THE
VISOR
archbishop hoban high school - issue no. 7 - 15 may 2020
how corona changed internet our lives censorship centerspread page 2
quarantine bingo page 12
two
tion lately. Dr. Erickson and Dr. Massihi uploaded an hour long video to YouTube addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, using their current experience as health professionals to look at the virus from a different angle. The video amassed over five million views, with mixed opinions shared regarding the content. Despite this, you’ve probably not heard or even had the chance to watch this video. I recommend watching it as it should be easy enough to find, right? Wrong, YouTube took this video down with the only explanation being a violation of “community guidelines.” If you’re lucky, you can find a reupload on YouTube, but these are also being taken down. The two doctors analyzed the data of various countries affected, but focused primarily on the United States and the preventative measures the country has taken. While the credibility of their claims can be (and certainly has been) debated, all community guidelines were followed so there is no clear reason YouTube removed this controversial video. One look at the comment section on a repost of the video will show everyone’s anger over the injustice YouTube has committed. Disinformation isn’t something we necessarily seek out, yet this video hardly represents misinformation. And besides, countless videos on YouTube aren’t entirely accurate; why aren’t those being taken down? The reason so many are suspicious is because of the way in which the events have taken place. Not only has this video gone incredibly viral, it’s only taken a few days to accomplish this feat. As soon as it started gaining traction, it was yanked away from the public, signaling that maybe this video holds some credibility. Maybe there’s more to see than just two doctors spouting “baseless claims.” Erickson and Massihi’s research is not peer reviewed and because of this, various other professionals have pointed out that nothing these two say holds any merit. While this may be true, the statistics used by these men come directly from the CDC, obviously a credible source. There have been attempts from both sides to further add to or diminish the credibility of their claims; however, the main issue lies in the censorship of this video. In a digital age, it’s fairly easy to find information; however, not all information is presented to us equally. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter serve as news sources for the majority of the population, yet are notorious for censorship. Facebook has gone from a place of cute cat photos to a war ground designated for endless right and left debates and Facebook has come under fire for its censorship of right wing users, often siding with the left. There should be concern over the suppression of political debate, because aren’t we all entitled to an opinion? America’s first amendment is one of its most solid pillars of democracy. Why is it that in a time where it’s so easy to get information, it’s almost as easy to be fooled by disinformation and stubborn forms of censorship? The internet has been (and always should be) a place for free speech and unbiased information. We are not advocating for these doctors, saying that their words are 100% truthful and hold no misinformation. All we’re asking is that those who wish to promote respectful debate should be allowed to do so, especially on the world’s largest video sharing platform. A few years back, Ajit Pai served as one of the main figures who sought to repeal Net Neutrality. In a nutshell, Net Neutrality stops internet service providers from throttling (intentionally slowing or speeding up) the internet speeds of certain websites. Despite the internet’s best efforts, Net Neutrality was repealed. This was a major blow to all who stand for freedom of speech and an unbiased internet, leaving many fearful for the future. Anonymity will always be required on occasion (even here on Visor), yet even anonymity of an opinion is better than not having the ability to voice that opinion at all.
VISOR
THE
Censorship: Do we truly have freedom online? Two doctors from Bakersfield, California have received a lot of atten-
editorial
archbishop hoban high school mailing address: one holy cross blvd. akron, ohio 44306 website: hobanvisor.news email: visor@hoban.org
awards CSPA gold medalist NSPA first class ASPA first place Quill and Scroll Int’l first place OSMA first place
staff editor-in-chief sara cassady alex dillon josh fenn adviser t.k. griffith staff reporters michael johnson gavin morrison
signed letters for publication are welcome. our mailbox can be found in the main office. unsigned editorials represent the consensus of the editorial board. signed opinions represent the views of the writer only.
opinion
three
COVID-19 taught me to cherish the life I have Life kinda sucks right now. I’m not going to sugarcoat anything and the last article you guys want to read is some preachy self help column where I tell you that we will all survive this, because nothing in life is a given. 2020 has been a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad year. It seems impossible that we were all counting down as the ball dropped to what was supposed to be the best year of our lives only five short months ago. We all have family and friends that we want nothing more than to hug right now or events that were cancelled because of the pandemic. I miss my daily routine, especially my drive to school which used to be an opportunity for reflection and running through a mental to-do list. I long for the ability to make a quick stop at the grocery store without having to wear a mask, or even attend a class at the gym. Somehow, even streaming services lose their appeal after a certain number of hours spent binge watching shows and movies. All of our lives drastically changed when Governor Mike DeWine issued his stay-at-home order, the sudden change sparking flames
of righteous indignation around the state. People have lost jobs, homes and lives because of this respiratory disease. Others have lost memories they were supposed to cherish for a life-time: graduations, birthdays, spring breaks, anniversaries and more. Americans will likely be coping with the economic impact for years to come, as our country struggles to handle one of the worst crises to ever face our citizens. This will derail commercial progress and the world may never truly recover from the impact. What was supposed to be a joyous time, the transition from spring to summer, is now marred by uncertainty. We don’t know what the future will hold, and it is hard to remain positive when faced with such bleak possibilities. I’m not here to try to keep your hopes up, maybe just offer some simple advice. Doubt is part of the human experience. Humanity encounters anxiety at even the smallest decision and often validates the old adage “if it can go wrong, it will go wrong.” We never know what could happen from one moment to
the next, secrets yet unrevealed changing the course of our lives completely. If I have learned anything through these past few months, it is that we must cherish any time we are able to spend with loved ones and memorable experiences as long as it’s possible. Instead of busying yourself in work, take the time off for the family reunion. Don’t worry about the money spent on a concert ticket, but reflect on the adventure your friends will cherish forever. Appreciate the barista who made the Starbucks drink and remember who the essential workers truly are. Let your mom hug you in public, even if it may seem embarrassing.Take advantage of what life has to offer and remember that tomorrow is not promised, so we have to make the most of today.
In a matter of days, my entire routine, practically my way of life (okay that might be a little dramatic) was taken away. I went from having my days meticulously planned out, to not even knowing what day it was and, with the loss of my routine, came a serious loss of motivation. Before corona, my entire life was perfectly planned out. The majority of my day was filled with 50 minute classes, followed by a few hours of practice and lastly, a short period of time before the dead of night. This was my homework time. The system I had laid out was fool-proof as it practically prohibited procrastination. I knew, the longer I procrastinated, the less sleep I got and the harder the following morning would be. I was always tired and the only way I could go to sleep was to finish my homework in a timely manner. So I did. When coronavirus blew up, so did my perfectly pieced system and unfortunately, we still had a while to go before anyone could give up on school. On March 13th, Ohio officially closed all schools meaning we still had an entire quarter that now had to be completed online. Online school is no easy feat and it’s especially difficult when no one is expecting it. I, along with everyone, lost my daily routine. I no
longer had a daily start time, bells signifying a change in subject or a specific time alloted to homework. My entire day became my “homework time.” Instead of having two hours dedicated, I had 12. Of course, I now had a lot more assignments to complete during my “homework time” but this did not, in any way, increase my motivation. I procrastinated, complained and procrastinated some more. In my head, I had all day, all week even to complete my assignments and I always waited until the last minute to complete them; however, this system often left me in a panic on Friday afternoons. I spent the entirety of the day telling myself I would not put myself through this the next week but of course, Monday came and I changed nothing. A few rough weeks passed and I knew I could not keep this up, so I finally actually did something to end this seemingly endless cycle. After a couple days, I realized the only way to keep myself motivated was by following a set plan. Shocker right? I needed a routine that kept me on track and avoided procrastination. Ever since then, I’ve been waking up at a consistent time everyday (this surprisingly helps a ton) and then I begin my homework as soon as possible. I write down all of my
work at the beginning of the week and plan what day I am going to do what. Let me tell you, the satisfaction that comes from crossing off completed assignments honestly motivates me to keep pushing. Don’t get me wrong, I by no means have my life together and I still have my fair share of days filled with procrastination, but making a routine and sticking with it has done wonders for me. I finish most days feeling accomplished and my Fridays are definitely a great deal less stressful. Coronavirus took away our usual daily routines and with it all motivation but we just had to push through and take matters into our own hands. This year was not easy by any means but we did it. We successfully made it to the end of the year. Congratulations, you not only completed three quarters of in school learning but also an entire quarter of unprecedented online learning and that’s honestly something to be proud of.
Seriously lacking any motivation? Yeah me too.
four
opinion
Fear of COVID is waning; insert murder hornets by josh fenn
2020 has been a pretty terrible year so far. It all started with the death of Kobe Bryant in January and then the coronavirus showed up and shut down the entire world. Now, just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, the Asian Giant Hornet, known as the “murder hornet,” was discovered in Washington, D.C. They are native to Asia, so they shouldn’t be in America but if there’s one, more are definitely coming, if they are not already here. These bugs are around two inches long, have a three inch wingspan and can kill nearly any other insect. They have a large biting mouthpart that they use to decapitate their victims, which are usually honeybees. Using this technique, they are capable of killing up to 40 honeybees in just a minute. Every year, the hornets band together to conduct a mass attack on the nests of other insects, wiping out entire populations in just a few hours. Beekeepers nationwide are worried that their hives will be destroyed by these coordinated attacks. Not only are honeybees important for pollination and the environment, but the beekeeping business is very important economically. It’s valued at around ten-billion dollars, so the destruction of the industry would have devastating financial consequences. While its effect on other insects and the
economy is scary, it doesn’t even compare to the damage they can do to humans. The hornet’s sting most likely won’t kill you, as it only killed 56 people last year, but the pain it causes is truly excruciating. It has a stinger that is a quarter-inch long and contains extremely dangerous venom. This venom makes it the second most painful sting in the world, only behind the tarantula hawk, which literally kills and eats tarantulas for baby food. Luckily we don’t have to worry about those, as we don’t have any wild tarantulas here. Coyote Peterson, the influencer behind the YouTube channel Brave Wilderness, was stung by one of these hornets for a video. He said that the initial sting causes the victim to go into shock and experience extreme dizziness. After the shock wears off, the pain is described to feel as if “searing hot metal is being inserted into your skin.” But this is only the beginning, as over the next few minutes the area that was stung will begin to swell up to enormous sizes. About 12 hours after being stung in the middle of his forearm, Peterson stated that “the swelling is all the way down into my elbow and all the way up through my wrist, and I think if you stick me with a fork right now, it would explode.” Over the next 24-36 hours, the searing pain will transition to itching that’s worse
than any amount of poison ivy or bug bites. Luckily, it will eventually subside along with the swelling within four days of the initial sting. While the coronavirus pandemic is certainly scary, I don’t think it’s nearly as terrifying as a murder hornet. Imagine you’re just playing an innocent game of basketball outside and suddenly you hear a massive two inch long hornet fly up behind you. You’ll certainly be able to hear it, as its massive three inch wingspan creates a noise similar to a helicopter. Anyways, if I saw this creature outside, I honestly don’t know if I could bring myself to leave the house again for days, maybe even weeks. That hornet would be just as effective at making me stay home as the virus is. But in all seriousness, the coronavirus outbreak is pretty horrific right now, and this article certainly isn’t meant to mock or underestimate it in any way. Coronvirus has affected infinitely more people than murder hornets ever will. Whether they’re as scary as the virus or not is up to you to decide. For now, stay safe and avoid the murder hornets.
Conspiracy: The link between 5G and COVID-19 by michael johnston As I’m sure you’ve heard countless times, history is currently being made as a pandemic is sweeping throughout the world. The new strain of coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is causing complete chaos. Hospitals are overwhelmed, while others are stuck at home. People are dying and others can’t even see their newborns. Among this disaster, many secrets are being held from the common people. Although it is ridiculed as illogical, there is a shared belief that 5G and the coronavirus have a connection, but the media silences it away as it continues to bury the sources. However, if it was senseless, nobody would feel the need to hide the original articles. They must have a link. Officials try and bash this obvious connection by stating how 5G cannot transmit coronavirus, but remember, these are the same people who argue the earth is round and the moon isn’t a government satellite. We can’t trust anything they say. Hiding the true evidence from curious individuals won’t work, that’s basic logic. Scientists claim that the link is not possible because biological matter cannot be moved by radio waves. Although this may seem logical, do not be deceived, they are lying. I mean, scientists are known for their mood killing attitudes, how can we trust them?
The virus is biological matter, like people, so it has a drive to explore. After discovering the recreational potential of beaches, people learned to use waves and now thousands dance around in them at beaches. Some even learned to ride them for sport. Everyone needs a vacation and germs are no exception. The virus likes to play in waves too, radio waves. However, unfortunately for us, the waves oftentimes carry the matter into technology, specifically phones and laptops and from there, the bug scuttles up into the mouth, nose or eyes. The virus then attempts to continue its vacation in the lungs, however at this point, they end up annoying the landlord, the immune system, so a brawl goes down and the host becomes ill. Although it is believed that radio waves are non-ionizing, they still do weaken the body. Critics claim this is hardly evidence but there’s more and it’s centuries old. When the lizard people first ruled long ago, a little man accidentally created radio waves. He threw a radio into the sea when it stopped working and bam! The first radio wave was made. However, he was not just an inventor, like most people, he also had his fair share of enemies. The creator was very proud of his new invention and he wanted to share it with others. When the creator ran around town
bragging of his new invention, many people became extremely annoyed, especially the town hero, named Adam. The two were complete opposites. The maker was wise and Adam was far from it; Adam was popular and the creator was an outcast. Adam was sickened by the creator’s personality. Annoyed, he destroyed the creator’s sand castle to quieten him. Cursing revenge on Adam’s bloodline, the maker formed a masterplan for revenge. His beauts, the waves, would distract the humans while an ally attacked. From then on, the waves were ordered to suppress the immune system by distracting the white-blood cells, typically performing dramas or puppet shows. Meanwhile, their virus adversaries would prepare for an attack. Centuries passed and the plan was executed perfectly. Insert COVID-19. There you go, there’s all the evidence you need. Cleary, 5G and the coronavirus have a link. Besides being the virus’ ride to the body, the waves also helped coordinate an attack. So, the next time someone ridicules the idea of radio waves transmitting viruses, ignore them. Oh, and make sure to wear a tin-foil hat! All jokes aside, please stay safe. These times are rough and no laughing matter. But like all hardships before, we will prevail.
feature
five
A perfect ACT score, improbable not impossible by dylan feltovich
This past February, students across the state of Ohio were given the opportunity to take the ACT. Most people were just trying to score in the high 20s, however, this was not the case for juniors Thomas Crowe and Owen Kovalik. It has always been Thomas’ goal to score perfectly on the ACT. To achieve this feat, he has taken the test every year since seventh grade, increasing his score each test until he finally reached the 36 mark this year. Not surprisingly, he scored higher than most students ever do while he was in seventh grade when he obtained a score of 27. “I was still surprised to get a 36. I never really thought that it would actually happen, I always had it as a goal that I was maybe never going to get” Crowe said. “To come out of that test and feel like it was a possibility, and then to get in the mail and it actually happened, it was pretty exciting.”
Kovalik, on the other hand, has only taken the ACT once and got a perfect score first try. “I felt confident while taking the ACT, but I thought my math section wasn’t good enough for a perfect score,” Kovalik said. “When I got my results back, I was shouting with joy.” Although it all came as a shock to both of them, many teachers and friends were not surprised by their achievement. Throughout their time at Hoban, both have shown many excellent qualities both inside and outside school. Kovalik has been the leader of the academic challenge team for the past three years. At last year’s Kent State tournament, he even won the Top Gun round, an incredible achievement. He has also competed in the oratory event at the national Junior Classical League for the past two years. Crowe has many athletic achievements as he has lettered in baseball and basket-
ball in his first three years at Hoban. He is also a member of Junior Leadership Akron. As of right now, Crowe is considering attending Notre Dame, Duke or Vanderbilt. He is also most likely going pre-law, as he would like to become a lawyer or a politician in the future. Kovalik is still undecided about where he will attend college; however, he presumes he will pursue physics or chemistry research. Both Crowe and Kovalik have bright futures ahead of them and will continue to demonstrate the Knight way wherever their next chapter takes them.
Having a twin definitely has its pros and cons by alex wong For the majority of you who don’t know, I have a twin brother. We’re fairly different in a lot of ways, but the same in a lot of other ways. It’s hard to explain. His name is Nicholas. I thought I’d dive into a list of some, but not all, pros and cons of living with a twin brother. P r o s : Competition is constant: Some may view competition as a con of sorts; however, I view it as positive reinforcement to improve myself. Now I have tons of competitions with my brother to be better at miscellaneous events, ranging from who is funnier, to who is the faster runner. Since we are the same age and have similar genetics, every bout starts as a clean slate, with no twin having an advantage over the other. Therefore, with no excuses at hand, we both strive to improve ourselves through underlying competitions. Homework helper: Ah yes, we can help each other with our homework, and it is such a nice advantage. I’m not saying we share answers and cheat, that would be a dishonest violation, but last year’s Chemistry notes do really help my brother understand the class this year. Ever since grade school, comparing our homework assignments is a perk that other students could only dream of. Now, I know people can just text a friend about homework, but that’s not nearly as fast as asking someone in real life? No. Also, another bonus is that if one of us forgets a textbook or a worksheet at school, we can just ask each other for it at home. Having someone understand you: People just desire to be understood by others, however, I don’t have that problem. Growing up with each other for both of our entire childhoods, we clearly understand each other’s
mannerisms, ticks, phrases and personalities. That means, if one of us ever has a problem, we know how to talk to each other. Now I hate to disappoint, but twin telepathy does not really exist. However, we do have a deep, mutual understanding of each other, which allows us to basically think of the same things. A friend to fall back on: Having a twin provides one huge advantage: a lifelong friend. Growing up with someone who is always around and the same age as myself, means that I was never bored at a given moment. There has always been someone there to play outside with as a kid, to share laughs with, to hang out with at family gatherings, and to learn about life with, a partner in crime of sorts. Even now with the active quarantine and limitation of human interaction, I am extremely lucky since I don’t have to glue myself to my phone to socially interact with someone; I can just talk to Nicholas. Something I often overlook is that I have never felt alone in life; I always have had a friend by my side since the day I was born. C o n s : Sharing nearly everything: From baths, to clothes, to birthdays, to bedrooms, twins share ALMOST EVERYTHING. Now obviously we have grown out of sharing a lot of things (like baths thankfully), but we still split our bedroom, our birthday, and our Xbox. The amount of times we have yelled at each other for impeding each other’s sleep, blowing out the other’s birthday candles, and playing when it was “my turn” for Xbox, is astronomical. One silver lining though, is that being a twin teaches the crucial lesson “sharing is caring.” Being mistaken: Now I am a fraternal twin, so I would like to believe that I look dis
tinguishable enough to my brother. However, the amount of middle school teachers that called me “Nicholas” almost seemed like a joke. Even my OWN PARENTS have called me the wrong name before, and beneath the usual mutter of “I’m Alex, not Nicholas,” was full disappointment in their identification skills. Lack of privacy and independence: This ties into sharing everything, but twins have minimal privacy. People cherish their privacy and independence, and often complain that they do not have enough of either. Well have you tried sharing a room? Everyone needs privacy to think, relax, study, etc, and twins fail to do that. Now I am in no way ungrateful for my living situation, but sometimes writing an essay for school is more important than looking at a meme on my brother’s phone. Existential dread: No one necessarily intends to have twins when they are planning a family. No pregnant mother just decides they want two babies at once. Therefore, as a twin, there is the underlying dread that one of us was not initially wanted in this world, for families usually plan for one child at a time. There was one more children’s bedroom in my house, not two. However, to spare the pessimism, I wouldn’t have it any other way; twins aren’t an unplanned curse, they are a fateful blessing. Even though there are an equal amount of pros to cons, the pros outweigh the cons in every way. Without a twin, I don’t think I’d be who I am today and I do not want to change my life in anyway. I was blessed with the opportunity to grow up with some the same age as myself, something most people never get the chance to experience, and there’s something just so special about that.
six
centerspread
coronav
How everything has affected students around the globe by josh fenn
Coronavirus has affected every aspect of our lives over the last few months. One of the worst consequences of the virus for students around the world has been the widespread cancellation of schools. Seniors were obviously hit the hardest by this, as they missed out on prom, graduation and many other events that they’ve waited four years for. But juniors, sophomores and freshmen have also missed out on many important and potentially life changing experiences. A major loss caused by coronavirus has been the inability to socialize with friends. One of the best parts of going to school is being able to see your friends daily, so it’s been difficult to not interact with them at all. We’ve all been stuck with the same people over the last few months and as much as we love our families, it’s certainly nice to meet up with different people from time to time, especially the friends that we’re close with and are very important to us. Yet another consequence of the virus is the challenges that come with online learning. No one really knows exactly how to do online learning well so there’s certainly been a massive learning curve for teachers and students alike. Many have struggled with this adjustment, which is damaging to both their grades and their morale.
Everyone has tried hard to make it as similar to school as possible, but it simply can’t compare to the academic value of being in a real classroom. It’s just so much harder to learn in your house without any real life instruction from teachers. The cancellation of high school sports has also hurt student-athletes across the country. All spring sports were cancelled with the school closers, so months of preparation and hard work practically went to waste. Additionally, there is a possibility fall sports will meet the same fate. Hoban has already cancelled summer camps for fall sports and at best a large portion of the offseason will be cancelled. If sports are called off it won’t only hurt the players, but it will also be disappointing for all Hoban students, as no one will have opportunity to attend any sporting events, notably football games. We only hope that life will be more normal by the fall and sports will be played again. Besides high school sports seasons being jeopardized, almost every restaurant, shop or entertainment venue has been closed. To make it even worse, some of the small businesses we love may never reopen due to nationwide economic turmoil. This has left all of us with nothing to do. Instead of the time away from school
being a nice and relaxing experience, it has become the most boring experience of our lives. While the virus has more negative consequences than anything else, there are a few positives, namely, the cancellation of finals. Exam time is usually the worst time of year for any student, as it consists of non-stop studying for a few weeks. Countless sleep schedules are ruined due to the late night study sessions that practically every high school student has pulled. At least coronavirus saved us from our yearly struggle. Another similar advantage of the virus and online schooling is the lack of tests. Once again, tests usually involve a lot of studying and a lack of sleep. Unlike finals, they occur nearly every week and are exhausting, especially since they somehow always align so that you have five tests crammed into two days. Not only were students’ sleep schedules saved by the coronavirus but also their grades. Overall, coronavirus has changed all of our lives to some extent for the time being. Our daily lives and routines have been completely altered and it is a tough adjustment to make. However, just remember that there are some positives here and everything will be normal again fairly soon, at least I hope so.
Corona’s affect on the college search process for class of 2021 by sara cassady
For high school juniors, second semester is singularly focused on college. We worry about standardized testing, GPA’s, the application process and where we want to visit. By the time senior year rolls around, we have narrowed down schools to a select few and start writing essays. However, this process has been drastically changed for the class of 2021. Due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe, life looks dramatically different. Spring break of junior year, the prime time for campus visits and information sessions, was spent at home in our pajamas. During the break, I had visits lined up in New York City that were ultimately canceled. I will now be applying to schools without seeing the campus and experiencing the atmosphere. My home for the next four years might be chosen based on a particularly persuasive informational video or online research about a specific major. Students may not have the opportunity to see universities in person until they arrive for freshman orientation. Many testimonials from college students state that they felt at home after stepping foot on campus, which is a feeling students in the class of 2021 won’t be able to experience. Now, colleges understand the situation and are doing their best to adapt. A ma-
jority have filmed virtual tours and information sessions, so prospective students can still explore the school. Some, like Case Western Reserve, have even adopted webinars where students can hear from alumni and demonstrate their interest. In the past weeks, my parents and I have spent numerous nights huddled around a computer, discovering the unique aspects of different schools. There are even specific information sessions based on a student’s interests, including intended majors, life in the dorm and research opportunities. Often, schools even designate part of the virtual webinar as a time when students can ask specific questions. A pro tip; don’t ask questions which are easily researchable. Colleges see this less as a sign of interest and more as a sign of laziness because you choose not to google it yourself. One topic prominently discussed in many seminars was the test optional policy embraced by schools during this difficult time. Due to the cancellation/postponement of ACT and SAT standardized tests, a growing number of colleges are not requiring hopeful students to submit these scores as part of an application. Now if you are someone who was counting on that score to balance out your application, you need not worry, you can still submit scores for consid-
eration. The test optional policy just means that schools are no longer mandating students submit tests, as they understand it might be difficult to take an exam in the current environment. Instead of viewing test scores as an indicator of future success at an institution, admission counselors will complete a holistic review of other criteria. The extracurriculars and the grades achieved in the first three years of high school now carry much more weight. I know many might have been counting on a spring sport to be their ticket to a scholarship that was cancelled, or the musical to get into a dream school that is no longer happening. However, do not worry, schools understand that opportunities changed drastically after the stay at home order was enacted. They understand many students may now be limited. One suggestion I have for all students worried about applying to college with everything going on in the world is to breathe. Whatever relaxes you, do it. Colleges understand what you are going through and they are experiencing it with you. Write your essays in a way that showcases who you are and what you’re passionate about and hope for the best. Your hard work will pay off and you just have to trust that you will end up where you were meant to be.
centerspread
seven
virUS Eight lessons I’ve learned from COVID-19 and qurantine
by maia ferry
1: The seniors were the best family I’ve ever had (besides my own of course). Ever since freshman year, most of my friends have been in the grade above me (cross country feels). Some of my first friends were Bob, Dan, Aaron, Ethan, and Jacob (obviously). I developed this humongous crush on Jacob (if you know you know), and we became friends and started dating towards the end of that year. Since he was a sophomore, I became closer to those people I previously mentioned along with a large number of other sophomores. Today, I’m still going strong with the wonderful Jacob Fahey and I have more friends in the senior class than in my own. They’ve always been family to me and I’m going to miss them to death. It’s genuinely awful that they weren’t able to get the senior year that they deserved. Although I definitely wasn’t hit half as hard, those times were important to me as well. That was the prom I’ve been looking forward to since my freshman year, and those were the people I wanted to see graduate most. They’ve been my best friends throughout my entire high school journey - a special shoutout to Swati and Kolby as well, who are two of the most amazing women I’ve ever met and who I’m most likely going to college with and I can’t wait (maids of honor check). Anyway, that’s my class and I love them to death. When I think of Hoban as a family, they immediately come to mind. I’m so proud of them and everything that they’ve accomplished because they have accomplished so many incredible things. They have truly helped me to grow into the person I am today and I hope that I’ve been able to help some of them as well. So to the people I went to every school dance with, the people I’ve sat with at lunch every semester, the people I’ve clapped for the hardest at assemblies, the people who made my high school career: I love you so incredibly much, and I am endlessly proud of you. 2: I don’t spend enough time with my family. At the beginning of the break, I was sure that if you were to stick four mentally ill people in a house together for over two months, it would definitely end up with a disaster. But I was wrong. I’ve never been as close to my family as I am right now, which is rather astounding. We haven’t always gotten along, but quarantine has in a way forced us to face that fact and fix it. And because of this, my parents have become two of my greatest friends, and although my sister and I still yell at each other daily, I would still consider her my best friend. Even though quarantine sucks, I couldn’t be more grateful for what it has done for my family. 3: It is absolutely essential to be grateful for the little things.
It’s honestly crazy how much I took for granted before quarantine began. Simply going to restaurants, seeing my friends, having sleepovers, going on vacation or seeing my family (although I did have one chance to see some of my family, but we still, of course, had to social distance which was super weird). No hugs from aunts and uncles, cousins, or from grandpa. I’ve also called and texted my friends and all, but it’s just not the same. There are also those people I’m not comfortable hanging out with outside of school, but I still miss seeing and talking to them every day in the classroom. I miss normal schooling so much as well. This whole online school thing is definitely not doing me or anyone else any favors. A ton of us are failing classes and all - I just wish things were back to normal. Once we get back, though, you best believe I’m doing it all - going to concerts, seeing all of my friends, volunteering at the animal shelter, going on vacation, riding roller coasters, everything. The one quote that just rings so true especially in this situation is that “you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone.” Because, truly, you don’t at all. 4: The internet isn’t all that. The internet is great for connecting with other people, but at the same time, there are so many awful people and creeps on there. And coming from a person that’s personally been cyberbullied pretty badly, we all need to look within ourselves and be just a little bit kinder every day and have a little more empathy for our fellow human beings. And just because the internet gives us something to hide behind, we shouldn’t take advantage of this if we want to practice basic human decency. People have said pretty awful things to me using the guise of the internet and it hurts. I’ve seen so many people, on Tik Tok especially, being so awful to people who they don’t even know - calling people ugly, calling people fat, being racist, being sexist, practically everything you could think of. Like, stop it, get some help. 5: No one understands or respects each other in politics. This will always be true. Republicans tend to stick to the narrative that “oh, Democrats suck. They’re dumb. They don’t do their research and they care about feelings over facts,” while Democrats tend to stick to the narrative that “Republicans are racist, sexist, homophobic… all that fun stuff.” Both are very large overgeneralizations, and although I lean Democrat I believe that it is important to be able to see the other side as well. People need to respect each other, do more research, and be more accepting of each other - we should not let politics drive wedges between relationships (unless someone is an extremist or absolutely insane of course). If we want to fix anything, we must first respect that
everyone can have their own opinion, even if we don’t respect the opinion itself. This is the only way we will be able to get to the root of the issue. 6: You should never be overly sure of your opinion. At the beginning of the break, I was a bit of an extreme conservative. And before that, I was a bit of an extreme liberal. From personal experience, I can say that both extremes are not very nice, at all. After having a lot of time to think, I’ve come to find myself in the middle (although I do lean left quite a bit). Since I’ve had the time to do more research, I’ve thought a lot about what’s best for not only me but for the community. Though my political opinions have changed so many times, I’m pretty sure that I’m right where I need to be at the present moment. Adolescence is definitely a humongous time of change in our lives, and we don’t really know who we are. Therefore, it’s very normal for political stances and beliefs to change all the time. So many teenagers remain so strong in their beliefs that they fail to take a glance at what the other side has to offer. It’s important to look into both sides and decide what’s best for again, not only you, but what’s best for the community. 7: Once you burn bridges, don’t try to build them again. Life has attempted to teach me this lesson again and again, but it never really imprinted itself on my tiny brain until just recently. While forgiveness is extremely important, and while forgive and forget is usually the best policy, that also does not mean that you should just let these people back into your life because sometimes they just aren’t what’s best for you. For example, I spoke to a few people from my old school over the break, and quite honestly, all it did was bring back some really terrible memories for me. I learned that I just needed to let go and realize that I wouldn’t be able to have these people back in my life without a great deal of pain coming along with them. I stopped talking to them pretty quickly. But, this happens with some of my current friends as well. Although I still love the people I no longer am in contact with and want the absolute best for them, I just cannot have them in my life anymore due to the pain and suffering that accompanies my relationships with them. I know so many people that need to accept this you’re not a bad person if you aren’t able to let a specific person back into your life because a lot of the time, they are just not what is best for you. 8: Be kind to yourself. The volume on this one is astronomical. Honestly, I don’t think I need to say much on this point it’s just truly so important. If you’re kind to yourself you will be kinder to others as well - and those are the two most important ideals in the world.
eight
opinion
Some of my thoughts from our “Coronacation” by mia gallagher Well, here we are. Nearly two months have passed since we have been together in the same room or even the same building. That extremely long, coveted, once thought to be wonderful, 104 days of summer vacation is finally upon us but it’s nothing like I expected or even what I desired it to be. We have sarcrificed so much, a world confined to the seclusion of our houses, isolation from our friends and a piece of our precious high school experience lost. I honestly can say I didn’t see 2020 turning out this way, no one did. Don’t get me wrong, when I first heard we were receiving a five week hiatus from school, I was overjoyed. No more waking up early or late night study sessions at least for five whole weeks. Sure, I wouldn’t get to spend seven hours of my day with my favorite people, but that’s a small sacrifice for the hours we would get to spend however we desired. And besides, I could always just FaceTime my friends. I was honestly looking forward to this new “break.” I needed some time to unwind and the coronavirus provided me with it. Looking back, I can now see how naive
I was in thinking this would be a quickly resolved situation. Soon, a break from school became a full stay at home order. Five weeks became seven. Seven weeks became the rest of the school year. It’s now May and we are still confined to our houses, but our perception has changed. What was at first a welcomed break is now a digital fourth quarter, a spring sports season lost, and a painful reality for graduating seniors. So many of us are left wondering what we did to deserve a 2020 of such painful proportions—and it’s only the fifth month! Despite all of the grief and pain that this time of quarantine has caused, it also has given me a lot of time to reflect. It’s funny, we move so fast through our lives, running from school to sports then home, and homework, that we rarely find a moment to stop and evaluate our lives quarantine has forced me to confront the thoughts I’ve been putting aside and I can honestly say that I needed this time to reflect. I’m spending more time reading, journaling and learning new hobbies I otherwise would have no time to pursue. And let’s all be honest, I am loving sleeping in and attending
school from the comfort of my couch or bed. I can’t deny that I miss some of the aspects of school, maybe not the long hours or the uncomfortable desks, but everything else I took for granted. I miss my friends that I haven’t seen in two months, I hate not being able to play lacrosse or club volleyball and my heart aches for all of the seniors. Everyone across the globe, especially seniors, have made a huge sacrifice at the hands of COVID-19. We all have lost something important to us this quarantine, but hopefully we have found something new. If not a new hobby, friend, or Netflix shows to binge, then hopefully a lesson we can bring with us once the world goes back to normal. Although quarantine and 2020 haven’t been what we originally anticipated, it’s given us an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the moments of life that get lost in the hustle of normality. With that, I conclude my thoughts on quarantine 2020. Hope you all enjoy the rest of coronacation and the 104 day summer Phineas and Ferb always promised us. I can’t wait to be back with everyone again soon.
Birds are bs (basic surveillance)... I’ll prove it by josh fenn
Birds are everywhere. We see thousands of them every day without even thinking about it. Altough we may never care to admit it, they are a pretty big part of our lives. Therefore, this seemingly innocent species, one might say, would be perfect for spying on us. I mean think about it, birds are everywhere and they can see everything. It’s the perfect cover. With this idea in mind, I believe a multi-faceted plan was launched by the government to eliminate all birds and replace them with technology to serve one purpose: invade the privacy of the American Citizen. It all started with the Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA, which was founded in 1947, faced constant roadblocks concerning the privacy of the American people. They had to find the balance between respecting constitutional rights and gathering information through government surveillance. The Cold War ravaged American society around the time of the formation of the CIA. Russia and the United States waged a great (though nonviolent) war over information. The United States was terrified of communism and willing to do anything to stop its plague-like spread. When Allen Dulles was appointed Director of the CIA in 1953, his major initiative was to prevent communist propaganda. To that end, Dulles set up a task force with the sole purpose of increasing government presence among the American people.
After months of deliberation, they decided that their new surveillance system for the country should operate through robotic birds, which would seamlessly replace the current bird population. After all, birds were perfect fronts for the project: they were everywhere and inconspicuous. Members of this task force have even been quoted as saying that real birds were “flying slugs” and “the scum of the sky.” It’d make sense for them to have desired replacements. Over the next few years, this CIA team implemented “Project Water-Break.” They slowly and covertly killed the entire bird population in the United States and replaced them with government surveillance robots. The murder spree was executed carefully so that the public would never notice the change. However, this process was easier said than done, since more than 12 billion birds roamed the planet. Planning for Project Water-Break therefore took place at the most mysterious base in America: Area 51. CIA leaders met with officials from the Boeing Airplane Company and devised a plan to engineer an undetectable aircraft, which would be built in Area 51. Arousing suspicion along the way, 23 engineers were sent to work on this plane. They took a bus to the facility. At gas stations, they sang songs like “I Left My Honey for Area 51” or “Let’s Kill All Birds.” 22 of these men made it to the base, but one man, Neil Ford, was left behind at a Waffle House because the others claimed “he had to pee too many times and was
ruining the vibe of the road trip.” Ford later attested to the legitimacy of the “birds aren’t real” superstition and confirmed the entire scheme. The engineers reached Area 51and built an aircraft that could fly silently and unobserved from high altitudes. These planes sprayed bird poison from an altitude of 8,000 feet, killing all birds in flight. The poison would dissolve before it hit the ground and caused the birds’ skeletons to decompose within 24 hours. Now it was time for “Operation: Water the Country.” The government built millions of lifelike bird drones and slowly released them at the same rate that birds were being killed. Over the next few years, birds were completely wiped out and replaced with these robots. In this process, Kennedy discovered the operation while wire-tapping an employee he thought was stealing personal items. He immediately demanded the mission be abandoned, but the CIA refused to back down. When he refused to budge on his stance, the CIA just lied to him and told him they shut down the operation. However, he still didn’t believe them and kept digging. He was assassinated less than a month later. By the time Kennedy was assassinated, nearly all the birds in the sky were surveillance drones and over the next few months the operation concluded and the skies were rendered birdless forever. Our government tried to pull wool over the eyes of the American public, but I am here today to unravel the conspiracy.
feature
nine
Hope brightens the world in the darkest of times
by victoria jackson No one was expecting this. How could you? Nothing of this sorts has ever happened. Whispers have come around about such things, but deep down we all viewed them as myths. One day during quarantine, I was sitting in my room, with nothing to do, when I realized that only a few weeks back I had been wondering when my life would become interesting. Sophomore year has been difficult, overwhelming and overall not a good year. Coronavirus just worsened it. I was wondering when things were finally going to be different. Waiting for my life to be interesting. God, I really wish that thought had never crossed my mind. I’m now living in the midst of history being made. I can’t deny, this is a lot different from my normal life, it’s a horrible and sickening change. It hurts. It really hurts to see how this virus is affecting so many people in such a horrible way. Of course, there are glimmers of hope here and there, with the strength and bravery of our nurses, doctors and essential workers and with those who donate supplies to aid them in these trying times. However, a simple glance at the news proves the toll this virus has on these brave people, on the United States and on the world. As Rob Yanko said in one of his emails to the AP European History class, “We are in
the midst of an historic event and we will be talking about this to our children and grandchildren”. There is no doubt that this is true. The drastic turns our lives have taken due to this virus is something we could have never made up if we tried. We are stuck at home, unable to leave the house except to get food, water, medicine, and other essentials. Seniors across the globe are missing out on their prom, sports, activities, musicals, clubs and graduation. Those who need to provide for their families and cannot go to work are struggling to feed their children, pay for their homes and simply survive through these times. Essential workers go to their jobs knowing that they are putting both their lives and the lives of those they love at risk. Doctors and nurses are risking their lives. Many are struggling as they watch their loved ones pass away, knowing that there is not yet a cure for this horrible virus. I’ve watched the news and seen doctors and nurses struggle not to cry as they talk about all they have witnessed during this time. So many people, in all different countries, are fighting the virus themselves and it’s truly heartbreaking to see people from all over the world suffering at the hands of this virus. Although it is hard to believe, with all the darkness surrounding us, with all the death, pover-
ty and pain, there is a glimmer of hope. Hope that one day we will see our friends and family freely. Hope that we won’t have to worry about illness lurking at our doors. Hope that those who cannot go to work and other who have lost their jobs will be able to provide for those that depend on them. Hope that I will once again see my fellow Knights walking down the hall, chatting, laughing and fooling around. Hope that the darkness will fade and that peace and happiness will follow. We will never forget what has happened, but we can have faith that one day this will be history. One day everything will be normal again, even if it is a different normal. No matter what happens we must have faith and help in any ways possible as the world goes through the darkest of times.
photo illustration by alex dillon
I have gained a new appreciation for my family by sara cassady Since the shelter in place order began a couple weeks ago, I have barely left my house. My 93-year-old grandfather lives with my immediate family and we have to be extremely careful about what we touch and ensure everything gets wiped down. In order to limit exposure, we only venture out for grocery shopping and, even then, it’s only one of my parents at a time. Before quarantine, we were all extremely busy. Mom is often gone on business trips, Dad works long hours, I have school and rehearsal and my little brother James often has practice a few nights a week. Throughout the course of an average week, we ate maybe one or two meals as a family. However, since quarantine started, I can’t remember a night we haven’t all sat down and ate with each other. Everyone takes turns making meals. Family dinners are finally a constant. We’ve also recently stablished family game nights. Using an app called Jackbox Games, our entire extended family plays over Zoom. While my young cousins who live in Columbus use it as an excuse to make immature jokes, everyone ends up laughing throughout the hour we play together. On nights we don’t play Jackbox, my immediate family has also begun playing Monopoly and Jenga to pass the time. It’s usually fun, at least, until one of my
parents starts pouting because they’re losing. After a draw four game is played, Uno cards are suddenly scattered across the living room. Needless to say, we are all competitive and hate to lose. My dad even once told me that I wasn’t going to beat him at ping pong until I was home from college and he was deathly sick. We have also instituted family Zoom meetings. A couple nights a week, we sit around a computer and talk to my grandma, uncles, aunts and cousins. It’s nice to catch up, even if we do spend most of the time teasing each other. My family is extremely close, so there isn’t a lot we don’t know about each other, but the time serves as an excuse for human interaction. Another way my family has grown closer throughout this experience is exercise. Two-on-two pick up games aren’t complete without trash talking and James pouting in his room after he loses. We hit balls in the batting cage for hours, just enjoying each other’s company. The four of us have even introduced family bike rides to our routine, where we spend miles enjoying the view and true beauty of nature. In an effort to stay somewhat healthy during this ordeal, we also planted a garden in our backyard. From picking and planting the bulbs together until the moment we are able to pull fresh produce from
the ground, our little garden is a way to bond. Movie nights are also far more common, all of us sitting on the couch with bowls of popcorn in our laps. My dad has used it as an excuse to give us a classic movie education, choosing films like “Forrest Gump”, “Tommy Boy”, “Back to the Future” and “Remember the Titans.” While I doubt the scientific integrity of some of these films (specifically “Back to the Future), we still end up laughing together and rolling our eyes at the same scenes. References that would have gone over my head now make me laugh so hard tears stream down my face. This experience has brought my family closer together in so many ways and I believe we have formed a unified front. Throughout the next few weeks, when I start to dislike staring at the same walls and faces everyday, I will remember the love and authentic joy I feel in these moments. My family has been a light in these dark and uncertian times and I am so grateful for all of them. They have kept me going and brought me so much joy in the difficult days we face. Because of COVID-19, everything has become so unstable, but one thing remains constant: my amazing, accepting and loving family. Quarantine has taught me to cherish what I have before it is too late and I believe everyone should learn this lesson.
ten
COVID has changed the world’s view on science
by alex dillon Competition is the human way. Everyone has an unspoken desire to succeed and be the first to do it. Science from all times in history has been a prime example of this. All scientists want to be the one with the big discovery, so, naturally, they keep their work fairly private while in the experimental process. However, now, for the first time in history, everyone is sharing. Science has turned a new leaf and have come together to fight COVID-19. Before the pandemic, new discoveries were kept secret until the experimentation process was complete and the information was proven accurate. Now, new findings are shared daily whether they are foolproof or miscellaneous parts of an idea. All scientists are coming together to reach a common goal: stop coronavirus and lessen its damage. Scientists are attempting to find medications to treat COVID-19 along with vaccines for later prevention of the virus. A few different drugs have been tested such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, however, almost all have proved ineffective and in some cases dangerous to the patient. Scientists continue to work around the clock to find a successful drug. Researchers are also working nonstop to find a long term solution. Although producing a vaccine is an extremely lengthy process as it involves a great
deal of testing and certification, scientists are attempting to shorten it all as much as possible. “The ability to work collaboratively, setting aside your personal academic progress, is occurring right now because it’s a matter of survival,” Dr. Ryan Carroll, a Harvard Medical professor involved in the coronavirus trials said. “Big, exclusive research can lead to grants, promotions and tenure, so scientists often work in secret, suspiciously hoarding data from potential competitors.” But a new era of science has emerged. Researchers, fearing for the lives of their loved ones and their own, are determined to find medications and a vaccine for coronavirus as quickly as possible. At this point, all hands are on deck. China and Italy are working with the Massachusetts General Hospital to test inhaled nitric oxide on coronavirus patients. Labs in Pittsburgh are collaborating with Paris and Austrian drug companies. Similar to all current events, this paradigm shift is unprecedented. The closest comparison was the peak of the AIDs epidemic in the 1990s. Many scientists tried to join forces, but a significant technology lack hindered their collaborations. However, with current technology, information can be shared around the globe in minutes
and discoveries are no longer kept private. In the matter of a few months, the world gained a common enemy and it hits home for everyone. The coronavirus forced scientists around the globe to put aside their egos for the greater good. Their communities, families and friends were all affected by the pandemic. Scientists have a new motivation. “The hot zone is no longer an impoverished village in the developing world,” the New York Times said. “It is their hometowns.” A new era has not only taken over science but society as a whole. For the first time in history, it seems as if everyone is on the same team, fighting against the virus that took everything from them. “Of course there are people in competition—this is the human condition,” said Doctor Yazdan Yazdanpanah, Director of Infectious Disease at Inserm in France. “What is important is to come up with a solution for everyone. The way to achieve that is to collaborate.” Scientists realized early on that the only way to overcome this tragic time is to work together as one. So they did and this new era will most likely last long after the emergency has passed. COVID-19 has changed the way the world views science.
Coffee filters have been turned into face masks by alex dillon As COVID-19 spreads across the globe, the demand for medical materials has skyrocketed, however supplies are quickly dwindling. Nations could no longer rely on other countries for these needed idems. In light of this, German authorities frantically pleaded for the donation of any medical materials, specifically face masks. Melitta, the company credited for the creation of the coffee filter, quickly conceived an idea. Melitta has been in the coffee filter business for 112 years and their coffee filters are sold worldwide. However, the company also owns the Wolf PVG, which produces air filters and vacuum-cleaner bags. It just so happens that the combination of these two businesses can produce an extremely coveted idem right now: face masks. Because of their two businesses, Melitta has valuable knowledge on filtration and a significant supply of the three-ply microfiber needed in order for masks to meet the hospital standard. It also just so happens that the shape of coffee filters seems to fit the face perfectly. “The fact that the filter fits exactly over mouth, nose and chin is so unbelievable that you might call it a gift from heaven,” Katharina Roehrig, a managing director at Melitta, which is based in a small city in northwestern Germany. Although these uncertain and difficult times have caused collaboration in the
majority of the world, it has had the opposite effect on the manufacturing business. The coronavirus has taught people that countries can not fully depend on other nations for supplies, a novel concept before this year. In order to reopen, Germany needs a significant supply of effective and quality masks. Before Melitta, the country’s main supplier of medical supplies came from Asia but as the pandemic spread they were no longer able to rely on a company from a distant country. Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, estimated Germany would need up to 12 billion masks in order to reopen the country and Melitta, amazingly, has the resources to achieve this great feat. The company is able to produce masks quickly and efficiently. In only one month, the company produced over 10 million masks, two million of which were donated to their local community. Once the mask is approved as medical equipment by the German government, Melitta plans to sell their coffee filter masks, however, the price is still unknown. Although the masks resemble a coffee filter, they are actually quite different and can not, in fact, be used to brew coffee. The masks have a filter made of nonwoven super thin fibers, that is formed in a process called melt-blown
extrusion. Because of Mellitas history with vacuum cleaner bags, they have access to this extremely sought after ingredient in bulk and the masks are able to filter small particles using microfiber which makes them up to medical code. As of right now, the masks use rubber bands as the ear attachments; however, René Korte, who oversaw one of the coffee-filter lines at Melitta, and his team are working to develop foldout ear loops to make the masks more comfortable and to lesson the amount of needed supplies for manufactoring. Surprisingly, this was not Melittas first encounter with face masks. Only about a decade ago, the company considered entering the face mask business as it was very similar to the products they were already producing; however, at the time, “the idea that the shape of filter bags for breathing masks could serve as a model was absurd to many,” Mr. Korte said, so they dropped it. It wasn’t until the rapid spread of the coronavirus did people finally see the need for mass produced face masks. For Melitta, “what is important is that [they] can supply quality masks produced in Germany at prices that are competitive with masks produced in Asia before the pandemic,” René Korte said. And so far, they have been able to achieve this.
sports
eleven
“The Last Dance”:A Micheal Jordan documentary
by luke monteleone
With the absence of sports, many fans have been confined to watching grainy reruns of games past on television and though the nostalgia may soothe the burn of sports’ absence, they lack the competitiveness, drive, and passion that fans crave. However, amid a worldwide pandemic, ESPN in collaboration with Netflix has brought sports back. ESPN’s docu-series “The Last Dance” chronicles the Chicago Bulls’ historic and unlikely 1997-1998 champion run. Moreover, the miniseries documents the life and career of Michael Jordan, who many consider the greatest basketball player of all time. Beginning with his childhood, director Jason Hehir navigates through both Michael Jordan’s experiences as an individual player and as the leader of the Bulls organization. The documentary also reveals Krause’s poor relationships with players and their lack of respect for him. In a clip from the 1997-98 season, Michael Jordan openly insulted Krause’s height and weight and to the general manager’s face. However, Michael Jordan was not the only player with a poor relationship with Krause. Series director Jason Hehir also highlights the poor relationship between Krause and player Scottie Pippen. From expletive full exchanges to open arguments in front of the team, Pippen, a key aspect of the
team, made sure management knew he felt disenfranchised. Glances like this into the life and operations of a legendary NBA team have revealed the realities of a political and long season and the authentic and unfiltered nature of the series has resonated with a fanbase longing for sports. The show’s reception by sports fans has been nothing short of extraordinary. Every Sunday a new episode airs and Twitter is covered with Michael Jordan tweets. The anticipation for the series has reached an alltime high and, ironically, the Chicago Bulls are garnering more attention now than when they were playing basketball games! Current NBA stars like LeBron James and Donovan Mitchell have even chimed in recognizing Jordan’s greatness and drive for excellence. Fans from all walks of life have found a way to connect to Jordan’s story one way or another. From the first two episode’s dramatization of the animosity between players and management to episode five’s moving tribute to Kobe Bryant, the documentary has served as a healing experience to a hurting sports community. Since Bryant’s tragic death on Jan. 26th, 2020, fans have been questioning whether he made it into Jordan’s documentary. Episode five, which aired on May 3, 2020, served as a tribute to the camaraderie and brotherhood that Jor-
dan and Bryant shared. At a time where many are still hurting from Kobe’s death, the sports community has objectively recognized this tribute as a beautiful memorial to the NBA legend. The release of The Last Dance has also reignited the flames of the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate. In his era, Michel Jordan was unquestionably the best player to have ever played the game. However, in the post-Jordan era with talents like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, Jordan’s GOAT title has come into question. Unlike Jordan who emerged at the University of North Carolina out of anonymity, Lebron James and Kobe Bryant were both discovered and highlighted from an early age. Before he even graduated, James and his high school became a household name. Some believe that this early attention has created a hype around players like James and Bryant that has exaggerated their talent. Though the debate will likely not end anytime soon, The Last Dance made one thing clear: Michael Jordan’s work ethic and winning mentality were, and remain, unmatched. The series’ timing could not have been more perfect. In a time where struggles are multiplying and hope is minimal, ESPN again reminds us, through Michael Jordan’s story, that anyone can achieve greatness, no matter who they are or where they came from.
from physically attending a baseball game. Luckily, the MLB has now come up with a new plan. Instead, each team would play a minimum of 80 games and in their home stadiums. Of course it is not ideal, however, everyone seems to benefit from this idea, as the players will be close to home, broadcasting the games becomes far easier and fans can potentially attend games later in the season.
tries such as China and South Korea have been able to reopen and resume their baseball season. South Korea was the first to begin, as they started to play games the first week of May. In early “trial exhibitions”, face masks were required, but they have not been required during the regular season. The games are played with no spectators, but they have been playing crowd noises to make the entire situation seem normal. On the other hand, the Chinese Professional Baseball League is allowing fans, however, all spectators must sign a waiver in order to enter the stadium and are required to practice social distancing while in the stands. These leagues have become a huge hit in the baseball world, as they are being featured on ESPN and all true die-hard baseball fans like me, can stay up to watch these games live from 1-5 AM. Major league baseball has also been carefully watching these leagues, as they will follow in their footsteps in the coming months. The start date for America’s pastime sport is still uncertain, as the MLB is attempting to find the perfect scenario that follows all guidelines. Rushing Opening Day could lead to a potential catastrophe, as a couple of positive tests can lead to a full shutdown. However, if we can’t enjoy baseball the way we have for the past 150 years, we will take what we can get. Summertime without baseball is like the 4th of July without fireworks, it’s just not American.
State of the 2020 MLB season after COVID-19 by dylan feltovich
The one question that has yet to be answered for baseball fans everywhere during this dreaded pandemic is, when will the MLB season start? At the moment, COVID-19 seems endless, so will this baseball season ever become a reality? Unfortunately, that question remains a mystery, but the chances of playing are still looking high. Opening Day was set for March 26, 2020 however, the MLB announced on March 12 that Spring Training would be cancelled and the season would be delayed for two weeks. Since then, the entire season has been postponed. So far, no start time has been set, but how and where the games will be played has been discussed. The original plan was to only hold games on spring training fields in Arizona. Teams would be divided into three divisions and no playoffs would occur to limit contact. For the safety of the players, no fans would be permitted to attend and weekly testing of all players would be required. Since the MLB does not want the pandemic to sweep through the league, the players would also remain self-isolated in Arizona for the entirety of the season. However, many players were opposed to the idea, as they would have to abandon their family for seven months. As a baseball fan myself, this idea also didn’t sit right with me. I love the excitement of the playoffs, division rival match-ups, and the pure joy that only comes
Young Dylan Feltovich attending a baseball game in July, 2017. photo from dylan feltovich
This scenario still does not have a set date as the MLB is considering the best dates to start again; although, it can be presumed, Spring Training will resume sometime in June, and the regular season will begin later that month or early July. While America has been going through its time with the pandemic, other coun-
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Quarantine Bingo
photo illustration by alex dillon
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