COVID Continues to Challenge Community
With new vaccines being dispersed, there are hopes that coronavirus cases and deaths will go down.
By Gabriella Vasquez
With new vaccines being dispersed, there are hopes that coronavirus cases and deaths will go down.
By Gabriella Vasquez
The recent coronavirus outbreak in Santa Clara has obtained the most extensive abundance of new cases so far. The results of COVID-19 institute yet another reason why an in-person school may not be possible this semester.
Although it is no surprise that Santa Clara has maintained its status in the purple tier, the new year continues to break records with the number of current cases. The amount of infected people is currently high due to an increase in COVID-19. As of Feb. 3, the county has hit over 103,236 patients and approximately 1,473 deaths, including members of the Pioneer community, making a full return to campus increasingly unlikely for this school year.
The new guidelines allow for few additional businesses to reopen, assuming that they follow state and county health officer orders, such as social distancing and the implementation of face masks. Still, the amount of sick people tends to increase and decrease unexpectedly, as seen in the past year. Teachers who are helping plan in-person classes are still concerned about cases and safety before returning to class while levels are still so high.
"We need to see cases of COVID lowered for sure. Everyday I read about the record-breaking numbers of cases and deaths, so I think we need to get that under control first," said English Department Chair and COVID-19 response team member, Beth Stafford. "Pioneer, along with all SJUSD schools, have a safety committee meeting regularly to discuss how to implement in-person learning as safely as possible.”
Despite many cases in the area, Pioneer continues to implement an engaging learning atmosphere at home.
"Teachers are getting better and better with online learning, so I would expect a better online learning experience. It should be smoother and more organized as teachers have had time to learn all the new technology," said Stafford.
While teachers are still waiting on when they will receive the vaccine, many local medical workers have already received the vaccine. Senior Shawheen Ghezevat’s parents work at Kaiser Permanente and were able to be innoculated but are still taking safety measures against the disease.
"My parents get tested, have gotten the Moderna vaccine, and are very, very cautious. For example, whatever things my mom takes to work, such as her lab coat, mask, and face shield, she makes sure to put it in a large Ziploc bag before entering the house, so no one is exposed to them. That's just one example, but generally, both my parents are cautious about how they go about doing certain things," said Ghezevat. "My parents have told me that this vaccine is the safest and most effective vaccine that we have ever seen. They also tell me that most individuals will experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches, chills, fever, and body ache, and in rare occasions, it can cause anaphylactic reactions."
Another student, Ken Isaka, 12, understands the excitement around the vaccines being given out, but also feels that it’s more important to make sure that those who are immunocompromised should take priority over those who want to return to school.
"My mom is an ER physician, and she got vaccinated," said Isaka. "I understand why students should get vaccinated before coming to school, and that safety should be number one, but do we really want hundreds of kids taking vaccines away from people who need it more?"
Overall, the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases has brought uncertainty about whether or not we will return to school. More importantly, it has brought attention to the additional concerns involving the coronavirus.
Ka’ja Joyce, 11, contracted the virus last year, and ultimately lost her mother to the disease, finding it really difficult due to the loneliness and loss combined with also having to fight the disease.
"When I first found out I had COVID, I didn't really believe it at first. I just thought I was sore and stiff from working out or stretching." said Joyce. "I got sick because one of my family members is an essential worker and they got it from a co-worker, It was really overwhelming and embarrassing even because I knew if people knew I was sick that they would think I was a hypocrite who wasn't obeying quarantine guidelines, but I know myself, and I know that was not the case."
Regardless of Joyce's loss and the thousands of new COVID deaths everyday, there are still a countless number of people who refuse to follow the coronavirus guidelines.
"It makes the entire situation a lot more frustrating since people are not taking it seriously. It makes me very mad, and it's frankly disrespectful," said Joyce. "Being sick wasn't nearly as bad as going through the loss. Having to go through it all at the same time, especially without anyone knowing at first, made it a lot worse."
The impacts of the coronavirus have been devastating beyond the inability for students to socialize and struggling with online classes. Although a return to school is unlikely, changes throughout our community, such as making adjustments to online learning, taking necessary precautions, or in some cases getting vaccinated, can help towards ending this pandemic. Until then, people need to social distance and wear masks, and especially be mindful towards others during this difficult time.
"You truly don't know how much it hurts until it happens to you, but you shouldn't have to experience loss personally to care about other people's lives,” said Joyce.
Although it is no surprise that Santa Clara has maintained its status in the purple tier, the new year continues to break records with the number of current cases. The amount of infected people is currently high due to an increase in COVID-19. As of Feb. 3, the county has hit over 103,236 patients and approximately 1,473 deaths, including members of the Pioneer community, making a full return to campus increasingly unlikely for this school year.
The new guidelines allow for few additional businesses to reopen, assuming that they follow state and county health officer orders, such as social distancing and the implementation of face masks. Still, the amount of sick people tends to increase and decrease unexpectedly, as seen in the past year. Teachers who are helping plan in-person classes are still concerned about cases and safety before returning to class while levels are still so high.
"We need to see cases of COVID lowered for sure. Everyday I read about the record-breaking numbers of cases and deaths, so I think we need to get that under control first," said English Department Chair and COVID-19 response team member, Beth Stafford. "Pioneer, along with all SJUSD schools, have a safety committee meeting regularly to discuss how to implement in-person learning as safely as possible.”
Despite many cases in the area, Pioneer continues to implement an engaging learning atmosphere at home.
"Teachers are getting better and better with online learning, so I would expect a better online learning experience. It should be smoother and more organized as teachers have had time to learn all the new technology," said Stafford.
While teachers are still waiting on when they will receive the vaccine, many local medical workers have already received the vaccine. Senior Shawheen Ghezevat’s parents work at Kaiser Permanente and were able to be innoculated but are still taking safety measures against the disease.
"My parents get tested, have gotten the Moderna vaccine, and are very, very cautious. For example, whatever things my mom takes to work, such as her lab coat, mask, and face shield, she makes sure to put it in a large Ziploc bag before entering the house, so no one is exposed to them. That's just one example, but generally, both my parents are cautious about how they go about doing certain things," said Ghezevat. "My parents have told me that this vaccine is the safest and most effective vaccine that we have ever seen. They also tell me that most individuals will experience flu-like symptoms such as headaches, chills, fever, and body ache, and in rare occasions, it can cause anaphylactic reactions."
Another student, Ken Isaka, 12, understands the excitement around the vaccines being given out, but also feels that it’s more important to make sure that those who are immunocompromised should take priority over those who want to return to school.
"My mom is an ER physician, and she got vaccinated," said Isaka. "I understand why students should get vaccinated before coming to school, and that safety should be number one, but do we really want hundreds of kids taking vaccines away from people who need it more?"
Overall, the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases has brought uncertainty about whether or not we will return to school. More importantly, it has brought attention to the additional concerns involving the coronavirus.
Ka’ja Joyce, 11, contracted the virus last year, and ultimately lost her mother to the disease, finding it really difficult due to the loneliness and loss combined with also having to fight the disease.
"When I first found out I had COVID, I didn't really believe it at first. I just thought I was sore and stiff from working out or stretching." said Joyce. "I got sick because one of my family members is an essential worker and they got it from a co-worker, It was really overwhelming and embarrassing even because I knew if people knew I was sick that they would think I was a hypocrite who wasn't obeying quarantine guidelines, but I know myself, and I know that was not the case."
Regardless of Joyce's loss and the thousands of new COVID deaths everyday, there are still a countless number of people who refuse to follow the coronavirus guidelines.
"It makes the entire situation a lot more frustrating since people are not taking it seriously. It makes me very mad, and it's frankly disrespectful," said Joyce. "Being sick wasn't nearly as bad as going through the loss. Having to go through it all at the same time, especially without anyone knowing at first, made it a lot worse."
The impacts of the coronavirus have been devastating beyond the inability for students to socialize and struggling with online classes. Although a return to school is unlikely, changes throughout our community, such as making adjustments to online learning, taking necessary precautions, or in some cases getting vaccinated, can help towards ending this pandemic. Until then, people need to social distance and wear masks, and especially be mindful towards others during this difficult time.
"You truly don't know how much it hurts until it happens to you, but you shouldn't have to experience loss personally to care about other people's lives,” said Joyce.