By Macey Parker, Staff Writer As many people are finding out, there is word of the app TikTok being banned by the government. To many people, this is a threat as it would take away a form of entertainment, education, and livelihood. Vice President Kamala Harris has stated that the administration hopes to not sign off on the banning of TikTok. Although, Biden has stated that he will sign the bill if it makes it to his desk; however, this is being delayed because of debates in the Senate (USA Today). The basis of the bill banning TikTok gives the company owning TikTok (Bytedance) six months to sell their share of the company. If they fail to do so, then they will be refused access to the App Store. This would take a long time to enact since the bill is still stuck in the Senate, and Bytedance is still able to challenge the decision made by the Senate (CBS News). This leaves the question of Americans' access to the app up in the air. Photo from The Conversation: TikTok users across the country, particularly young adults, are concerned about the implications of banning the download of Tiktok. It is important to note the reasons that the government wants to ban the use of TikTok in the United States. On one side, the app has proven to be a threat to both national and personal security. The fear is that the right information will get into the wrong hands and because Bytedance is a Chinese-owned company, there is more reason to worry. There is recent information about how they use location, target journalists, and impact elections through the app that many of us use every day. What once was a platform used to spread information and entertainment, is now being weaponized, indoctrinating everyday people with things that negatively impact their view of themselves (NPR). It is easy to believe that we are seeing the videos that we do because a special algorithm pushes them out to us, but when you look at it from the perspective of every move you make is tracked and calculated to determine what you view, you too may appreciate a ban of the beloved app. The other argument that is being made is the idea that banning the app would do virtually nothing for the country. It has been shared that there is no proof that Bytedance is sharing information with the Chinese government. This would mean that banning it has no effect because the data being collected from TikTok users is not being used in a way that could weaken us in the hands of another country. Many people also believe that banning TikTok is taking away a part of the rights that they are guaranteed. For many, TikTok is an easy way to share their beliefs and get together with people alike. Taking this away from the people that it truly benefits could be detrimental to their mental health and possibly their livelihood (Scientific American). With all of the controversy and debate, it is important to note that no definite decisions have been made. Everything is still up in the air and TikTok may remain as an app available to Americans for years to come. Works Cited Leffer, Lauren. "Banning TikTok Would Do Basically Nothing to Protect Your Data." Scientific American, 22 Mar. 2024,
www.scientificamerican.com/article/tiktok-ban-data-privacy-security/. Pitofsky, Marina. "VP Harris says Biden administration doesn’t want to ban TikTok despite backing bill that would force sale." USA Today, 24 Mar. 2024, www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/24/kamala-harris-ban- tiktok/73084838007/. Walsh, Deirdre, and Bobby Allyn. "Why the House Voted to Ban TikTok and What Could Come Next." NPR, 13 Mar. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/03/13/1237501725/house-vote-tiktok-ban. Yilek, Caitlin. "When Would a TikTok Ban Go into Effect?" CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok- ban-go-into-effect-senate/.
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By Mason Kravchak, Staff Writer Around this time of year, people tend to get sick due to the change of weather. It can be miserable, especially considering that Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. I myself had caught a bug a few weeks back, and it was pretty sucky. After observing how people have been getting sick, and hearing what their symptoms were, I’ve managed to come up with some tips on how to avoid getting sick. One way is simple, yet effective. You should always wash your hands before you eat. When you’re at school, you go around touching things like pencils, tables, and papers that others have possibly touched or coughed on. Then you go and eat lunch, touching the food that’s about to go in your mouth, with the germs you’ve been exposed to throughout the day. That’s why it’s always important to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer prior to eating. Photo provided by Getty Images; It's crucial to pay attention to what you're touching during the flu season, as you could potentially pick up germs and become sick. One of the main illnesses that spreads this time of year is the flu, so it’s a good idea to get a flu shot right about now. Another very efficient tip to avoid illness is vitamins. Vitamin C and D supplements are really good for strengthening your immune system. Medicine, vaccines, and vitamin supplements are some of the best ways to avoid getting sick, or just making it less dreadful if you were to get it.
Another good way is to dress appropriately. People will be going to school in shorts, skirts, and short-sleeved shirts when it’s just way too cold for it. I get that in Virginia, the weather is different every day. But that means even if it seems to be warm one day, it could switch quickly. It’s also just a lot easier to remove layers of clothing throughout the day than it is to add them. That’s why you should wear a thick layer of clothes when it starts to get cold. This is a big one when it comes to avoiding sickness: Don’t share food with friends. Sharing food with friends is by far one of the easiest ways to catch something. When you share food with someone, whatever they have is entering your system and could make you sick. Even if they don’t appear to be ill, or maybe they just made a full recovery from being sick, you don’t want to take the risk. Sometimes people can get others sick before they even show symptoms. Just don’t share food with your friends during these cold months. These are just a few tips to avoid getting sick, but they are some big ones. The other ways to avoid it is just having common sense, and not doing stuff that you know could cause you to get sick. Just be safe, and try to stay healthy out there. Republicans in the House of Representatives launched an investigation into the origins of President Biden’s profits, where he could become the fourth President to be impeached. Natalie Duckworth, Senior Editor On September 12th, Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy announced that multiple House committees would be opening an impeachment inquiry on President Biden. This is part of an ongoing investigation into the bank records of President Biden and the suspicious dealings that his son, Hunter, has been involved in. While Speaker McCarthy had originally planned to hold a formal vote before starting the inquiry, but due to a lack of support from his fellow House members, he launched the inquiry without a vote (Kaplan, et al.). The first hearing was held on September 28th. For over six hours, House Republicans listed their allegations against the Biden family, including corruption and misuse of executive power. Four different witnesses were called to testify and offer any evidence they had to back up the claims that the House Republicans were making. However, none of these witnesses had any significant knowledge of the allegations made. Most stated that impeachment is unfeasible given the lack of evidence, and instead offered their expertise in the financial and legal spheres to answer the questions of House members. Photo from Jonathan Ernst/Reuters; Pictured is Jonathan Turley, a professor at the George Washington University Law School, who admits that, with the evidence given, there is no basis for an impeachment of President Biden. Controversy has been cast over the timing of this inquiry, as the government was due to shut down approximately 62 hours after the hearings started. Democrats criticized Republicans for choosing to launch an impeachment inquiry rather than focusing on more pertinent issues, such as finding a solution for keeping the government funded and functioning. In a divided House, Democrats and Republicans argued over the purpose of the inquiry. Democrats believed that there was no evidence to support the impeachment of the President, pointing out that many of the witnesses called believed that there was no evidence to support any claims of President Biden’s alleged wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Republicans argued that this hearing was only for the purpose of gathering enough evidence to see if there were grounds for impeaching Biden, and that it is the duty of the House of Representatives to gather the facts and ensure that Americans are protected and that the President isn’t involved in any sketchy activity (Hutzler). As for now, no concrete evidence has been provided that the President is involved in any criminal activity. Additionally, this is only an impeachment inquiry, so President Biden has not been charged with any crimes, and that would only occur after the inquiry has been wrapped up and if there is sufficient evidence to impeach him (Kaplan, et al.). Works Cited Hutzler, Alexandra. "Key Takeaways from House Republicans' 1st Biden Impeachment Inquiry Hearing." ABC News, 28 Sept. 2023, abcnews.go.com/Politics/key-takeaways-house-republicans-1st-biden-impeachment-inquiry/story?id=103575390. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Kaplan, Rebecca, et al. "Kevin McCarthy Announces House Will Begin an Impeachment Inquiry into Biden." NBC News, 12 Sept. 2023, www.nbcnews.com/politics/joe-biden/kevin-mccarthy-plans-formally-endorse-impeachment-inquiry-biden-rcna104585. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023. Natalie Duckworth, Staff Writer As fall slowly changes into winter, many Americans are familiar with the coming of another season: the flu season. But this year, that season has begun much earlier than usual. Viruses that commonly occur in the winter, such as the flu and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), have infected Americans and caused a record number of hospitalizations in October and November, rather than December and January, which is when cases have peaked in the past. According to CDC data, flu cases are “very high” in Virginia, DC, and Maryland. Visual from The Medical University of South Carolina; The high number of influenza cases in 2022 should encourage people to get the vaccination. What is causing this sudden onset of illness? It seems that protocols used throughout 2020 and 2021, designed to protect people from catching COVID-19, might be to blame. While wearing masks and staying at home helped prevent the spread of COVID-19, now that the country is returning to its pre-covid state and eliminating past precautions, people are more exposed to other illnesses like the flu and RSV. In particular, many young children have not been exposed to these illnesses and therefore have little to no immunity against them (Edwards). As the US transitions into the holiday season, many worry that recent gatherings for Thanksgiving will spread the flu to others. Recent data shows that more people have been infected with the virus, but luckily, hospitalization numbers and deaths have remained at a low level for the past few months (Goodman). Works Cited Edwards, Erika. "Flu Hospitalizations Hit Decade High Amid Early Viral Surge." NBC News, 4 Nov. 2022,
www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/flu-hospitalizations-hit-decade-high-early-viral-surge-rcna55099. Accessed 25 Nov. 2022. Goodman, Brenda. "New Subvariants, Holiday Gatherings May Bring More COVID, but Experts Don't Expect Severe Surge." ABC7 New York, 25 Nov. 2022, abc7ny.com/covid-cases-cdc-covid-19-new-variant/12494007/. Accessed 25 Nov. 2022. "Weekly US Map: Influenza Summary Update." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Nov. 2022, www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm. Accessed 25 Nov. 2022. Natalie Duckworth, Staff Writer On November 8, while students were attending virtual classes from home, many American citizens went out to the polling centers, in order to cast their votes in the midterm election. The Democrat Party has retained control of the Senate by a narrow margin of 50-49 representatives. There is only one seat being left up for grabs, which will be determined by the outcome of the race in Georgia. Since neither of the candidates in Georgia have been able to win a majority (at least 50%) of the votes, that seat will be determined by a runoff election. If the senator who ends up being elected is republican, it would cause a tie in the senate. However, the tie would be broken by the current Vice President, Kamala Harris, who is a democrat ("Election Results 2022: Live Map"). Georgia is unique because it is one of only two states, the other being Lousisiana, that follows a two-round voting system. All the other states use plurality systems, also called “winner takes all” voting: whoever has the most amount of votes wins the election. In Georgia and Louisiana, where the two-round voting system is often called a runoff election, the only way to win is by having at least 50% of votes and more than the other candidates. In Georgia, democrat Raphael Warnock and republican Herschel Walker have 49.4% and 48.5% of the votes, respectively. Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver won 2.1% of the votes, sending the election to a runoff. This year, the runoff election in Georgia will occur December 6th, with the top two candidates, Warnock and Walker, on the ballot (Quinn). Photo from PBS; Republican Jen Kiggans defeated democratic Congresswoman Elaine Luria to represent coastal Virginia's competitive district. Kiggans is a Navy veteran, nurse practitioner, and state senator. Here in Virginia, the only election was for the House of Representatives. Across the state, democrats won six House seats, and the republicans won five. Jen Kiggans won District 2, which encompasses Virginia Beach, and narrowly beat incumbent Elaine Luria. However, in District 3, which includes Norfolk, democrat Robert Scott was reelected ("Virginia House Election Results 2022: Live Map"). In the House of Representatives, republicans pulled off an upset and flipped multiple seats. The first party to reach 218 seats will be considered the majority, but for now, republicans hold a lead of 217-205 ("House of Representatives Midterm Election 2022: Live Updates, Results & Map"). Works Cited "Election Results 2022: Live Map." POLITICO, 13 Nov. 2022, www.politico.com/2022-election/results/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
"House Election Results 2022: Live Map." POLITICO, 13 Nov. 2022, www.politico.com/2022-election/results/house/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2022. Quinn, Melissa. "What is a Runoff Election, and How Will It Work in Georgia's Senate Race?" CBS News, 10 Nov. 2022, www.cbsnews.com/news/runoff-election-georgia-senate-2022-raphael-warnock-herschel-walker/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022. "Virginia House Election Results 2022: Live Map." POLITICO, 12 Nov. 2022, www.politico.com/2022-election/results/virginia/house/. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022. Kensington Balam, Staff Writer Two hundred shows, countless stars, and thirty-eight years of experience from one company. Hurrah Players Inc. has touched the lives of so many people. It is a wonderful program that teaches kids skills such as dancing, singing, and other abilities related to musical theater. Some of our very own at NCS attend and benefit from this program. Elijah Tubbs said that Hurrah is a very professional environment; it sets expectations for the actors and actresses to follow. He also described some amazing experiences he has gone through in the last five months. He says that one memorable moment was seeing kids' faces after the first Descendants show, in which he played Jay, and how happy they were to see the actors. He described it as “priceless.” By no means is Hurrah a “walk in the park.” He said there were some overwhelming moments, especially when communication was off, but those are what made him better. Hurrah is not easy, but it is definitely rewarding. Tubbs also gave some very helpful tips for anyone interested in Hurrah. Photo from Hugh R. Copeland; Norfolk Christian senior Elijah Tubbs starred as Jay in Disney's Descendants during the summer. It was his time in a Hurrah Players production, and he learned a lot from the experience. He said, “I would tell them three things that I think would make them would allow them to succeed in the Hurrah environment. First… be prepared to learn. The only way to improve is to take advice, direction, and instruction from those who are more experienced than you. This includes directors, crew members, and fellow actors alike. You can even learn things from those less experienced than you if you try. The second thing I would say is never to compare yourself to anyone else. You will meet some impossibly talented people there, and the only thing you can do is try to improve your own talent in your own way, and chart your own path. That way, no matter how technically talented you are, people will see you as a confident and unique person, and before you know it, you are on the same level as those people you once thought were completely out of your league.”
Tubbs continues on to say: “The last thing I would say to this person is that they should always remember to have fun. Theater, if nothing else, is supposed to be fun. It's a way to express yourself, challenge yourself, and even surprise yourself in your own unique way. It's a way to inspire others, brighten peoples' days, and tell a story. It's so easy to get caught up in the personal drama, or how you didn't get the character you wanted, or how you messed up on this one thing in this one part of the show… Sometimes you just need to let go of that stuff and push through… it ends up being worth it in the end.” Elijah also wanted to add that he learned so much while participating in Hurrah Players, including time management, quick thinking, and respect towards authority figures. Hurrah teaches valuable skills that may not be taught in depth at other departments. Elijah ended his interview with the comment: “Doing shows with Hurrah is a good time that will teach you a lot and, as someone who loves acting, I want you to love it too. Hurrah is a great place to go for that.” In addition to Norfolk and Virginia Beach students, renowned actors have also benefited from Hurrah, such as Adrienne Warren, who’s currently playing Tina Turner on Broadway! Overall, Hurrah is a great program for anyone passionate about nurturing their skills in the close-knit theater community. Rachel Florence, Staff Writer Ten minutes away from Norfolk Christian is Muse Writers Center. The Muse is a space for writers to workshop their writing, take classes, and meet other writers. They also have an array of library books, some written by Muse authors. They offer internship programs for teenagers ages sixteen to eighteen in a variety of areas, including social media and library internships. Their internships are unpaid, but they will work with your university to give you credits, and offer perks such as free classes and a Muse membership. They have a range of classes and writers' groups, with in-person, online, and hybrid options. The classes cover topics such as fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and graphic novels. Some of their groups are Teen Writers’ Club and Writers’ Coffee Break. These consist of informal meetings where you meet other writers and share your work. The Muse also has open mic nights, a place for you to read your work. Some of these are teen-specific, like the Halloween open mic night that occurred on October 28th. Photo from Muse Writers Center website; Even in the midst of the pandemic, the 2021 teen writers fellowship were able to attend last year's Hampton Roads Writers Conference. Applications for the 2023 fellowship are now available to sophomores and juniors! Another thing they offer, specifically for sophomores and juniors, is their teen fellowship program. The teen fellowship program is a series of classes about various aspects of writing, such as worldbuilding, mechanics, dialogue, and plotline. The program pairs each fellow with a professional writer, who serves as their mentor. This September, the members of the teen writers fellowship, one of whom was NCS student Jordyn Balam, attended the 2022 Hampton Roads Writers Conference. They submitted poetry and prose to the annual contest and pitched their work to professional agents.
The Muse Writers Center is an important place for creators of all kinds. Whether you’re an artist, poet, novelist, musician, or screenwriter, there’s something for you at the Muse. It’s an excellent space to create art, meet new friends, and discover talents that you might not have known you possessed. The Muse is a unique and special place that is bursting with energy and creative spirit. Jordyn Balam, Editor-in-Chief 103 deaths, 2.5 million evacuation orders, 3.4 million U.S. power outages, and 6,000 canceled flights– the effects of Hurricane Ian are some of the most devastating in United States history. Although Virginia did not face major damage, coastal cities in Florida are still recuperating from the effects of powerful winds and storm surges. The Category 4 storm made landfall three separate times in late September. It flooded counties and devastated infrastructure in Cuba, Florida, and South Carolina. The economic damage could amount to $75 billion, according to a study from Enki Research (Zahn). In comparison, this estimate is half of Hurricane Katrina’s cost, which was around $161 billion, but it is much greater than Hurricane Iota’s $1.4 billion damages. President Joe Biden has facilitated federal aid to Florida and Cuba, but complete recovery will be a long process. Reflecting back on the hurricane, many Florida residents with lost loved ones or wrecked homes wonder why warnings didn’t come earlier. In Lee County especially, officials issued evacuation orders only one day before the storm hit. There wasn’t much time for officials to translate the orders into other languages. Therefore, some people were still deciding whether or not to leave their homes when 150 mph winds arrived on September 28. At least 54 people died in Lee County, making it the area with the most fatalities, mainly due to drowning, for the storm surge reached up to seven feet (Olivio). During the hurricane’s second landfall in South Carolina, the surge near Myrtle Beach approached five feet, the third-highest in history. Photo from NBC News; The destruction resulting from Hurricane Ian is unprecedented, with the most damage occurring in Lee County, Florida, as shown in the above photography. In regard to the health effects of Hurricane Ian, scientists recently observed a rise in infections from a bacteria called “Vibrio vulnificus” that feeds on soft tissue (Hassan). The bacteria is prominent in flood waters and standing waters brought on by the storm. Sewage spills also house these microbes. Vibrios cause about 100 annual deaths in the United States, so it’s best to avoid still waters if one has an open wound. Analysts assure Americans that Hurricane Ian will not have a notable effect on the gas and food industries, since Florida does not play a major role in either sector. However, the state produces most of the nation’s citrus fruits, so people can expect a decline in those products. Although some oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico suspended their operations for safety reasons, they are now up and running. Photo from Al Jazeera; After the hurricane subsided, hundreds of Floridians remained safe in shelters, thanks to efforts from federal agencies and other organizations. Florida has faced destructive hurricanes in the past, including Hurricane Charley with winds also up to 150 mph in 2004. Hurricane Ian is the sixth major hurricane to affect the United States in the past ten years; the preceding one was Hurricane Ida, which wreaked havoc on the Caribbean Islands .However, the damage caused by Ian is astounding, second only to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Floodwaters and rainfall submerged buildings up to their ceilings, leaving many Floridians homeless. If you would like to help the victims of Hurricane Ian, you can visit the Red Cross’s website, or the Florida Disaster Fund to contribute financially. Finally, the country’s hurricane season lasts for about two more months, so continue to stay vigilant and watch for potential storms. Works Cited Hassan, Camra. “Dangerous flesh-eating bacterial infections increased in Florida after Hurricane Ian.” CNN Health, 18 October 2022.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/18/health/rare-bacteria-hurricane-ian-floodwaters/index.html. Accessed 18 October 2022. Livingston, Ian. “What Made Hurricane Ian So Intense: By the Numbers.” The Washington Post, 4 October 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/10/04/hurricane-ian-statistics-deaths-winds-surge/. Accessed 18 October 2022. Olivio, Antonia, et al. “Hour-by-hour analysis shows toll of county’s delay before Hurricane Ian.” The Washington Post, 14 October 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/10/14/lee-county-hurricane-ian-evacuation-timeline/. Accessed 18 October 2022. Zahn, Max. “What Hurricane Ian Means For Food and Gas Prices.” ABC News, 28 September 2022, https://abcnews.go.com/Business/hurricane-ian-means-food-gas-prices/story?id=90630806. Accessed 18 October 2022. Natalie Duckworth, Staff Writer Glenn Youngkin, Virginia’s new governor, reversed his predecessor Ralph Northam's decision to make masks mandatory in all K-12 schools. While many schools, including Norfolk Christian, have made masks optional for all students, other schools around the state are challenging Youngkin’s executive order in court or are simply ignoring it. In an op-ed, Youngkin wrote that he plans to redefine the idea of a mandate by giving parents the choice to decide whether or not their children will wear masks in school. Essentially, he aims to adjust how schools approach the pandemic. Multiple districts in Virginia have decided to sue Youngkin for his actions, citing that without masks, cases will continue to climb. However, Youngkin has no plans to back down, remarking that, “we will continue to protect parents’ fundamental right to make decisions with regard to their child’s upbringing, education, and care.” Another one of Youngkin’s goals is to end all statewide mandates in an attempt to return to normalcy. This goal begs the question - is it safe to start unmasking kids in school? Photo by Lily Strickland; At Norfolk Christian, wearing a mask in classes is optional. However, foregoing a mask in hallways and public spaces requires a signature from a parent or guardian. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends mask mandates in K-12 schools, even if the students are vaccinated. The World Health Organization (WHO), on the other hand, is firmly against masking children under the age of 5 and also resists masking children aged 6 to 11. America stands out from its European counterparts by choosing to ignore guidance from the WHO. According to medical studies, children without pre-existing conditions are very unlikely to die or experience dangerous symptoms after contracting COVID-19. One study conducted in two Tennessee counties compared the effects of mandated masking and opt-out masking to COVID-19 rates in school. Both counties had similar vaccination rates against COVID-19, and the same case rates among school-aged children, despite the fact that the school with the opt-out masking had 23% of their students unmasked. Multiple studies have been conducted across the country and in Europe, but many factors such as vaccination and comparable case rates are lacking, making it hard to find an answer with universal application. In addition, the CDC has stated that cloth masks are insufficient against the omicron variant. For months, they asserted that masks with multiple layers protect people against COVID-19. However, the best protection against the recent variant is apparently an N95 or KN95 mask. These are often difficult to find because of high demand; masks with maximum air filtration are primarily used by doctors and nurses that treat patients infected with COVID-19. Even if an average American wore a N95 or KN95 mask, its resistance against omicron is still questionable, for the wearer needs multiple hours of wearing for a tight seal. Because of this, the CDC ultimately suggests that Americans wear a mask that fits well and is available to them. Photo by Lily Strickland; In response to the mandate's removal, it all depends on choice. While some students feel that masks hinder their learning and social life, other students prefer wearing them. Neither opinion is wrong. The problem with mandates is that the data supporting them is insufficient. At the beginning of the pandemic, schools closed and millions of students suffered physically, emotionally, and mentally. When schools reopened, the nation did not see a significant rise in cases, even when mitigation efforts were minimal. Now that masking is partially gone, school administrators can see how past mitigations have worsened students’ mental health and overall education. Works Cited Mandavilli, Apoorva. "The C.D.C. Concedes That Cloth Masks Do Not Protect Against the Virus As Effectively As Other Masks." The New
York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos, 16 Jan. 2022, www.nytimes.com/2022/01/14/health/cloth-masks-covid-cdc.html. Accessed 30 Jan. 2022. Smelkinson, Margery, et al. "The Case Against Masks at School." The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2022, www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/kids-masks-schools-weak-science/621133/. Accessed 30 Jan. 2022. Vitka, Will. "Youngkin Pens Op-ed Defending Ban on Mask Mandates; Fairfax Supervisors Support School Mask Requirement." WTOP News, 26 Jan. 2022, wtop.com/coronavirus/2022/01/youngkin-pens-op-ed-defending-ban-on-mask-mandates-fairfax-schools-uphold- requirement/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2022. Natalie Duckworth, Staff Writer A recent surge in Covid-19 cases, fueled by the Omicron variant, has led to a recent testing shortage and economic troubles nationwide, with cases on the rise around the world. Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 9.5 million new cases of Covid-19 globally, a 71% increase in new cases. Despite this drastic change from the previous stats, fortunately deaths are on the decline. While the Omicron variant is significantly less dangerous than the previous Delta variant, top doctors advise the public to continue to take caution. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says that “the tsunami of cases is so huge and quick that it is overwhelming health systems around the world.” Across the country, there has been a shortage of Covid tests, and the places that do have tests have very long lines. Consequently, the White House is in the process of sending an at-home Covid test to every American. Due to the shortage of tests, the case numbers reported daily are most likely smaller than what they really are. Photo by Lily Strickland; As more students must quarantine due to the more contagious Omicron variant, please remember to keep your mask on and oblige social distancing rules. The Omicron variant is comparably mild, mainly because it does not affect the lungs as much. Nonetheless, the variant can be more dangerous for toddlers, whose respiratory tracks are not as developed as teens and adults. Health experts such as Dr. Marc Siegel recommend that children should still stay in school despite the sudden uptick in cases. According to him, keeping schools closed does not lead to a decrease in the spread of the virus. If everything were shut down like it did in 2020, then there would be a major toll on the already suffering economy. It is also important to note that there are already therapeutics that can treat those sick with Covid. For example, monoclonal antibodies can enhance or immediate the immune system’s defense against invading cells. Dr. Siegel recommends that the White House should develop their own “Operation Warp Speed” (a reference to a Trump-era campaign that helped to create and distribute Covid vaccines) to help curb the rapid spread of Omicron. Lastly, Omicron has taken a toll on the entertainment industry. Just recently, the Recording Academy announced that the Grammy Awards will be postponed to a future date due to the amount of risks associated with holding such a big event. It will be tricky for organizers to find a new date, for the Los Angeles Convention Center is also home to professional basketball and hockey teams. Works Cited "As Omicron Spreads, Europe Scrambles to Shore Up Health Care." Fox News, 7 Jan. 2022,
www.foxnews.com/world/covid-19-europe-health-systems-staff-shortage. Accessed 9 Jan. 2022. "Grammys Postpone Awards Ceremony over Omicron COVID Variant Concerns." Fox News, 5 Jan. 2022, www.foxnews.com/entertainment/grammys-postpone-awards-ceremony-omicron-variant-coronavirus-concerns. Accessed 9 Jan. 2022. Nerozzi, Timothy. "Senate Dems Give Biden Pass on COVID-19 Testing Shortages Despite Repeatedly Slamming Trump." Fox News, 7 Jan. 2022, www.foxnews.com/politics/senate-dems-biden-covid-19-pass. Accessed 9 Jan. 2022. Siegel, Marc. "Don't Fear Omicron — It Will Burn Out. Here Are Five Ways to Be Unafraid." Fox News, 5 Jan. 2022, www.foxnews.com/opinion/omicron-covid-public-health-testing-masks-marc-siegel. Accessed 9 Jan. 2022. |
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