Covid-19 response brings out good and bad in people, from hoarding to serving others

Editor:

I do not expect you to believe it but there are some people who don’t care. If you are wondering what I am talking about, I am talking about the dreaded coronavirus or its code name, Covid-19.

Almost every community in America is being affected by the virus. Businesses are shutting down, jobless claims now exceed 16 million, unemployment is its highest since the Great Depression.

When the coronavirus was first discovered, nobody expected it to blow up the way it did. In fact, the virus was not perceived as dangerous at all until it took lives in China and travelled to members of our county and community. The seemingly unpreventable spread of the virus can incite fear among individuals, installing a sense of panic in our entire community.

Sparse supplies 

Actions such as panic buying and hoarding reflect the fear we have that this epidemic will never end. Perpetrating this behavior confines valuable resources to our own homes, yet leaves those who may need it more defenseless and undersupplied.

It’s reasonable to be more self-serving during these times, and it’s hard to share with others due to the fear of the virus. However, as a kind, caring community, we should try to make an effort to think of others during this scary pandemic, not leave people without food supplies or things needed to shelter in place because they weren’t able to get to the supermarkets in time.

How one high school cares 

Yet, despite the instilled fear of the virus, community members are still fighting to do good. Members of Gunn High School in Palo Alto, California, have created a group called Gunn Cares, where people are made aware of opportunities where they are able to serve their community and help those in need.

Community members all over Palo Alto offer their services to those who are unprepared or high risk. These brave and generous actions show the capacity for their community to rise up beyond the fear and selfish actions to care for those who are impacted most by this virus.

Racially speaking

This virus has taught me a lot about human panic and fear. The vulnerability of people to a fearful virus often leads them to harbor blame and anger. Like many epidemics in the past, such as Ebola and the Spanish flu, the origins of epidemics cause tense, racially charged discussions, even though diseases do not discriminate.

People who have never even been to China experience discrimination and bias at the hands of those motivated by fear. Violent attacks have been reported around the world, and people are no longer safe, perhaps even in towns they have lived in their entire lives.

However, this virus has also shown me that this community, as well as our nation, is resilient and helpful in times of crisis. All around the world, people have been contributing to the efforts of providing resources to hospitals, donating food to those in need, and offering service to those who are at high risk.

People all around the world are thinking of ingenious solutions to help others and offering their own time, money, and resources to make a real difference. Entrepreneurs, tutors and engineers offer their services to help the public, free of financial motives.

Despite all of the negative news coverage that we are often attracted to, these inspiring actions heavily outweigh any negative activity. They represent the unwavering light of human spirit, and our capacity to be generous and kind, and to sacrifice ourselves to help other people. Covid-19 affects us all, whether in big or small ways. Let this be a time for us to become a tighter-knit community and find ways to push past this virus, while remaining resilient and strong.

Interview with Superintendent Bartalo

Schools are a place that are seeing major changes due to this pandemic. Superintendent Brian Bartalo of Holley Central School District does a lot of work, but his work has definitely changed since schools have closed.

When asked how he would say this pandemic has affected his daily work, he answered “Wow! My work has been very different. I still come into the office here at Holley Central School District Office. I come in every day but I’m usually alone or maybe one or two other people in the office in order to do payroll, work on the budget… and we stay distant.”

He goes on to say, “We work in separate offices and it affects me because I am used to working with lots of people like teachers and administrators and especially the students. I miss that the most. I have had to do different jobs that I never had to do before, so the work has changed as well.”

It will be interesting to see how Superintendent Bartalo’s job shifts as months go on.

Jayda Shampine

Holley sixth-grader

(Mr. Gardner’s homeroom)