Text and art by MICHELLE KIM
SELFISH ACTIONS RUIN COMMUNITY EFFORTS
A
S THE SUN SHINES through my window and I scroll through my social media feed, post after post shows groups of smiling teens gathered at a beach or having a picnic. Perfectly normal during the peak of summer — until I remember that we are in the midst of a pandemic. Even as health officials are strongly advising everyone to stay home, especially in initial virus hotspots such as Santa Clara County, many teens both at Palo Alto High School and across the country have refused to follow social distancing guidelines. Though a large majority of people are taking precautions by limiting contact with others, these efforts ultimately become futile as long as there remain individuals who act irresponsibly. According to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, there have been nearly 22,000 cases and over 340 coronavirus deaths in the county — which amounts to a death rate of roughly 1.5%.
48 OCTOBER 2020
Though social distancing guidelines parents kept me home, it still hurts that I allow for nonessential excursions, students and many others who limited our excurshould remind themselves that just because sions are forced to stay at home longer due they can engage in in-person activities to the irresponsibility of other teens — the with others often does same people we are not mean that they trying to protect from should; those who do I was disappointed to catching the virus. not need to go outside see that many students able Itthatis understandshould be staying at self-quaranhome as much as pos- ... missed the note that tining is difficult at sible to reduce com- going to the beach ... times — remaining in munity transmission. one place for months While watching does not count as an on end with only a digthe compilation of essential trip. ital connection to the seniors’ summer vacaoutside world is both tion clips during the mentally and physicalfirst week of school at the Paly Welcome, I ly draining. was disappointed to see that many students Many students were cautious about I knew seemed to have missed the note that putting themselves and others at increased going to the beach in large groups does not risk for COVID-19 exposure towards the count as an essential trip. beginning of the summer, but with no end In contrast, I can count on one hand to the pandemic in sight, it has been diffithe number of times I have gone outside cult to keep up hope for recovery and fight over the summer — twice for dentist ap- the unceasing feeling of fatigue. pointments, once to pick up textUnfortunately, the virus is just as deadbooks and once more to get a shirt ly as it was six months ago, especially with on Senior Swag Day. the upcoming Halloween season that has Even then, Senior Swag Day traditionally been a time for large gatherings brought together hordes of students and parties. Now, it is more important than who took their masks off to take pic- ever to remind ourselves that community tures with one another, failing to do wellbeing takes precedence over our convethe bare minimum requested by Paly nience and temporary fun. administrators to keep people safe. Because the coronavirus has an overI spent the first 102 days of quar- all death rate of 1.5% and even lower for antine without leaving the house younger people, it may seem logical to think at all, eating cake alone on my that we won’t catch the virus or easily surbirthday in the middle of July vive even if we do. However, we must stop and waving to friends through reducing people to numbers and begin to a window as they dropped off empathize by thinking about the fact that cards and gifts. The first time our friends, family or at-risk relatives could I stepped out for a walk, I be part of that 1.5%. had almost forgotten the Disregarding the safety and health of feeling of wind blowing others who remain at home detracts from on my face and hearing our efforts to get back to school and reguleaves crunch as I stepped lar life as fast as possible, and only prolongs over them. online school. Though in retroFollow the guidelines, please, so that spect I am grateful my our efforts don’t go to waste. v
