trinitysalcedo-blog

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Trying to look past the pandemic

What will a post-Covid-19 world look like? It’s hard to imagine right now or to even consider when we are in the thick isolation practices and quarantine. However, the more we plan about coming out the other end of this thing, the better off we might be. 

The world has had a rude wake-up call and realized just how unprepared we were for something like this. A global pandemic was something that people wrote fantasy books and played video games about. But it’s clear that now we need a contingency plan for things like this. 

Having medical supplies in supply and storage for if and when we need them. Hospitals nationwide having emergency wings just for overflow health care needs. Not to mention that life outside of the hospital will change. Going out to eat will no longer be about which place has your favorite food, but which restaurant took the best safety precautions in preparing it.

retrieved photo from MyHeath: https://myhealthcentre.ca/2018/08/16/myhealth-centre-hiring-internists-and-non-invasive-cardiologists/)

New UV cleaning lights have already been invented and are being mass-produced. These lights can clean surfaces simply by being turned on. We could see something as basic as the light bulbs in our homes changing because of this global pandemic. So, what does this mean for the next generation of graduates entering the workforce? 

From a working standpoint, some things are up for debate. Medical students from around the country are being deemed fit enough in their studies to progress to medical residents at a faster rate because of COVID-19. These students are willing to run into the face of danger if it means helping others. 

Other young graduates or students might have to change their careers entirely. Some simply because they want to be a bigger help to the fight against the virus. Others because their job, like working on a cruise ship, is not only dangerous but not practical considering they are all shut down. 

During the world wars, people were jumping to help their country either by fighting or being a nurse. The impact on the world is the same and more young people could join the cause in health care to stop this event, and prevent ones like it in the future. It’s clear our world is changing, but it’s only a matter of time to see if we change along with it and grow for the betterment of our society.

Links:

https://time.com/5820046/medical-students-covid-19/ 

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/here-s-how-coronavirus-has-changed-the-world-of-work-covid19-adam-grant/

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Coronavirus infecting the workforce

One in four U.S. workers are in industries that will feel an “immediate impact” of the coronavirus. That’s about 38.1 million people. This ranges from getting laid off, having to wear a mask at work, or getting fewer hours than usual. Economists are looking at the facts and most seem to say that America might be in for a recession. 

While a select few states are looking at reopening, economists predict that the unemployment rate will increase to 30% by June. An article written by economic specialists Celeste K. Carruthers, Larry Kessler, and Marianne Wanamaker, looks further into what this economic deficit means for the future of economics. And it’s not looking good for the young people of our country. 

“Should a recession occur, we believe young workers and new grads may be hit hard. History and research also show that the looming economic downturn could have distinct consequences for the Class of 2020 that outlast the economic downturn itself.” Said the economist. And when you look at the part that the youth plays in the workforce, it makes sense.

(Photo retrieved from The Week Post: https://theweekpost.com/burkina-faso77-equal-to-15647461-people-have-no-jobs/)

Young Americans work in starter jobs such as restaurants, clothing stores, and hospitality industries. These are precisely the areas of work that are being hit the hardest by COVID-19 and the self-isolation that the government and health officials are promoting. It’s also the places that have had to shut down leaving young adults jobless. 

People who graduated in previous recession years had an initial income 9% below students who graduated in better economic conditions. It takes about 10 years for this gap to close. So, unfortunately, it looks like the aftershock of this economic downfall could last a lot longer than about two months of this quarantine. 

There is some advice that this article had for graduates, both high school and college. Pay attention to relief efforts that the government has for varying levels of unemployment and struggle. Also, consider staying in school, whether to go into a different profession or to get a higher paying job upon graduating. Last but not least, remember to stay safe and stay healthy.

Links:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/class-of-2020-was-to-enter-the-strongest-job-market-in-50-years-and-now-graduates-earnings-will-lag-those-of-peers-for-a-decade-2020-04-01 

https://time.com/5812538/coronavirus-economic-damage-workers/

https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-Is-Covid-19-Changing/248316 

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Corona threatens college payments

On March 30, 3.3 million Americans had filed for unemployment. Almost a month later, and those numbers have done nothing but escalate. It’s only as of late that governors of various states are moving to reopen their economies and it’s only because their infection curve of COVID-19 is going down. Other states might not be able to make the first step of reopening for another 30 days. 

Across the nation, this means more people going on unemployment benefits simply to survive and hoping for their stimulus package Congress passed, sooner rather than later. With a vast majority of businesses closed, there is no going back to work in the foreseeable future. Which also means some business may close for good. 

What does this mean for the 1.3 million graduating college students? Like high schoolers, the college class of 2020 is experiencing the same emotional discouragement regarding losing their graduation ceremony and other ends of year experiences. However, a graduation ceremony is a lot less symbolic for a college student than a high schooler.

(Photo retrieved from The Morning Builtin:  https://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/graduation-hundreds-of-students-graduate-from-cqun/3895261/)

Once college seniors are done taking their courses the next step for most is jumping into their career. This is the time when all their years of schooling pay off and they are able to start their first big-time job doing something they are passionate about. With the economy now crashing from the highest it's been in years, these plans of employment are starting to sound more like dreams. 

Businesses are taking heavy losses right now. Some might not be willing to take on new employees when they had to lay off so many. Internships that were supposed to help land that high position in a company are being canceled. And despite what the economic situation might be, these young adults are leaving college and having to face these new challenges. 

Halle Wine, a systems engineering major at the University of Virginia, was interviewed by Dana Brownlee and said, “Being pushed into adulthood into a really scary time with no certainty about your job or the future is terrifying, and I wasn’t ready. It’s a lot to take in and handle, and I should be allowed to be upset about it, but I feel selfish even saying that.” 

Even if a student still wanted to go to graduate school, the question of how all this will get paid for is another question on students’ minds. Regardless of losing their jobs, college students have loans that need to be paid off on top of the expenses of essentials. While the whole world is struggling right now, college graduates might just have it worst of all. 

Links:

https://time.com/5812538/coronavirus-economic-damage-workers/ 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danabrownlee/2020/04/04/the-pandemics-unique-toll-on-2020-college-graduates/#4c5556cc1c06

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High school cut short

The 3.7 million graduating high schoolers of 2020 are facing a new world than the one they lived in when they were freshmen. About a month ago the households of these students were discussing college admissions, what roommate they would share a dorm with and meal plans. Now, homes are filled with the sound of news updates about COVID-19. 

For most schools, the last day for students was mid to late March. For the high school seniors, this means missing out on a lot of events like they’ve dreamed about for the past four years. Going on their class trip, attending prom, and even getting to graduate. With no clear return date, it’s uncertain what will happen to these events.

(Photo retrieved from the Huff Post: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-is-it-called-prom_n_5aec94eee4b041fd2d266e89)  

Currently, 24 states have ordered that the remainder of the academic school year be canceled, Florida being one of them. Most of the social gatherings that the schools planned have been canceled such as senior trips and bachelorette. However, some principles are fighting for their students to be able to have their graduation. 

In San Jose, California, there is a principal who told local news that she was going to make sure that the students she’s watched grow for four years still get to take part in some of these long-awaited rights of passage. “We may need to be creative, and the timeline maybe summer or fall, but they’ll have something!” Other caring principles around the country have been following suit and trying to give their students a chance at the last goodbye. 

Locally, West Port High School in Ocala, Florida, Principle Ginger Cruz is also trying to make sure that the class of 2020 will at least have a graduation ceremony of some kind. Also, while the prom was held by Disney and canceled at that venue, Cruz is willing to have that dance at a different location if it means still having it. For the kids at West Port, this offers a bit of hope on the road back to normalcy. 

The sad truth is that these new circumstances for teens mean more than just missing out on prom dates and graduation caps flying through the air. For the students in clubs, there will be no end of the year celebration when seniors graduating get recognized and say goodbye to the other club members. Now students won’t have the opportunity to go to teachers they have seen around the halls the past four years and ask them to sign their yearbook. 

However, with the way things seem to be looking on the news and governors of states starting to promote reopening, there is a bit of hope that principles like Cruz will be able to give students the opportunity to say their goodbyes during the summer or beginning of fall. But even if that’s not possible, things will eventually go back to some kind of normal. And when that happens, hopefully, students will take the time to go back to their high schools and tell the students that are still in school to appreciate what they have, and not to take it for granted.

Links:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/advice-your-best-life/202003/how-help-teens-shelter-in-place 

https://www.wired.com/story/covid-19-is-hitting-teens-especially-hard/ 

https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=372 

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/03/covid-19s-class-of-2020-high-school-seniors-lose-their-final-months-together-to-pandemic/

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Covid-19 is affecting the young in a totally different way

The impact of COVID-19 is no secret. It would be hard to find someone in the country who has not been affected by this virus in one way or another. Anyone who is over the age of 60 or has underlying health issues are probably the ones most affected by the fear and anxiety that has set in regarding the future. 

However, another group that is feeling the weight of this virus that isn’t getting a lot of publicity by the news is the youth of this country. Particularly people ages 17 to 25. This is the next generation of college and high school students and includes those who could possibly be graduating from their respective schools during this uncertain time. 

As a dual enrollment student who is about to graduate from both high school and college, I am able to see how both groups are getting affected and have the same mindset as both of these parties. While some college students may empathize with the high schooler who is missing out on their prom, it can be hard to understand the real emotion behind losing that event. Meanwhile, most high schoolers can’t even begin to comprehend the stress that college students are facing regarding finances and livelihoods. 

This epidemic is affecting so much. Not only are people concerned about their health and well being, but questions like, “How am I going to pay for college?”, “When will I get my job back?”,  “Will the career I’m pursuing still be profitable?”, are plaguing the minds of the country's youth. These questions were hard enough to answer before this global pandemic occurred. Add to that the stress of today’s problems and all of a sudden the light at the end of all this gets dimmer by the moment. 

Now is the time for the high school graduates and college students to start thinking about these new problems our generation is facing. No matter how this ends society will have changed the way we look at health care and illness. For some, this could mean a change in career path but regardless of that, it’s important to understand how the youth of today is being impacted by COVID-19. 

This event is history in the making and will alter the way this generation deals with problems in the future. What the youth goes through today has the potential to change their outlook on issues like economics, both physical and mental health care, and simply our way of life. While the events unfolding may sound like something out of science fiction, it is our new reality and it’s the youth who will have to decide what that will look like. 

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The first thing that comes to some minds when thinking of Spring is new life. At 8500 NW 130th Ave, there is a farm called King Ridge Stables, where three mares foaled two fillies and one colt. A mare is the term used when describing a female horse and “foaled” is the term used for when a mare gives birth. A baby horse can be referred to in a couple different ways. Foal is the term when you don’t know the sex of a horse under the age of one. When a female is under the age of one it is a filly and when it’s a male it is a colt. One of the mares is in a pin with her colt and is next to a stallion in the adjacent pin. A stallion is a male horse that still has the ability to reproduce, unlike a gelding, which is a male horse who underwent a surgery to remove his reproductive organs. The owners of this farm wanted to keep the stallion by this mare so that it will be easier to get her pregnant again after she’s been wined from her foal. Wined is the term used when the foals and mothers are separated once the foals no longer need their mother’s milk. In the pictures above you can see the foals with their mothers or simply playing around with their surroundings. To them the world is new and full of life, just like how most people would describe springtime.

In case captions don’t show up :

Photo #2: This filly, who's barn name is Honey, was born two months ago. Horses don't usually get official names on their paperwork until they're one. Until then they are given barn names which are nicknames.

Photo #3: This filly's barn name is Ruby and her mother, officially named Distant Star. Ruby is about to be two months old and is still drinking her mother's milk as seen here. 

Photo #5: The only colt is named Copper and he and his mother, officially named True Courage, are in a pin next to the stallion nicknamed Buck, officially called Go For Broke . Copper is about one and a half months old.