ONLINE VS RUBA AHMED
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et’s be realistic, what teenager can stand eight hours of wearing a mask and staying several feet away from their friends? Here’s the truth: the pandemic is real and dangerous, and sending students to school is an unnecessary health risk that can easily be avoided. Although the rate of coronavirus infection is lower in the younger population, students are still able to transmit the disease to others who are older or have compromised immune systems. With 400 students in the building at the same time, social distancing is very difficult and will most likely be ignored. Teachers were instructed to alternate desks between rows to provide more space between students, which is certainly better than nothing, but according to the New
There is no doubt this year has been radically different. Students were forced into making the difficult decision between returning to school partly in person or staying at home and starting the year virtually. Now, the most important question is: which one is better? buses will be limited to 41 students out of a maximum of 71, and if alarm bells aren’t ringing in your head yet, that means the buses would be holding over 50% capacity. If the bus reaches the limit, it will leave some students sitting right next to each other, meaning students could already be exposed to the virus before reaching the school’s doors. Social distancing alone, however, is not enough without masks which are only effective if worn correctly. If a person touches their mask to adjust it and then rubs their eyes with that same hand, according to the University of Maryland Medical System, that person may have just welcomed the virus into their body. Students will also have to risk infection when they take their
to school. Similarly, Al-Jazeera, an independent news organization, reported that a school in Georgia discovered 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases after only the second week of reopening, causing 1600 additional students to quarantine. Something as simple as school reopening can have drastic consequences on the whole community. It’s important to mention that some people may not have much freedom when it comes to choosing between online and in-person learning. With fewer students in school, however, the district could focus more on providing resources for those who need it to ensure a more equalized online learning experience. Of course, some things are out of the district’s hand, since Gov.
659 44.70%
Students from West High chose to do online school
York Times, new data shows even six feet isn’t enough because the virus can travel 20 feet or more depending on air currents. Students won’t be able to sit close together in groups, eliminating any chance for successful collaboration. Furthermore, according to Washington University, the lack of group work may take away valuable benefits such as material retention, knowledge acquisition, and problem-solving skills that students gain from collaboration. Online school has the capability of breakout rooms which, although awkward at times, are productive. Classrooms and hallways aren’t the only places social distancing is needed. The Return-toLearn guide provided by the ICCSD states that
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OPINION OCT. 16, 2020
masks off to eat lunch at school. Your best bet is just to be somewhere where the coronavirus isn’t likely to be present—your house. No matter how careful you think you are, you can never be too safe. Lastly, what students don’t get symptoms from, they can bring home to their dear ones. Anyone can contract the virus, be asymptomatic, and cause widespread infection. In fact, asymptomatic carriers account for 40% of cases, according to The Washington Post. The best thing to do is to not be exposed to it in the first place. Just ask Israel, The Wall Street Journal says that their COVID-19 cases sky-rocketed from less than 50 reported cases per day to 1,500 upon returning
Kim Reynolds had placed a mandate on school reopening. The more students who choose the online school option, the less dangerous it is for those who must attend in-person school. COVID-19 is a worldwide issue that can result in terrible consequences for those who contract it. When you look at the grand scheme of things, you go to school for many years, but you live only once. The pandemic is a health issue and this year, so is returning to school. ART AND DESIGN BY SILA DURAN PHOTOS BY CLARE LOUSSAERT AND KARA WAGS
