Epidemic shuts down schools
Coronavirus Covid-19 forces students to stay home
photo credit: Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAMS
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
March 17, 2020
With no toilet paper, hand sanitizer or surgical masks left on the shelves of stores, COVID-19, or more commonly, the coronavirus, causes massive panic throughout the country.
I’m mostly just sad about the possibility that UIL One Act could be cancelled. Me and everyone else have been working so hard and everyone was looking forward to it. It’s kind of funny, because what are the odds of a freak pandemic shutting down your theatre activities?
— Cecil Pulley, senior
The outbreak resulted in the shut down of almost all school functions: extending spring break by one week, postponing or cancelling all spring sports, and leaving major events, such as prom and graduation, in limbo. At the time of press, it is unknown just how long this quarantine, causing schools across the nation to shut down and move to online learning, will last.
“I’m mostly just sad about the possibility that UIL One Act could be cancelled,” senior Cecil Pulley said. “Me and everyone else have been working so hard and everyone was looking forward to it. It’s kind of funny, because what are the odds of a freak pandemic shutting down your theatre activities? I just hope there’s a way for things to end well because I don’t want all my hard work to go to waste.”
Students around the world have responded in the way they know best: making humorous videos on TikTok. The tags #coronavirus and #covid19 have amassed a collective 11.7 billion views across the platform as of March 16.
“TikTok provides easy accessible personal relief during hard times,” senior Kaylah Casasola said. “It makes it less depressing when you can make jokes about something bad like the virus.”
To prevent the spread of the virus, the Trump administration first encouraged Americans to avoid gathering in groups of more than 50, then that number was pushed down to 10 March 16.
Even major sporting events have stopped, movie theatres, zoos, restaurant lobbies have all closed down in hopes of preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
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Cali Scott • Sep 9, 2020 at 1:59 pm
I love how she brought tiktoks into the article.
skyler • Mar 26, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Nice story!!
I heard that school could be canceled for the rest of the semester.. when we said summer should come faster, I dont think we meant this
Lauren Vasquez • Mar 26, 2020 at 3:28 pm
Great job on this story Addie! I hope we’re able to go back to school soon. I also hope y’all are able to have Spring show still! 🙂
Blake Henderson • Mar 26, 2020 at 1:31 pm
This COVID-19 sucks, especially for the seniors. Due to COVID-19, all JROTC events have been terminated. This is the seniors’ last year of high school and they are spending what little time they have left at home.
Breanna Wooten • Mar 26, 2020 at 10:30 am
This is a very well written story, great job
Jevon Harbert • Mar 26, 2020 at 10:25 am
Good Job Addie,
I am concerned about whatś happening in the world but apps like TikTok are helping me see that there some good in the world still!
katie • Mar 26, 2020 at 9:57 am
I love this piece! It talks more about a students mind and how this is effecting us rather then statistics and the government. It does make me sad and miss a lot of these event.
noah bickley • Mar 26, 2020 at 9:56 am
I want to go back to school.
Heath • Mar 26, 2020 at 9:50 am
I hope everyone is doing all right, It is sad so many events have been postponed or canceled. Though it is necessary.
Hannah • Mar 26, 2020 at 9:47 am
Awesome job!
Jazmine • Mar 26, 2020 at 9:42 am
This is crazy. Also nice job.
Ashtyn E Arp • Mar 26, 2020 at 7:58 am
Good job Addie!!! I love how you brought in key factors and how it was a very serious topic but you still found a way to make it funny and light with the tik tok.
Shawn Garcia • Mar 25, 2020 at 11:59 am
Good job Addie!
I’m also worried about what will happen to the events at our school. As of right now though, I believe that school will get canceled longer then this week but that’s because of how the deaths and the amount of people getting infected are rising. I think that would be the smart thing to do. Its better to be safe then sorry!
Shawn Garcia • Mar 25, 2020 at 11:49 am
Good job Addie!
I am also sort of worried about our school events. As of right know I believe that the break is going to extend past this week because of how the deaths and people infected keep rising. It just seems like the more responsible thing to do.