Nov. 24, 2020 Campus Voices | Media | Satire | Covid-19 | News | International Students | Soccer Recap 2 E DI TO R I A L
Looking Ahead to 2021 2020 was not a great year. We were forced to endure the tragic deaths of beloved figures such as Chadwick Boseman and Kobe Bryant, the human rights atrocities seen at home in the States and abroad in countries like China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and the Nagorno-Karabakh region, the natural disasters that hit Australia and California and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused the death of over a million people worldwide. College students also get to tack on mostly-virtual learning, fewer breaks and increased school-related stress to that intimidating mess. It wouldn’t be surprising if students who usually have no problem passing their classes have struggled this year to maintain that same level of excellence. For the many students who already struggle with learning disabilities, distraction or personal problems at home, 2020 has made their already difficult school assignments even harder. With all that said, it’s important to remember that while some of this year’s baggage will carry over, 2021 presents room for growth as well. Take what harsh lessons 2020 has presented and use them to avoid the same pitfalls in 2021. Those who saw their grades dip this semester now know what types of classes and study methods do and don’t work for them, and those who saw their personal lives struggle can take this opportunity to focus on their own mental health. This next year may not be any easier, in fact it could very well get worse, but human beings are resilient by design and no matter how cliche it must sound by now, “We are all in this together.”
CAMPUS VOICES
Holidays during the pandemic: should we cancel?
GRAPHIC BY OMAR COMBIE | THE WICHITAN
Health experts are warning against usual gatherings for the holiday season.
A
s we get closer to the end of the year, the total number of COVID-19 cases Dallas in Texas has Wabbington reached over 1 million people. People have been debating whether or not Thanksgiving and Christmas should be canceled in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, many people are arguing against this idea, because the holidays are seen as an escape from the reality of the pandemic. However, the reality is that even though we feel drawn to celebrate with our families, large gatherings will only increase the risk of
spreading COVID-19 and risk the health of our loved ones. I am not saying you shouldn’t spend time with your family at all this holiday season. The issue is when families have large gatherings with people outside of their social circle. You may trust your family member to be safe and healthy but you do not know who is constantly around them, and, more importantly, whether they are taking safety precautions. For example, I live on campus with a roommate. I don’t wear a mask when I am with her in my apartment because that is a safe space for me, and I am not required to wear a mask. I trust my roommate to practice social distancing, hand sanitizing and
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wear her mask whenever she is in public. But there are instances when she will hang out with her friends and family and could potentially be exposed to COVID-19, just like family members coming for the holidays. You know the person, but you don’t know the people who are usually around them. Instead of having large family gatherings, the safest way to celebrate is with the people you live with at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an article regarding holiday celebrations and considerations, stating that gatherings with friends and family who do not live with you increases the risk of getting both
COVID-19 and the flu. It is flu season, after all, so you have to take precautions against spreading the flu as well. Celebrating virtually is also an option, especially since most of us are used to using technology to video call people. Avoid traveling if possible, as well. Taking these precautions are not meant to keep you away from your loved ones. The best way to keep both your family and yourself safe is to stay home and celebrate with the members of your own home. This pandemic has taken a lot from us. Let’s stop the spread of COVID-19, so we can spend the holidays with our families next year.
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