my government class, we had to present the news. After the ninth or 10th time that someone came up to the front of the class with coronavirus updates, it started to stick that this wasn’t going to go away anytime soon.”

Madaras decided it would be beneficial to help out service workers who have lost their jobs due to businesses closing or being laid off. She decided, along with two of her friends, to set up the Service Workers Mutual Aid Fund.

“I had the idea along with my friend Raghav to try to help service workers who were going to be losing their jobs and their incomes,” Madaras said. “My friend Mariah joined us and we expanded the fund from the Ohio Service Workers Mutual Aid Fund to the Service Workers Mutual Aid Fund. Any service wo

Donation Guide:

Items to donate:

art by ANNA LINER Places to donate:

10

APRIL 2020

-rker out of a job from anywhere could request funds in a Google form and we would distribute what we raised to them, trying to keep the amount as reasonable as possible.”

Many health care facilities are running out of masks and basic necessities used everyday because of the rising number of cases. Ladue freshman Mahith Samarathunga and his father decided to send masks to those in need because of these shortages.

“We got some medical supplies like masks and a lot more with packages, and we sent them to a nursing home in New York City,” Samarathunga said. “It’s a small nursing home and we had only less than 200 masks, so we have to pick and choose.”

Graham Wallace, a Ladue junior, used a sewing machine from his home to sew face masks to donate to those who need them. He chose to help because he wanted to contribute toward people’s well being to show he cares for them.

“I decided to help others because I know lots of people are in dire need of aid, and it’s a good feeling knowing you contributed what you could,” Wallace said. “Lots of people also want to take the necessary precautions.”

Even in times of crisis, some may experince people coming together after all. Madaras believes the strong connections she has made with othersis the most rewarding part of helping.

“You don’t realize the type of skill-sharing and communication it really takes between people to create successful initiatives until you’re really in it,” Madaras said.

“I’ve built bonds of trust and solidarity that will withstand past the first weeks of this crisis and lead to unified organizing during this crisis and beyond.”

Samarathunga feels that helping others makes him happy because he has helped someone accomplish something. He hopes that in doing so, he can help others trust the world a little more.

“COVID 19,” Samarathunga said. “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”

sanitizing masks surgical masks hand sanitizer bottles canned goods Barnes Jewish Hospital St. Louis Area Foodbank

SPREAD DESIGN BY J. KORENBLAT & R. PATNEY

ABOVE: Yamuna Mathew leans against a dentist chair in her office. She closed her practice due to the risks of COVID-19. “I can’t wait until we can feel a sense of normalcy again,” Yamuna said. (Photo courtesy of Yamuna Mathew) RIGHT: Because of their living circumstances, the Osborns were featured on KMOV March 31.

The Osborns were also featured on NPR, KSDK and Fox & Friends. “I don’t live in the house with my family; I live in a camper in my driveway,” Tiffany said. (Photo by Bradford Siwak)

SUPERHEROES IN SCRUBS How COVID-19 is impacting medical professionals RHEA PATNEY news editor

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted employment around the world.

Many nonessential businesses have shut down, causing over 6.6 million Americans to file for unemployment (as of April 2). Although they may face loss of income, they now can protect themselves and their loved ones. However, the majority of healthcare workers cannot stay home from work, and the dangers of COVID-19 have had drastic impacts on their lives.

Tiffany Osborn, a doctor who works in the emergency room and intensive care unit of Barnes-Jewish hospital, is no stranger to these effects. Due to her close proximity to potential COVID-19 patients, she lives in a camper located in her driveway, isolated from her family.

Tiffany can still talk to her family over video chat, and they can be outside together. Senior Ashley and eighth grader David, Tiffany’s children, help make sure she is comfortable living alone.

“I’ve been sewing — making curtains for my mom,” Ashley said.

“I will leave them outside for her so she can hang them in her trailer.”

Living separately has been difficult for both Tiffany and her family.

Ashley misses doing things with her mother, such as making dinner and drinking tea together at night. Tiffany misses being able to regularly interact with her family.

“I miss being able to hug my kids and give them a kiss goodbye when I go to work,” Tiffany said. “I miss the ability to sit down together on the couch and watch TV. It’s not as isolating as it could be since we can still talk, but it’s not the same.”

In addition to the Osborn family, the Mathew family is also being greatly affected by this pandemic.

Yamuna Mathew, owner of Des Peres Family Dentistry and mother to junior Zubin and eighth grader Ashwin, has been forced to shut down her office.

“As a business owner, it has been really tough,” Yamuna said. “We have closed the office doors, and despite no revenue coming in, we still have bills to pay as usual.”

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NEWS

Yamuna is not the only medical worker in her household. Her husband, Stanley Mathew, is an endocrinologist at Barnes St. Peters and Progress West Hospitals. This pandemic has changed how he practices medicine.

“Currently, I continue to see patients at the hospital using precautions,” Stanley said. “I have been doing virtual visits whenever possible by using phone and video links. This protects these patients from being exposed to COVID-19 and protects me and my staff to a degree — but is different from what I am used to doing.”

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has had severe impacts on medical professionals. Tiffany, Yamuna and Stanley have altered their lives in order to ensure the safety of themselves and others.

“If you’re supposed to think about positives [in this situation], you think about what the rationale is,” Tiffany said. “It is that you love other people more than yourself.

And by doing the work that I’m doing, I’m helping to end this [pandemic] as soon as possible.”

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MORE THAN SOCIAL DISTANCING The harsh realities of living with a high-risk sibling in a worldwide pandemic KATIE HOLLAND

“I worry about my children contracting the virus and being hospitalized. They would be sick, scared and alone because no one would be allowed to visit them,” hile some of her peers treat the recent stayMcMurtey said. “As a mom, thinking about not being at-home order and closure of schools as an able to protect my kids brings me to my knees.” extension of their spring breaks by visiting McMurtey’s worries are not only reserved for her friends and ignoring pleads to practice social distancfamily. She notices the large-scale effects the virus is ing, junior Sophia Kuehner stays in. Wearing gloves having on communities throughout the country. constantly and avoiding contact “I truly worry about how this virus with the outside world unless will impact low-income communities absolutely necessary has become in the long run, both medically and her family’s new normal. economically,” McMurtey said. “Not Kuehner understands the everyone will recover – that’s a sobergravity of the virus and the harsh thought.”

As a mom, thinking about not ingDiffering impacts it can have on families stances in the response being able to protect my kids from local, state and national governbetter than most. However, she originally underestimated the mental entities adds to McMurtey’s list brings me to my knees. effects the virus could have on of concerns. Her frustration stems from her family and others considered her belief that there could have been high-risk. a different outcome for the United “When I first heard about COVID-19, everyone was States had action been taken sooner to stop the spread joking around, not really thinking much of it,” Kuehner of COVID-19. said. “I had the same response because I didn’t know it “I am distraught that we are suffering more than we was as dangerous as it is.” might have because many of our nation’s top leaders Kuehner’s attitude towards the virus has completely don’t believe in science and logic,” McMurtey said. changed since then. As cases of the virus occurred closKeuhner and McMurtey believe that their precauer to St. Louis, the reality that it could potentially harm tions will not only protect their family, but also help in members of her family set in. ultimately flattening the curve by reducing the spread “If someone in my family was infected with of the virus. Kuehner hopes to see a change in behavCOVID-19, it could be deadly for my younger sister,” iors and similar actions taken by her peers.

Kuehner said. “She has terrible asthma and other “I wish people, especially teens my age, would listen underlying health issues that could be fatal if she were to and care more about the effects of this virus,” Kuehinfected.” ner said. “There are people who aren’t worried about Kuehner’s mother, Mary McMurtey, shares similar themselves or their family getting seriously hurt. I just concerns with her daughter. As a mother, her main wish people would have more respect for those who interest is the health and safety of her children. could lose a lot from COVID-19.”

features editor

W

“

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LEFT: During a road trip over the past summer, the Kuehner-McMurtey family stops for a break before getting back on the road.

Traveling is one of the family’s favorite summer pastimes.

RIGHT: Prior to Ladue’s 2019 homecoming dance, Junior Sophia Kuehner hugs her younger sister, 11-year-old Lyla Mcmurtey. McMurtey loves watching and helping her older sister get ready for high school events.

(Photos courtesy of Sophia Kuehner)

APRIL 2020

SPREAD DESIGN BY K. HOLLAND & G. HU

sorry, we’re

CLOSED

GRACE HU in-depth editor

art by GRACE HU & JOANNE SUNG

How the spread of COVID-19 is affecting U.S. economy and St. Louis local businesses

W

hen news of a deadly new coronavirus in China first broke a couple of months ago, the thought that it would affect the United States, let alone St. Louis, seemed implausible. Thus, as the window for early social distancing closed, citizens alike looked on, unconcerned.

Today, COVID-19 has left entire states on lockdown as doctors struggle to treat this new virus. Medical supplies, hospital beds and heathcare profesionals are in short supply, and the spread of the diesase is on an upward trajectory, with thousands of new cases being confirmed daily.

While COVID-19 is straining our medical systems, another concerning effect of the pandemic has been economic decline. According to The Washington Post, 6.6 million Americans filed for unemployment as of April 2, 2020, causing the unemployment rate to jump to an estimated 13 percent.

Additionally, before a $2.2 trillion stimulus package dubbed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was passed by the U.S.

House of Representatives March 28, stock markets were in a free fall, with business website Quartz reporting that stock index returns fell by over 30 percent in March alone.

Across the country, local businesses have been struggling, and St. Louis is no exception. As cases have skyrocketed into the thousands, hundreds of St. Louis businesses have been forced to change their services or close. Two local businesses that were forced to adapt due to COVID-19 include Deer Creek Coffee in Ladue and China King in University City.

This month’s in-depth covers how these two businesses have dealt with a virus that has caused inscrutable damage to the restaurant industry. Since COVID-19 began its spread in St. Louis, every business has faced unique challenges, but their stories intersect at the end— with less customers and lost revenue.

Because local businesses bring innovation to our communities, many St. Louisans believe it is imperative to support our small businesses during this difficult time.

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staying

1 2 SUPPORTIVE

Tips to help local businesses Picking it up

Use delivery or curb side pick-up services provided by all local businesses— not just restaurants. For example, businesses like China King had delivery services before closing.

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Gifting galore Purchase gift cards from local businesses that offer them. For example, Deer Creek has gift cards that can be redeemed later, but support the business now.

NEWS & IN-DEPTH

Check in

Check to see if local businesses have altered their services.

For example, many businesses in the Delmar Loop post updates on social media or their websites.

4

Try to donate

If you bought a service that cannot be carried out, donate the fee.For example, if you paid for a fitness class in the Central West End, don’t ask for a refund and donate the lesson fee. information from Forbes

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deer creek COFFEE

S

aturdays are among the busiest for Deer Creek Coffee on Clayton Road, and March 7 was no exception. The gleaming sun provided the perfect conditions for customers to enjoy one of the coffee shop’s beverages, and all of the tables were filled. One day later, it was empty.

The coronavirus was spreading around the world, but apart from a sole case in the St. Louis area, it remained a distant threat. Sunday, March 8, the phone rang at Deer Creek Coffee, which senior and employee Nina Sachs answered. A family member of the resident with COVID-19 had visited the coffee shop the prior day. Immediately, the shop’s staff got to work.

“I went to go tell my boss, she called the owner, and within 15 minutes we told everybody in the restaurant what happened,” Sachs said. “We asked them to leave and we did a very very deep clean – everything was washed in the dishwasher with bleach and then washed again with just detergent.”

Soon, the news spread with retellings taking an embellished form.

“I heard that it was the person who had the virus at the time who was there,” senior and Deer Creek Coffee regular Emerson Barnett said. “People just did not know what they were talking about.”

Even after Deer Creek Coffee was cleaned thoroughly and reopened, the shop saw little business.

“One time, it was just me and one other lady,” Barnett recalled. “Then the lady left, and it was just me.”

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DANIEL CHAYET staff writer

Sachs and her coworkers witnessed rumors continuing to spread and feared for the business.

“I texted the owner, so he posted about how we had cleaned on [Deer Creek Coffee’s] Instagram,” Sachs said. “Once the owner posted, everything settled down.”

The return to normalcy would be short-lived. A little over a week after the controversy, the number of COVID-19 cases increased in St. Louis, leading the shop to shift to curbside pick-up and delivery only.

With businesses altering their operations, Sachs is appreciative of the response from Deer Creek Coffee’s customers. “At the Ladue location, most customers are regulars, so everybody knows who all of the workers are,” Sachs said. “They’ve been really nice and supportive – everybody’s still coming in, and tips have been pretty good.”

With the government advising everyone to stay at home until at least the end of April, businesses are asking customers for their support. “Go out and buy stuff,” Sachs said. “Stop shopping at big chains, because they have money saved up.

They’re prepared for stuff like this, whereas local businesses can’t be.”

For those who are willing to order from restaurants, Sachs wants them to know that Deer Creek Coffee is taking all precautions. “We follow [Center for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines,” Sachs said. “We’re washing our hands after touching every single bill. Nobody who is working is going to put anybody in danger.”

April 2020

SPREAD DESIGN BY G. HU

china king

FAST FACTS

contact locations information University University City

City

7848 (314) 725-6888 Olive Blvd #2034, St. Louis, MO website 63130

The Dong family (pictured) runs China King, an eatery known for serving classic Chinese dishes. China King was closed on March 17 Note: due to health concerns and China King customer benefit. “We mostly is currently get take out orders so we closed. don’t have a lot of dine-in, but after the COVID-19 spread, we barely had any.” (Photo courtesy of Connie Dong)

art by JOANNE SUNG

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PAND

play-by-

How the Coronavirus uniqu

Perfect day, nightmare call

On March 7, Ladue senior and Deer Creek employee Nina Sachs recieves a call that an immediate family member of the COVID-19 case in St. Louis visited Deer Creek.

A very deep clean Everything in Deer Creek was washed extra carefully— first with bleach, then with detergent.

Customers in cars Coronavirus began spreading rapidly in Missouri, prompting Deer Creek to switch to delivery and curbside pick-up services.

china king EATERY

deer creek

FAST FACTS

contact website locations The Blvd information

The Blvd (314) 726-3100 Ladue (314) 262-8494 Deer Creek’s Ladue location has signs adorning the windows that explain the changes in their operations.

Deer Creek employee and senior Nina Sachs now takes orders over the phone and brings customers’ food out to cars.“Trust the people who are working and that everything will be okay.”

(Photo courtesy of Nina Sachs)

12 The Boulevard, Richmond Heights, MO 63117

uely effected each business

in-depth staff

L

DEMIC

-play

SOPHIA LIU

Ladue 9820 Clayton Rd, St Louis, MO 63124

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The “Chinese” virus Coronavirus’ Chinese origins breeds xenophobia that causes China King to see no dine- in customers weeks before closing.

Empty tables, masked faces

Before and while business was slowing down, workers began to use face masks and gloves regularly as a precaution.

Dark windows, locked doors

On March 17, 2020, China King ceased operation in order to protect customers and family.

ocated on Olive Boulevard, China King has been a bustling center for Chinese cuisine since it opened 12 years ago.

Freshman Nicole Dong and Ladue alum Connie Dong have worked at their parent’s restaurant since they were both 10 years old. The sisters have jobs like taking orders, working the cash register and occasional cooking duties. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, China King was forced to close March 17.

“Prior to closing, we saw a pretty big decrease in customers so business wasn’t as good,” Nicole said.

In weeks before closing, China King saw virtually zero dine-ins.

The decision to close was made for the benefit of the Dong family.

“Our grandparents live with us and we didn’t want to put them at risk of getting the virus by spreading it to them,” Connie said. “We thought it was best to temporarily close for our benefit, as well as the customers that were still coming.”

While many small businesses have seen a decrease in customers during the COVID-19 crisis due to social distancing measures, stigmas have led to colossal losses for asian businesses. The misconceptions even prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to explain that “being Chinese or Asian-American does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.”

“I kind of understand why there’s a stigma about how asian people, or specifically Chinese people, are spreading the virus, but

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

IN-DEPTH

I think it’s very immature and ignorant,” Connie said.

In an effort to reduce cleanliness fears, businesses have adapted to regularly using face masks and gloves. Prior to China King’s closing, employees purchased masks and gloves and began using them around the time that China started experiencing COVID-19 cases.

Furthermore, China King would also take Lysol and spray the entire restaurant. China King also valued the importance of maintaining distance and limiting contact.

“Before closing, we would have customers call in orders and have them pay over the phone if possible.

We would have them wait outside the restaurant in their cars and we would bring them their orders,” Nicole said.

Small business owners all around the country are expressing concerns over the future of their businesses. Not only do their livelihoods depend on it, but so do their family members and employees.

Simply ordering or getting take-out from businesses that are still open can boost the morale of business owners and employees.

Although fear of the Coronavirus is causing people to abandon asian businesses, those who choose to continue to support asian businesses can contribute to local businesses while maintaining distance.

“Yes, the Coronavirus did come from China, but in this country, we’re all in this together,” Nicole said. “We should be working together instead of criticizing others.”

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Chat From Abby to Everyone “The virus definitely affected my college plans. There are a multiple schools that I was either waitlisted or accepted at, and I have not yet had an opportunity to visit. At this point, if I chose any of them, I would be forced to commit before actually visiting, seeing and experiencing the campus culture in person. That is definitely not something I would want for me or anyone else, as it is a really important decision, and I would not feel comfortable committing to a college without visiting ... With the virus being so transmissible, we did see it coming. So, we were not in the middle of traveling and needing to turn back home, which I am sure would have been immensely stressful ... I will not have the memory of senior prom or graduation, but I am more worried about my college choices. With less direct knowledge, I feel more as if I might choose the ‘wrong’ place whether or not that is a logical thought.”

From Julian to Everyone “Last year I scheduled a trip to China through Education First Tours, and we were working on getting the necessary visas. Then one day I was watching the news, and that is when I first heard about the coronavirus ... I honestly did not think too much about it and was not too worried about our trip being canceled; it was the last thing on my mind. I thought it was just going to blow over, but boy was I wrong. China went into a lockdown and the tour company gave us three different options: they could refund half of our money, we could choose to go somewhere else at the same time or we could get a voucher to go wherever and whenever we wanted ... My group was trying to decide on where else to go and we decided on a tour of Italy.

We all know how it is going for Italy at the moment, so my family just decided to take the voucher and put it towards my trip to Thailand next year.”

From Lou to Everyone “The first thing that I heard that was affected was my two jobs through Ladue I lost. For my summer job, I work for Stages St. Louis, and that is potentially canceled — we do not really know yet. If that was canceled, I’d lose about $6,000, so my first major change was for college to actually live at home for another year to keep saving money.

I am also a student worker for the Performing Arts Center. All of the band and orchestra and choir concerts got canceled and I am one of the camera operators for the scoreboard outside. But once again, all sporting events were canceled ... I will still be going to college — I’m going to Webster — but I will be living at home and just commuting to campus for one year and then I’ll swap depending on my situation ... I do not think anyone really expected [COVID-19] to hit on a scale this large. Just thinking about everyone who does not have the stuff that I do — even though I am out of my jobs, I still have parents that help me. Not everyone is as fortunate as I am when it comes to this.”

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Zoo

SENIOR SUSPENSIONS

Abby Bernstein Ladue Senior (Photo Courtesy of Abby Bernstein)

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Julian Carroll Ladue Senior (Photo Courtesy of Julian Carroll)

Lou Ritter Ladue Senior (Photo Courtesy of Lou Ritter)

6 Mute

APRIL 2020 SPREAD DESIGN BY C. COUGHLIN & E. TURKIELTAUB

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COLLEGE CANCELLATIONS

Trey Fruend Texas Christian University Freshman (Photo Courtesy of Trey Fruend)

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Riley Mazjun Truman State University Sophomore (Photo Courtesy of Riley Mazjun)

Zoe Williams Florida A&M University Sophomore (Photo Courtesy of Zoe Williams)

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Chat From Trey to Everyone “I was already home for spring break when I got the news that our spring break would be extended for another three weeks. About a week later, they canceled the rest of on-campus learning for the semester as we would be transitioning to online-only classes for the rest of the year ... Unfortunately, basically all the stuff I didn’t take home with me for spring break is still in my dorm room. So most of my clothes, books, shoes and other items are still at college since I didn’t have time to go back to get it once school was called off ... Now, I am taking online classes; it’s less engaging, but in many ways it’s easier since the professors are much more flexible since they understand the amount of change this situation has caused.

While this semester obviously didn’t go as planned, it just means the following semester will be better. I’ll be better able to appreciate my time in college after going through this experience.”

From Riley to Everyone “The process of leaving college was very chaotic. It took Truman a while to figure out their process, so it was a week and a half of confusion and not knowing when I’d have access to critical nursing equipment and textbooks. I was then given three hours to leave campus with all of my belongings ... I never would have imagined how much this virus would affect my learning. I personally don’t mind an online format, but as I am starting clinicals as a nursing student in the fall, it’s stressful to finish learning important assessments online like having to perform physical assessments over video ... All of my grades are pretty much the same, no lenience will be allowed — especially not for nursing classes, as a Truman nursing A is equivalent to a 93 percent or higher. I hope professors continue to be understanding about the inconvenience of working from home ... I have online classes until the second week of May and I’m hoping that the online format is done after the spring semester.”

From Zoe to Everyone “I was actually supposed to be going on a cruise for spring break when they sent out a newsletter from my school saying that due to the COVID-19 outbreak around the world, my school would be switching to distant learning for two weeks following spring break. I canceled my cruise and packed to go home. The only things I left were big items like my TV, bedding and other things I did not find essential ... I am currently taking all eight of my classes online. Not only has online learning affected the students but it has also affected the teachers tremendously. There are missteps in communication and organization that have rendered things challenging ... The internet can be slow and the quiet that I could find in my apartment in Tallahassee is not easily found here at home ... I may or may not be able to do my summer in-pharmacy experiences, which I must complete in order to graduate.

My white coat ceremony in August may be canceled and I am afraid of more uncertainties at the moment.”

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A survey of more than 200 Ladue students revealed how they have spent their time social distancing so far. Some ran around the neighborhood, others baked, some played video games and others read.

Below are some highlights.

“Waiting in between coats or steps can be hard when I just want to keep going.”

re o m

BRADFORD SIWAK editor-in-chief

Students get creative amid pandemic

o h p So ey Abb ico r Car

PAINTED

“My sister had the idea originally to add an abstract piece to her room, but she needed a bit of my help.”

ABOVE: Sophomore Abbey Carrico (right) sits on her sister’s bed beneath the decor they made together. Jane (left), a student at the fifth grade center, selected the colors.

BELOW: Two of the paintings Abbey has made. She gets most of her inspiration from Pinterest. Before the pandemic, she had a set of acrylic paint and brushes that she scarcely used.

(Photos courtesy of Abbey Carrico)

“My favorite part of the process it undoing all the rubber bands and seeing what you created; you can ‘mess up’ while dying and the piece will still look super cool.”

ABOVE LEFT: The socks that Evans has dyed are among her favorite projects because “they look super groovy.” She has tie-dyed plenty, including her bedsheets.

RIGHT: Evans works on her Lollapalooza 2018 t-shirt. Evans bought all of her tie-dye supplies before the stay-athome order. (Photos courtesy of Caroline Evans)

Senio r Carol ine Evans

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TIE-DYED

APRIL 2020 SPREAD DESIGN BY B.SIWAK

“Because we had nothing else to do, we finished it fast.”

LEFT: Hawkins stands with the finished product. Before their spring break vacation was canceled, his family was planning on making the shed this summer.

Since completing the shed, Hawkins’ family has begun making an adjacent garden.

RIGHT: Hawkins works on the structure with the help of his brother and Ladue alum, Will. The two worked together throughout the process and were paid by their father.

(Photos courtesy of Patrick Hawkins)

“It’s a pretty allaround thing. There are a lot of jobs we had to do, from laying a foundation to shingling a roof.”

n Freshma Patrick Hawkins “I’m really proud that I’m finding ways in my life to repurpose things.”

Senior Allison Rea

QUILTED

“My least favorite part is cutting up the T-shirts, but we made it past that step.”

LEFT: Attaching an iron-on interface to stretchy t-shirt fabric, senior Allison Rea is makes a quilt out of shirts that bring back memories but no longer get worn. She plans to take the quilt with her to college.

FAR LEFT: A test layout Rea made before she began sewing her quilt.

She has been crafting to pass the time with items around her house.

(Photos courtesy of Allison Rea)

By singing and playing his keyboard, junior Jameson Falconer works to improve his musical skills daily. He now starts his days with readings from a jazz history book.

(Photo courtesy of Jameson Falconer)

“Everyday I try to listen to a new album to expand my knowledge of artists as I take notes on what I like about them.”

or i n u J son e m Ja er n o c Fal

MADE MUSIC LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

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STOCKING THE SHELVES HEIM

SIE BEIS

art by CAS

Ladue student works as essential employee at Schnucks amid COVID-19 pandemic CAROLINE TYRRELL a&e editor

A

s the nation faces a worldwide pandemic, many businesses, stores and schools have shut down. However, grocery stores are among the few essential institutions that have remained open, ensuring that many civilians have a fair and safe way to feed themselves and their families.

Unfortunately, this essential need comes at a wavering cost for others.

Grocery store employees risk their health and the health of their loved ones by coming into work every day during this pandemic. Sophomore Avinash Kamath is among the few grocery store employees fighting the global pandemic at work.

As a Schnucks employee, Kamath is deemed as an essential worker, meaning that he is required to come into work and disregard the stayat-home order that has been placed on St. Louis city and county. Kamath started working at the popular grocery store Schnucks at the north

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Spoede and Olive location during plies, and they impose limits on the week of Ladue’s spring break, how many rolls of toilet paper you right on the brink of all of the chacan buy. They can’t really speed up os. He usually works a 17-20 hour manufacturing for necessities, so week, keeping him busy during this they try to prevent overbuying from dull quarantine, and unlike some paranoid customers.” other essential workers, he has not With multiple employees along had to work with countovertime. As less cusan employee, tomers per Kamath often day, Kamath witnesses the is exposed problem of Staying calm is the only way you can to large bulk buying, numbers get through this. Even if others are the purchase of people, going crazy, you have to maintain your putting his of large chill. If you start getting paranoid as health and quantities of a particular well, nothing gets done, and you stress safety at risk. product or Because of everyone out. products that this, Kamath - Avinash Kamath, 10 often results takes many in a shortage. precautionAs this problem progresses and is ary measures for himself and those apparent throughout the nation, around him.

Schnucks implements policies that “We have to wear hand sanitizer attempt to control the ever-present very frequently, I have decided to issue. wear gloves on my own accord, and “[Schnucks] deals with it the also because Schnucks doesn’t probest they can,” Kamath said, “they vide them,” Kamath explained. “We restock when they have the suphave to be very weary about touch-

APRIL 2020

“

SPREAD DESIGN BY C. TYRRELL

ing items, mostly fruit and meat, and we also have to wipe down the cashier booths, the doors and the shopping carts all the time.”

Although Kamath and the other employees are very careful when going to work, Schnucks takes extraordinary measures to ensure a safe and sanitary working environment as well.

“Schnucks is doing everything possible to keep their employees safe, and that makes me happy,” Avinash’s mother Radhika said. “I am proud that my son works for such an organization.”

Despite Kamath’s preventative measures at work, him and his family have to continue practicing careful regimen at home due to his mother being at more of a risk of the virus.

“As a recent cancer survivor, I am completely house-bound. I cook,

clean, work, workout and relax with hobbies like painting and the piano,” Radhika said. “Avi and his brother go out for essentials and to get in a run, but they mostly stay away from me. No hugs are allowed and we all follow careful hygiene.”

Kamath’s parents have expressed obvious concern and worry for their son, but despite the various risks, his parents are proud of what he’s doing to help.

“It does worry me, but I decided to let him work, as the stores need the help from young kids,” Radhika said. “[Essential workers] are putting themselves out there in these difficult times and that makes the life of folks like me so much easier.”

Kamath is aware of his mother’s present worry and tries his best to convince her that he is safe and being careful.

“My mom has been going crazy

about it. She texts me if I feel okay [while] working there every two hours,” Kamath said. “I understand the worry and concern, but you’d think she’d understand that I feel safe given the amount of times I give her the same response.”

During this time of panic, it is understandable that people will often find themselves stressed and worried. However, essential workers are doing all they can to ensure a safe and protected environment for themselves and those around them.

“People are still friends, and everyone is amiable towards the customers and one another. However, some customers are anxious and get upset at us for not doing certain things, like enforcing the six-foot rule,” Kamath said. “Most shoppers are still very nice though; it’s not as if I’m being bombarded with anger and panic 24/7.”

hiring Lifeguards!

The J is hiring lifeguards for its Creve Coeur and Chesterfield locations.

FLEXIBLE HOURS & EXTRA EARNING OPPORTUNITIES.

Red Cross Lifeguard certification classes are available.

Contact: Heather Cheseman hcheseman@jccstl.org 314.442.3296

Applications at jccstl.com/jobs

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LEFT: Senior Lena Liang competes in a track and field meet at Rockwood Summit April 13, 2019. Liang missed the opportunity to compete in her senior year. “I’ll miss spending time with my teammates and seeing people from other schools. But mostly, I’ll miss the adrenaline of racing and watching my teammates and I do incredible things.”

Liang said.

RIGHT: Senior Xavier Hadley swims in a water polo game April 1, 2019. Hadley missed both of his basketball and soccer seasons due to injury, and now may miss his final chance to compete. “It is possible that the season will be over if we do not return to school,” Hadley said.

(File photos)

SENIORS LOSE FINAL SEASON COVID-19 interrupts spring sports season at Ladue

GINGER SCHULTE staff writer

L

adue seniors Lena Liang and Xavier Hadley await their final high school season with nervous excitement, hoping to prove as athletes one more time before graduation. Unless they plan on continuing athletics in college, this may be their last opportunity to improve their athletic skills and be a part of a team. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decision to be made to cancel spring sports temporarily. Although the decision is not final, many athletes must now accept the fact that they may not get the opportunity to compete in their final season, or even finish their final semester at Ladue.

“Losing a season is always disappointing, especially for seniors,” Ladue track and field coach Dan Sebben said. “For senior distance runners they can continue to pursue their sport through road races, club running, intramural running and —

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for a few — on their college team.”

Senior Lena Liang has been running track since she was a sophomore and was excited for her final season — a final attempt at another state championship appearance. She attended the state competition last year in the 4x800m relay and the 3x200m open race. Along with track, Liang also participated in cross country and swimming.

“I feel sad that I didn’t get to end high school on my own terms,” Liang said. “I’m sad I didn’t have a senior moment of having my poster in the stadium.”

Since Lena’s freshman year, the high school has undergone a massive renovation. The old stadium was revamped into a brand new facility. During last year’s season, distance runners practiced at John Burroughs High School. Now, the facility is complete and Ladue was planning on hosting their own meet.

Xavier Hadley, another threesport athlete, was in his final water polo season when the pandemic

APRIL 2020

began. Over the summer, Hadley suffered an injury and tore his ACL. This injury made it that so he was unable to compete in his senior season of soccer and only able to participate a few minutes of one basketball game. Now he may not be able participate in his final season of water polo.

“For me personally, I’m bummed out because I was really excited to get back [into] action,” Hadley said.

“The coaches have been sending us things about once a week to focus on so that if we do get a chance to play, we are still prepared.”

In this time of confusion, Sebben thinks it is important to remember that although this situation isn’t ideal, eventually, it will end.

“I hope there’s an opportunity for everyone to have some kind of season,” Sebben said. “If we can’t then the seniors will move on to bigger and better pursuits and the underclassman runners have the summer and fall. For now, we have to wait and hope for the best.”

SPREAD DESIGN BY D. FENOGLIO

Panoramaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at-home Olympics

DOMENIC FENOGLIO

art by CASSIE BEISHEIM

sports editor

A weekly workout to help stay active during quarantine Running can help strengthen the immune system.

Building muscle can help to prevent injury.

Abdominal workouts can improve posture.

Biking can decrease stress levels.

Squats can increase balance and stability.

Day 1

10 pull ups

Day 5

Day 3

bike for 45 min.

run for30 min.

30 push ups

Day 4

30 sit ups

50 mountain climbers

50 squats

Day 2 plank for 1 min. 30 sec.

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50 lunges SPORTS

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less stress, more desserts CASSIE BEISHEIM head design editor

While quarantine can make us all a bit stir crazy, baking is a quick and easy destresser. Here are some of Panoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite recipes:

birthday cake rice krispy treats Rice krispy treats can feel bland, but there are many ways to spice them up. Here are the steps to add some fun flavor to this standard treat: -Melt a ten-ounce bag of marshmallows with three tablespoons of butter on medium heat -Stir in a cup of white or yellow cake mix.

-Combine the marshmallow mixture with six cups of rice krispy cereal and half a cup of sprinkles.

-Cool for 30 minutes and serve!

peanut butter chocolate chip cookies These cookies are some of the simplest, but most delicious things that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve chosen to make over quarantine. The steps are as follows: -Combine one cup sugar, one cup peanut butter, and one large egg into a bowl and mix.

-Add half a cup of chocolate chips of your choice.

-Bake at 350 degrees for six to eight minutes, or until the edges are golden-brown -Let cool and enjoy!

strawberry shortcake As the weather warms up, a refreshing dessert is always a must. To make this classic cake, the steps are as follows: -Prepare your favorite vanilla, white, or yellow cake.

-Let cakes cool while you mix one cup of strawberries with two tablespoons of sugar.

-Place the strawberry mixture between the cake layers and top with whipped cream.

-Garnish with fresh strawberries and cut yourself a slice!

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art by CASSIE BEISHEIM APRIL 2020

SPREAD DESIGN BY C. BEISHEIM & E. WILLICK

BORED? NOT ANYMORE

Fun activities to do while social distancing Play a game online

ETHAN WILLICK

opinions editor

Watch a live stream Artists, chefs, musicians, scientists, zoos and even gyms are all live-streaming online throughout this social distancing season for free. For example, author-illustrator Mo Willems is doing free online drawing lessons for beginners every weekday. Celebrity chef Alton Brown is doing dinner cook-alongs using whatever odd ingredients he can find in his pantry. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and other classical musicians are sharing online “comfort concerts” in an attempt to cheer people up. Scientist and Youtuber Mark Rober is teaching free science lessons on silly and interesting concepts a few times a week, with topics ranging from how to weigh yourself in space to why the sky is blue. The Cincinnati Zoo live-streams many of its animal enclosures 24/7, and anyone can tune in to watch animals from the comfort of their living room.

The great part of live streams is that LIV E anything could occur from champagne explosions to penguins playing.

One possible choice is learning to play or getting back into Minecraft.

The current cost of the game is around $27, but can be borrowed from your nerdy brother for free. Maybe start a realm with your friends or find a server with some strangers. Another option is purchasing one of The Jackbox Party Packs, which each boast five different multiplayer party games that range from murderous trivia to comedy t-shirt design.

With one person screen-sharing on Zoom and the others watching the video and playing from their phones, the games can be played virtually without a hitch and replayed hundreds of times for hours of enjoyment. At only about $15, this game is a steal. For a cheaper option, you could play a silly Kahoot or skribbl.io for free.

Celebrate a silly holiday It’s Halloween somewhere, so you might as well dress up in a costume and beg your parents to give you candy or, even better, learn to make homemade taffy or caramel. You could do an online costume party with your Zoom buddies to celebrate a belated Mardi Gras, of course. Valentine’s day is only a couple hundred days away, so might as well write some love letters — but don’t send them because that would spread germs. April 16 is Wear Pajamas to Work Day, but since we’re all doing that every day, maybe this year we make April 16 Wear a Suit to Bed Day. Any day can be a holiday if you are creative enough. Why not make Thursday into Lemon Appreciation Day and Friday into National Pencil Sharpener Day?

Have an indoor spa day

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ER LIN

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Right now, we’re all stressed, and that means everyone is looking for destressors.

When the chamomile tea, meditation and hour-long walks stop doing the trick, it’s time to break out the spa day kit. The first step is to turn off the phone — all the way off — to avoid the distractions of Twitter for the next hour. Next, turn on some classical music or smooth jazz, whatever is more up your alley.

Now it’s time to flip the lights off and put on a face mask (not the medical kind). While you’re at it, draw up a hot bath with your favorite bath bomb. Finally, put a warm rag over your eyes, take a deep breath and relax.

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clementine’s creamery

art by ANNA LINER

Clementine’s, open in three locations throughout St. Louis, has established itself as the city’s highest quality ice cream shop since its opening in 2014. While many creameries have opened since, Clementine’s ice cream stands alone in the St. Louis dessert scene with its decadent flavors and unrivalled quality. From mainstay Clementine’s classics, such as gooey butter cake and Italian butter cookie, to delectable seasonal flavors, such as honey lavender and thai tea, Clementine’s delivery options boast 36 unique flavors. Orders are sold nationwide at $10 a pint from Clementine’s website, not including shipping. For those who are able to, ordering Clementine’s is the perfect way to satisfy any sweet cravings during quarantine while also supporting one of St. Louis’s most honored businesses.

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sugarfire smokehouse

St. Louis is nationally renowned for its magnificent barbeque, but most good barbecue restaurants are located downtown, and the commute required makes it difficult for those who live in suburbs, such as Ladue, to regularly experience the magic of St. Louis barbeque. Sugarfire’s 2012 opening in Olivette remedied this issue, bringing top-notch quality barbecue to St. Louis County. In light of trying times, Sugarfire now offers delivery from all of its locations, either through the phone or from their website. With multiple locations within St. Louis, nearly anyone in the county and city can enjoy Sugarfire’s tender brisket ($16.99 for a full pound) and succulent ribs (13.99 for a half rack), among other menu options. For those seeking to enjoy a filling meal from one of St. Louis’s most acclaimed barbecue spots, few locations combine such quality with reasonable prices.

3.

a&e editor

HUGH CHAN

Here are three of the best local restaurants you can support by ordering delivery from during these troubling times

the st. louis delivery guide

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1.

stone soup cottage

Stone Soup Cottage is one of the great fine dining institutions within the Midwest, and reservations usually must be placed months in advance in order to experience multiple courses of exquisitely refined French cuisine at one of the country’s most acclaimed restaurants. Available to anyone inside St. Louis City and County, Stone Soup Cottage’s new delivery system, Cottage to Carriage, offers menus with elegant fare, such as soft rolls and butter, an appetizer of rich potato and leek soup, an entree of pheasant and biscuits drenched in a sumptuous black truffle sauce and a dessert of a fragrant orange cake glazed with a vanilla créme sauce.

Orders, priced at $150 for every two people, can be placed online and will arrive with the food, a bottle of wine (for those over 21, of course), candles, flowers, linen, silverware and wine glasses. Anyone wishing to celebrate a special occasion may feel limited by the constraints of social isolation, but Cottage to Carriage provides a luxurious dining experience within the borders of a home.

APRIL 2020

SPREAD DESIGN BY H. CHAN & B. HOWE

Trolls take on COVID-19 TikTok videos fuel misinformation BRADFORD SIWAK SS IE BEISHEIM

editor-in-chief

Humans are not a virus to the planet

by art

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The Venice canals are clear, but this isn’t a victory

CASSIE BEISHEIM

head design editor

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OVID-19 has undoubtedly put the whole world on pause. Within most countries, nonessential businesses are closed, citizens are advised to stay home and remaining workers sport gloves and filtered masks each day. These actions are unprecedented, and have had numerous impacts, most of which being negative. However, one perk we are often overlooking is the environmental impact that has come about during this time. The water in Venice canals runs clear, air pollution has decreased significantly and people are beginning to see the true impact humans have on our world. However, these benefits are only temporary.

Rather than seeing these impacts as a win, we must use them as a wake up call. We must learn to open our eyes to what is in front of us. Our impact as humans has become crystal clear, and it is our obligation to make change. Right now, 100 companies are responsible for 71 percent of pollutants that are causing climate change. In the next 100 years, billions of people could be displaced by rising ocean levels, and all world economies are likely to be hit dramatically.

Let this pandemic cause us to realize that systematic change is long overdue. Humans are not the virus, our way of life is. It is time that we put our Earth’s interests ahead of those 100 companies’. Let’s push for renewable energy, reduce our carbon emissions, and change our world before we let it dwindle away.

Coronavirus must serve as an eye-opening moment for us all.

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or the viral popularity of his audio clip (song is too generous a term) “It’s Corona time,” @playboierik21’s near-80 thousand followers on TikTok is not a lot. His claim to moderate fame features (what is presumably) his peppy voice and the high-pitch synths of Freestyle’s 1985 song, “Don’t Stop the Rock.”

The user’s concoction dates back to late January alongside his xenophobic attacks on Chinese people.

In a “comedic” video from Jan. 24, @playboierik dons a ski mask and unleashes an aerosol can in reaction to a “new foreign Chinese student coughin[g]” in his English class.

In his other videos, the TikToker uses racist, misogynistic, transphobic and homophobic tropes — though I admittedly ran out of patience to scavenge his entire (extensive) feed for more -isms. It should come as no surprise that the echo-chambers of the internet are safe havens for right-wing trolls breeding hate. However, the use of this audio clip may shine a light on the public opinion of COVID-19.

When the tune reached its peak virality in late February and early March, a majority of the TikTok videos attempted to make light humor of the new coronavirus. But as COVID-19 spread throughout the world and became less of “a China thing,” Western users began using the audio in less harmful ways — often in clips showing the altered state of the world or them washing their hands. It has since been used all over the world and alongside captions in several languages (that I will not even attempt to decipher).

Despite the low origins of the sound, the Los Angeles Times decided to cover the topic with a positive spin, praising kids on TikTok in what they described as a “field day with coronavirus prevention.”

Only one paragraph addressed the negative aspects of the trend — and it did so under the assumption that misinformation and hatred were not embedded in its origins.

It is naive to suggest that everyone on the internet should dig into the beginnings of everything they come across. Nevertheless, it is important to be weary of internet trolls and to at least try to understand something before reposting.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

OPINIONS

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A different type of virus

Racism in the face of tragedy tears us apart MARISSA MATHIESON opinions staff

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he fear around COVID-19 has coaxed xenophobia and anti-asian racism to spread faster than the virus itself. From the president of the United States referring to COVID-19 as the“Chinese Virus” to the jokes made about chinese people across the nation, it’s clear that there’s no sign of the racism slowing down.

Originating in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 has caused thousands of attacks against Chinese people. Ever since the outbreak, with xenophobia not far behind, reports of racism towards East Asian communities have grown apace, according to the Atlantic.

Whenever there is a global incident, it is very easy for people to use small excuses to start discriminating against others based on their appearance and nationality. Different groups of people, particularly minorities, around the world have been targeted for years just because of events completely unrelated to them. For example, just look at 9/11, where there was a significant

A look on the brighter side of staying at home There is much to be thankful for during self isolation GRACE HENSLEY social media editor

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lthough this outbreak has hundreds of thousands of people overwhelmed and uncertain, I think it is important to take the time to notice the positives that result at such an unprecedented time. It is essential for people to recognize that maybe being at home isn’t the worst thing in the world.

There are still ways to find joy in everyday life.

The best way to prevent the further spread of this outbreak is to self-quarantine and practice social distancing. This gives a plethora of free time, especially for students who would normally be in school.

Students have more time to sleep in, work on new projects or rediscover old hobbies. I have not only painted my entire room, but I have organized my

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APRIL 2020

increase in attacks against against Middle Eastern people based solely on their racial identity.

Today, we see this with the novel coronavirus, with Chinese people are being targeted because they are from the same region as the virus. Just last month, a photograph in Belgium depicted high school students dressed in Chinese costumes while holding a sign that said “Corona Time,” while another student stretched her eyes in a racist gesture.

Young children, as well as adults, have begun to treat this virus as the fault of another race. However, to associate a disease or virus with a group of people and believe that segreating, discriminating against, or banishing members of this group would provide protective measures, will only distract us from the real threat in front of us. The climate of fear we have fabricated could cause more damage to our society than the virus.

Those who have become unfairly labeled as “infected” are the same as everyone else. We all — no matter the circumstances — must work together to fight against this virus. Rather than blaming the issue on other groups of people, we must do what we can to help others and ourselves. And ultimately, that means staying home, social distancing, and accepting those around you.

closet and my dresser. I have found more time to not only focus on myself, but I have been able to spend more quality time with my family.

Social distancing can be difficult for those who constantly spend their time with friends, but every so often it is necessary to disconnect from social occasions and spend more time with family. Many students who have older siblings, whom they would normally rarely see during this time, now have the opportunity to spend time together as colleges across the country have cancelled classes. For me, my older brother recently came back from school. Generally, we would both be very busy at this time with school and be unable to talk frequently. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, we have been able to spend more time together.

I have found that it is important to appreciate what you have because at the end of the day, everyone is going through the same thing. Even though there are many factors that are out of our control, there are still things we can be doing. We have the time to do those things we have been putting off to later times or we can take the time to spend with our families because we have all the time in the world.

SPREAD DESIGNBY BYB.B.HOWE; HOWEN. & N. KALISHMAN PAGE DESIGNS KALISHMAN

POOR RESPONSE LEADS TO SHORTAGE OF TESTS

Inadequate leadership in Trump administration and defects result in few available coronavirus tests in U.S. SYDNEY CRUMP

managing editor

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LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

OPINIONS

Check if you have any of the following symptoms: • Fever • Dry cough • Shortness of breath • Tiredness • Aches and pains

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Pass a screening online or by telephone • St. Louis County COVID-19 24/7 Hotline: 314-6152660

Go to a St. Louis County Testing Site: • Mercy Hospital • St. Luke’s Hospital • Barnes Jewish Hospital • Christian Hospital Northeast • Mercy Virtual Care Center *Note: you must pass the screening via phone or online in order to be tested. Walk-ins are not welcome.

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3 If you test positive: • Stay home except to receive medical care • Isolate yourself in one room and do not leave if possible • Seek medical assistance if symptoms are severe or you are in an at-risk age group If you test negative:

(Sources: World Health Organization and St. Louis Public Radio)

• Treat as if any other illness

art by CASSIE BEISHEIM

he lack of widespread, reliable COVID-19 testing in the U.S. started when a faulty test was distributed in February by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and it continues with shortages that have not been addressed. These missteps are the result of an administration that was not prepared for a pandemic and took action far too late.

At the start of February, the CDC began using their newly developed COVID-19 tests in the U.S. The CDC quickly realized that there were issues with the tests and told labs to quit testing. The World Health Organization had already developed a test that was being distributed to 60 countries, and the U.S. was not among them because the CDC does not usually have difficulties developing tests. The WHO supplies countries that might have a difficult time manufacturing tests, according to The New York Times. It is unclear why tests from the WHO were not requested by the CDC after it learned of the faulty tests.

Between the CDC’s faulty tests and private companies not being allowed to distribute their own tests, weeks went by where testing capabilities in the U.S. were extremely low, according to the CDC. It is possible that this lapse in testing led to the exponential increase in cases. Without widespread testing, it is impossible to determine the full scope of the outbreak and prevent the virus from spreading.

With an already chaotic and misinformed response from the

Trump administration, widespread testing for the novel coronavirus should have been the number one priority. In 2018, the Trump administration disbanded a National Security Council directorate that aided in pandemic response preparation, which could have contributed to the fumbled response to the outbreak.

From the beginning of the outbreak, President Trump has wrongfully spread misinformation — in January, he called the coronavirus outbreak a “hoax.” During a visit to the CDC, Trump said, “Anybody that needs a test gets a test,” which is completely inaccurate and added to the confusion of many Americans.

The U.S. is also facing shortages of materials used in the process of testing. It starts with the shortage of masks for healthcare workers. If they cannot obtain masks, then they cannot protect themselves when they test potential cases. The current test in the U.S. uses nasopharyngeal swabs, and facilities are beginning to run out. These shortages are a result of some materials being made-to-order or manufactured in countries like Italy that have also been impacted by COVID-19.

There are questions that need to be answered by the Trump administration, like why Vice President Mike Pence was put in charge of the task force when he has very little experience dealing with health crises. Trump spends too much time boasting about approval ratings during press conferences and berating journalists like Peter Alexander, whom he called a “terrible reporter” March 20. Instead, he needs to take the outbreak more seriously and lead like a president.

What to do if you think you have COVID-19

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My family survived living with COVID-19 How my sister found out she had coronavirus and what it was like to live in a house with it

Jackson and Katie Bry sit together in the office chair in their home. Jackson, now a senior at Ladue, and Katie, now a junior at Washington University in St. Louis, lived together while Katie was recovering from COVID-19 in late March. She obtained the virus while studying abroad in Copenhagen. “Coming home from Europe, I wasn’t really worried about my own safety,” Katie said. “My biggest concern was infecting my family and putting them in danger.”

(Photo courtesy of Katie Bry)

JACKSON BRY editor-in-chief

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y first encounter with the novel coronavirus was a virtual one, coming at 11 p.m. in a FaceTime with my sister Katie Bry March 12. For her, it was 6 a.m. as she was frantically packing all her things to leave her Copenhagen apartment and study abroad program behind. At that point, I had no idea I was talking to an infected individual, but I would soon learn.

That was the night President Donald Trump announced his European travel ban, which meant that Katie had to fly home that morning or she would have been stuck in Denmark for who knows how long.

She was very careful on her flight back to the states, to her knowledge protecting herself. However, there is no way to be certain that she did not infect anyone else around her.

When Katie got home, she still had no clue that she had COVID-19, so we went about our normal actions. We practiced social distancing at home, but we were not as careful as we should have been because, at that point, she was asymptomatic.

Katie and I shared the same bathroom, ate dinner at the same table and slept a few doors down from each other.

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It was when she first started to feel a dry and itchy throat that we became worried. From there, it was the low-grade fever, but we still were not sure if she was just a little sick, or a lot sick.

Then her friend from the study abroad program called her and said that he had tested positive. At that point, full blown panic ensued.

Katie spent over an hour on the phone desperately trying to get a test. Thankfully, she got one, which is a blessing because there are an abundance of people across the world who are unable to get tests.

After two days of waiting for her results, we heard the news. She was positive. Immediately, we put her in full lockdown. She was no longer allowed to leave the upstairs. The only time she could leave her room was to go to the bathroom. I left my room from upstairs and slept on the couch in the living room. Everything in our life changed with a few short words.

I was scared. From that point on, everything minor that I felt was a risk. Every sneeze, sore throat, cough or runny nose felt like it was going to be the initiation of my journey to the upstairs quarantine.

There was not a second that my or Katie’s death wasn’t on my mind. I knew there was a legitimate chance

APRIL 2020

I could have the virus. I had to get tested, I just had to. So, I went through the same long process my sister did. I went through the drivethrough testing center. I felt the long swab up my nose. I waited the few days for my test results. They were the most stressful days of my life. But, thankfully, I was negative.

Slowly, Katie’s already minor symptoms started to fade. After two weeks of being quarantined, she was finally cleared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to leave her room and have social interactions. I was happy to have my sister back. I would say that her mood changed after that, but I wouldn’t really know. It was hard to talk to her through a staircase while she was quarantined, and our conversations were limited.

But I was still scared. Not only for my sister or for the rest of my family, but for the rest of the people that were on the plane with her. For all the people those people interacted with. The chain could continue onand-on. That is why it is important for everyone to stay home. You never know if you could be infected, but the safety of the people around you is far more important. Yes, living in a house with corona was scary, but it was a risk I had to take to ensure the safety of my community.

SPREAD DESIGN BY J. BRY & K. SHAW

PANO PERSPECTIVE

Right now, everyone ought to be staying home All statistics as of April 7

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OVID-19 has, quite literally, halted our lives in their tracks: universities and school districts moved to online schooling, businesses closed and the Olympics were cancelled. With hospitals running out of space, supplies and doctors, COVID-19 is dishing out nearly insurmountable problems to our already fragile healthcare system, and the numbers reflect this state. As of April 7, the U.S. has 369,069 confirmed cases, an phenomenal increase from the 2,200 reported cases on March 12, the start of Ladue’s spring break. In our St. Louis community, it’s no longer rare to personally know someone who has contracted COVID-19. This exponential curve of development makes sense; like any living organism, when COVID-19 is introduced to a new, hospitable environment without predators, it’ll grow in an exponential fashion. It’s imperative that we recognize the severity of this situation: the U.S., the country with the most COVID-19 cases in the world, is in a crisis.

It’s too late for the U.S. to be spared; the question now lies in how to end this pandemic. According to Andrew Noymer, a public health professor at University of California, Irvine, scientists are working to create a vaccine, but the earliest expected date is spring 2021.

Local organizations are doing their best to help our community by raising money and donating supplies.

Some, like the Mutual Aid Service Fund, are even student-run. Nevertheless, if you don’t have money to spare or aren’t working to create a low-cost ventilator, you can still help. In fact, you can do your part in two words: stay home.

Even if you are healthy, even if you aren’t showing symptoms, even

if nothing is stopping you — don’t go outside and visit others unless it is necessary. We must acknowledge the instances when going outside is a necessity, such as going out to buy food or traveling to a hospital, but otherwise, we ought to stay inside.

It’s easy for healthy students, especially, to assume there is little to fear because the probability of mortality is low. While you may not be at risk for pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome, you could be infected. The New York Times reported that as many as 25 percent of infected people may be asymptomatic, so you could still spread the disease without knowing you had it in the first place. COVID-19 may not be fatal to you, but by limiting how much you go outside, you’re protecting others, like older generations, who are far more susceptible to the disease. This lifestyle change can have an exponential effect on the number of people who do not contract COVID-19.

“Every time you cut a link, you don’t just take out that link,” Bill Hanage, a professor at Harvard University, said. “You also take out all the potential cases and links descending from it. Those people could be infected by other means, later on, but every time each of us stops — or even just delays — an infection is a small victory.”

We need to be doing everything we possibly can to combat COVID-19. With the way people are acting now, there’s nothing to stop the havoc that COVID-19 will inevitably continue to wreak upon our nation. Life will not return to normal within the next few weeks, or maybe even months. However, by staying home, we might be able to halt COVID-19’s disastrous course of action and save lives.

LADUEPUBLICATIONS.COM

OPINIONS & EDITORIAL

art by KATIE SHAW

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