The Panther 2019-2020 Issue 6: Panthers in a Pandemic

PANTHER

the

V 62|N6

Miami Palmetto Senior High School

7460 SW 118 Street, Miami, FL 33156

Friday 1 May 2020

Panthers IN A

PANDEMIC

APRIL

contents

Life

Honoring Health Care Workers

6

8

News

The Economy and the Virus

13 Sports

9

Staying Active in Quarantine

Feature

Effects of COVID-19 on Palmetto

Opinion Virtual Learning

15

Behind the

COVER Valentina Caceres (11) takes pictures of her sister, Florencia Caceres, wearing a mask during quarantine.

NewsBRIEFS Local

On Friday, Apr. 24, 2020, University of Miami researchers revealed that Miami-Dade has tens of thousands of missed coronavirus infections. Out of 165,000 residents in Miami-Dade, 6% have antibodies that reflect a previous infection by the novel coronavirus. This study will continue as an ongoing weekly survey recorded through antibody testing, where volunteers in the county get their blood screened for any signs of previous coronavirus infections. The ultimate goal of the survey is to record the extent of the pandemic in the county.

National

Letter to the

EDITOR

Dear Editor, I really enjoyed the article “Be a Better You, for You� because of the choice of quotes and the descriptive language provided. I also really liked the message it portrayed; it was a meaningful article that I feel more people should know about.

Gabriel Salvat (9)

Various drug companies are racing to find a vaccine for COVID-19. In Jan., China released the genetic sequencing for coronavirus, allowing scientists to start experiments to find a vaccine. Moderna Therapeutics, a Cambridge, Massachusetts, biotech company, has already begun human trials. This step makes the company even closer to FDA approval. This spring, researchers at University of Pittsburgh also plan on beginning human trials on a vaccine they are developing using microneedling technology.

International

Sweden has taken a different approach to quarantining. They have kept schools, gyms, restaurants and bars open throughout the spread of the pandemic. The effectiveness of this strategy cannot be assessed at this time, according to Swedish officials. Sweden currently has over 18,000 coronavirus cases and 2,000 deaths.

These numbers have caused Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to rethink and review Sweden’s approach to the pandemic amid the prospect of thousands of Swedish deaths.

*Submit letters to n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com. or Room 980.

Letters may be edited for length, grammar and clairty.

Check out our website www.thepalmettopanther.com

Julia Strasius Design Editor

j.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com

04|NEWS

rundown of

The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought 2020 to a screeching halt, with social distancing being implemented across the world in order to stop the spread of the virus, hopefully promising a return to normal life as soon as possible. As the virus has spread rapidly around the globe, many still wonder about its origin, impact on the body and how to prevent its spread.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.

Where did COVID-19 originate?

COVID-19 is a novel strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (also known as SARS-CoV).

The first case of COVID-19 was reported in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019.

While the cause of the first transmission of the virus remains unknown, some believe that the virus originated in China’s wet markets, which sell live animals for food.

How fast did COVID-19 spread?

The virus quickly spread through the city of Wuhan and soon after, the rest of China.

With the virus beginning to spread shortly before the new year started, China became increasingly affected in early January. China reported their first COVID-19 related death on Jan. 11. According to the New York Times, several other countries had reported new cases of the virus by Jan. 20, including the United States. The city of Wuhan shut down on Jan. 23, but the virus had already begun to spread across the world.

The virus continued to spread globally throughout the month of February, with the United States reporting its first COVID-19 death on Feb. 29. The severity of the situation

COVID-19 became clear in March, when Italy put their entire country on lockdown on Mar. 9. On Mar. 11, it had emerged that Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert had contracted the virus. The latter’s contraction of the virus led to the NBA suspending their season, with several other professional sports leagues swiftly following suit. Eventually, on Mar. 13, all Miami-Dade County Public Schools closed, and the reality of social distancing began to finally hit Miami Palmetto Senior High.

What are some of the notable symptoms of the virus?

While there exists numerous reported symptoms of COVID-19, it remains unclear if all these symptoms present in individuals afflicted with the virus. However, according to the CDC, the most common symptoms include a dry cough, fever, tiredness and acute shortness of breath. In more severe cases, symptoms that may appear can include chest pain, a bluish face and confusion. The symptoms can appear anywhere between one to 14 days after contracting the virus, typically taking two weeks to recover from non-severe cases and three to six weeks for more severe cases. The CDC recommends that anyone with severe symptoms should go to a hospital.

several vaccines are already in development, but they must undergo thorough testing by the FDA to ensure their effectiveness.

The main goal for social distancing includes “flattening the curve,” or lowering the number of infections at a time to prevent the overwhelming of hospitals and a shortage of necessary medical supplies. Social distancing regulations will be lifted in phases, starting with certain non-essential businesses being allowed to reopen and eventually ending with the recommencement of larger gatherings.

While the date of social distancing ending remains uncertain due to the unpredictable nature of the virus, most experts have cited sometime in June as a likely date for the curve to be flattened and for life to mostly return to normal. The White House has released a plan that states are recommended to follow that has states lift social distancing protocols in three phases; a state moves on to the next phase in the plan after 14 days of declining case numbers. However, states can choose to follow these guidelines or implement different ones at their own discretion. Washing your hands, staying indoors and practicing social distancing can assist in facilitating the end of the virus.

When will this end and what can I do to help?

It remains unclear when social distancing requirements and COVID-19 will no longer be prominent, but the former will likely end long before the latter does.

This coronavirus will likely not go away until a vaccine is developed, which typically takes 12-18 months. Time has reported that

Jack Meyer

Sports Editor

j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com

DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ

COVID-19

NEWS|05

statistics

Global Facts first case in wuhan, china

Preventable Measures practice social distancing

(DEC. 19, 2019)

spread to 185 countries

stay indoors

and territories

DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ PHOTO BY ANA MARTINEZ

over 3.21 million casesglobally over 228 tHOUSAND deathsglobally

INFOGRAPHIC INFORMATION COURTESY OF WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

wear masks when outside

wash HANDS for at least 20 seconds

virus economics COVID-19’S ECONOMIC IMPACT

06|NEWS

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, the United States economy seems to remain increasingly unstable and the worldwide economic system appears in jeopardy. As stocks continue to fall and unemployment rises, Americans question the state of the country’s financial system once businesses reopen and the workforce returns.

Miami Palmetto Senior High School AP Macroeconomics teacher Joel Soldinger tries to tie this constant uncertainty of the state of the economy and the impositions of COVID-19 into his new distance learning lessons.

“I gave them a project called virus economics, where every two weeks they need to come up with four articles or opinion pieces related to the economics of the virus and attach it to the macroeconomics of the virus, because the first week or two, all you heard about was fiscal policy, what is the Fed[eral Reserve] doing, monetary policy,” Soldinger said.

Despite the importance of fiscal and monetary policy in this global pandemic, the main issue the country faces is consumerism: America’s economy feeds off of supply and demand, as do other countries around the world.

“There’s been this sort of narrative that it’s the banks and the financial institutions, and the money managers [that are important]. We’re seeing it’s the service industry. It’s people in restaurants; it’s doctors; it’s nurses,” Soldinger said.

“I think...young people can kind of take away that...if it wasn’t for these people, I think we’d be in much worse shape.

We wouldn’t be able to still get take-out, and still have these little semblances of normalcy.”

Although some restaurants and businesses remain open with drive-by pickup or delivery services, numerous businesses deemed “non-essential,” remain closed now, and continue to let employees go. The standstill for them calls into question when these businesses will reopen, much like the economy.

“This is like a natural disaster, it’s not like a financial crash. I think once the economy gets back and we get rid of the virus, a lot of people are going to be able to jump right back in,” Soldinger said. “I think this was the intention of our government, they wanted these small businesses to be able to keep their employees, give them loans so they can keep their employees so these people aren’t losing their jobs.”

Due to the massively unprecedented nature of COVID-19’s impact on the U.S. economy, shifts will occur when the economy — and the American people — pick up speed.

“There’s going to be much more of a societal shift. I think you’re going to see that with a lot of businesses as well,” avid economics podcast listener and Palmetto senior Paul Nameth said.

“There’s going to be a difference in how they perceive things and how they make their decisions. Businesses are going to be a lot more cautious than they were previously because now, the reality is, this could happen and people now know what something like this brings.”

In order to ensure a successful return to normalcy once officials deem the virus under control, some countries like Denmark froze their economy entirely.

This entails no rent payments, no foreclosures and the government paying people and businesses 90% of their salaries, which will allow businesses to start up again with little difficulty.

“We don’t have that luxury because we’re already so far in debt. We don’t have that kind of money to go around,” Soldinger said.

“We shouldn’t be trading

human lives and human health and safety for some economic rebounding. In my opinion, we take care of the virus and take care of the people that are keeping us going right now.”

The date by which the virus will appear obsolete, at least enough to resume all economic activity, remains unknown.

However, Soldinger believes the first step, taking care of the threat of the virus, must come first.

“So I think there’s going to be a lot of room to take a hard look at our economy coming back from this and maybe we can sort of rebuild in a way that’s more sustainable and more prepared for these sorts of things,” Soldinger said. “I think that’s one of the things that young people, as you start to get involved in voting and things like that, you could have a say in this, letting your voice be known in how you want this economy to look coming out the other side.”

Joanna Salvat

Online Editor-in-Chief

j.salvat.thepanther@gmail.com

Allison Strasius Editor-in-Chief

a.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com

DESIGN BY ANA MARTINEZ

LIFE|07

MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTED BY QUARANTINE Navigating the day-to-day logistical challenges that come with having life abruptly upended by a deadly global pandemic can easily result in feeling lost.

With doomsday coronavirus headlines, an endless influx of news, financial hardship and a quarantine, serious and widespread mental health issues will likely occur.

Studies have already proven that social isolation on its own proves detrimental to individuals’ mental health and can cause — as well as exacerbate — depression, anxiety and loneliness. Before taking into account additional COVID-19 stressors, Americans’ mental health has unsurprisingly taken a hit; the Disaster Distress Helpline, a federal crisis hotline, saw an 891% increase in the amount of calls in March 2020 compared to March 2019, according to CNN. “Definitely anxiety levels overall are up for people, and there’s a percentage of the population that’s situationally depressed,” psychotherapist Ana Moreno said. “People are just having a hard time not being out there with other people because we are social beings and not being able to partake is causing a lot of stress.”

Not just limited to one age demographic, teenagers have also felt the effects of stayat-home orders, especially since they often heavily rely on friends and peers for support in school.

“Even if there isn’t a label on it and students don’t seek help from a mental health professional or from the school, I think there’s going to be an increase in depression and anxiety,” Palmetto’s Student Services Department Chair Amanda Pinero-Trombly said.

“Mental health was already being discussed in schools before the virus, but this will just bring greater awareness.”

Schools could see students grappling with the psychological impact of the quarantine into

next school year.

“Depression, whether it’s situational or clinical, does affect brain chemistry, so some people are going to continue to struggle with this after the fact and need help shaking it off,” Moreno said. “They’re also forecasting that some people might have PTSD.” However, no matter how dire the situation may seem, do not let the stress manifest itself in unhealthy ways. Moreno notes that the week of March 16, the first week of quarantine, alcohol sales in the U.S. went up by 55%, possibly reflecting an increase in alcohol and substance abuse.

To cope in a healthy way, try these options instead.

The most useful advice is to keep in touch. In 2020, people have so many options for staying digitally connected.

Send a text or email to friends and family, or, even better, video chat with them faceto-face via platforms like Zoom, Skype and FaceTime. These interactions can help make up for the absence of in-person connections and mitigate feelings of loneliness.

“We are neurobiologically wired to have relationships, so keeping in contact with people is very

helpful. Everyone will be able to relate to this, so find that common ground and definitely stay connected,” Moreno said.

Take this time to do things that make you happy. Quarantine provides a rare opportunity for people to focus on themselves and the activities that bring them joy, without the normal distractions of daily life.

“My number one tip would be to stay productive. Do what makes you happy,” Pinero-Trombley said. “Stay busy and just take one day at a time.”

Oftentimes, hobbies get pushed to the backburner in favor of more productive, but less enjoyable activities. Now, there is ample time to do both, which can help distract you from the constant deluge of coronavirus news and decrease anxiety levels.

Sticking to a routine can also help.

“Get up, get dressed, just try to maintain some sort of structure and normalcy. Sleep hygiene [habits conducive to sleeping well on a regular basis] is important, so try to keep to a schedule,” Moreno said.

Lastly, help those in need. Everyone is struggling, but some more than others.

Reach out to various aid groups and charitable organizations and look into getting involved. Assist any way you can, either by offering your time, money or even just support. It is a win-win situation; giving makes people happier, according to several studies, including one by the Harvard Business School.

These are undoubtedly challenging times, with many people trying to juggle the multiple complications that come with such a dramatic disruption to daily life.

However, remember that mental health is important, too, and to seek help if feeling mentally unwell.

Katriona Page Copy Editor

k.page.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS

08|LIFE

HONORING HEALTH HEALTHCARE CARE WORKERS

Though social distancing orders have led to many staying home, essential workers must continue working despite the dangers they face. They stand at the front lines of the pandemic in the United States and work tirelessly to ensure that the country can continue to function. Healthcare workers, especially, put their lives at risk every time they go to work, as the influx of COVID-19 patients and the lack of medical supplies to protect them leave them exposed to the virus.

Though healthcare workers have undergone training to handle situations like this, this is uncharted territory. A lack of medical supplies exacerbates the problem, as workers in areas with a large amount of coronavirus patients must reuse medical supplies throughout the entire day or risk being directly exposed.

Nurses and doctors primarily use N95 masks to protect themselves against infectious airborne respiratory illnesses, according to the Candian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. However, there are not enough of these masks to go around for every healthcare worker’s multiple shifts due to nationwide shortages. In one instance, according to ProPublica, a hospital would not allow nurses to use

N95 masks when treating patients without COVID-19 and when one nurse brought her own from home, they refused to allow her to wear it. Situations like these occur all over the country, leaving healthcare workers at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

“To wear the N95 mask…you have to not have facial hair because it releases an opening,” Palmetto junior Spencer James, whose father works as a gynecologist at Baptist Hospital, said. “Since he works in the hospital, he has to shave his beard to even be able to wear the mask.”

The personal risk healthcare workers have taken has proven large.

According to Medscape, hundreds of healthcare workers on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 have passed away around the world. These workers have made the ultimate sacrifice to take care of their patients and try to save as many people as possible. Many more healthcare workers have come down with the illness as well.

In addition to the personal risk, healthcare workers must remain extremely careful around their family or the people they live around. Many healthcare workers have sanitation processes put in place when they enter their home to minimize the risk that they spread any illness to their family.

Some healthcare workers have even decided to social distance themselves from their family to prevent the spread and keep their family out of harm’s way.

“They’re putting not only their lives, but their entire family’s lives at risk too, just by being a healthcare worker,” James said. “Even though my dad is not treating patients for coronavirus, he’s still working in a hospital, he’s still working around people who probably have had contact with people who have coronavirus.”

Dealing with a patient influx of this volume puts stress on those working in hospitals and doctors

offices.

In the Miami-Dade County community, efforts have been made to increase community surveillance and get accurate numbers of the number of afflicted patients to provide healthcare workers and researchers the ability to know the next steps to take. Community surveillance consists of choosing a random sample of Miami-Dade county residents each week to receive antibody tests. At the head of these efforts is Dr. Erin Kobetz, a University of Miami professor, epidemiologist and the director of Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative.

“The goal of community surveillance is for us to understand the prevalence of the infection in a given moment of time within a broad population of individuals who may be symptomatic or asymptomatic,” Kobetz said. “And at the test site we have firefighters who are performing the tests, and then we have some of the members of my research teams there to both read the results, enter the results and verify the results.”

These efforts show the wide range of issues healthcare workers such as Kobetz tackle. Along with working in the hospital, many are coordinating difficult and complicated widespread efforts to provide accurate data to the public yearning for information and to help figure out the next steps to take in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

“Firefighters and doctors and nurses and police officers and sanitation workers are our everyday heroes. And we don’t always take a moment to appreciate that the ordinary things that they do are really extraordinary,” Kobetz said. “And I feel super privileged to get to work with so many people who’ve chosen careers, where it’s about the common good, and not the individual pursuits.”

Nicole Markus

Print Editor-In-Chief

n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com PHOTO COURTESY OF LISA MARKUS DESIGN BY JULIA STRASIUS

how coronavirus is affecting p a l m e t t 0

10| FEATURE

administration

Palmetto’s administration has worked extremely hard to help facilitate the switch to distance learning due to COVID-19 for both students and teachers alike.

The administration formed a block schedule that permits teachers to spend 50 minutes teaching via Zoom — a video-conferencing platform — every other day for each class period. They have decided to reserve Zoom as an optional distance learning platform, but teachers must have office hours for a minimum of three hours daily. Zoom also allows for easy communication for clubs and organizations.

“We had a [virtual] student council meeting on April 2. In the meeting, we brought up a bill and will be voting on it next meeting in May,” Activities Director and Student Council Sponsor Elizabeth Valero. “We have also been planning the awards ceremony. The application [is] online, and we will hopefully be holding a livestream of the awards.”

While Zoom has proven beneficial to some, others have struggled adapting to not being in a physical classroom setting due to all the distractions at home. To combat this, the administration had come up with multiple credit recovery options.

“We sent out a message to all seniors that needed credit recovery for graduation to take another mini-semester online through adult education. Students in other grade levels have the option to take classes through FLVS for credit recovery,” Principal Victoria Dobbs

said.

Back on campus, construction of the new wing has continued and the school serves as a meal and device distribution center. To keep both their health and the school running smoothly, the administration must rotate between working on campus and working from home.

“Food and device distribution has increased every day since we started, especially on Wednesdays when we give out Domino’s pizza meals,” Dobbs said. “We have had a steady flow of families and gave out over 300 meals yesterday.”

Palmetto has provided for students who need extra assistance not just physically, but mentally. From going to school every weekday and being surrounded by their peers to doing schoolwork from home in isolation, the lifestyle change has taken a toll on students’ mental health.

Since day one of distance learning, the administration has worked with Palmetto’s counselors and Mental Health Coordinator, Ms. Molina, on setting up Zoom meetings with students. The administration has also worked on making phone calls to student’s homes in order to offer additional support.

“The pandemic has been very difficult in many ways. Some families are worried about finances, others are having difficulty with the isolation,” Dobbs said. “This is our new norm for now, and through our school we are trying to keep some order and stability.”

Kate Stuzin Copy Editor

k.stuzin.thepanther@gmail.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF VALENTINA CACERES

athletics

Sports teams — an integral part of Palmetto — can no longer continue their spring seasons. For athletes, this means a lost chance at winning the coveted trophies they have trained for during this season.

The Palmetto girls lacrosse team exceeded everyone’s expectations for how their season would play out and were prepared to go all the way.

“We were hoping, not only to make it to district finals, but to win the title because we were for the first time playing a lot of teams that expected us just to lose,” lacrosse player and junior Samantha Berlan said.

The situation has especially heartbroken seniors, who hoped to close out their high school careers with victory.

“It was a big shock that the season was cancelled and, being a senior, it was very upsetting knowing some of the 2020 grads may never play again,” baseball player and senior Christian Figueroa said. “But you have to leave it all on the line, which I believe the Palmetto Panthers did.”

Though they did not get their last chance at winning the state title, the seniors still left big shoes to fill, as many players, including Figueroa, committed to schools for baseball.

Teams can no longer hold practices and play games, but they have found creative ways to continue working hard as they

maintain contact through Zoom and share ways to stay in shape.

“Our coach has been sending us workouts everyday of the week, like stick work, running, exercise, yoga,” Berlan said.

The girls’ lacrosse team has also kept themselves motivated by taking part in a wall ball challenge, on Instagram.

Athletes have also resorted to other methods to keep the same winning mentality.

“Some students are watching videos of match play for mental toughness and strategy during match play,” Palmetto tennis coach Kelly Gibson said.

Coaches feel as devastated as their athletes, but they have managed to stay positive.

“Some athletes who had injuries were able to rest and will be ready to play again,” Gibson said.

During these trying times, teams will continue pushing themselves to come back ready next year.

“True athletes are resilient…Athletes who compete face adversity all the time,” Gibson said. “You have to look at the positive and make the best of it.”

Valentina Caceres Multimedia Editor

v.caceres.thepanther@gmail.com PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN BORUM

academics

FEATURE|11

For most students in South Florida — and around the country — the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has brought a dramatic shift into the learning environment. The transition to online learning has left students and teachers alike to adjust to the new reality of online learning and testing.

Since the switch to online learning began on Mar. 16, teachers have learned to become more organized through the Instructional Continuity Plan (ICP), a plan clarifying the roles of students, teachers and families relative to distance learning, as well as the different options teachers have for content delivery. On Apr. 2 and 3, the District provided Miami-Dade County educators with two days of professional development to help support the ICP. The professional development day and ICP plan have advised that teachers follow certain rules to maintain organization online, such as requiring a minimum of three hours of “office hours” daily for students to reach out for help. While not mandatory, teachers can also choose to engage with their students virtually through platforms such as Zoom, a video and online chat service, during their office hours.

“The [learning] topics have to be shorter than usual and I am available for any questions they may have,” Pre-AP and AP Chemistry teacher Dr. Sharp said. “Communication has been key. That works for me, and I think works best for my students.”

The COVID-19 outbreak has also forced a shift in national testing, such as the Advanced Placement exams. In early April, the College Board announced students will take all AP exams online.

The AP exams have since been modified to cover less material. Moreover, the exams will last 30 to 45 minutes, a shorter duration than the typical two-to-three hour test time.

However, the exams are open-note, so students can use other sources to help them during the test.

“I feel like for most of my APs I need to be in class to focus.

Having teachers mandate AP practice in class is much more effective than me doing it myself at home,” sophomore and AP Chemistry student Anna Liu said. “I do not like the idea of taking it at home because the school atmosphere is one of productivity and really helps me focus, while being at home disrupts that productivity.”

COVID-19 has additionally affected the schedule for other standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. In alignment with coronavirus guidance from public health organizations, the May, June and March makeup SAT exams have been cancelled.

Collegeboard currently has no updates for makeup exams but plans on exploring different possibilities. Similarly, the ACT April exams have been cancelled nationally.

Due to the undetermined events on behalf of COVID-19, schools in Florida will remain online for the rest of the 20192020 school year. At the moment, students continue to work through online learning systems.

“I miss our old ‘normal,’ my friends and my students,” Sharp said. “[However,] I have witnessed the sense of responsibility and commitment of the majority of my students. They want to do their best, [and] that fills my heart.”

Ana Martinez Design Editor

a.martinez.thepanther@gmail.com

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSSMERY REYES

12| FEATURE

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIANO GAMA

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIANO GAMA

seniors

Senior year: the moment every student looks forward to since kindergarten. It has many special moments such as wearing that perfect dress or tuxedo as you dance into the night with your best friends for one of the last times at prom, finally getting called up to cross that stage in a graduation gown as all your loved ones cheer you on in the stands, and even just spending time with the people you have grown up with, before everyone goes their separate ways. These are the things that every senior not only expects, but cannot wait for. However, this will not be the reality for the class of 2020 due to the stayat-home order as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This surreal senior year for the class of 2020 could have never been foreseen. As a result of the sudden disappearance of prom and inevitable postposing of a traditional graduation, the administration and students who have taken part in planning these events currently use their free time at home to make up for these losses as best as they can.

“We’ve been trying to post cute social media activities and have [seniors] send in their plans for the future to keep them engaged, but it’s honestly so hard because there really is nothing we can do to fix the situation,” senior class president Mackenzie Farkas said. “This has forced the [senior and student council] board and I to think outside the box to keep spirits up.”

Not only does this situation come as a major disappointment to seniors and their loved ones, but also to the teachers who have watched the class of 2020 grow and learn over the past four years.

“Of all the things that could have gone wrong this year, this was never something I could’ve come up with in my wildest dreams,” Activities Director and class of 2020 sponsor, Elizabeth Valero said. “We will do whatever we can to make something happen but in the end, the class of 2020 is getting a senior finale that can never compare and if they weren’t before, they are going down in history now.”

As the pandemic continues to alter the world, most universities and colleges have cancelled their live-in summer sessions and replaced them with remote learning. Not only does the cancellation of events and regular schooling bring disappointment to seniors, but the unknown timing and extent of this pandemic brings anxiety to all affected.

“At this point in time, we don’t know what’s going to happen with events because we have to wait and see what happens with the virus and how the district wants to handle it,” Farkas said.

As time goes on during and after this pandemic, the world will have to adjust to this new normal. Although senior year for the class of 2020 may not be the one everyone dreamed of, this situation will put students to the test and change them forever.

“We’re upset for the loss of your activities but hope that it charges you forward to a future that is full of possibilities.

I understand your anger, sadness and disappointment. I spent the first month of my freshman year at college reeling over what happened on 9/11,” Valero said. “I know what it feels like to have a wonderful time be shadowed with tragedy. It doesn’t compare, but I understand.”

Olivia Solomon

Managing Editor

o.solomon.thepanther@gmail.com PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIANO GAMA

staying active & healthy during quarantine Due to the U.S. continuing to issue stay-at-home orders, millions of Americans now work from home and spend hours streaming their favorite movies and television shows.

This has extremely concerned health officials.

Dr. Zhaoping Li, chief of the Division of Clinical Nutrition at UCLA, told USA Today that some of her patients watch too much television, do not get enough sleep or do not stay active enough during the coronavirus pandemic.

“As with exercising, a person gets into a cycle.

Being active begets keeping active. Once a student misses one class then they are more likely to keep missing...The motivation has to come from within,” The Ballet Space Owner and Artistic Director who has switched to online dance classes, Alison Hesh, said.

Health officials have stated that sitting for long periods of time can be detrimental to an individual’s health. It can increase one’s risk of getting heart disease, cancer, diabetes and may even result in death.

Experts also found that sitting for extended periods of time can cause blood clots, obesity, deep-vein thrombosis and metabolic syndrome.

However, staying active year-round can help avoid these risks, especially during quarantine.

The American Heart Association offers a range of recommendations for staying healthy during the coronavirus outbreak. First, everyone — especially older adults with potential health complications like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease — should keep their distance from others and stay home during this crisis. However, these individuals should still find time to exercise. Those who are exercising should take special care, especially people who use their own gym equipment, where bacteria could live on the surface of equipment.

They also recommend that adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week. Alternatively, the recommendation

is 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity.

Due to the closing of gyms, people can exercise outside while practicing proper social distancing rules.

Individuals should take the opportunity to maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.

Many Americans and instructors have taken advantage of new ways to exercise via YouTube videos, Zoom calls and other online resources.

“The initial transition to zoom was rough… I used to move around the studio a lot but now I demonstrate a lot more,” Hesh said. “When we are on zoom, anything could happen!”

Although Zoom classes have taken students time to get used to, many feel they have enhanced their performance in class.

“It was strange to be getting dressed for dance but just walking to my living room…[but] I like the creativity it demands from students and teachers because it forces us to think out of the ordinary,” Palmetto sophomore Daniela Hernandez, who has switched to online dance classes, said.

However, online exercise classes are not for everyone. Because of this, The New York Times suggests doing squats during commercials on television, heel raises while doing dishes or side lunges when putting clothes in the washing machine or dryer. Even walking up and down stairs can be a good cardiovascular workout.

Although quarantine can make an individual feel stuck and hopeless, health officials emphasize the importance of using one’s time to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle and routine.

Julia Strasius Design Editor

j.strasius.thepanther@gmail.com

14|SPORTS

sports organizations lending a helping hand The world seems to have been upended by COVID-19, with life being put on hold during these unprecedented times.

Athletes and fans alike have recognized that this situation provides opportunities to bring out the best in humanity: many people buy groceries for their elderly neighbors and healthcare workers risk their lives every day in order to save someone else’s. These feelings of compassion have echoed throughout the sports world as well, with many local, national and international sports organizations doing their part to give back to the communities that need it most.

According to the Miami Herald, the Marlins Foundation created the Home Plate Meals Relief Fund to distribute 200,000 meals throughout South Florida. Stationed at various schools throughout MiamiDade County, the foundation hopes to ease the anxiety over food insecurity in underprivileged households throughout the county. Countless people have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19, leaving a large section of the population with no income and no way to feed their families. Additionally, the Miami Marlins also promised $1,000,000 to guarantee the lost paychecks of all those who have lost their jobs as a Marlins Park employee due to COVID-19.

“People in Miami are really suffering from the coronavirus, and the donations they are making will help the city of Miami in this time of need,” Palmetto junior and Junior Class President David Spiegelman said.

Other sports organizations have also found creative ways to give back, including the National Football League’s virtual “Draft-A-Thon,” which will unite football fans in a mass fundraiser for various charities. According to the Tampa Bay Times, throughout this three-day draft, proceeds from online

fan donations will go to charities such as Meals on Wheels, United Way and the Salvation Army.

“The NFL using the draft as an opportunity to help the country is a great decision and will greatly benefit everyone,” Palmetto junior and avid NFL fan Dylan Goldstein said. “This event will bring the country together while assisting people in need.”

The money collected by this draft/ fundraiser will be added to the $43 million that the NFL players and their families have already donated to this relief fund.

FIFA has also begun to do its part in spreading awareness and helping out around the world .

For example, according to FIFA’s website, many teams have loaned their travel buses, training centers and stadiums to their respective governments in order to help fight the coronavirus.

Additionally, many players have now turned to online methods of playing soccer like Gareth Bale of Real Madrid who created the trend #CombatCorona to raise money for charities and provide entertainment through a FIFA 20 tournament, creating entertainment for fans while simultaneously fighting the pandemic.

“As someone who plays soccer, the effort that FIFA has put into helping the world has given me even more respect and love for the game,” Palmetto sophomore and varsity soccer player Rachel Graff said. “I’m especially happy about the fact that FIFA took physical efforts to help people suffering from the virus...I agree that positive messages do raise morale, but it’s the physical efforts that have made the biggest differences.”

Jane Heise

Managing Editor

j.heise.thepanther@gmail.com

OPINION|15

Adadpting to the Hardest of Times Living with an Immuno-compromised Family Member During Covid-19

In 2016, my father underwent kidney transplant surgery due to his pre-existing Alport’s Syndrome, which would ultimately cause kidney failure if left untreated. The surgery took place in New York City, and he had a recovery time of five weeks. Once he and my mother returned, I believed this journey would slow down and would remain separate from my individual life.

The medications my father was put on make his immune system weaken in order for his body to accept rather than reject the new kidney, classifying him as immunocompromised. This status causes him to take high precautions in circumstances in which his body may be at risk. I was totally unaware that my father was immunocompromised until the emergence of COVID-19.

When the first case of coronavirus was announced in the United States, shock overwhelmed my body. I had previously heard of the virus on Tik Tok as a distant disease in China, seemingly far away, but now as it approached home, my views completely shifted. At first, the virus was presumed to only affect those of old age, but as more cases were reported and studies occurred, individuals that classify as immuno-compromised were told to take the same precautions as the elderly, due to a high risk of fatality.

At first, we — as a family — took things slowly. I spent more time home than I had in awhile, which allowed for much needed time spent on self-care, creativity and family bonding.

Altogether, when social distancing was announced in other states, we immediately began practicing the instructions, in order to lower the probability of any of us contracting COVID-19.

My mother stopped going to work and my father began working from

home, while my brother and I completed school tasks and tried to maintain a positive mindset.

As days turned into weeks, the number of cases in the U.S. began rapidly increasing, infecting and killing more and more people than I had predicted. The numbers then became personal, as one of my closest friends who lives with her immuno-compromised mother in New York City tested positive. Seeing that one of my best friends, who had taken the same precautions as I had, contract the virus, made the somewhat distant COVID-19 become much more of a reality. Having someone so close to me and in a very similar situation as I am, with an immunocompromised family member, caused me to pay more attention to hygiene and take more initiative towards helping maintain a “coronavirus-free” environment.

In order to keep the cleanliness of our home, many steps needed to be taken, initially with groceries. Grocery stores are a hub for contact with other people, spreading germs which may contain COVID-19. This came as a large obstacle for our family, but we have been able to come up with a plan every time we need groceries. Once my mother returns from the store, wearing gloves and a

mask, she places all of the bags inside.

She then begins wiping each item off and handing them to me to place down on the counter, comparable to an assembly line.

Although the process is exhausting, it keeps my father and the rest of my family safe and it will remain consistent until the virus dissipates.

We also take precaution when we order food. Rather than eating directly from the containers provided, we take an extra step by putting all of the food onto our own plates and discard the containers the restaurants provide us with in the large trash cans located outside of our home.

Making changes to my lifestyle has been difficult and strenuous, but ensuring the protection of my father became a priority and is worth taking the large and little steps. Making sure to always wear an effective mask, gloves and constantly social distancing has been a key component in keeping the hygiene up and ensuring the highest level of safety for my father.

As COVID-19 continues to make its detrimental course around the world and even after this global pandemic passes, the life that my family used to have, in regards to safety for our health, will completely alter. From the small modifications I have currently made to future habitual changes to benefit hygiene, my outlook on life — specifically regarding those that are more susceptible to the mistakes others make — has completely changed in terms of ensuring that everyone, not just me, is safe.

Allison Gould

Opinion Editor

a.gould.thepanther@gmail.com DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

16| OPINION

face off: is virtual learning Good?

YES

Virtual learning has become a new reality for American students across the country as the coronavirus pandemic becomes increasingly disastrous. This innovative teaching format, while unconventional, has gifted students with some benefits.

With the announcement that Miami-Dade public schools will remain closed for the remainder of the year, its 356,086 students had to adjust to this format of learning. This could be beneficial to students in teaching them time-management, flexibility and accountability — all of which are important life skills.

Students have become responsible for making their own schedules and constantly checking educational platforms.

According to an analysis by LinkedIn, the most in-demand skills in 2019 were time management and adaptability, which students have definitely learned from this difficult time. This pandemic has thus served to cement student’s skills and challenge them to be better learners.

At the same time, it has given students time to focus on themselves. Due to social isolation, students have had the opportunity to navigate their mental and physical health. In these trying times, while many people have had mental health struggles, the opportunity to prioritize our overall health has risen.

According to Teen Mental Health, 20% of the teenaged U.S. population struggles with mental health. These teenagers can now focus on themselves and seek ways to receive help.

Similarly, this pandemic has served as an opportunity for school districts to develop infrastructure in case of emergencies in the future. According to Time Magazine, it is estimated that wild animals carry approximately 750,000 viruses which can infect people. The spread of these “zoonotic diseases” and pandemics are expected to increase due to climate change, urbanization, and habitat loss according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Therefore, it is imperative that schools develop methods of distance learning now, ensuring that in the future students can effectively learn at home.

no

The pandemic that has caused suffering throughout the world has halted society as the world waits for the nightmare to end.

In regards to teens across the globe, the pandemic has mainly impacted the way they recieve an education. As the U.S. enforces shelter-at-home orders, students no longer attend school physically and practice distance learning; or, in other terms, virtual school.

Though it acts as a great tool for students to keep receiving education, it has many downsides.

Due to people staying at home in quarantine, they may have inconsistent sleep schedules, especially teens. Waking up early for school and doing homework everyday alongside after school activities no longer occurs, opening a gateway to bad sleeping habits. Students might go to sleep really late at night, and take naps during the day. Doing this inverts their sleep schedules because they face no pressure or expectation to maintain a healthy schedule.

In addition, distance learning heavily relies on video calls for teachers to interact with their students. These video calls, which oftentimes occur via Zoom, come with the option to turn off the camera and mute. Many students use these features to attend class, allowing them to appear present but not pay attention, so video calls resulted in increased student disengagement when compared to a typical school environment.

Since teachers only see their students for a short period of time a few days a week, teachers give larger workloads with the expectation that students have ample time to complete it.This should not be the case, since many students already face elevated amounts of stress due to experiencing a global pandemic.

These overbearing workloads result in a number of students turning to a dishonest method that teachers hate: cheating. Some students feel the need to cheat to have the ability to complete the large amount of work or to keep their grades up in the class. Combined with the lack of a normal classroom environment, students do not learn the concepts as well as they did in school.

Gianna Hutton

Priscilla Bermudez

g.hutton.thepanther@gmail.com

p.bermudez.thepanther@gmail.com

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DESIGN BY GIANNA HUTTON

Copy Editor

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senior editorials

Florida, man Just Florida Things: Coronavirus There have been plenty of murmurs about coronavirus in Florida. Some people thought that we would become the next coronavirus hotspot, while others believed that we were illprepared to handle such a daunting health crisis. But if there is one thing about Floridians, it is that we do not back down from a challenge. We opened up multiple large scale testing sites and platforms, we made sure to stay at home, and most importantly, we remained united during this tough time. It ended up paying off as well; despite early projections that Florida would struggle with COVID-19, there were far fewer hospitalizations than expected and the hospitals were not overwhelmed. Now, as we begin to move into returning to normalcy, we must remember to remain cautious and follow any guidelines that remain in place. As famed MLB Hall of Famer Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.” We are almost through this, but we cannot celebrate a victory that we have not won until we have truly taken care of the COVID-19 crisis. As long as we stay united and continue to do the right thing, we will be back to normal in no time.

Jack Meyer

News Editor

j.meyer.thepanther@gmail.com

STAFf

editorial COVID-19 has devastated the world; millions of people have lost their jobs, schooling is temporarily suspended and the virus’s death toll is rising.

Isolation set in order to decrease the risk of infection has created new challenges with online school and staying active. For The Panther staff, quarantine has forced us to reprioritize and think outside of the box so we can still do what we love – journalism.

While we will miss in-person copy consults, filming videos and designing, we will truly miss working closely as a family the most. Unfortunately, the party planning committee’s birthday celebrations and leadership’s staffer of the month announcements will have to wait until next year. For now, Zoom meetings and our Panther group chat are what keeps us together.

Not only has our print schedule been compromised, but we also have lost the ability to properly say goodbye to our graduating seniors. While our past celebrations have consisted of emotional goodbye speeches from the seniors and a buffet that will keep us full for weeks, that tradition will be suspended this year. However, the seniors will always be a phone call away to help the staff with anything they need. Coming back to visit is a given, so expect them to pop back in to update staff on our endeavors and to give everyone advice for what to do in college.

Isolation has become a challenge for everyone and luckily The Panther has had its share of difficulties in the past when it comes to sending to print and has always persevered. Despite our uncertain futures, we will stay safe and be together again soon.

Sincerely, The Panther Staff

MISSION STATEMENT The Panther staff aims to inform fellow students and parents about schoolwide, local, national, and international news. The Panther’s content aims to represent the student body. Editorials feature the opinions of staffers.

Features of other students, teachers and clubs further promote the spirit, culture and personality of Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

EDITORIAL POLICY The Panther is a monthly publication of Miami Palmetto Senior High located at 7460 S.W. 118th Street Miami, FL 33156, (305) 235-1360 ext. 2337. The views expressed are solely those of The Panther staff. Students who wish to respond to an article in this publication or discuss another issue may write letters to the editor and submit them to room 980 or e-mail us at n.markus.thepanther@gmail.com. The Panther has professional membership in NSPA and CSPA. The Panther prints 1,400 copies per issue for distribution. The Panther is distributed for free to all students in school. Please visit our paper online at thepalmettopanther.com.

BYLINE POLICY:

All creative work (such as illustrations, graphics, photos and writing) excluding staff editorials and staff member pictures will include byline credits.

CORRECTION POLICY:

Any errors in print will be acknowledged in the next print issue in a correction box. Any errors online will be acknowledged immediately. Errors include facts, figures, misquoting and name misspellings.

ADVERTISING POLICY:

Ads will be designed by the advertiser and include all information the advertiser wants included. If the advertiser asks the staff to design the ad, the individual who sold the ad will design the ad or the Ads Manager will.

Ads will be approved by EICs, the Advisor and the Ads Manager. If an ad produced is illegible, contains false information, or the advertiser does not like it, they will receive a free ad in the next issue. If you would like to advertise, please contact us.

ANTI-DISCRIMINATION POLICY The School Board shall comply with all Federal Laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination and all requirements and regulations of the U.S. Department of Education. The Board will enforce its prohibition against discrimination/harassment based on sex, race, color, ethnic, or national origin, religion, marital status, disability, age, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identification, social and family background, linguistic preference, pregnancy and any other basis prohibited by law. The Board shall maintain an educational and work environment free from all forms of discrimination/harassment, which includes Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Title IX prohibits sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct such as unwelcome touching, graphic verbal comments, sexual jokes, slurs, gestures or pictures. All students, administrators, teachers, staff, and all other school personnel share responsibility for avoiding, discouraging, and reporting any form of prohibited discrimination or harassment against students by employees, other students and their parents or guardians, or third parties. This policy prohibits discrimination and harassment at all School District operations, programs, and activities on school property, or at another location if it occurs during an activity sponsored by the Board.

STAFf Editor-In-Chief

Allison Strasius

Print Editor-In-Chief Nicole Markus

Online Editor-In-Chief Joanna Salvat

Managing Editor Jane Heise

Senior Copy Editor Isabel Wilder

Senior Design Editor Gemma Torras

Advertising Chair Olivia Solomon

Feature Editor

Lissette Martinez

News Editor Jack Meyer

Life Editor Kristine Villarroel

Sports Editor

Valentina Caceres

Opinion Editor Allison Gould

Multimedia Team Valentina Caceres Jacob Grindstaff Sofia Vinueza

Copy Team Priscilla Bermudez Katriona Page Kate Stuzin

Design Team Camilla Bondy Sydney Campbell Gianna Hutton Ana Martinez Julia Strasius

Staff Writers Elias Arbe Kun Liu

Adviser

Laura Aviles