Text by ANNUM HASHMI and INES LEGRAND
Art by BLAIR MIGDAL
TESTING positive BALANCING HEALTH AND ACADEMICS WHILE STAYING HOME SICK
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S ASHLEY HUNG got out Kline told Verde. of bed on the first day of the second semester, she felt the The dilemma harsh symptoms of COVID-19 Following the outbreak of the Omithroughout her body — she recalled her cron variant, exposure to COVID-19 has head pounding with a fever and a sharp become an almost guaranteed risk for sturasp in her throat. Hung, a Palo Alto High dents at school. This possibility prompts School junior, moved herself to her desk, many students to make a choice — stay opening up her computer and Schoology. home and risk falling behind in their acShe ran through her list of assignments and ademics, or go to school and potentially messages from her teachers and began her infect others. work to catch up on the seemingly endless According to data from a Verde opt-in assignments typical of junior year. survey of 237 people conducted from Jan. “For me, I thought it was relatively 26 to Jan. 31, 91% of Paly students feel easy to keep up with work because most that falling behind in classes is a reason for of my teachers use Schoology a lot,” Hung choosing to go to school while potentially said. having COVID-19. Through access to resources and supHung said she recognizes the struggle port from teachers, students face when deHung was able to stay to stay home, It’s showing integrity ciding up to date in her classciting students’ acaes, but not all have and just being a good demic commitments as been so lucky. a major contributing citizen by staying According to factor. COVID-19 data at home if you have “I think it [the provided weekly decision] is definitely COVID.” by the Palo Alto worsened by Paly’s ac— ASHLEY HUNG, junior Unified School ademic pressure and District, there culture of academic have been over 700 reported positive success, and especially as juniors [because] COVID-19 student cases in PAUSD we’re in one of the most rigorous years of since the beginning of 2022, causing high school,” Hung said. “Having to stay at many students to grapple with being home for a week, or more than a week, will sick and keeping up with also make you feel like you’re missing out school. Absenteeism on what you should be doing to help your rates shot up to academics.” 17% shortly after As someone who stayed home for sevwinter break, eral days with COVID-19 per the CDC though rates guidelines, Hung criticized students who have since chose to attend school while showing been slowly symptoms of sickness. decreasing, “It was frustrating hearing that peoP r i n c i - ple were going to school when they had pal Brent COVID,” Hung said. “It’s showing integ-
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24 FEBRUARY 2022
