4/30/20 Steven Shi PD 7

4/30/2020

Steven Shi 

Period 7

Modern Mythology 2020

What is it like working from home?

The transition to remote learning has been somewhat difficult, but manageable. I feel that for

many classes, including this one, open and productive discussion among my peers has

played a pivotal role to my understanding of in-class content, as it not only encourages me

to think more analytically about a certain topic, but also exposes me to other perspectives on

various topics that we learn in class. Although we do have a weekly thread, we do not usually

have the long, in-depth discussions that we usually did. Nevertheless, I still feel that weekly

thread helps me learn the content well, as I still have to give in-depth responses to the

prompts that we go over in our weekly responses, and actively engage with my classmates

by responding to their answers to the prompts. Furthermore, by working at home, I find that

my schedule is more flexible, and I am able to work at my own pace by prioritizing learning

new content, or content that I am still confused with. Thus, while I do not get the same

in-class experience that I am used to, working from home does have its benefits.

Your own personal feelings and thoughts about what is happening right now.

I feel that we are now truly living in a time of change; this virus has and will continue to affect foreign policy, the economy, and the scope of government. Because of this, we must tread carefully when trying to remedy the situation. For example, we have slowly begun to see the scope of local government begin to increase, with greater surveillance and stricter policing to enforce social distancing measures, as well as restrictions on businesses via price ceilings on goods such as cleaning products. In Washington DC, Congress has recently approved a multi-trillion dollar stimulus plan in response to the virus, while the Federal Reserve has also poured hundreds of billions of dollars into our nation’s money supply. I think that while certain measures are necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens, my biggest concern is that the virus has given the local and federal governments a blank check to continue expanding their authority, possibly even after the virus ends. Furthermore, such a drastic manipulation of the economy will further worsen our already gigantic national debt, and ultimately, I feel that it will be the American taxpayer that will be forced to take the responsibility. Meanwhile, we are now seeing entire industries collapsing, as restaurants and other family businesses are forced to close. As a New Yorker, this is especially concerning, as the restaurant industry has played such an impactful role in not only this city’s economy, but also culture and society. These businesses are the foundation of our nation’s economy, and if the government is unable to work diligently to ensure that these businesses are able to recover successfully, we may have even greater problems at hand. 

On the brighter side, however, it is quite inspiring to see how many businesses, small and large, are willing to play their part in making the situation easier for everyone, via donations, drives, and other means. Furthermore, I feel that especially now, Americans are beginning to appreciate the impact that nurses, teachers, and social workers on our communities, which too often goes overlooked. And back at home, while it is tough not being able to see my friends or take a walk outside, I have at least been able to catch up on my hobbies, such as cooking and watching my favorite films. Overall, the quarantine has certainly taken a toll on all of us. However, I firmly believe that with enough hope and caution, we will not be able to overcome the virus, but also the challenges that result from it.

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

I find it concerning how only recently have we as a nation decided to take genuine action against this virus. More concerning is how much of it has to do with the extremely high amount of misinformation that has been spread via social media activism during the first few weeks of the disease. During February and March, I have constantly seen posts severely downplaying the true nature of the disease, as well as people promoting methods that claim to prevent the spread of the virus, but ultimately do not work. I firmly believe that this has not only allowed for the spread of the disease at such a high rate, but also the impulse-buying of supplies that would not benefit most people. Furthermore, there have been people who have, and still are, ignoring social distancing recommendations. While I believe that there may be some genuine reasons to act against these measures, actively defying these measures, as we have seen in some cases in the news, is not only counterintuitive, but reckless. 

However, in times of adversity, we as a nation have always come together during trying times. Although disregarding social distancing guidelines remains an issue, corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropists have all pooled their efforts and resources to help the disadvantaged, elderly, and the sick get through this trying time, whether is is through dedicated shopping times for those most prone to the virus, shipments of medical supplies, or working around the clock to deliver food to households. This is a disease that affects all of us, whether it is our health, our education, or our finances, and it is crucial that we take responsibility and work together to overcome this virus.