4/24/20 Iandra Ramos PD 7

Iandra Ramos

Modern Mythology | Period 7

April 24, 2020

What are the updates around the world/community regarding the virus?

Recently, people have been trying to avoid any talk about the global pandemic

we’re in the middle of because it has been so devastating. Unfortunately, it is true that

there have been 2.7 million confirmed cases worldwide, with as many as 192k deaths

thus far. Of those affected, 729k have fully recovered; the rest remain in hospitals and

are in the hands of the world’s medical workers. The United States has surpassed China

and Italy to become the nation with the most cases, by far. It all seems like the world is falling

apart. I am reminded of our reading of The Book of Revelation, which describes the many

natural disasters and plagues that came upon the people of the world to mark its end.

People are losing hope because this pandemic was not something we were prepared for,

or even expecting. This uncertainty continues to inspire fear, especially in youth, whose

futures are unclear at the moment.

Media and news outlets continue to cover the progress of nations in battling this disease,

but they do so in a way that amplifies the bad without bringing more light to the good. So,

that is what I will be discussing today: the good things that have been happening in our world

even during this pandemic. Along with the fact that new daily cases in New York City have

started to gradually decline, other countries have started to experience some healing. The

Chinese government has officially ended lockdown after reported cases dramatically fell

this past week. Germany and Denmark have also reached their peak and small shops and

businesses are beginning to reopen. Singapore’s quick response to the virus has allowed

it to contain the spread without taking the drastic measures that China did. 

As for finding a vaccine for the virus, experiments are underway in several places.

At the Imperial College in London, researchers are using coronavirus RNA to design a

vaccine. In Seattle, the first clinical trials testing a vaccine based on the virus’s S

protein are underway. In general, researchers have found that the coronavirus is very similar

to the SARS virus that affected the world not so long ago, and are hoping to use their

experience with SARS to battle Covid-19. 

With that said, the world will hopefully return to normalcy. We are lucky that scientists

have the technology to find a vaccine for this virus, and that we know how to slow down its

spread: social distancing! I am positive this will all be over soon, as long as we listen to

trusted sources and stay aware, informed, and away from each other!!!

What are you learning about your world/community based on the reactions?

It makes me sad to say that the biggest thing I’ve learned about my community and

the world is that some people are really, really ignorant. There is clearly a global

pandemic happening, and people are dying all over the world, but there are those who

still want to complain that they’re bored in their house. Much worse than this is the fact

that some politicians and government officials, whom I will not name, continue to

downplay the severity of the situation we’re in. They refuse to assume responsibility

over their respective domains. They refuse to plan ahead. They refuse to take preventative

actions until their own people are directly affected. The very reason why the

United States experienced such a surge in cases in just weeks is because we were too

arrogant. We did not think this was something that could ever happen to our untouchable,

superior country. Even as we lead the world with the most cases, people continue to

think that this country is invincible. They continue to go about their lives with no sense

of guilt. Perhaps what is causing these people to disregard social distancing measures

is denial; maybe they cannot believe that something so devastating has reached the U.S.,

and they want to foster normalcy within their lives as much as they can. Still, there is no

reason for any ignorance at a time like this.

As the world continues to battle the coronavirus, socioeconomic divisions

become more transparent. I have come to see that the wealthy really do have certain

privileges that are not bestowed upon the middle or lower class citizens not just in this country,

but in others. Tests for the coronavirus have rather mean price tags, which is why they are not

being distributed as much as the general public would like. However, those who have

greater influence can arrange for tests to be conducted on themselves, even if they display

just one of the many symptoms of coronavirus. A similar case can be observed in hospitals.

It is unfortunate that decades after the Civil Rights Movement, colored individuals continue

to be held in a lower regard than their white counterparts. A large population of minorities

tend to live in low income neighborhoods, and thus they can barely afford decent

healthcare. Theoretically, when individuals become ill with the virus, all are subject to

the same treatment and care. However, there have been instances of patients having

priority over others, with there being correlations to race and social class. A coworker of my

father actually has had second-hand experience with such discrimination; her sister sadly

passed away from coronavirus because she was only admitted for care once she developed

severe pneumonia and practically couldn’t breath on her own anymore. For the sake of the

entire world, I sincerely hope that our current situation is a reminder that prejudices still

exist, and that we as people still need to do better.

What are your own personal feelings and thoughts about what is happening right now?

Even with all the chaos that is going on in the world right now I have found the

silver linings during my time of quarantine. I believe everyone has found their own

as well. I’ve come to accept that there really is nothing I can do about the situation except

practice social distancing and good hygiene, and to continue to raise awareness about

what is going on through my social media accounts. On the other hand, I have found that I

now have more time to invest in myself. I have picked up new hobbies such as baking and

cooking; I have settled into my own schedule to maintain daily productivity; I have started

reading books I’ve always wanted to read, such as “All The Light We Cannot See” and

“To Kill a Mockingbird.” I have also developed new passions, such as nutrition and health

awareness, as I motivate myself to eat healthy foods to boost my immune system. While I

continue to socially distance, I have been keeping in touch with my Tech friends, as well

as my new family at Harvard, which is where I will be going for college! I have also been

in contact with some medical workers and researchers my mom used to work with at

Columbia University to receive the most accurate information I can about the scientific

community’s progress in this pandemic. 

In general, quarantine has allowed me to reinvent myself in many good ways. I encourage others to do the same while there is still time. It may seem like all hope is lost, but once the world returns to normalcy, hopefully soon, life will have to go on. People should use this time to invest in as many positive activities for themselves as they can, and to be selfish just a little. It doesn’t hurt to develop new skills, find new shows to watch, or even just do some self-reflection in the midst of what will become a unique part of our world’s history. I am a strong believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason, so I ask people to see this time of uncertainty as preparation for bigger and better things in the future. With that said, I hope everyone continues to stay healthy, stay home, and stay mindful!!