-
08/16/2020
Kyle Ballard is active duty military in North Augusta, South Carolina. Kyle identifies as a gay man and uses the pronouns he and him. He has witnessed firsthand the federal government response to the pandemic as he works on a military base and was given a restriction of movement order after falling ill in March. Despite his illness, he was unable to get a Covid-19 test due to testing restriction at the time. He spends most of his time working at the military base and developing student government for Arizona State University’s online campus. Kyle discusses the potential issues faced particularly by LGBTQ+ youth in the middle of the pandemic and his disappointment in the government response across all levels. He lives with his boyfriend Mason and recounts how it was difficult to not see him as much after the quarantine had ended. Kyle wishes the media would focus more on what other countries have done to successfully limit the spread of Covid-19.
-
2020-08-16
The 2020 election is arguably going to one of the most important ones in American History. Not only because of the explosive tension between the two candidates but also because of COVID-19. This invisible enemy has crippled not only our nation but the world. It has forced countries to shut down, leaving economies unstable and politics shaky as ever. In some countries, the virus has brought leaders together. In the U.S, it has deepened the bipartisanship.
Rather than reaching across the aisle, both Republicans and Democrats use this pandemic for their political gains. The conversation of COVID has not only a global issue but is also treated as a Presidential Candidate debate topic. The health of our nation is vastly essential; however, politicians do not hesitate to point fingers when numbers continue to rise. Not surprisingly, the most controversial opinion is coming from President Trump, who boldly stated he would be pushing back the Presidential Election. This is not Constitutional legal, nor does he have the power to enforce this.
With Americans eager to vote for the upcoming election, we are faced with the following predicament; how do we ensure our voters' safety? Many leaders are leaning and enforcing, state by state mail-in ballots. Eligible voters are mailed ballots before the official election day and send it back to the appropriate party. However, even with this solution, there has been push back from Washington. Currently, the Trump administration has cut funding for the United States Postal Office. In an interview, he "frankly acknowledged that he's starving the postal service of that money to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots" (Riccardi, N. 2020). Studies have shown that Democrats are more willing to vote via mail. With this, Trump is taking every precaution to slow the Democratic wave that is approaching the White House. Obama, who is usually silent during politics, has called Trump out for financially starving the postal service.
Not only is COVID changing the way we vote, but it is also changing the landscape of American Health Care. More than ever, Health Care for all Americans is being supported and pushed onto the next president. When casting their ballot, Americans are now asking themselves, 'who can take care of my family and I best during a pandemic?'. It has been clear that this virus is not going away, and we are expecting another wave. With this in mind, we have to ask who is best suited to guide us through this apocalyptic world.
-
2020-04-11
Local resident Genelle Richey retired in 2012, dedicating 62 years of her life to teaching the youth of Blanchard, Oklahoma. Since then, Mrs. Richey's status of being a local educator and mentor as only grown in appreciation. On April 11, 2020 during the peak of COVID-19 shutdowns, the community of Blanchard expressed its gratitude to Mrs. Richey by organizing hundreds of participants to drive past her in a "reverse" parade celebrating her 90th birthday. She and her family gathered on North Main Street to greet the cheerful crowd as they passed. The event was organized by her family and mostly through Facebook to preserve the surprise to Mrs. Richey herself. The event took place between 3:00 and 4:00 PM on that Saturday, April 11. The parade featured vehicles displaying signs and decorated "float" style trailers. The line of vehicles were led by Blanchard Police and Fire Departments. Parade vehicles dropped off birthday gifts and took photographs to preserve the special event. During an otherwise quiet and uneventful month of pandemic closures, the community of Blanchard resiliently came together to adapt a memorable day for a very special woman.
Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
-
2020-06-28
Sharon Annesley of Blanchard, Oklahoma tells the story of how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the traditions of the Oklahoma State Fair. Her text document story chronicles how the State Fair changed over the years, but had never been canceled. She details how this will affect the local economy of vendors, agriculture, and local tourism. She also describes what a typical day for her and her husband would be at the fair and the long-standing tradition it has become to them. Text document authored by Sharon Annesley. The story is titled under the heading “COVID-19 CANCELS THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR” (June 28, 2020) The story features personally gathered information and accounts by Sharon Annesley. This document was hand-submitted in a physical form for submission to Clinton P. Roberts for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
-
2020-08-09
With the reopening of Oklahoma schools, teachers are doing their best to create preventive measures in their classrooms. Dibble, Oklahoma third grade teacher Ms. McDaniel was inspired by online plans for creating class dividers out of PVC pipe and transparent shower curtains. The dividers allow the students to interact with one another, see the classroom board, and see the teacher without being able to breathe directing on other students. Oklahoma schools have not instituted a regulation for masks or other protective measures and only have offered recommendations. This has left individual school districts to provide their own rules. In this particular school some students wear mask, some do not, and others have opted for virtual learning. These desk dividers become a way for teachers to have structural PPE where individual PPE may not exist. Ms. McDaniel made five large cross section dividers that can protect up to twenty children. Ms. McDaniel researched, purchased, and fabricated all of these on her own. Her ingenuity is an example of how rural schools and rural teachers have had to be more creative with their methods of precaution.
Submitted for the #ruralvoices collection. Contributed by Clinton P. Roberts, curatorial intern for Arizona State University, HST 580.
-
2020-08-16
As COVID-19 spread across the country, many small businesses have been battling to stay afloat. My family restaurant was one of the ones affected by all the changes in regulation that were put in place due to COVID-19. Some of the regulations were tough and challenging for businesses especially those who mainly relied on dine in. Luckily for us, our community is very supportive, and they continued to purchase take-out from us. I’m very fortunate that we were able to stay open, but many businesses had to shut down permanently which is devastating especially in a small town of entrepreneurs.
-
2020-08-11
San Francisco Bay Area artists, Mark Harris, created a stunning mural on the boarded up windows of local business, Rose Gold Piercing and Tattoo. Rose Gold shut its doors at the start of California's COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders and has yet to reopen. Harris's message to "Relax, think COVID-free thoughts" is a reminder of how much our world has changed and is being dictated by the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to wreck havoc on the San Francisco Bay Area, Harris's art brings hope and beauty to local residents. Harris's mural is a part of the larger San Francisco Bay Area art initiative, Paint the Void. Over 100 murals have been created in public spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as a result of Paint the Void.
-
2020-04-17
Businesses across the San Francisco Bay Area have closed, some temporary and some permanently, as a result of California's COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. Those that hope to re-open have boarded up their windows to try to protect their stores and inventory. As a result of the crushing economic blow of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vibrancy of San Francisco streets has vanished. In response, local arts are turning boarded storefronts into beautiful murals with messages of hope. Local artists are "bringing life and beauty to our streets, sending messages of love to people in their community." Two local art agencies, Building 180 and Art for Civil Discourse, have teamed up and created Paint the Void. Paint the Void pairs local artists with boarded up businesses in an attempt to beautify the city and "to bring hope into the community and inspire people." Artists hope to eventually auction their murals and donate the funds raised to those in need.
-
2020-08-16
Artists around the world have faced insurmountable challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. San Francisco Bay Area artists are turning public spaces into canvases to inspire hope. In the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Paint the Void emerged. This organization's mission is "to match local artists with boarded up businesses to create murals as a response to the void left behind in the wake of COVID-19." The group is raising money to grant artists stipends "for their hard work as guardians of hope and beauty in these unprecedented times." To date, the organization has helped 91 local artists create 100 murals across 84 storefront in the San Francisco Bay Area.
-
2020-08-14
First day of distance learning Kindergarten!
-
0018-03-18
Soccer has always been a huge part of my life. Soccer has been one of the most important (if not the most) things in my life, not only has taught me a big majority of my values and has opened the gates of college for me.
After the outbreak of COVID-19, I was forced to come back to Spain, my native country. Leaving in the middle of Spring season left me a feeling of sadness and emptiness... But that was not the worst thing no, the worst thing was not being able to play soccer for five months straight. COVID has taken away what soccer represented for me, and I couldn't be more excited to play again in a couple of weeks... I'm truly nervous.
-
2020-08-13
Unable to resume in-person instruction, for the time being, the first day of school for students at Princeton Joint Unified School District in Princeton, California looked quite different this year. Instead of having students on campus, parents were asked to attend a scheduled conference to pick up supplies, technology, and information. The white papers hanging around the perimeter of the gym list every student in attendance, and the items placed below each sign were left for students to use at home.
Parents attending the meetings felt overwhelmed and frustrated by the inability to return in-person but recognized that the local school district did not make this decision. Over the summer months, distance learning strategies were completely overhauled to improve on the lackluster results of last spring. Teachers at Princeton Joint Unified School District will be offering live instruction throughout the day using several new platforms. Parent conferences will continue into next week before daily live instruction begins on August 20, 2020.
-
07/24/2020
Claire Cunliffe, a high school mathematics teacher from Baltimore, Maryland, compares the early implementation of distance learning procedures among public and private school districts. While Claire reflects on the positive response to distance learning among students at private schools, including the increased ability for students to self-pace, she expresses concern over the lack of funding and limited resources available for students attending public schools. Claire makes the argument that technological unavailability among minority populations is exacerbating the opportunity gap among urban students. Reflecting on the conflicting responses of city and state leaders, including Governor Larry Hogan, Claire offers suggestions for reopening schools that ultimately place the decision in the hands of parents and healthcare professionals, instead of politicians. Claire conveys optimism that distance learning practices during the COVID-19 pandemic will permanently reshape the educational sector by encouraging interactive approaches to teaching, promoting community building among students, and displaying the benefits of incorporating digital elements into the classroom curriculum.
-
2020-07-17
After months of wondering if Princeton Joint Unified School District schools could feasibly return to in-person instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom decided for us. Positive cases in Colusa County and Glenn County dramatically rose in July, and, as a result, both counties were placed on the state’s watch list. While the state has offered school districts in these counties to submit a waiver request allowing them to reopen, the chance of being approved appears very slim.
As the pandemic has continued, it is interesting to see how everything has become more politicized than it initially was. Politicians from both sides of the aisle appear to be making decisions concerning the health and welfare of the American public based on political ideologies. Parents have openly expressed their frustrations with the governor’s decision, often pinning it on Democrats as a whole. While the push-and-pull continues between parents wanting to return to normal and politicians keeping their kids home, schools are stuck in the middle, trying to make this new system of learning work for families who want no part of it.
-
2020-07-17
COVID-19 has forced us to innovate visiting loved ones. A common way to get around not being able to see family and friends in long or short term care facilities is talking to them through a window. In this case, a woman stands outside a window wearing gloves and a sign saying "Bob I love you very much!!" and uses a cell phone to talk to Bob.
-
2020-05-27
This young man dances with his grandma when he drops off her groceries. Social distancing has made it hard to spend time with our older loved ones and this is a great example of how we can still have fun with them even while socially distant.
-
2020-04-22
Instagram account southernseniorlivingnews posts a photo of a woman holding up a whiteboard with a message to her family reading "Hi family, I'm hanging in there. Hope everyone is safe. Miss you all. Thanks for the letter to my Concord friends! <3 Mom". COVID has made it way more difficult to see and communicate with loved ones who live inside an assisted living, nursing home, or other community for older adults. Protecting them also means restricting our contact with them and that can be extremely difficult for both parties.
-
2020-08-15
This screenshot greatly resembles current issues occurring in our world, especially the US, regarding the global pandemic of COVID-19 and politics. It seems that in the US, there is so much controversy over a simple object made of cloth. There are a numerous amount of people that follow public health regulations (one being wear a mask in public), to help limit their exposure to COVID-19. But others zealously argue against them, claiming that wearing a mask disables their individual freedom. Our president has made remarks that wearing a mask could be seen as a political statement, after he mocked Biden for wearing a mask, and after the CDC recommended wearing one. There are varying responses from the public as to why one chooses not to wear a mask. Ranging from religious, to cultural, to freedom/rights violations, anti-maskers think it should be their choice whether or not to wear a mask, and that they shouldn't be told to do so. Others think it's all about them and that they are healthy enough and won't get sick.
-
2020-08-15
This mask is important to me because it shows that I have pride for my school during the Covid-19 pandemic, and pride for other schools. I also have faith in the masks for preventing the spread of Covid-19. The diagram I put up on the files associated shows a number of people who have gotton Covid-19.
-
2020-08-15
ISRAEL-UAE PEACE
-
2020-08-14
Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship
-
2020-08-14
A news article discussing the potential release of thousands of prisoners to help relieve overcrowding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Large amounts of prisoners have been released in the past with no detriment to public safety. In a time when people are dying as a result of this overcrowding during a pandemic it would be incredibly beneficial to release these people. According to data, the issue seems to be one of political risk rather than of public safety.
-
2020-08-14
An article reporting on the surge of COVID-19 cases in a rural California county close to Sacramento, Amador County.
-
2020-08-06
COVID-19 impacted my everyday life for the past 7 months. It has deprived me of socialization, a steady income, and the ability to feel “free”. It forced me back to New Jersey for a few months with my parents in order to save money. Adopting a cat was almost forced onto me, since its’ owner was unable to take care of her since COVID-19 had also effected the owner in negative ways. COVID-19 also made me realize what’s important to myself, who I choose to associate myself with, and how important being self motivated is.
-
2020-07
"This is a project curated by and for the Broadway community. While the footlights are dimmed during the Broadway suspension, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the sprawling, interconnected world of workers beyond the stage that help bring the stories we love to life.
By creating this interactive tool, we hope that audience and industry members alike will take a moment to learn more about the artists and artisans, technicians and ticketers. Collectively, all the roles, small businesses, and vital individuals have helped make Broadway the cultural heart of New York City through their passionate, tireless work.
This is a living, breathing map, and we need you to continue its growth and evolution. The contributions from within our community will help ensure it’s as representative of Broadway as possible."
-
2020-07-26
"The arts in New York City is a major economic engine. According to a study commissioned last year by the Mayor’s "Office of Arts and Entertainment, theater is responsible for $1.3 billion in annual economic output, 8,409 jobs, and $513 million in salaries. The Broadway closedown, effective from March 12, has had a massive financial impact on New York, and a massive personal impact on those who work within it...When the coronavirus pandemic hit New York City, hundreds of Broadway shows closed immediately. While the Actors’ Equity Association was able to secure several weeks of pay and health insurance for Broadway and touring performers, many were left with nothing."
-
2020-08-10
An item curated for the Performing Arts collection to highlight the plight of the American theatre professional. "It’s looking more and more likely that, barring an incredible about-face like a spectacularly successful vaccine or a powerful and immediate treatment option, a majority of U.S. theaters won’t survive the pandemic. This includes theaters that were financially flourishing in the Before Times, like Mercury Theater Chicago. And along with these institutions, a majority of theatremakers — not just actors or directors, but costumers, musicians, composers, wig masters, props masters, designers, electricians, stage hands, carpenters, stage managers, company managers, house managers, administrators, wardrobe crew, production assistants, ticket sellers, concessions vendors, marketing directors, photographers, choreographers, venue staff — will not be able to wait this out."
-
2020-08-14
Would you believe me if I told you this piece of cloth and string caused protests across the country?
Honestly, nothing about this entire pandemic resonates with me as hard as the mask debate. The fact that people had the issues with wearing protective gear when necessary terrifies me. I understand why people might not be willing to wear a mask, but I also understand why someone would want to swim in shark-infested waters. Does not mean I want to join in with them. It’s just crazy to me that something as simple as this caused such a huge debate.
-
2020-07-29
By Sarandon Raboin/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship
-
2020-08-07
By Jessica Myers/Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship
-
2020-08-11
By McKenzie Allen-Charmley|Luce Foundation: Southwest Stories Fellowship
-
2020-08-05
Covid is particularly dangerous in places where social distancing is not an option. For this reason the nation's correctional facilities have seen huge outbreaks of the virus. This article discusses the conditions in Florida's prisons. While the state says they are doing more to combat the virus as of this article's writing Florida has seen 59 incarcerated people die from Covid.
-
2020-05-04
This article talks with several people who have loved ones at correctional facilities across Arkansas. One woman explains that her loved on, Derek Coley, age 29, housed in the Cummins Unit, was due to go before the prison board for possible release in June but instead he died from Covid. He told staff he couldn't breath, was taken to the infirmary where they called an ambulance but he died before it arrives. Another incarcerated person sent a letter from an outside hospital to notify his family he was sick with covid, the prison never informed them. A third person said they were tested for Covid, had the virus, and were sent back to their cell, never isolated, and didn't receive any follow up care for days.
The article also outlines the state correctional facilities Policy/Procedures for notifying next of kin.
-
2020-08-13
This is an update of the number of coronavirus cases in the military.It shows a significant difference between the military branches with the army leading with the highest number of cases.
-
2020-07-13
There was recently a spike in the number of covid cases in Arkansas State Prison facilities. Officials suggest this may be due to early testing. They point to the fact that if a person has been exposed recently and is tested right away they may not have enough of a viral load to test positive for the virus even though they are carrying it. This causes false negatives and results in those people not being isolated. The officials also point to supply chain issues preventing them from testing as much as they would like.
-
2020-08-05
On August 5th, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson announced a plan to test all of the people incarcerated at the 19 state prisons. As of the press conference 10 of the facilities had already been tested and the remaining 9 would be completed by the end of August. To help with this 10 National Guard personnel will be assisting.
Other figures provided show just how quickly the virus spread through an enclosed population that is unable to social distance. At three facilities the total number of cases was 666 and five days later the total case count was well over three thousand.
-
2020-08-11
Two more people incarcerated at Arkansas state prisons have died from the Coronavirus, bringing the total deaths from the virus to thirty four. They also have 800 active cases.
-
2020-08-10
This article highlights the amazing speed at which Covid-19 spreads through the nation's correctional facilities. Over twelve thousand incarcerated people have the virus, of which sixty five have died.
As an example of how quickly the virus spreads the article sites the Taylor Correctional Institute going from 25 cases on August 1st to 564 on August 10th. To date over seventy-three thousand tests have been conducted in the states correctional facilities.
-
2020-08-10
This Tweet shows that 22% of those that have died of Covid in Florida correctional facilities were eligible for parole. Early release for people convicted of nonviolent crimes has been a topic of discussion since the virus first struck the US back in March. The theory is releasing some people early will help make it possible for those still incarcerated to be able to social distance. Others point to the fact that incarceration and covid should not lead to a defacto death sentence.
-
2020-07-24
Did you even teach summer school if you didn't take a selfie? At the end of our 3 week in person summer school our principal ordered in food for all of the staff. There weren't many of us so we were able to share a meal together while still maintaining proper social distancing. This was the only time that we didn't have to wear a face covering of any sort. I remember how relieved I was when that day ended because I was tired of teaching summer school. But as we are beginning our year online I now miss those days because I got to interact with students in person rather than on a computer screen. The districts near us just decided to remain online until Ocotober 1, 2020 and I have a feeling that a similar decision will be made in my district as well.
-
2020-08-08
The perfect toy for 2020. For kids who want to imitate their parents, here is the toy for them. Note the earbuds, the laptop with Zoom software, the crying baby on the floor, the snacks, and the wine.
-
2020-06
As a New York native, I have experienced all that has gone on in the city through the 2020 pandemic. In late May, the inhumane murder of George Floyd sparked nationwide protests and walkouts in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Not only were there mass protests and marches throughout New York City, but some of these protests sparked looting and the burning down of institutions at the height of the movement. Following the week in late May and early June where the civil unrest was at its peak, De Blasio imposed a citywide curfew which was quite a historical moment, as it was the first time since 1945. I chose to showcase this collection of photographs that I have taken over the summer which document the movement in NYC. All the photos were taken in and around NYC with the exception of the one of the Black Lives Matter billboard which was taken in Utah while driving out of Salt Lake City. I thought it would be interesting to share what political activism looks like in the midst of a global pandemic.
-
2020-07-21
My husband was exposed to COVID-19 by a co-worker from a different branch. She took the COVID-19 test, but instead of quarantining like you’re supposed to, she continued running errands. One of those errands was going to the bank, where my husband works and making a withdrawal. That same day she got her test results and called to let him know. OK, I feel a lot of things about that, annoyed. I’m really annoyed and frustrated that she believed she had COVID, went to the lengths to get tested, but didn’t self-quarantine. My husband is more empathetic. He thinks she had urgent things to do and no one to help her. OK, that’s the first part of this story. The second part, is that suddenly on FB I saw an advertisement for a research trial on COVID. I filled it out for my husband, and a few days later he got an email offering him the chance to participate in a study. I read the fine print, it seemed sketch. First, the trial is for 4,000 people to take Hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug that we know doesn’t work. Second, the compensation is only $300 total. That seems like a really, really low sum to be a guinea pig. Third, the way that the researchers phrased his options bothered me.
On the consent form it lists his choices:
“Your other options: There are currently no approved treatments to prevent infection or COVIF-19 symptoms for people who have had contact with an infected person. You do not have to participate in this study.
Your other choices may include:
• Taking part in another study
• Getting no PEP after contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.”
This seems far from neutral, and actually to me- sounds like a combination of pressure/fear to get people to participate. This is my first time seeing an informed consent form, and I wonder if they’re all this loaded in terms of trying to manipulate someone into donating their health and body to an experimental process.
The study was run by the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the University of Washington.
-
2020-04-08T18:22
My life has been greatly interrupted by the Covid-19. As of March 12th, 2020, everything around me came to a screeching halt and it was the last time I drove my car into Manhattan. New York and New Jersey began working in partnership during the Corona pandemic, Governor Phil Murphy and Governor Andrew Cuomo closed the states to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus. They both did a marvelous job in managing the spread of the virus and kept the public well informed. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is run by the Government with an office in Weehawken, New Jersey. They keep the region moving by, land, rail, and sea. Critical healthcare workers, first responders, and other essential workers were the pulse of cities, keeping the communities alive and functioning.
As of March 22nd, the Port Authority began collecting tolls exclusively by electronic and suspended cash toll collection between the states at the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel due to the safety and social distancing.
I live in the Newport Waterfront Development, a bedroom town just across the Hudson river, I am steps away from the Holland Tunnel. The tunnel was built in 1921 and it is a vehicular tunnel under the Hudson River, and it connects Lower Manhattan in New York City to the east with Jersey City in New Jersey to the west. Normally over 100,000 vehicles pass through the Holland Tunnel daily. I was incredibly happy about the many reports concerning the air quality change and pollution were way down. With all health clubs and gyms closed, I began daily walks and it struck me that there were very few cars traveling into lower Manhattan during rush hour. What a sight to see, Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 6:22 PM
-
2020-06-01
This is an article discussing new protocols for military basic training involving a 14 day quarantine period and testing before training as well as contact tracing.
-
2020-07-10
This is an article explaining how the military is experiencing higher rates of coronavirus than the general public.The article claims it is due to more people getting tested when in reality it is due to precautions not being taken seriously.My husband's whole platoon was exposed to the coronavirus and they just quarantined those who expressed a desire to get a test and wouldn't let them get an actual test because it would "expose the people taking a test" they even tried to force a soldier without coronavirus to room with a soldier who had tested positive for it.
-
2020-08-12
This west Wichita sign reflects the coronavirus paradox that has been thrust upon communities across the world since the pandemic's outbreak, as people supposedly face this crisis together, but must maintain physical separation to do so. Also highlighted is the "6 feet rule" that has become an omnipresent feature in most or all public spaces, as social distancing became one of the most effective ways to limit the virus's community transmission.
-
2020-08-12
It seems that schools across the country are busy developing colorful graphics regarding school reopening plans. Green often means students and teachers are safe to return to school, a yellow column suggests that masks should be worn and a hybrid model should be put in place, red means schools need to close to mitigate the spread. But have they developed a nice colorful chart the impact of schools reopening? How many cases among students is enough to close the schools? How many cases will it take for the public to accept that schools maybe shouldn't be opened at full capacity right now. Will we know if our reopening plans are successful? A school district in Georgia was open 1 day before sending home multiple letters about students who had tested positive. This article talks about the divide that occurs in a community when deciding whether or not to open the schools. I think it is easy for people to hear 'kids are less likely to get COVID" and just assume that it's safe to reopen schools. Students in grades 6-12 are more likely to contract COVID than kids in grades K-5 and that's because they're older. Students in grades 6-12 are also in contact with far more students each day (7 classes a day, 20 kids/class). It seems outrageous to expect schools to open at full capacity and without issue.
-
2020-07-30
The Nampa School district which is Idaho's 3rd largest school district overall but largest school district that is 1:1 with student devices made the decision to start the year online. The decision was made after a special session with the Board of Trustees. Earlier meetings suggested that the school district would start in person with a hybrid model of instruction. However, after hearing the pleas of local health officials the district opted to start online. As a Nampa teacher I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. I am a healthy 25 year old teacher and I believe that if I picked up COVID-19 I would recover. My biggest concern is for my colleagues. The career teachers who have been teaching for the last 25-30 years. Many are in an age category that puts them at risk and others have underlying health conditions that also put them at high risk. I am so relieved that out Board of Trustees listened to our local health officials.
-
1990
During the COVID time, many people worked from home and conducted business via video conferencing. Sometimes, unexpected things would happen such as pets and kids would rush across the scene or sit on their parents' laps. In this case, a coworker got up from his chair revealing he was in his boxers.
Another example was the time when a worker's husband entered the scene in his tidy whities.
