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2021-04-17
This is a photograph of a UV light box for sanitizing items that may have been infected with COVID. This professional and stylish looking box was a long time coming. In late spring 2020, as summer was approaching, the CDC and leading doctors announced that the UV rays in sunlight killed the Coronavirus on surfaces within minutes. This led people to hang their masks in their car windows, and leave things outside to sanitize them. It was also believed to be safer to be outside on a sunny summer day because the sunlight would kill the COVID virus in the air and on objects. This primitive method is not available all the time and cannot be taken inside though, so companies created various products that produced UV light that were portable and could be used inside. While a late bloomer to the UV trend, this is a perfect example of the use of UV light against COVID. As you can see from the descriptive packaging, any small items, especially phones, can be put into the box, and after 10 minutes will be sanitized. Great care was taken to point out its effectiveness as seen in the "kills 99.9% of germs" and "laboratory proven technology" statements on the front of the package. Of course, it's not just useful but is discreet and stylish as it looks like a purse or a make-up bag. This item is important because it shows the lengths people went to try and keep their things clean. It also shows the power of fads during Corona. Everyone jumped at the chance to try UV light when it was first announced, yet it decreased in importance for most people after summer 2020. Like all the Corona Culture products, it reveals the depth to which Corona became imbedded into the U.S.'s consciousness.
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2020-07
This is a small story from my dad, a CBSA officer in Calgary Alberta. He collects and commissions challenge coins for his workplace, which has quickly become his main hobby over the pandemic, trading these coins with officers across Canada and America. The PDF document is his own description of what this coin is, what it represents and why it is so important to understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the city of Calgary, cancelling for the first time in it's history, the 'greatest outdoor show on Earth,' the Calgary Stampede. This event is intrinsic to Calgary's identity, a show which celebrates the ranching and agricultural roots of this city and ultimately this province. The Calgary stampede boasts chuckwagon races, agricultural expos, overpriced yet famous mini-doughnuts and provincial art exhibits and much, much more - it's one of the few times a year where it's socially acceptable to dress up like a cowboy or cowgirl.
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2021-04-14
As much as there are "reopening schools" supporters, there are about as much hesitant to do so. You might hear the hesitations from concerned parents and children, but school employees experience it as well. Schools are typically crowded and people are in close quarters at almost all times of the day. Although California regulations are to remain 3-6 feet apart in and out of classrooms, it continues to be a difficult challenge. Moreover, such precautions might lessen the spread but they're not guaranteed.
This is where aid funds in the form of stipends come in. These stipends are displays of gratitude, used as an incentive and, unfortunately, hazard pay. More than $2 billion will be distributed across 42 K-12 school districts in the San Diego region. Stipends vary, however. There are one-time stipends for Lakeside school district teachers who have taught since October 1, 2020 of $450 to $900. Special education teachers in the same district will receive more, about $500 to $1000.
Despite the incentives, there is an ongoing conflict over who is eligible for the stipend (to my personal surprise). One argued that only employees returning to campus are eligible, while there was a debate over whether those teaching since Fall 2020 should even be compensated for. If this were the criteria, it should simply be an incentive to return as the act of “being appreciative” would not exclude any teachers who have and will continue to work during the pandemic.
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2021-04-18
Northern Illinois University and an Early Childhood Transformation Team developed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker will work together to make getting vaccinations more obtainable. The primary goal for this movement is to make the process simpler.
Most of the article refers to those in the child care industry, though. Pritzker intends to make it more accessible. Child care services have been struggling throughout the pandemic, and Pritzker has been trying to turn things around. Federal aid of $1.6 billion was allocated "to expand access to high-quality early childhood education and childcare for children and families across the state." Every demographic is to be included — children of color, children with disabilities, among others.
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2021-04-18
The Golden state only recently received news that “50% of all eligible Californians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine." It’s progress and it’s most certainly hope. What gives people even more hope is how they expanded vaccination eligibility to 16 and over as of April 15. Schools are already reopening, but this is good news for those who are still hesitant to return — and for good reason. What made California’s vaccine rollout so difficult?
One of the most obvious answers is the size of the state. Its population was recorded to be over 39 million in 2020. Even with an increase in vaccines, with roughly 2.4 million doses in the first week of April alone, it was not enough to accommodate even the 50-64 age group — a population of roughly 7.2 million. Santa Clara County Executive Officer, Jeff Smith, was also quoted to have cited the state's governor for perpetuating the pandemic — that his pandemic approach was “disorganized and petulant.”
Although affordable healthcare services is a nationwide pandemic in and of itself, California also deals with fragmented healthcare responsibilities. Distribution is “split up among 58 county governments.” Issues in communication, planning and transportation of vaccines are all major factors impacted by the overwhelming lack of unified leadership.
https://twitter.com/CAgovernor/status/1383132361148100609
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/04/01/as-california-expands-covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-to-all-californians-50-governor-newsom-receives-vaccine-in-los-angeles/
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2021-04-17
This is a screenshot from the Black Alberta Instagram page about the passing of Dr. Wayne John Edwards to COVID-19, as the description stated: "Dr. Wayne John Edwards is the seventh Albertan health-care worker - and the second doctor to die from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, according to Alberta Health. Edwards died at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Tuesday at the age of 66. #BlackAlberta #YEG #YYC #edmonton #calgary #alberta #albertacanada #calgaryalberta #edmontonalberta #albertacanada🇨🇦"
According to the comments of the post, Dr. Edwards was a respected and beloved family psychiatrist, the comments were full of love and respect for Dr. Edwards, he will surely be missed.
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2020-09-23
Living in the pandemic, I have seen my generation grow stronger together as we stand for the injustices occurring in this country. We have spread our ideologies onto social media to spread the message of unity and social justice to prevent further innocent lives from being taken. No violent or oppressive remark goes unseen or unheard of given the word is quickly spread around with social media. Living in the pandemic has allowed the spread of such powerful messages of unity and standing up for what is right to reach every corner of the country.
While eating at a local restaurant in Downtown Phoenix, a small yet powerfully loud crowd of BLM protesters passed the location. Watching in awe and feeling some sort of empowerment, it came to my realization of how much these young adults’ voices have spread across the country. Watching the traumatic stories regarding George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (among the thousands of black lives that have been taken by police and civilian brutality over the past couple of decades), I began to fear for the safety of the black communities living in areas that began to pose threats for them. Similarly, I have watched and supported the protests against Asian American violence becoming very recurrent lately and have seen young adults like me speak out against it. Although I am a minority myself, I cannot understand the pain these families go through, but I surely stand by and support these communities.
Watching this protest before me made me realize how powerful the second-youngest generation (Gen Z) has grown to be and will continue to blossom as we continue to stand with unity against oppression let it be against race or religion. Although this pandemic has physically separated us, it has also brought many minority communities to come closer and support each other with the hope of one day ending these targeted tragedies.
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2020-10-19
With all of the controversy in my state about our new Social Studies state standards about bringing in more diversity I see that we need to educate more people about the diversity that is in front of every student no matter their background because no matter what you do in life you will meet and interact with people that are not like yourself. I saw this article that gives teachers and parents some ideas on how to help kids unlearn gender identity and sexual orientation bias. Here are the three things you can do: 1. Prioritize Social-Emotional Learning 2.Introduce LGBTQ Characters, Works, and Historical Figures. 3.Start Easy, Start Small. Read the article for more information within these tips.
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2021-04-09
Clinical trials for HIV vaccines have been overwhelmingly successful with a 97% success rate at stimulating the production of rare immune cells which could lead to vaccines in the future. The COVID-19 vaccine has led to the increased development of m-RNA dosed vaccine which is also found in many other vaccines. By producing the COVID-19 vaccine has led to much more funding and research into the mRNA vaccine field which will bring about new changes in medicine in the future.
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2021-04-18
Native Alec BigCanoe posted a photo of himself wearing his father's regalia on the Social Distance Powwow Facebook page. He looks forward to powwows starting again.
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2021-04-14
CVS changed COVID-19 vaccination registration form to be more trans/ LGBTQ friendly. Originally, the form asked people to mark their birth sex in order to get the vaccine however, now they have removed the question. The CDC has come out and said it is important to only ask about the gender identity not the gender on the birth certificate. CVS has issued a statement stating that sex, gender, race, or ethnicity does not hinder people from getting the vaccine.
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2020-04-13
This is a photo of the first mask I bought/used when the pandemic began. I bought this mask a few months into the pandemic however, as I didn't feel comfortable leaving my house in the early days, I think I bought this around April 2020 if I'm not mistaken. I remember I was at Wal-Mart as my dad told me that they were selling masks there, at the time there was a shortage of masks and people were panic buying. I remember stores were packed, and people were almost exclusively buying toilet paper - I seriously think that's probably the weirdest part of the pandemic, people were also scalping toilet paper on Facebook marketplace, it was like a secondary currency (Not really but it was a precious resource apparently). They were selling masks at the register, in plastic bags for $1.49 I think; in all honesty I think I would of been better off not buying the mask but the atmosphere of panic kind of made me feel like an idiot for not having a mask. When I opened it up in my car I realized it was literally just a cut up black T-shirt; it was transparent, it didn't wrap around your face, it just hung there. Me being an idiot, I used it for a good solid month, it's a miracle I didn't catch COVID-19. I can't believe that they would sell that to people in Wal-Mart, I mean I think I was one of the only people who bought one so I can't be too upset; but still, people were desperate for any semblance of protection, and such a mega-corp like Wal-Mart felt fine profiting off of those anxieties. I'm not trying to insinuate that they should care, because they didn't get rich by being ethical.
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2021-04-16
This article is about the government's assistance to help Native Americans and Alaska natives combat COVID-19. The Biden administration announced that they will put $4 billion of assistance. The money will be used for things like testing, treatment, and vaccines for these indigenous populations. This is critically important as the CDC announced that Native American and Alaskan Native populations are up to 3.5x more likely to contract COVID-19 than white people. One of the things that the article also notes is that confidence in getting the vaccine will also be an important factor in diminishing that 3.5x number. Efforts to educate specific populations on the vaccine will help the money, but there is a lot of work still to be done.
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2021-04-16
This article is about the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine shots will likely require follow-up booster shots. The executives of both companies announced that it is likely that people that received the vaccine will need their first booster shot within 12 months of receiving the vaccine, then possibly yearly shots afterward. At the end of the article it does note that the Pfizer vaccine is still 93.1% effective 6 months after the vaccine and Moderna reports 90% effective after the 6 month period. However it still seems that we will have to receive booster shots, which is no big deal unless people have the side effects that they had from the original vaccine. This would absolutely prevent many people from following through or even receiving the original vaccine.
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2021-04-16
India has seen an explosion in their reported infection numbers recently. This Medscape article explained that India has recently crossed the 200,000 daily infections mark which puts India as the highest infection rate in the world. The article then explained how at India's largest Covid facility, Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, they are past full capacity. It is so bad that they are putting two unrelated patients in the same bed to maximize their patient capacity. This is truly unimaginable! The hospital's medical director, Suresh Kumar, expressed that it is the new variants and human behavior that has caused the recent spike in numbers. Hopefully this is not a preview for what is in store for the rest of the world.
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2021-04
This is a news story about some of the solutions to homelessness that people are trying in Phoenix. The specific solution covered was tenting for homeless people as a way to provide more protection and layers during COVID. It's especially important that this was a solution done in Phoenix considering how hot it gets here. With tents being the main way to "help the homeless" during COVID it shows a continued general disregard for homeless people and their health and safety. The article goes on to discuss broader criticisms and issues people have taken with the COVID-19 response specifically for homeless populations. I wanted to include this source because it shows a general disregard for homeless populations especially in the face of a pandemic that they are the most vulnerable population for.
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2021-04-17
This news article is about how COVID and homelessness have disproportionately affected families and especially black women. These are the two groups who are most likely to be benefitting from the rent moratorium right now. And as a result, they will be the groups most in danger of losing their housing once the moratorium expires. I wanted to include this story because it provides a perspective on homelessness that goes beyond people currently experiencing homelessness. People who are taking advantage of the moratorium are essentially on the verge of homelessness because they have no way to pay back that rent. This story highlights the fragile housing market and the economic situation that COVID placed many families under and the long-term economic consequences that come from this situation.
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2021-04-17
VACCINE FEARS, THE TROLLEY PROBLEM
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2021-04-18
what impact covid 19 has had on my son
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2021-04-13
Huge problems for Biden
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2020-10-16
Arizona Department of Education fiscal information and guidance pertaining to attendance and absences while students participate in distance learning. The guidance page also includes links to important forms, school finance reports, and other valuable external resources. According to the report, the due date for a financial plan (Budget/AFR) is November 13, 2020. The name of the file is, "Distance Learning Report -Actual". No recent updates appear to have been made.
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2020-10-16
Arizona Department of Education authorizes distance learning with the passage of Executive Orders 2020-41, 2020-44, 2020-51. Students that are participating in online instruction "...shall be treated as pupils participating in Arizona Online Instruction for funding purposes." In this context, COVID-19 has impacted, on an economic level, the fabric of everyday life- down to gathering statistical data and reporting student attendance for online education for the purpose of funding virtual education, not brick-and-mortar institutions.
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2021-03-09
itsnicolegaston
My silver lining is that more time at home allowed me to be able to spend time studying for my classes and the LSAT. I graduated from ASU in December, summa cum laude, and aced the LSAT. Over the past weekend I received my first law school acceptance with a scholarship offer. I probably would not be attending law school in the fall if the pandemic didn’t happen.
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2021-03-09
wanderlust_wilsons
#jotpysilver fun budget has been $$$. Saved so much money this year, looking forward to taking more trips in the last half of 2021. Also, love supporting and discovering local business with takeout/curbside pickup
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2021-03-09
chellenguyenwilson
#jotpysilver my silver linings...helping the environment by commuting less since we both work from home! Speaking quality time with hubby and making no excuses for our house projects! 🌿
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2021-03-09
keri_on
#JOTPYsilver I got engaged and purchased my first home. And then adopted two kittens who now are my coworkers as I continue to WFH
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2021-03-09
christinejwong
#jotpysilver I’m grateful I got to spend more time with my kids that wouldn’t haven been possible if I was going into the office 5 days a week.
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2021-03-22
kumarshivani285
I have learned that there are so many things in life that we take for granted. There is definitely a difference between the way I view family interactions now and before the pandemic. I always assumed that I would be free to visit and see my family as I pleased and never even fathomed what it would be like to not have that luxury. I now cherish every time I get to see them and make the absolute most of each visit. Small things in life have taken greater precedence. Sometimes it is nice to be reminded of what really matters and go back to the basics #jotpylesson
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2021-03-22
ellie.craft
I’ve learned that i do not like online school #JOTPYlesson
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2021-03-22
compassrosetatoo
I was raised religious. But I am not now. This past year though, I have been thinking about Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. I realized that for all my rushing this is the time for standing still and enjoying things I took for granted. I am learning how to do that.
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2021-03-22
wanderlust_wilsons
With all this extra time...I pushed myself to get back into running and biking 🚲🏃🏼 #JOTPYlesson
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2021-03-22
tinykikisunshine
I learned to speak up when conditions are unsafe, when politics are being prioritized over safety, and my community is being put at risk. I learned that voices do make a difference and no retaliation should silence me. Not a bad lesson for an introvert! #jotpylesson
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2021-03-22
I have learned to breathe and meditate more. It’s okay to slow down! I’ve learned it’s okay to gain a few pounds (pandemic baking) I’ve learned to love myself more! 💛 #JOTPYlesson
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2021-04-03
#JOTPYFuture For the future I hope to go out and go to my favorite restaurants without the worry of catching COVID-19.
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2021-04-03
#JOTYPfuture Hoping for some Marvel movies with friends :)
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2021-04-05
I hope that the cases go down, the vaccine is effective, no new virus wreaks havoc, and we can go back to a relatively normal way of living #joptyfuture
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2021-04-03
#JOTPYFuture I hope to finally be outside again meeting new people without being constrained by social distancing and a pandemic-less world.
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2021-04-02
My bad ! Well , I'm hoping that this pandemic will stop getting worse and we'll be able to go back to our normal lives. It's quite sad that we can't meet people normally anymore. :((
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2021-03-02
I just hope people don't let their guard down and keep caring themselves so at the same time everyone is protected and we can go back to normality. I'm an essential worker and I miss my friends 😢 #JOTPYFuture
@TheZeldaAnn
@_Zikyo
@AnneBer49076654
@CoreOfTheNight
@suppertacos
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2021-03-31
I look forward to spending time with friends and family that don’t live in our household, and being able them. I’m also looking forward to my kids being in school full time again. Especially my 5 yo whose ability to make friends has been destroyed by the pandemic #JOTPYFuture
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2021-02-28
I have learned that I'm really terrible at time management. To achieve everything I want to accomplish, I'll need the lifetime of two Methuselahs. Now that I'm officially half-dead (middle aged), perhaps it's time to push some things off the table and hope I can make time for them in the next lifetime. Like sky diving.
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2021-02-22
I learned how to enjoy my kids' company. Before COVID and the resultant lockdown, I used to have anxiety about spending long periods of time at home with my kids. I felt like I needed to entertain them the entire time and like I was never doing a good enough job. COVID meant I had to face the fear really quickly. I learned what I loved about spending quality time with them and most importantly, that it's OK to encourage my kids to entertain themselves.
#JOTPYLesson
Joan Winnie Peggy Christman Mary Biggie-Beyer Jac Que Kelly Tee
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2021-02-27
All we have is our little tiny family but we are all One and we all love each other😘❤️
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2021-02-27
I have learned that we are all able to handle more than we ever thought. I have also learned that as people we need to work together more as humans instead of work against one another for the common good 🙂 @covid19archive1 #JOTPYLesson Pj Baker-Nicholas Nancy Beard-Ash Sheila Harman Kim Herrington Mendy Lewis Torrance
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2021-03-01
In retrospect, I have learned that the initial stay-at-home order was an unexpected gift to my husband, daughter, and me. Although the reason for it was unfortunate, it turned out to be a blessing in many ways. Instead of rushing to and from school and work, we had time to eat together more, watch movies, and develop a comfortable but temporary new routine. To be sure, not every day was bright and shiny yet we definitely appreciated this unique time together. Our youngest will be off to college in a couple of years which made it even more special to have those moments with her. Family is everything. PS. I also learned that Zoom has a great HD filter that allows me to wear much less make-up, and how to coordinate a work blouse with pajama pants which is a silver lining indeed. #JOTPYLesson Julie Watters Amber Peters Kim Kimberly Rankin Michele Gable Stefanie Thayer Sinanovic
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2021-02-27
Throughout the pandemic, I've learned the importance of family. My personal challenges during this very difficult period could not have been overcome without the unconditional love and support from my family. Thank you and I love all of you! Linda Mercado-Paulson Isabel Peralta Jay Jay Peralta Jacob Mercado Jennifer Conroy Jessica Linda Mercado Kristina Danielle @covid19archive1 #JOTPYLesson
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2021-02-27
I have learned over the course of the pandemic to be thankful for those around me. As I have seen many lose loved ones over the past year, it has reminded me how important family and friends are in life and that one cannot overcome difficult times alone. Apart from those friends and family, we as individuals can do very little. Jacob Lute Joshua Colson Dakota Presley Whitney Lute Thomas Lovett #JOTPYLesson
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2021-03-04
After the COVID-19 pandemic, my hope for the future is that people appreciate their time with one another. The pandemic has made me realize that virtual experiences and phone calls are not the same. We must remain vigilant and safe, but fully appreciative of our family and friends when those opportunities arise. #JOTPYFuture Lawson Miller Kelly Hoile McDaniel Morgan Keena Shawn McDaniel II Chris Twing
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2021-03-16
Working from home w/ Dora the Bulldog Explorer
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2021-03-22
UV disinfection of escalator handrails at the PHX airport
