COVID Issue by mihsislander

June 16, 2020

Inside | june 2020

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

ABOUT

The MIHS Islander

9100 SE 42nd St. Mercer Island, WA 98040 mihsislander@gmail.com www.mihsislander.org

Our covid coverage continues online

EDITORS IN CHIEF

Online | Ellie Gottesman Print | Annie Poole

Q&A With Avi Schiffman: the MI Teen Behind Viral COVID-19 Site By Annie Poole

Senior Staff Writers Max Hense, Sabrina Hubbell and Sandra Pedersen Staff Writers Morgan Dawson, Brooks Kahsai, Alli Hixson, Hannah Howison, Kyu Kim, Mia LoBosco, Braeden Nett, Kieran Rogers and Honor Warburg

OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal on What School will Look Like in 2020 By Annika Bhananker

PUBLICATION NOTICES

Purpose: To provide news to the Mercer Island High School student body and members of the surrounding community in a manner that accurately reflects readers’ interests. The MIHS Islander is an open student forum, and the opinions

expressed within do not represent those of the high school or district administration.

Ads: To print an ad in a future issue of The MIHS Islander, contact Business Manager Ethan Preston at mihsislander@gmail.com for rates and information. Corrections: We pride ourselves on accurate, fact-based journalism. If you believe The MIHS Islander has gotten a fact or quote wrong, please contact us and we’ll print a correction in the next issue. Privacy: All electronic mail messages in connection with Mercer Island School District business which are sent or received by this account are subject to the Washington State Public Records Act and may be disclosed to third parties. Nondiscrimination Notification: The Mercer Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation,

gender expression or identity, marital status, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The Mercer Island School District offers classes in many College and Career Readiness Programs, admission to which is non-discriminatory. Lack of English-language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in these programs. The following people have been designed to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator; Harrassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Coordinator; Title IX Compliance Coordinator: Erin Battersby, Senior Director. (206) 230-6227, erin.battersby@mercerislandschools.org Section 504 & ADA Coordinator: Dr. Lindsay Myatich, Director. (206) 236-3326, lindsay.myatich@mercerislandschools.org

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

dear Islanders, Welcome back. There is a lot happening right now, and it feels overwhelming. The recent events in our country have shed a light on the pervasiveness of systemic racism and prompted global demands for justice and change. The role of the media in this time is critical; the choices news channels make in reporting has immense power. Even as individuals, we all have a platform to spread awareness and amplify marginalized voices – it’s important we are careful about how we choose to do so. The devastating events that prompted this outcry are not the focus of this issue, although we are updating coverage of protests and the local BLM movment on our website. The ongoing pandemic also continues to disrupt lives globally, emphasizing the lingering uncertainty

many feel toward the future. COVID-19 has dominated headlines and forced the country into isolation, and the 24/7 consumption of this news can be disheartening. Our goal in creating the COVID issue was not to contribute to this overwhelming coverage but instead to highlight important stories in our community. Our front features messages from 32 Islanders, and our staff’s reporting covers the impacts of the lost spring sports season and the potential ramifications of quarantine on Seattle’s arts culture. The prospect of an uncertain school year this fall only invites more unknowns for students, a reality to which our staff is not immune. It is important to remember that we are all united in our feelings of uncertainty and fear. In times of crisis, we must take initiative to treat our friends, neighbors, fellow Islanders and essential workers with respect and care. These months of quarantine have allowed us to

Contents

INSIDE | june 2020

embrace both new hobbies and mindsets, forcing us to re-examine our priorities and values. Our isolation has forced us to realize the value in relationships and seek new ways to stay connected. Among glitchy Zoom calls and strained Wi-Fi, we have found solace in a new kind of “company” and a space to both lament cancellations and await the future. With all this in mind, please enjoy the rest of our issue, designed by The Islander’s staff writers, who have made the daunting transition from writers to designers, ambitiously learning formatting and editing skills, and creating pages to bring coverage to their community. We hope that our reporting will serve as a reminder of our community’s resilience despite our collective uncertainty. Until we can meet again. Stay safe,

The MIHS Islander 09: mental health

edited by sandra pedersen

FRONT, INSIDE AND SPREAD

edited by Annika Bhananker

10: Conspiracies

edited by alex levin 04: online adaptations

edited by sabrina hubbell

11: Spring athletes

edited by hannah howison 05: ecofacism

edited by max hense

12: arts culture

edited by morgan dawson 08: outside the bubble

edited by lena hardisty

Back

edited by ethan preston

FEATURES | JUNE 2020

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

What MIHS Electives Are Doing in Response to COVID-19 Hannah Howison Staff Writer

All the electives at MIHS have had to make drastic changes to schedules, workloads and assignments in light of the transition to online schooling. But what exactly are they doing? “We are still, at least in my radio class, sticking with our main mission of trying to get great content on the air,” Joe Bryant, Media Broadcast Instructor, explained. In classes such as Choir and other music courses, they have been meeting weekly to practice listening and attention goals. “Choir has been having fun playing some games over Zoom, as well as working on our listening and practice goals.” Annalise Rockow, music and performing arts instructor, stated. Daniella Melgar’s dance class is also keeping busy. “My dance class is assigned dance choreography to watch and learn. Once they have learned the choreography, they film themselves doing the dance and then upload that to Schoology,” Melgar explained. Although t h e dance class i s n ’t able t o

showcase to the community what they on, they intensely and

have been working have been practicing working hard through

this strange time. Drama 1, also taught by Melgar, is “finding ways to improv on-screen with what we have around us in our environment.” Even if the class isn’t able to give the community performances and show their skills, they are still practicing and making the school closure worthwhile. Melgar’s Drama 2 class, is writing one-person shows, with “writing assignments due each week, which will then turn into a show that they will film.” This will be a great experience for the group as they are making use of resources they did not before while practicing necessary drama skills. Radio shows and public service announcements are still being made from home by the students of the Radio Broadcasting classes. “I am seeing more great content than ever,” Bryant said. Music classes have also been producing great work, despite not being able to rehearse with others in the same room, a crucial part of Band, Orchestra or Choir. “Many students are rising to the challenge and producing awesome work!” Rockow said. “These students decided to take a music course to further explore making music and introduce a new form of music to their lives. I am simply trying to continue to encourage music practicing and music listening through this really weird and difficult time,” Rockow explained. Even though choir won’t be able to put on a full performance, the choir class has been “[working] on preparing a song to make a virtual choir recording,” Rockow said. This recording will be able to showcase the hard work that these students have done to prepare for the originally planned performance. The workload for Choir and other music classes has been altered as a result of COVID-19. “As a music educator, I want students to feel as

though I am not simply assigning busywork,” Rockow explained. Drama is yet another class that has a reduced workload as a result of COVID-19. “I want my students to be excited about their assignments, and to find joy in performing and creating in the same way they do when they are at school. It’s not a huge amount of work. I want them to grow and create, but I don’t want to overwhelm them and bury them in work,” Melgar said. The workload for the radio broadcasting class has changed as well. “I would say the amount of work and the expectations have been less, not to say everybody i s

doing less,” Bryant said. Broadcasting been hard at to make whole island connected. “We want our best to all connected and entertained and keep And that is the main rest of this quarter and added.

Radi h a w o r t h

o s k e

to do keep us keep us all us all informed. mission for the beyond,” Bryant

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

FEATURES | June 2020

The Rise of Ecofacist Rhetoric with COVID-19 LENA HARDISTY Illustrator

Misinformation about COVID-19 is leading to a rise in ecofascistic rhetoric disguised as environmental positivity. Ecofascism is a political alignment which requires individuals to sacrifice their interests for the good of the land, or nature as a whole. A common disucssion during the lockdown has been the observation of how nature is changing in the face of reduced human activity. These results range from superficial to significant, such as wild animals in metropolitan areas or reduced carbon emissions. With the discussion of environmental positives during COVID-19, there is also a dangerous sentiment that has become apparent. One tweet, posted by Tom @ThomasSchuIz gained a large amount of attention on Twitter, saying “Coronavirus is Earth’s vaccine. We’re the virus.” Many other tweets along the same strain were posted, sparking controversy and debate in the comments. While the phrase “We are the Virus” has also generally been mocked and turned into a strain of joke, original sentiment itself is something that is very present in the modern age. While the people who made the tweets might not have an alt-right intention in mind, the implications behind the words have a dangerous past. This ideology is not a new concept and, in fact, has a dangerous history. Historically, ecofascism has justified eugenics or the culling of the population in the name of saving the environment. ‘Blood and Soil’ was a slogan used by the Nazi Party, representing the intrinsic linkage of land to the Aryan race. In this, protecting land and the environment within it, became part of German nationalism. Their environmentalism was deeply rooted in xenophobic and racist beliefs. Opposition of race mixing and endorsement of eugenics was also justified by ecology. There was the idea that all places had their own capacity, and it was necessary to remove the undesired for the good of the whole.

Eugenics, a set of beliefs and practices that aim to better improve the quality of the human race, operates by excluding or culling certain groups deemed to be inferior. Historically, this was based on racial prejudice as well as discrimination against those with mental or physical disabilities. In particular, the U.S. had a widespread and government-enforced eugenics movement. There were laws prohibiting those with epilepsy or who were supposedly “feeble-minded” to marry. The government tracked families and their genetic traits, claiming most people considered unfit were immigrants, minorities or poor. Most severely, thousands of people were sterilized by the government. A common reassurance among those of a younger generation is that COVID-19 is only lethal to those with preexisting conditions, or those who are elderly. However, this type of thinking disregards the value of every human life, placing a degree of separation between the supposed “weak” and those who think of themselves as healthy and strong. Even if it is not an organized program of killings or sterilizations, implications that the culling of the human population by COVID-19 is justified in any sense is rooted in eugenics. If this justification comes with an environmental upswing, it is rooted in eco-fascism. Both are dangerous. Both ecofascism and eugenics have been present for much longer than the quarantine or COVID-19. This concept is not one that only

exists in the past, with ecofascism thriving online as climate change continues to destroy our planet. This current presence means we have to be more vigilant than ever before. The importance comes in making sure that we don’t unknowingly encourage the foundations of these inherently discriminatory philosophies. Allowing these concepts to become reasonable in our minds leads to a slippery slope. As Francis Galton wrote in his 1909 Essays on Eugenics, “The first and main point is to secure the general intellectual acceptance of Eugenics as a hopeful and most important study. Then let its principles work into the heart of the nation, who will gradually give practical effort to them in ways that we may not wholly foresee.” There is nothing wrong with wanting positivity in a hard and trying time. However, we must always stay vigilant for concepts and ideas with dangerous pasts, and learn from our history. Graphic by Lena Hardisty

spread | june 2020

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

Masked heroes: the islanders behind the essential work

Compiled by Lena Hardisty, Honor Warburg and Annika Bhananker

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Social distancing, for many, means hours of scrolling, binge-watching and other mindless activites. However, as the public continues to online shop, order takeout and sit back on their couches, there is a group of people who must continue their everyday work despite public health precautions. Essential workers fill the positions needed for society to function. These workers are always vital to the community, but, now more than ever, are the people who keep the country running. Although many on the island may have the privilege of working and schooling from home, there are also many Islanders who are baristas, retail workers, cashiers, healthcare workers, first aid responders, volunteers and many other professions who are an important part of our community and deserve recognition. Here are a few.

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Junior Varuzhan Agaian works as a courtesy clerk at QFC, typically clocking in 16 hours each week. In COVID-19 times, he said, he is required to wear a mask, and although his job has remained the same, the customers have not. “There has been a huge increase in the number of Instacart orders. We used to get about one per day and now we are getting a lot more,” Agaian said. In response to the title of “hero” that many have given essential workers, Agaian said: I think that label seems fitting, but we really don’t deserve as much credit as the doctors putting their lives on the line. They are the real heroes. We are like the co-producer or even like the co-workers to the doctors. I appreciate the support and it’s nice to have peo-

ple thank me for being at work, but I personally don’t find my job anywhere near as hard and dangerous as those of the doctors working to prevent the spread.” Asked about what the community of Mercer Island could do to make his occupation less stressful, Agaian said, “Honestly, they can’t do much. If shoppers need to buy items, then they are going to. We can’t stop them and we can’t really tell them how to. However, if customers could shop around dinner time and avoid the lunch- time craze, that would make it much easier for us as employees to provide the best service possible. If you really need something, wake up a little bit earlier and come by our store in the mornings — when the shelves are nice and full.”

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

spread | june 2020

Photo Courtesy Ben Shanafelt

Ben Shanafelt, Americorps Volunteer work also comprises an important part of the essential work needed to keep communities afloat amid a pandemic. Islander Ben Shanafelt volunteered for the Washington Conservation

Please stay inside. I understand you need your coffee, but just stop coming into Starbucks.

You might not think anything of it, but you are putting people’s lives at risk

Corps, setting up field hospitals in the beginning stages of the pandemic. For Shanafelt, as for many essential workers, the work continues despite uncertainty and fear:

“There was an uncontrollable element when we were in the field … we didn’t know until two weeks after deployment if we were safe.” This global dedication from essential workers has prompted many to give their thanks and call these people “heroes”. “I don’t think ‘hero’ says enough,” Shanafelt said. “Our society would not continue to function without essential workers. Our healthcare workers and first responders, our police officers and fire department, our grocery store workers and truck drivers, our garbage men and delivery drivers, our Uber Eats and Doordashers. They are going above and beyond to help our society. Many of them underpaid, and not an ‘essential’ worker by choice. … The term ‘hero’ could never describe the debt we owe to our essential workers during this time.” Shanafelt urged Islanders to heed governmental and advisories. “Preparations and models only work with the assumption that everyone is following the rules,” he said. “We are getting ‘graded’ as a group, and in this case there is no room for members of that group to slack off and let the hardworking group members do all the work. This is the time that we desperately need to work together. Stay Home. Stay Safe. And above all, stay together, while physically apart. Community is how we are going to get through this. Save lives by seemingly doing nothing. “

Starbucks may not immediately come to mind when thinking of essential businesses, but the establishment is still open and serving daily. However, there have been several COVID-19 induced changes. All employees are required to wear face masks, and the cafe portion is closed, with only the drive-through being functional. Compared to before the quarantine, Starbucks employee and MIHS student Casey Amico finds the job much more demanding than before. “We’re usually pretty slammed, like busy, all of the time,” Amico said. “So it’s definitely very stressful going to work, having to constantly be on the move, and not really getting that many breaks.” Asked about COVID-19’s effects on the community of Mercer

Island, Amico said: “Starbucks is not essential. I think there are a lot of people that are thinking that this virus doesn’t affect them, because we’re a wealthy community and we’re kind of closed off from the rest of the state and the city, but in reality it does affect us as much as it affects anyone else. Just do your part, stay home, stay Amico, a junior, has healthy, and the more been continuing to work as a barista we stay inside the throughout the more this will all be COVID-19 crisis. over.”

Casey Amico, starbucks

Photo courtesy Casey Amico

OPINIONS | JUne 2020

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

Recognizing the Privilege Bubble During COVID-19 MAX HENSE

Senior Staff Writer

Across the nation, COVID-19 continues to make an impact on Americans everyday lives. However, its effect and severity on each community has been widely varied. Thus, there is no universal blueprint that communities can apply to stymie the fallout, and every state and city must take a unique approach. As Islanders, the effect of the virus is definitely felt. Local businesses struggle to stay afloat, many grocery stores experience shortages of basic supplies, and even our education is moving in a new and previously unthought of direction. However, in a community as affluent as ours, some of the most severe consequences of the government’s effort to slow the spread have not been felt on a large scale. Across the country, non-essential workers were laid off, some in the weeks approaching state-mandated closures and others as soon they were enacted. These layoffs have l e f t

millions of Americans without a source of income. This reality, one in which rent payments, grocery, electricity bills are a major concern, is one not felt by many on our majority affluent island. For many Islanders, working from home is an option offered by their workplace, and they have the availability of technology to allow this modification. Even the option of distanced learning, which school districts have turned to in light of health concerns, is something many across the country do not have – access to wifi and online education resources are afforded to us by our privilege. “I speculate that Mercer Island has a higher percentage of professional service workers, so the ability to work from home is easier, thus enabling residents to maintain their jobs,” one anonymous parent said. This is not the reality for all those on the Island. “We’re kind of struggling right now, sometimes I just get really stressed out about how things could go economic-wise for my family,” an anonymous student said. Currently relying on unemployment, which for some has not yet arrived, some students have more than just academics to worry about. And though many in our community can work from home, this is not a universal experience. Besides employment and education, another crucial issue in this pandemic is access to personal protective equipment – precautionary devices which could prevent individuals from contracting COVID-19. “ W e have more accessibility to safety precautions and equipment as it becomes more expensive and in demand. In areas where such protective gear is unavailable or inaccessible

due to cost, it makes doing essential tasks much more dangerous,” sophomore Devon Benaroya said. Communities with a high percentage of essential workers, largely low-income and minority communities as shown by research, are thus at higher risk for COVID-19 because these communities cannot socially distance while working. Though none of our privilege protects us completely from the virus, or somehow isolates us from the effect, it is important to keep in mind all the ways COVID-19 is affecting those in our community. Although the uncertainty and fear during this pandemic is

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universal, experiences are not, and although many Islanders have privilege when facing it, it is important t o remember that not all do.

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

Opinions | June 2020

The Power Of Vulnerability During Quarantine Sabrina Hubbell

Senior Staff Writer

pajamas. We have no choice but to be real with each other now because we don’t know what the future holds. This uncertainty ultimately has the power to increase the genuity of our relationships. There are many ways that you can practice being vulnerable with yourself and others.

Graphic by Sandra Pedersen

The COVID-19 outbreak has become something that nobody ever imagined nor were prepared for. The impacts of this time will forever change individuals mentally and ultimately our society as a whole. In times of chaos, our genuine emotions, including our real fears, shine through. Generally, as a society, we are taught that showing emotion is weak. However, the whole world is currently experiencing confusing emotions, and it is becoming apparent that we cannot suppress our emotions. “We all share in the same sense of uncertainty and that shared experience is bringing us closer together,” Rachel Montgomery, project coordinator for Mercer Island’s Healthy Youth Initiative said. As a result o f the pandemic, we have no choice but to show our true selves. We are seeing each other’s houses and families during Zoom calls, witnessing our peers in

“For a lot of people, it’s challenging and uncomfortable to turn their cameras on during Zoom sessions,” junior Grace Wilson said. “I think that teachers are promoting being okay with exposure and fragility by letting students see their homes, pets, and boldly leading lessons in front of black screens w i t h names.” This break f r o m o u r b u s y daytoday lives, running from building to

building provides a great opportunity for personal reflection, to be vulnerable about emotions and thoughts. “Now we have a bunch to reflect on ourselves look at where we were throughout the whole year,” H u n t e r

of time a n d a t junior

Evans said. “It’s really easy to get down on yourself but one of the most important things is talking to people.” Quarantine has also created more opportunities for mental health to be brought up, especially in regards to an educational setting.

“Many of my teachers are genuinely concerned with how their students are doing, and dedicate time to check in,” Wilson continued. No matter how old you are, how involved in the community you are, the lifestyle of quarantine is sure to have an impact. “We have all now lived through a similar experience, and I believe that people will be able to connect based on [our] experiences with the Coronavirus,” junior Julia Williamson said. Before the COVID-19 pandmeic, many thought of their homes as a respite, a safe place to hide from judgment. Now, however, the activiites which many students find stressful msut be incorporated into a daily schedule at home. Taking calculus at the kitchen counter or English in your bedroom has created challenges for students’ routines and sense of organization. “We believe that removing grades and relieving some work might help ... but in fact, I probably believe having some structure, discipline, focus, and goals are really good things for mental health.” Jane Stafford Despite the fact that many teengers claim to not like school, for some, school provides a safe place and much-needed structure and other resources. “Some young people experience physical abuse – emotional and physical neglect at home – and school is one of the places they go to find stable, nurturing relationships,” Montgomery said. “This time in our lives has created an unfortunate opportunity to have a more realistic understanding of the role schools play in a children’s lives.” It’s important to show everyone that they are not alone. By being vulnerable, we can build stronger relationships and more meaningful connections. We are all at home together.

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org 10 opinions | june 2020 COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories are Dangerous braeden nett Staff Writer

Due to the effects of COVID-19, the world has been forced to deal with a collapsing economy, extensive governmental control and social distancing. The current global situation has created a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, ranging from COVID-19 not being that serious to the idea that the virus was manufactured by the satanic new world order led by George Soros and Bill Gates. “We have done an incredible job. We’re going to continue. It’s going to disappear. One day — it’s like a miracle — it will disappear,” President Donald Trump stated in February. Shortly after, during a rally in South Carolina Feb. 28, Trump claimed that the coronavirus outbreak was the Democratic Party’s “new hoax.” With statements such as these and the fact that he has refused to denounce the conspiracy theorists, the number of people who buy into COVID-19 conspiracy theories has only increased. The conspiracy theories about the current pandemic have real-world consequences. Despite a lack of credible evidence, groups of people have begun to protest the installation of 5G networks, believing them to be a source of the coronavirus. The connection between cellular data networks and a virus has not been made. But what is known is that these protests, which often include large groups of people standing close together without proper PPE, increases the risk of spreading pathogens. In Olympia, Wash., thousands of people gathered to protest Gov. Inslee’s stay-at-home order. Like most protests, the demonstrators were in close contact, making it very easy for asymptomatic carriers to spread a pathogen to others. These protests, often motivated by trivial desires for haircuts and cries for normalcy, did not succeed in furthering a political agenda nor curbing the spread of disease. Data has supported the idea that many coronavirus carriers may be asymptomatic, reinforcing the need for mandated social distancing for all. A common argument of the lockdown protesters

is that the lockdown tyrannical.What protesters fail to realize is that a governmentissued quarantine , with the sole intent of saving lives, cannot be called tyrannical. T r u m p ’ s c o m m e n t s have also had consequences b e y o n d encouraging people to protest a justified lockdown. W h e n he suggested using disinfectants, such as bleach or isopropyl alcohol, to treat the coronavirus, calls to poison control centers increased by 60%. This increase has forced the official Washington state Emergency Management Twitter account to state: “Please don’t eat Tide pods or inject yourself of disinfectant. Just bad situation worse.” With the example Executive branch of science as a means to current crisis, more may become ill or die to a mindset promoted by the current commander in chief.

Graphic by Lena Hardisty

s the

Unfortunately, even if Trump treated COVID-19 like an actual threat, there would still be people in America and across the globe that would create conspiracy theories about the virus. What allows these theories to thrive is social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Conspiracy theories and misinformation can spread like wildfire, as anyone with broadband can post false information with the click of a button or the tap of a screen. This is why, in a time of mass confusion, we must fact check our sources of information even if it may challenge our beliefs. We should also use trusted sources that are not biased towards a certain group or political belief in order to gain a clear understanding of COVID 19 and its

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with any kind don’t make a set by the disregarding combat the people thanks

effects on the world at large. One such conspiracy spawned from the pandemic which could have lasting effects is the claim that COVID-19 was a scheme created by Bill Gates in order to vaccinate everyone on earth. Even if a vaccine was developed, this anti-vaccination mindset would dampen efforts to prevent further loss of life. So please, if someone tells you that the virus was made by the new world order, that it can be treated with disinfectant, or that god will protect them from it, feel free to socially distance yourself from them – it’s the only thing you can do to protect yourself and others.

Sports | june 2020

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

How COVID-19 Has Impacted Spring Athletes ALex Levin Sports Columnist

ambitions for the season. “Since I have been playing for 12 years, it has always been a huge goal of mine to be a captain of the team,” Schaps said. “[Lacrosse] has always been a sport that is very meaningful for me, so [not being captain] is a personal blow.” The season’s cancellation has also taken away many of the enjoyable social elements within each

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools for the remainder of the year, most of the daily occurrences in high schoolers’ lives across the country have been replaced with remote alternatives. However, one thing that cannot be salvaged by Zoom meetings or Khan Academy videos is the 2020 spring sports season. With group gatherings deemed unsafe, the virus has cancelled all games, practices and team events of any kind, jeopardizing many important team goals. “[MI Girls Lacrosse] won State last year for the first time and we had a Seniors Polly Schaps and Jaden Krauser playing lacrosse and soccer respectively. Photo courtesy polly schaps really really good chance of winning again,” senior spring sports team. Polly Schaps said. “Usually we go to a Sounders game every year, “The fact that we are not able to try for that is we usually do team yoga,” Krauser said. “[I miss] really heartbreaking.” all the bonding stuff and all the things Spring sports teams will also miss out on the outside of actually playing soccer.” opportunity to face school rivals, which is something Aside from the recreation that comes from the that always stirs a competitive environment. various bonding events, the convivial aspects of “[MI Boys Soccer was] actually supposed to be the spring sports season also provide newer athletes pretty good this year,” senior Jaden Krauser said. “We were going to be up there with Bellevue for the with opportunities to meet and connect with fellow athletes. KingCo Championships.” “I remember coming into high school not really In addition to team-wide goals, the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted many players’ personal knowing lots of people,” junior Gihoe Seo said.

“Without the golf team, I would have been really lost, and I really wish the [current] freshman had the same opportunity as I did.” While the COVID-19 outbreak has severely affected high school sports, the pandemic has also modified the athletic transition from high school to college. With less games to draw from, the lack of spring sports has forced college recruiters to alter the ways they scout their perspective players. “A lot of the college coaches I am talking to, they are trying to actually look at our personalities a bit more and recruit that way,” Seo said. “They are trying to not only look at statistics, but also how we are as a person.” T h e adjustments in recruitment not only apply golf, Photo COurtesy jaden krauser but to other spring sports as well. “All of the [lacrosse] tournaments that would have happened over the summer are cancelled, and the tournaments are when the scouts and college coaches come out to see prospective players,” Schaps said. The elimination of spring sports this year, although disappointing, is designed to keep players safe, and able to play another day. Hopefully, when social restrictions are lifted, high school sports will resume and players will be able to make up for lost time.

12 FEATURES | June 2020

THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

Seattle Arts Community Takes Hit From Coronavirus Sandra Pedersen

Senior Staff Writer

While all aspects of Seattle are experiencing the effects of Gov. Inslee’s restrictions on public gatherings, it’s apparent that the artistic sector of Seattle culture —whose funding depends on an audience— will undergo substantial losses as the stay-at-home order continues throughout spring. As the Space Needle, Pike Place, the Seattle Art Museum and many other wellknown attractions are indefinitely shut down, places that used to be flooded with people are now empty— Seattle has become a ghost town. This means that exhibits are closed, musicians cannot perform at theatres or restaurants, and weddings —which had funded photographers, designers and florists— are postponed. A staggering 74% of organizations have applied hiring freezes, staff furloughs, or layoffs. Many have as well reduced hours or pay for remaining employees and 76% of organizations have canceled fundraisers. In the Seattle area, 97% of artistic events have been cancelled in mere weeks. Leaving artists forced to clear their calendar just before spring. As an entire season of performances are possibly scrapped, artists face losing a paramount portion of their annual income without the high culmination of festivals and concerts that follow through summer. Summer festivals mean outpours of people downtown filling up restaurants and bars, concerts and venues supporting pre-show dining at nearby cafes. The artistic world has benefits beyond simply entertainment, they support the business and foster the economy. But spending an evening along Pike Place before a performance at Paramount Theatre is no longer a reality. The stagnation of artistic culture in Seattle will affect more than just its own community. Beyond an individual scale, ArtsFund —a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the artistic community— estimates economic losses by art and cultural organizations at $43.8 million by the end of April, and $74.1 million through the end of May. It is surveyed that money from ticket sales,

subscriptions or memberships on average account for approximately 56% of the income for culture organizations in the Puget Sound Region. For these establishments, 46.4% estimate a loss between 30%-85% of their earned income according to ArtsFund. Overall, the projected loss of revenue for arts organizations in 2020 is between $133,245,923 and $135,340,923.

being that’s all gone.” The economic suffering that will ensue will be tough, that is no secret. However there is hope as many students across the city express their intentions to return to the culture scene as soon as quarantine is lifted. “Once the quarantine of coronavirus has lifted I will most definitely go back to doing what I have always been doing, surfing, playing lacrosse, going to concerts and being with friends,” said International School student Margie McKnight. “A lot of my plans to go to Seattle and [visit] a couple of museums or arts shows are all canceled. But when the quarantine is over I’ll try to visit these places if they’re open [because] I still really want to go to concerts and partake in Seattle culture,” Lakeside student Grace Han said . “Quarantine has completely affected my ability to engage in Seattle culture, I was going to go to a concert with some friends, I was teaching at my synagogue in Capitol Hill, and I part-time live in Seattle. It’s completely shut down right now, but I hope that eventually I’m able to do everything I was looking forward to doing,” Clark said. There are as well possibilities of museums taking to the online scene, offering virtual tours and viewing rooms. The possibility of virtual reality presenting an opportunity to enjoy Seattle culture from the safety of one’s home is appealing. It could provide steady income for struggling organizations while still displaying the cultural expression of the Graphic by Morgan Dawson city. In attempts to lessen the severity of the virus’ spread, Though online viewings do not provide the museums, theatres and exhibits have halted their main same enjoyment or stimulation as seeing exhibits source income. first hand, it is a beneficial substitute. Even during There will clearly be a recovery period for these secpost-quarantine, when some will find themselves tors of Seattle, however it is uncertain when industries still reluctant to attend large events. will be able to begin the tenuous and difficult process of For us the recovery process might be easier dealing with such monumental financial losses. than others, as our community is tight-knit and well As organizations are shut down for an unknown peversed in the importance of supporting one another. riod, with unknown devastating financial impacts, uncer“There’s an unspoken agreement in Seattle of tainty has become a constant in Seattleites lives. respect and kindness that isn’t there in other peo“For at least a year, probably more, people are going to be ple,” Elle Vonada said. very hesitant and scared of big gatherings, events, and are This kind of closure is unprecedented. But as not going to trust neighbors,” Lily Clark said. “Seattle is long as artists continue to do what they do best: centered around waking up to a parade of people walking create and we continue to value the complex culdown first avenue, hundreds of people crowding the stature scene that is Seattle, there will be recovery and diums during a Seahawks game— and for the time growth for organizations— and us as a society.

13 Dr. Susan Shenoi: On the Frontlines of COVID-19 THE MIHS ISLANDER | mihsislander.org

BACK | June 2020

Business Manager Ethan Preston interviewed a healthcare worker living on MI. Shenoi is one of many physicians, nurses and hospital workers who continue to work in high-risk environments daily. Q: What’s the most frightening aspect about working directly with COVID-19 patients? A: Fortunately, kids are not getting as sick as adults. I work at the pediatric hospital, and one of the changes our hospital has made is to increase the age limit of care from 18 to 21 years so as to offload some patients from the adult clinicians and hospital. The most frightening aspect about treating COVID-19 patients is nobody is completely sure of the best management practices as there is very little evidence base to what we’re doing. We have to learn as we go with this disease, and that uncertainty or lack of clarity around management can be stressful – each of us wants to do what is best for the patient, and right now we don’t really know that is for this new disease. Q: How has the outbreak affected your day-to-day schedule? A: Due to the uncertainty and the constant change, physicians and their staff/care teams are having more meetings to stay up-to-date on the most effective practices. The other big change in most peoples’ day-to-day schedules is trying to balance work and home schooling, especially for providers with school-age children, which can be challenging. Most folks don’t have their regular support system, like daycare, babysitters or family, in place as most try to do the right thing and continue to social distance. Q: How has the healthcare system in the area been able to handle these issues, and do you think this crisis exposes any fundamental issues with our healthcare system? A: In general, I think our state has been fortunate. Most people have been complying with social distancing. Our leadership has been very thoughtful in thinking through things carefully and deliberately. It’s easy to say in hindsight we should have been better prepared for an airborne crisis like this but hindsight is always 20/20. Given the circumstances, I think we have done fairly well as a state in helping stall the spread and helping contain or flatten the curve. Q: How has the Coronavirus outbreak made your job more difficult or strenuous? What’s the toughest part of your job nowadays? A: There are major changes in the way physicians are working. Most offices have moved to telephone or telemedicine visits. Some physicians are more familiar with this where as others are not. Probably the most strenuous part of our job is to see sick patients and do our job effectively while also limiting exposure to various individuals. Q: What can others do to support healthcare workers during this time?

Photo Courtesy Susan Shenoi

Shenoi is an associate professor and the Interim Clinical Chief of Pediatric Rheumatology, affiliated with Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Myositis Center of Excellence.

A: I would say recognize that your healthcare system and physician are doing the best they can under current circumstances. Most offices are triaging patients based upon medical necessity. If you are being asked to be seen over teleheath, there is a good reason: that you have been triaged as such by your physician. Comply with social distancing and other CDC guidelines such as wearing masks washing your hands frequently, etc. If everybody does their part in this pandemic, then we should be able to continue to make a meaningful difference.