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Featuring • The End of Spring Sports • How Couples are Coping with COVID-19 • COVID-19: Symptoms and Safety • The Cure for COVID-19 • The Global Response to Coronavirus • Partisanship During a Pandemic And More ....
Photography by Ashkan Forouzani
COVID-19 ISSUE
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COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
HOW DOES COV
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COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
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VID-19 SPREAD?
y Abeeha Zaidi
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COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
The Cure for COVID-19
Scientific research and a realistic timeline for stopping the pandemic. Brian Lane, Staff Reporter The COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, shutting down all public gatherings and the social lives of those worldwide. Scientists are urgently testing different vaccines, trying to stop the wave of casualties. However, where are scientists right now in their research for a cure, and is a vaccine in the foreseeable future?
that had sickened other monkeys in the lab. After 28 days of careful observation, the monkeys were healthy and showed no signs of suffering from COVID-19. Additional testing was also done at a Chinese lab, which resulted in the same outcome as the Rocky Mountain Laboratory; the vaccine was effective for the monkeys. Recently, the Oxford Photo courtesy of Wiki Commons. vaccine was finally An illustration of COVID-19 created by the Center for tested on humans after Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). a successful trial with the rhesus macaque monkeys. According to the University of Oxford, 1,110 healthy trial volunteers were used for testing, half of which received a control vaccine and the other half the potential COVID-19 vaccine. The valuable study will show the safety of the vaccine and if it does indeed prevent COVID-19.
Infographic by Brian Lane.
Fake coronavirus cures that have been proposed since the pandemic began.
Furthermore, according to CBS News, regardless of the result of the trials, the largest drug-making company, based in India, will begin to mass-produce the vaccine by next month. However, since scientists are still in the testing stage for a COVID-19 cure, businesses and individuals are taking matters into their own hands, testing their own remedies and theorizing what exactly causes the virus. One of the proposed cures came from actor Keith Middlebrook, who falsely claimed to have discovered pills that could cure anyone suffering from COVID-19. It is important for people to ignore these false claims, however, and trust the intensive scientific research that is being conducted daily to cure COVID-19.
Currently, scientists around the world are conducting tests on various types of vaccines, hoping to find the right combination to stop the spread of COVID-19. The leading laboratory in the race to cure COVID-19 is at the University of Oxford, who had a head start on a COVID-19 cure because of research conducted in early 2019. In the vaccine that proposed by Oxford, scientists utilize a weakened version of the common cold and additional proteins to create a vaccine capable of putting an end to the COVID-19 pan- As of now, the Oxford vaccine seems to be a step in the right direction, but demic. it will take more time for any vaccine to hit the public and stop COVID-19. To test the Oxford vaccine, scientists at the National Institutes of Health’s More importantly, society must continue practicing social distancing to preRocky Mountain Laboratory in Montana inoculated six rhesus macaque vent the spread and killing spree of the pandemic and allow scientists to wipe monkeys with doses of the vaccine, who were then exposed to the virus out the virus with a vaccine.
Table created by Brian Lane. Information from the World Health Organization.
The top five countries in terms of deaths along with confirmed cases (as of May 8, 2020).
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World & Local News The World Reacts to the Pandemic TOKYO OLYMPICS TO NOW TAKE PLACE IN 2021 For the first time in history, the Olympic games will be rescheduled in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kristen Matits, Staff Reporter
AS COVID-19 SPREADS ACROSS NEW JERSEY, CDC RECOMMENDS SOCIAL DISTANCING Michael Lally, Sports Editor
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease that is currently spreading across the globe, and is a part of a larger coronavirus family. It started spreading in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, the Chinese government has reported over 80,000 cases of the virus, as of May 21.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Due to the spread of coronavirus, the Summer Olympics, set to occur in 2020, will now take place in 2021.
The Summer Olympics were set to be held this year in Tokyo. However, due to the outbreak of COVID-19, the games will be held next summer. The Olympics games will now be held from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021. Over 11,000 athletes have been training for years to compete in the games which will now be set back an additional year. This will leave a five-year gap between Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, even though the seasonal Olympics are set to be every four years. Despite the postponement of one year, the next Summer Olympic Games in Paris will still take place in 2024. This is the first time in history that the Olympics have been rescheduled. Many athletes feared the games would be canceled altogether. However, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, assured them they would still hold the event. The postponement is certainly not ideal for athletes, but American weightlifter, Kate Nye, is trying to think on the bright side.
to successfully postpone the event,” said Nye in a New York Times article. Nye will have to put off graduate school for another year, as she will be competing in the Olympics next summer. British Olympic diver, Tom Daley, was also not too disappointed about the delay of the games. “Waiting one more year to reach for our dreams is well worth the sacrifice to help keep people safe,” Daley said on Instagram.
Coronavirus, in general, is most commonly found in animals such as camels, cattle, cats, and bats, but there are four strains that regularly circulate in humans. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that the first confirmed case likely came from animal-to-person contact, and the others likely came from person-to-person contact. In mid-May, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy partially opened
the state, including esential businesses, retail stores (for curbside pickup), drive-in movie theatres, religious services, vehicle dealerships and some sport-related vanues like golf courses. While COVID-19 seems to present as mild in younger people, those over 60 and anyone with underlying health conditions appear to be the most vulnerable to more aggressive forms of the virus, some even resulting in death. As of May 21, there are 149,000 confirmed cases in New Jersey and over 10,000 deaths. The CDC urges everyone to wash their hands frequently and to practice social distancing to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. If you begin to develop flulike symptoms or do not feel well, call a doctor immediately.
Although many Olympians are trying to remain positive, not all of them are being shy about their feelings. Russian gymnast, Angelina Melnikova, posted to her Instagram, “I was very excited and now I’m very upset; we are all very upset.” Most Olympic athletes have been training for the majority of their lives and now their ultimate dreams have been pushed back 12 months. For now, all that participating athletes can do is continue to train and stay at home.
“It’s a little bit longer of a delay than I had hoped, but I’m just thankful they were able
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If you or anyone you know is developing these symptoms, contact a doctor and practice social distancing immediately.
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COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
THE GLOBAL RESPON
Though each country is handling the crisis differently, all Abeeha Zaidi, So far, 2020 has seen a conflict between Iran and the United States, the Australian wildfires, the death of Kobe Bryant, and now COVID-19. Unlike other conflicts, this pandemic has majorly affected all countries, from school and business closures to medical supply shortages and low-wage workers worrying about how they make ends meet. Regardless of universal concerns, each region of the globe appears to be handling the crisis differently.
England: On March 24, Boris Johnson issued a stay-at-home order. This order was put in place due to the significant increase in COVID-19 patients.
America: America’s situation is currently very complicated and severe according to many released reports. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned that as many as 200,000 citizens could die. Washington state was once reported as the center of the outbreak in the United States; however, it has been able to flatten the curve, as it was recently reported the state had over 18,000 cases as of May 21 with just over 1,000 deaths. Not only has Washington acted quickly to improve its numbers, it has paid the supplies forwards and decided to return hundreds of ventilators as the state faces better conditions and more recoveries.
On March 27, Prince Charles went into isolation after receiving a positive test result, while a top adviser to Prime Minister Boris Johnson went into quarantine. Johnson was admitted to the hospital after testing positive on April 5. He has since been released from the ICU. Also on April 5, Queen Elizebeth the II gave a speech in which she thanked all the health workers, people who are staying at home, businesses helping with resources, and others. Germany:
New York and New Jersey have now become the epicenters and are the hardest-hit states in the country by the coronavirus, as they face an overwhelming number of calls on their 911 systems and cases increase. In early March, Trump signed an $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus aid package, which showed the urgency of the administration to repair the economy. Though efforts by the government can be seen, it seems that the world is struggling to count and report numbers properly, as US experts said on April 5 that the U.S. is undercounting the number of people who have died in the pandemic.
Germany has not receiving as much damage as other countries. Though they have 179,000 cases, they face a lower death rate. They have people who check on the patients who are diagnosed to report their situation. Patients also take blood tests to recognize if their state is going to face a decline, and handle the situation before it gets worse. Germany and South Korea, at the moment, stand as role models during this pandemic as they find ways to flatten their curve that other countries seem to be struggling with. Italy:
After 152 cases and three deaths, Italy declared a shutdown on schools; however, it left restaurants and cafes open until 6 p.m. The New York Times argued that this shutdown took place later than necessary and was not handled properly. This has been speculated to be the reason why Italy surged multiple times until the country was finally placed on lockdown. Compared to other countries, Italy took a lighter approach to restrictions and faced many deaths. Currently the country has 228,000 confirmed cases.
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NSE TO CORONAVIRUS
l are heavily affected by this unprecedented global event. Staff Reporter
China:
Everything started in Wuhan, China, where the virus was recognized but not initially reported. China went into severe lockdown to face the virus, but many regions around or in contact with the country were still infected in the process. Though they overcame the first wave, a second wave appears to be emerging; not through the means of their people, but by the means of trade. This lockdown does not even allow international flights. Many Asian residents stuck abroad are concerned about when they will be able to go back home, many of them being college students unable to find a place to settle. Pakistan: Pakistan is one of the many third-world countries dealing with the virus. Many third-world countries are trying to manage the virus as properly and quickly as possible. Though first-world countries like the U.S. and England are at risk in their economy and population, third-world countries are more likely to suffer more during a pandemic. Therefore, they have to watch out for the easy plummet of their economy. Recently, Imran Khan, Prime Minister of Pakistan, announced that though all public gathering areas are closed, he is keeping construction open in order to keep the country running, as he is concerned about the issues Pakistan will have to face. When the virus’ arrival was recognized in Pakistan, Prime Minister Khan was hesitant in placing a lockdown in the country due to the effect it could have, especially on minimum wage workers and the economy. However, he followed through and began the lockdown, which includes fines and punishments for those who do not follow the lockdowns rules and regulations.
The country was previously accused of hiding their numbers at the beginning of the crisis, although this was never confirmed. South Korea: Though a lot of the Far East is still struggling, South Korea has taken a different, yet effective, course of action. South Korea began by controlling the face mask shortage after pharmacies faced multiple difficulties in selling and properly distributing the masks without facing abusive behavior or panic in the store. President Moon Jae-in, was contacted by many leaders for the details of the action he took that helped South Korea flatten the curve.
Globally: Every region has its own way of handling the pandemic, and only time will tell which efforts are truly the most effective. One tactic that is known and used universally, even by Kinnelon, is to stay at home. During this time, trusting health officials and listening to government mandates is all an individual can do. In New York and New Jersey, “stay at home” orders are proven to currently be helping flatten the curve.
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World and Local News COVID-19: SYMPTOMS AND SAFETY Zainab Kabir, Staff Reporter Symptoms of the Coronavirus These symptoms can occur between
HOW COUPLES ARE COPING WITH COVID-19 Significant others who do not live together are going ‘long-distance’ during isolation McKayla Coppla, A&E Editor
2-14 days after being exposed to the virus
• Coughing • Repeated shaking • Shortness of breath • Muscle pain • Fever • Sore throat • Chills • New loss of taste and/or smell • Headache
Through texts, FaceTime calls, and virtual dates, couples who do not live together are battling with long-distance dating during the quarantine. For many significant others, especially those in high school relationships who typically see each other daily, social distancing is an especially hard circumstance to adapt to. Those who have gone long-distance before isolation are in luck, but those who have not are still working out the kinks. “Netflix parties, FaceTime, and playing games together every now and then is something we’ve tried to do to keep things normal,”
time. Sophomore Katie Nieto, currently in a relationship states, “I would say it’s been hard. Since we live in different towns and we can’t go out to see each other, the only way we can stay connected is through the phone, which is really difficult sometimes because making bonds over technology just isn’t the same as making bonds in real life.” The lack of physical and emotional contact with significant others during this quarantine has served as a major contributor to the dwindling of many relationships. From abruptly being forced into separation, many couples
Emergency Symptoms If these symptoms appear, seek emergency medical attention immediately
• Trouble breathing • Persistant pain or pressure in the chest • New confusion • Inability to wake or stay awake
How to Stay Safe from the Coronavirus To stay safe from the virus, follow five rules 1. Stay at home as much as possible. By staying at home, you reduce the risk of possibly getting infected or spreading the infection. 2. Keep a safe distance. Stay at least six feet away from other people. 3. Wash your hands. An easy way to reduce the risk of getting infected is to wash your hands after you have touched something or gone outside. 4. Cover your cough. You spread germs and disease when you cough, so cover your cough so you do not spread anything. 5. If you are sick, get help as soon as possible
Photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema
sophomore Sophie Solarino states about her relationship during isolation. Solarino, among many others, has had to find ways to cope with quarantine and stay connected to her significant other. For those dating people from towns outside their own, isolation hasn’t been quite as difficult. With only seeing each other a few times a week before the pandemic, adjusting to social distancing appears easier. Although, not all relationships are so sure of how to handle such a trying
were not so sure how to respond. Only having technology to turn to brutally took its toll on some relationships, leaving many even more sad than anticipated during this isolation period. Couples who are greatly yearning to see each other again are hoping that the quarantine soon concludes so that Netflix parties and FaceTime calls can take a back seat to true in-person dates.
The coronavirus is a fast-paced spreading disease. If you are someone you know begin to get sick, get help as soon as possible Where can you get tested if you feel you have the coronavirus If you feel like you have coronavirus, talk with your healthcare provider about taking a test at an appropriate location. Many locations have opened up around Morris County.
For more information, visit the CDC website.
To stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 information, go to ColtChronicle.org or visit
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COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
School News The Effect of Covid-19 on Academics Kinnelon High School students and teachers learn to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of education By Andrew Noel, Staff Reporter From China to South Korea, then to Europe and finally, the United States, it has traveled across the globe wreaking havoc. Of course, people around the world now know this to be the coronavirus, or more specifically, COVID-19. At first, it seemed like another one of those major stories that would blow over in about a week, like the yearly occurrence of the flu; but it didn’t. It got, and continues to get, worse. People from all walks of life, including high profile people like actor Tom Hanks and journalist Chris Cuomo to NBA star Donovan Mitchell, have been infected. After these high profile cases were made public, people knew that this had to be taken seriously. It would only be a matter of time until the virus hit home, which it ruthlessly did. As of May 21, there are 1.59 million cases in the United States, and no one will be surprised if that number rises. This pandemic has affected everything, from birthday parties and weddings to the Wimbledon tennis tournament, which was canceled for the first time since the second world war. Photo courtesy of Daniel Yu
A look into the lives of KHS students in the coronavirus pandemic-- with the lack of a face-to-face learning environment, students are forced to study material by themselves.
Schools are no exception, with it becoming apparent in Kinnelon that it was not a matter of if, but when, the district would close. That day came on March 12.
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“Starting next Monday, March 16, students will be asked to be available from 10 a.m to 3 p.m to complete assignments in all eight classes,” said Superintendent Diane DeGiussepe in a letter to the Kinnelon Public School community. Quarantine seemed like it was always going to be difficult for everyone: Students had to be motivated to do school work instead of leisure activities, parents had to simultaneously work and take care of their families, and teachers only had a few days’ notice to plan (at least initially) two weeks worth of online lessons, something which almost none of them had ever done before.
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As the week progressed, things slowly seemed to improve. Most adjusted to this new lifestyle and did the best that they could. Originally, the hiatus from school was only supposed to last until the end of spring break, which was April 13 for Kinnelon. Now, that date has been pushed back to at least the end of the school year on June 17, according to Governor Phil Murphy. Whether instruction will return to school buildings in September is still to be seen. In this time of uncertainty, only one thing is certain: Life will not be the same for the foreseeable future, similar to the social changes that happened as a result of 9/1l, when things like increased airport security and locked cockpit doors became the new normal. In terms of what changes will occur as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Those changes will likely last a lifetime.
COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
School News
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Is the Stress On or Off Students?
How juniors are reacting to the effects COVID-19 has on the SATs, ACTs and AP tests By Raquel Ospina, Staff Reporter
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, the SATs for March through May have been canceled for students at Kinnelon High School as well as several others across the country. Many students worry that they will not be able to take the test in time for college applications because of this cancellation. Others see this postponement as a benefit and are using their time in quarantine to better prepare themselves for the test. No one knows how long the pandemic will last, so many students, like junior Victoria Carlson, are concerned about when they can retake the SATs. “It makes me a little stressed not knowing when I’ll be able to take the SAT again. For now, I’ll study like I normally do and make sure I am prepared for the proposed test dates even if that means studying over the summer. It would be unfortunate if all my hard work goes to waste.”
me more time to prepare and study for them.” For many students like Wittig, it is a stress reliever to be given more time to prepare and study for these major academic tests. In contrast to the SATs, the AP tests were held as scheduled. Due to COVID-19, the AP tests were condensed into 45 minute-long online assessments. College Board also minimized the amount of information each AP test covered considering students across the nation have had less class time to prepare. This new format starkly contrasts to the typical three-hour version and received a variety of responses from students.
“I could know everything except one topic, or detail, and fail the whole test.” Some students saw this as an opportunity to get the best grade possible. For example, for junior Kelly Dunn, these tests work out in her favor. “For me in AP English, my strongest essays were the rhetorical analysis ones and that’s the only thing on the AP Literature test now. Some other essays that were initially in the English AP tests were difficult for me to write, but now I am relieved it is only one, and the one I am personally most comfortable with.”
Photo by Raquel Ospina
Although there is a concern for when students will actually be able to take the test, junior Taylor Wittig views the postponement as a positive development.“I am happy they are postponed because it gives
Others, however, viewed this as a missed opportunity to prove their effort in class. Juniors such as Katerina O’Neill feel that the shortened, online versions of the AP tests will not adequately assess their hard work and skill. “I have been working so hard throughout the year and I am disappointed that the AP tests are now online. All of our work is based on those tests and now most of them are only one essay or one assignment. This means that I could know everything except one topic, or detail, and fail the whole test.” With fewer questions, every mistake has the potential to lower students’ grades on the AP tests.
Quarantine: Blessing or Curse?
In a small, 20-student survey, the Colt Chronicle reached out to students to discover how they have been spending all their extra time in quarantine. By Haripriya Kemisetti, Staff Reporter Whether you love to paint, garden, or bake, due to COVID-19, now is a great time to pick up a new hobby or rediscover an old one. Although some students dislike the prolonged quarantine due to COVID-19, it has left students and teachers across the nation with more free time. A few students at KHS have put this time to productive use.
tine is affecting them. “I’ve been playing board games and watching TV shows with my family...I get to catch up on things that I didn’t have time for [before],” says sophomore Alexa Sales.
Quarantine is a necessary precaution, but Smith says “My favorite part about quarantine is that it reduces a lot of stress from school, and it’s savFreshman Mikayla Smith has found new hobbies during this time. “I have ing a lot of people’s lives. We have overpublicized the political nature of everything going on, but at the end of the day, staying home really is the been watching a lot of dramas and emotional movies because they are an investment of time so it keeps me occupied. I’ve also tried a bunch of new healthiest option.” foods, writing styles, and TV shows...I cut my hair very impulsively which definitely would not have happened otherwise,” says Smith. Similar to Smith, sophomore Adam Schneider has been catching up on some activities that he did not used to have the time for during the school year. Schneider says hes been “watching movies/series on Netflix, [doing] projects around the house...” Quarantine has also allowed students to take the time needed to focus on their future. Junior Eva Breiterman says she has been spending this time doing “a lot of homework, gardening/housework, creating a music portfolio for college...working on my audition pieces for college.” Many students also spoke about their families and how this quaran-
Graph by Haripriya Kemisetti This graph shows the results of the 20 student survey on how students have been spending their time during this quarantine, conducted through Google Forms.
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COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
Opinion Save the Planet
Climate change has always been an issue. How will the COVID-19 outbreak affect climate change, and by extension, humanity?
Editor’s Note: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in Colt Chronicle’s opinion section belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views of Colt Chronicle staff, Kinnelon High School, or its students and staff members.
By Abeeha Zaidi, Staff Reporter Climate change is increasingly affecting our way of life, our environment, and our economy, and COVID-19 might just be a new addition to the list of factors affecting it. Because COVID-19 is a vector-borne disease, it is more vulnerable to the effects of climate change, some of which aren’t even uncovered yet. In fact, more effects are arising as scientists continue to study the disease.
ulation is less exposed (and therefore more vulnerable) to influenza. The early attack of the flu can also leave many shocked and unprepared, leading to more vulnerability. This shows that COVID-19 is not our only worry, and it can lead us to having two problems at one time.
Firstly, the geographic range of the pathogens in COVID-19 is affected by climate change, thanks to climate change patterns determining and affecting the migration of animals. The animals, in the case of COVID-19 (or any virus), are known as the “disease carrying animals” or “zoonotic reservoir hosts,” as they host the pathogens but do not have the virus.
For many, COVID-19 is not their only battle. In fact, many have to fight batPhoto courtesy of Twitter.com tles for things we take for granted, such as water. Many countries around A tweet by President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) from March 24. the world--such as Colombia, Pakistan, Somalia, Australia, Guatemala, China, and Kenya--are dealing with water scarcity and therevery arid conditions, those particles lost the water vapor fore cannot even wash their hands, despite the current and become airborne.” However, this is proven for the pandemic. Granted, washing one’s hands is not the only general flu and has not yet been confirmed to apply to thing that one can do to prevent contracting COVID, but COVID-19, as research is still in progress. general hygiene is also something that these countries Though climate change really does have an effect on the do not have the materials to practice. current state of the pandemic, Trump seems to give it the The solution? More should be done to help them. Our least bit of attention. In fact, during a discussion for the continued release of carbon emissions is impacting and stimulus package, some proposed an idea for a Green many countries and resulting in droughts and deaths New Deal. Not understanding the issue and relation, due to a lack of natural resources. If you want to help Trump declined the proposal and immediately tweeted give back, there is a student-based organization from the a statement of frustration against it. University of Michigan called PAANI that is currently holding a fundraiser for those who are less fortunate This is just one of many effects of climate change, and the list seems to be getting longer and longer. Being afthan us suffering through this pandemic. flicted with a sudden global pandemic should give us a Lastly, there is a rising theory that the pathogens --which, pause and a time to reflect that even with all the power in the case of COVID-19, are bacteria--survive and easwe have in this world, nature can still bring us down to ily develop depending on the climate pattern. Humid our knees in a matter of days, if she so chooses. It is a weather is the most suitable weather for pathogen achumbling time for us, and it brings us to conclude that tivity. According to NPR.org,“This is because when you we are not the masters of the world, and if not taken care cough or sneeze or even talk, you’re generating these of, nature can destroy humanity.
COVID-19 spreads most abundantly in areas with its ideal temperature and humidity, similar to many other viruses.Therefore, areas like North America are more succeptible to the virus. A location similar to South America is less vulnerable, as it is too hot of a location for the virus to inhabit and thrive in. This explains why the hot spots of the virus include New York and Michigan, not San Francisco or Los Angeles (though that may change, as the virus is not only dependent on temperature but also on the population density of an area). In addition to this, more severe flu seasons are approaching us due to climate change, making COVID-19 even more dangerous. The most recent winter that approached us was a really warm one, with hardly any snow or freezing temperature. The winter was unusual and has concerned many scientists. In 2013, a team of scientists used Center for Disease Control data to conclude that “warm winters are usually followed by a heavy flu season.” Moreover, because of the warm winters, the pop-
droplets that are coming out of your mouth, and some of them, if you’re infected, will contain virus particles. In
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OPINION
COLT CHRONICLE • COVID- 19 ISSUE
HOW WE UNDERMINED THE POWER OF A PANDEMIC Could we have prevented the spread of COVID-19 to the U.S.? By Abeeha Zaidi, Staff Reporter
Stillness and normalcy are ongoing. A missile zooms across the windows of a school and neighborhood, and with no time to act, there is a loud bang and a sudden bright light takes up the sight of all those within the radius. As instructed, the population takes shelter. Let’s be honest: none of us expected to be spending the rest of our school year sheltered from a virus. When the last generation was growing up, they grew up in fear of an atomic attack that followed individuals or a region’s desire for world domination. Now, in this generation, we fear a pandemic with irresponsible attitudes and minimal preparations to combat it. Instead of growing up learning how to hide under tables, we are learning how to wash our hands properly.
Even after multiple warnings, countries did not begin investing in research and development for a potential new virus, or saving money to help buy resources and PPE--such as masks and ventilators--that would later be essential. There was no planning done for the future. Even after identifying the virus that was causing
tion, as it was significantly less strict and aggressive than other countries. Not only was there a lack of tests, but also the U.S. only tested symptomatic people, ignoring those who were asymptomatic or didn’t exhibit the “typical” symptoms. However, this can also be dangerous as it means there may be existing cases that are not confirmed. This means that the data is not particularly accurate, as it does not represent everyone with COVID-19. Preparedness was not our only issue when determining the power of the epidemic; ignorance was also an issue. After hearing the news of the new virus and its impact on other countries, the U.S. still believed it would be an unlikely situation for the states.
The U.S was not only misguided by false interpretation The truth is we undermined the of evidence, they were also power of the coronavirus. For misguided by those in charge. a few years, there have been Photo courtesy of Twitter.com Many leaders, including Presimany eminent figures inform- A Tweet from President Donald Trump (@realDonaldTrump) from March 9. dent Donald Trump, stated that ing us about the possibility of this was just like the flu, when such a situation, but most peoin fact many scientists proved ple chose not to listen. Experts such as Bill Gates pre- an pandemic, countries still did not respond quickly or that COVID-19 was more severe, due to its ability to dicted that there would be a case similar to the one we take the appropriate measures until it began to affect spread easily as an airborne disease. Director of the are dealing with now. He mentioned in a 2013 TED them directly. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Talk that society “should not be worrying about misDr. Anthony Fauci even had to pulicly refute Trump’s In the U.S, however, a useful travel ban was placed; siles, but microbes.” Following it, he even proposed claims. there was a travel ban on China that represented the solutions in order to keep society informed and lessen right measures to take. Despite this, when the Trump Every country reacted differently, some worse than the severity of these microbes, including: administration established the travel ban on Europe, others, and America was one of the worst due to their • Strengthening the health system in poorer coun- it did not ban England, where most of the cases were inability to be prepared and organized. Clearly, this led tries located. Had they chosen to ban England as well, per- to ignorance of how dangerous the pandemic could haps that would’ve slowed the virus’ spread to our get. In 2019, many thought that this was going to be • Creating medical corps ‘just another virus,’ and now we’re stuck at home in country. • Pairing medical and military groups 2020 realizing it was much, much more. It became a On top of all that, when the virus finally arrived in the deadly pandemic. After making mistakes, we should • Running germ games U.S., all the states were on a different page (and, quite not contemplate them, but instead learn from them and frankly, still are) with regard to how to handle the situ• Stepping up research and development remember them in the future. Moreover, it should not ation. It is harder to handle the spreading in a country just teach us a lesson, but also make us realize that we Bill Gates was not the only one who was preparing when some states are open and others are closed. To lack valuable global leaders and trust among countries for this. In fact, former president Barack Obama even solve the situation, there was an established ban for during this vulnerable time. Now more than ever, we warned the U.S population about a potential pandemdomestic travel. However, this response was too late need to stick together and be responsible in our news ic or dangerous virus emergence in one of his 2014 and not strictly enforced. Even currently, the states are literacy. White House speeches. “We have to put in place an establishing dates to open up without consideration of infrastructure, not just here at home but globally, that their neighboring states or of the country as a whole. allows us to see it quickly, isolate it quickly and reTesting in the U.S also showed their lack of preparaspond to it quickly.”
“Now more than ever, we need to
stick together and be responsible
in our news literacy.”
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COVID-19 ISSUE COLT CHRONICLE
Opinion
Partisanship During a Pandemic Two Colt Chronicle editors share their opinions on instances of partisanship occurring throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The US Needs Voting by Mail, Not Petty Partisanship
The Politicization of a Pandemic
Republican politicians are endangering their constituents and perverting democracy by blocking voting by mail measures.
Both Democrats and Republicans are viewing the coronavirus as a political issue. Now is not the time for partisanship.
Will Cappello, Opinion Editor
Ethan Burt, Sports and Features Editor On April 7, in the midst of a pandemic of historic proportions and despite a stay at home order that prohibits gatherings of people from different households, hundreds of thousands of Americans congregated in crowded lines throughout Wisconsin to vote. Many other citizens decided not to risk
not been tested and how many more people the disease will spread to through those who were infected while voting. Unfortunately, there is also no telling how many will die because of the election. Perhaps the most tragic element of this situation is how easily it could have been prevented. First, unlike legislatures in other states that postponed elections, the Republican-controlled state legislature refused to do anything about the election. Next, when Governor Tony Evers issued an executive order to postpone the election, the conservative-controlled Supreme Court voided it.
From the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs
A Wisconsin National Guard Citizen Soldier sanitizes a voter’s hands as he enters a polling location.
contracting and spreading COVID-19 and instead attempted to vote via absentee ballot or not vote at all. While neither choice is inherently better than the other, the fact that Americans were forced to choose between protecting the health of themselves and their compatriots and protecting the health of their democracy is an avoidable and significant problem that will have serious political and health ramifications if not solved by November. In order to prevent new outbreaks of COVID-19 and preserve democracy in the U.S., the federal government must pass comprehensive legislation to make voting by mail a reality in all 50 states come November. In Wisconsin, many polling locations closed last minute, and thousands of voters who applied for absentee ballots never received them, leading to greatly overcrowded polling locations, where many were forced to wait in close proximity to others for hours. Already, 40 people who voted physically in Milwaukee County have tested positive for COVID-19. There is no telling how many others contracted the disease through voting but have
To prevent scenes similar to those of Wisconsin from playing out across the nation in November, Congress must ensure that anyone who wishes to vote is able to do so safely by barring states from prohibiting voting by mail.
Some politicians, primarily Republicans, claim that voting by mail is not effective because they allow for voter fraud to occur. This is, however, just a baseless claim pushed to suppress the voting rights of marginalized groups that traditionally favor Democrats. President Donald Trump let the true reason for Republicans’ apprehension slip, saying that if the US moved to voting by mail, “you’d never have a Republican elected in this country again.” Five states already have all-mail voting, and because of steps taken to safeguard the accuracy of the vote, they do not have more voter fraud than other states. Needless to say, while many have gained the ability to vote from these systems, the Republican Party has not disappeared from these five states as Trump predicted it might. Free, fair, and safe elections are possible but only if Congress is willing to put democracy before partisan desires. Countless Americans have died to protect the sacred right to vote. Now, all Americans must demand their politicians not to force Americans to die if they wish to exercise this right.
From the controversial kneeling of NFL players during the national anthem to the appointment of a Supreme Court Justice, nearly everything in America is politicized. In many cases, it is completely understandable. However, one would think that a pandemic that has amassed tens of thousands of deaths ought to be an exception. Both Democrats and Republicans have used COVID-19 to throw shots at one another, whether it is Joe Biden using it to criticize the Trump administration or Trump attempting to cast himself in a better light with one-sided or outdated statistics. With that being said, when the government is attempting to release a coronavirus relief package containing exorbitant amounts of money, politicization is inevitable; people are looking out for either what is in their best interest or in the interest of the country. However, when the biggest political figures resort to taking advantage of a worldwide disaster in an effort to advance their political careers or suppress criticism, I simply cannot respect them. In the concluding moments of President Trump’s speech on March 11, he said, “We are all in this together. We must put politics aside, stop the partisanship, and unify together as one nation and one family.” A very respectable quote, had it not been so shortlived.
disappointment was immeasurable, but I was not surprised considering the President’s propensity for mudslinging and hypocrisy. As stated previously, Democrats are not without fault either. Many left-winged media organizations have used the coronavirus as a way to criticize Trump and his competence as a president. Even well-known Democratic political figures such as former Vice President Joe Biden are guilty of the same politicization as President Trump is. In fact, Biden has released advertisements in which the Trump administration is slammed for their response to the coronavirus. American politics are arguably the most polarized in the world. Partisan gridlock has ensued from the divisiveness of issues in America, and it has been accepted despite the clear hindrance that it poses to legislative productivity. Now is not the time for this incompetence. If we wish to surmount the obstacle that COVID-19 presents - to prevail through this unequivocally dark time - COVID 19 needs to be viewed as a non-political issue. It should not be used as a means of diminishing the opposition in an election. The country needs quick legislation, not a system mired in a stalemate that results in an overwhelming amount of unnecessary deaths. The American people need to be prioritized, not political agendas.
On March 12, Trump tweeted, “Sleepy Joe Biden was in charge of H1N1 Swine Flu epidemic which killed thousands of people. The response was one of the worst on record. Our response is one of the best, with fast action of border closings and a 78% Approval Rating, the highest on record. His was the lowest!” Needless to say, my
The Final Two: a look at the remaining 2020 candidates Will Cappello, Opinion Editor and Alex Garcia, Local/ World News Editor
Age: 77 (b. Nov. 20, 1942)
Joe Biden
Age: 73 (b. June 14th, 1946)
Donald J. Trump
Overview: He was born in Pennsylvania, and moved to Delaware in the third grade. He became a senator in 1973, and around that time his family got into a car accident that left his wife and daughter dead and his two sons in bad condition. Over several decades, he garnered quite the legacy as a senator, and in 2008 was selected as Obama’s vice president. He served for eight years and after a 4-year hiatus from politics, is now running for president in 2020.
Overview – A businessman for over 45 years, Trump knows his way around the real estate world and has translated that to success in in other industries. He has always courted fame with his success and has made a big deal of becoming an A-Lister. His businessman persona on the reality show “The Apprentice” had made him a household name before the presidency. Now that he has translated that fame into the highest office in the land, he is trying to get a business-friendly agenda passed.
Political Experience: Senator for 36 years (January 3, 1973 – January 15, 2009) Some of his past positions are frowned down on by democrats of today because of how long he has been in politics and how the landscape has changed. Some of these include voting for the Iraq war and working with segregationists.
Political Experience– Prior to the presidency, Donald Trump had no political experience at all. Thus far, he has experienced both successes (passing sweeping tax cuts to all Americans and corporations; appointing two right-wing Supreme Court justices) and failures (his border wall, not growing the GDP by 4% each year).
Read the rest of this article and each candidate’s policies for presidential candidacy at www.coltchronicle.org.
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Photo Essay Pix from the Pandemic
COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
Seeing the Kinnelon Community through red, white, and blue glasses Sophia Solarino, Staff Photographer
As messages of hope have sprung up all over the world, KHS proudly displayed its own for all to see on Kinnelon Road.
Due to COVID-19, the House of Hope – a longtime fixture for clothing donations at Our Lady of the Magnificat Parish (OLM) – had to suspend its charitable collections for residents of Paterson.
To ensure that consumers shop safely, stores like Stop and Shop placed taped markers to show customers where to stand to keep everyone at a germ-free distance. Stores also placed signs as helpful reminders to not get too close to others.
Shortages of common goods, like milk, have been frustrating to everyone in the community, especially when the pandemic first hit.
According to the Council for Textile Recycling, nearly one-half of used clothing is given to charities by the general public. Now that people can’t donate their used clothing easily, as collection bins like these on Route 23 show, will more people’s clothes end up in a landfill?
KHS closed on March 16 when Governor Murphy shut down schools statewide. The track and field closed, as well, to deter residents from congregating and possibly spreading COVID-19.
COVID-19 ISSUE COLT CHRONICLE
Features
15
From the Front Lines
While most are off work and at home, nurses and other essential workers, like KHS mother and nurse Jody Schmalz, continue to brave the pandemic head-on. Max Schmalz, Staff Reporter
A registered nurse of 20 years, Jody Schmalz, at RWJ Barnabas Health (formerly Saint Barnabas Medical Center), received news on March 28 that the burn unit she had worked on for years would be transitioned to a COVID-19 Unit.
Schmalz recalls the first days transitioning were “very intense as [the unit] waited for our first COVID-19 positive patient to arrive. We had to prepare the rooms with equipment and discharge and transfer patients off the unit. There was a heightened level of concern because we knew that we would be directly in contact with the highly contagious virus.” She describes the general reaction of her unit as “gearing up for a big fight.” She expressed how “[the unit] banned together even more than before. We just did what we had to do to get the job done. It’s why I became a nurse, to help other people in need.” With New Jersey being second in the country for confirmed cases (151,000 as of May 22) Schmalz was at the center of America’s toughest fight against the virus. Essex County, where Schmalz’s hospital is located, is fourth in New Jersey for confirmed cases of COVID-19, and first in deaths (1,500 at the time of writing).
Schmalz says adjusting and accommodating to the rapid changes was “challenging at times.” She goes on to explain, “Every morning we would have a meeting to discuss how we were going to care for these patients. And on a daily basis procedures and processes changed. It was like riding a wave. You just go with the flow.” When asked how she prevents the virus from spreading from work to home, Schmalz says, “I change my scrubs before I get home, wipe down my I.D. and my phone. I also leave my sneakers at work. My scrubs are in a sealed bag and left outside for a few days. Then they are washed separately in hot water. I also shower as soon as I get home.”
“We need to remember what’s important: your health, your family, and being kind.” At RWJ Barnabas Health, nurses do not receive hazard pay (additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship) but a singular compensation pay called a “Healthcare Hero Bonus Payment.” “It is based on your level of exposure and how many hours you worked,” Schmalz explained. It’s not all bad news. Schmalz says, “Things are getting better because there are less COVID admissions; most people in my unit are healing and going home.”
Photo Courtesy of Max Schmalz
Schmalz (left) and her colleagues pose with gifts sent to them, thanking them for their work during the pandemic.
When asked one thing she wanted to tell the public as a nurse, she said, “In the midst of chaos we must ban together and ALL have a role to play in this war against COVID-19. It hit the reset button for us. We need to remember what’s important: your health, your family, and being kind.”
Features
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COVID-19 ISSUE COLT CHRONICLE
Some Good News with John Krasinski How John Krasinski has taken it upon himself to spread joy during isolation McKayla Coppla, Staff Reporter From cities, to suburbs, and to space, the happiness Krasinski has been spreading has reached all ends of the earth. On April 19, he surpassed all previous surprises on his channel when he visited NASA’s International Space Station (ISS). Three members of the ISS delivered a segment for Some Good News while defying gravity and showing people the beauty that earth still has to offer even in such debilitating times. “What’s the best news you’ve heard this week? Drop #SomeGoodNews below so we can share,” Krasinski shares in a post. The entirety of each episode is a culmination of clips and segments celebrating all the good going on in a world overPhoto Courtesy of Mikayla Smith shadowed by the bad right now. In times of pure boredom, John Krasinksi hosting Some Good News people have begun finding new sources of entertainment to keep them sane. For some, that means crafting masks and supplies to donate to those in need, while others are battling In need of something to smile about during this lonetheir way through indoor obstacle courses to claim victory some quarantine? John Krasinski has supplied the perfect over their siblings. If you’re struggling to find a cure to your amount of socially distanced dance parties that are sure to boredom, tune into Some Good News every Sunday night for put a smile on your face. some ideas! In the creation of his new YouTube channel, Some Good News, Krasinski was looking for a way to keep busy and spread happiness in a time of such gloom. With almost two million subscribers, Krasinski has brought life back into a time where many thought it was lost. “Chris Cassidy, Jessica Meir, and I are so excited to bring you Some Good News from Space Station! Crazy to believe it was just last week that we were all floating news correspondents, reporting from above our magnificent planet,” Andrew Morgan tweets in reference to Krasinski’s fourth episode of Some Good News.
The Colt Chronicle 2019-2020 Editorial Board Camille Balo - Editor In Chief, STEM Editor Nina Santy & Julia Hackney - Managing Editors Emily Mazurkiewicz & Will Cappello- Opinion Editors Gabriella Avagyan & McKayla Coppla - Arts and Entertainment Editors Juilia Hackney & Alex Garcia- Local/World News Editors Juliana Marston & Daniel Yu - School News Editors Ethan Burt & Mikayla Smith - Features Editors Ethan Burt & Michael Lally - Sports Editors Abeeha Zaidi & Kristen Mattis - Layout Designers Mrs. Van Der Sluys - Adviser
COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
ARE QUARANTINE CONCERTS NOW A THING?
17 A&E TOP 3 QUARANTINE MOVIES For when you’re bored of being bored because being bored is boring Shreyal Sharma, Staff Reporter
In this time of isolation, lonesomeness and boredom have taken over. While schools, museums, movie theaters, bars, and restaurants are closed, there is still entertainment available online on The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. an end to social gatherings but could at- Here are three must-watch movies to check out while self-quarantined and isolated: home concerts be the answer?
Ellis Nunez, Staff Reporter Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, every day is filled with uncertainty. There is no telling when a cure for the virus will be found, and until then, everyone will have to get used to social distancing. While the situation is not ideal, celebrities are banding together to spread messages of positivity to the world through social media. Celebrities are putting together singing compilation videos and holding live-streamed “concerts,” which their fans can view from the comfort of their homes. One concert that was streamed globally was the One World: Together at Home concert. Organized by Lady Gaga and the charity, Global Citizen, it featured artists such as The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Billie Eilish, and more. The stream lasted for eight hours and was viewed by around 21 million users on 26 different platforms. Not only was this concert able to entertain millions of fans, but it was able to raise millions of dollars. Artists are also doing solo streams daily to entertain their fans on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. While this quarantine is certainly bothersome, it is also a time to experiment with new things, especially music. As Thomas Paine once said, “These are the times that try men’s souls… yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”
Parasite Directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite is an Oscar-winning film that also serves as chilling social commentary on wealth disparity. The movie involves a poor family, the Kims, who are infiltrating the lives of a wealthy family, the Parks, by working for their company and their home. The film effortlessly morphs toward a deep survival climax and is worth the watch. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 99% Audience Rating: 90% Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Vudu, Sling TV
Isn’t It Romantic A New York architect, Natalie, works hard vigorously to be appreciated at her job. Her dreams are shattered when she constantly delivers coffee and bagels rather than designing skyscrapers. When she falls unconscious during a subway mugging, however, she suddenly finds herself in an alternate universe. Natalie’s world is turned upside down as she is, begrudingly, thrust into a real-life romantic comedy. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 70% Audience Rating: 47% Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Vudu, HBO Now
The Prodigy Sarah and John Blume are excited when their son, Miles, begins to display indications of accelerated development and advanced intellect. Their familial joy, however, shortly evolves into horrifying torture. Miles’ presence becomes increasingly unpredictable and his demeanor increasingly volatile by his eighth birthday. After receiving guidance from two experts, Sarah is terrified to discover that her beloved prodigy is under the thumb of dark and mysterious energy.
Photo Courtesy of Global Citizen’s Twitter
At-home concert promotion posted on Twitter.
Rotten Tomatoes Rating:42% Audience Rating: 37% Where to Watch: YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Vudu
All photo Courtesy of Hulu
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A&E
COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
CELEBRITIES SPREAD LOVE DURING COVID-19 Celebrities like Cardi B, Miley Cyrus, and Cody Simpson use their influence to spread love and support during the pandemic Shreyal Sharma, Staff Reporter Social rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent questions is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
100,000 FDA-certified, three-ply face masks to different Southern Californian-based hospitals: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Providence Saint Joseph, LAC+USC Medical Center, and The coronavirus outbreak has shut down Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital. buildings, malls, restaurants, and all other Miley Cyrus and Cody Simpson purchased public-outing spaces. In the hope of flattening 120 tacos and sent them to a local hospital to the curve, all countries have urged self-isola- show their care and love towards healthcare tion, resulting in school shutdowns, layoffs, workers who are endangering their lives while and a plummeting stock market. Live con- treating patients amid a global pandemic. certs, award shows, and festivals have been Some celebrities have decided to donate postponed or canceled, but celebrities have money to hospitals and organizations directother ways of helping and supporting their ly. The Shawn Mendes Foundation donated people. $175,000 to The Hospital for Sick Children, Some artists are sharing their talents, presenting live streams of concerts to keep fans entertained and occupied. Many are not only investing their time but also their tremendous resources to provide aid to the less fortunate around the globe.
Hip-hop artist and rapper Cardi B has teamed up with global fashion company Fashion Nova for a campaign that gives away $1,000 every hour to those who are financially struggling during the pandemic. Their goal is to donate a total of $1 million. Singer
and
songwriter
Halsey
Image Courtesy of Project Hope
Project Hope teamed up with singer Ricky Martin and Charitystars for the #HelpfromHome to fulfill Project Hope’s mission statement.
while James Taylor donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital. Ricky Martin started the #HelpfromHome campaign that strived to support healthcare workers through the nonprofit organization Project Hope. Among these celebrities, there are also countless other kind-hearted people, like the grocery store workers, truck drivers, first responders, health care workers, and more who are risking their lives to protect the public every day.
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
Singer Halsey donated 100,000 masks to hospitals in California.
donated
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
Hip-hop artist Cardi B pairs with Fashion Nova in donating $1,000 every hour to people struggling due to the Pandemic.
Image Courtesy of Cody Simpson via Instagram
Singers Miley Cyrus and Cody Simpson posing with the 120 tacos they purchased for healthcare workers at their local hospital. Each bag reads “Thank you for your support and love. Stay strong.”
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
The Shawn Mendes Foundation donated $175,000 to The Hospital for Sick Children.
COLT CHRONICLE • COVID-19 ISSUE
Sports
19
THE END OF SPRING SPORTS How the student-athlete community reacts to the decision to cancel all 2020 spring activites. Mike Lally, Sports Editor
As the hope for athletes and coaches alike have dwindled down to reality, Gov. Phil Murphy has decided, as of May 4, to cancel not only the school year across the state but sports and extra-curricular activities. The virus known as COVID-19 has taken another victim, and without a sports season in the near future, seniors who may have had a chance to play at the next level may never have a chance to showcase their skills. Coaches have stressed the fact that athletes should continue preparing as if they were playing a game the following day, and that is exactly what Coach Eric Dicolo preaches to his players. “Keep working out on your own. Run. Run a lot… Stay on the wall. Stay safe and stay well.” The words of encouragement can really go a far way to motivate players. During quarantine, many have nothing to do; therefore, getting out and practicing one’s sport would only better oneself if the season were to start up again.
2. Fall seasons are still in jeopardy as Gov. Phil Murphy has hinted at a delayed 2020-2021 school year. 3. If fall sports are delayed, the NJSIAA has a tournament-based plan for sports, if feasible. Now what all of this means is that if we continue to follow instructions through the CDC, we still have a chance of a return for the fall season. For the graduating seniors, this may be considered by many as a “complete nightmare.” Not only has the graduation process been held off, but many athletes have also been stripped of their opportunity to possibly showcase themselves to universities for an opportunity to play at the next level. Thousands of seniors have taken to social media to express their feelings about this whole situation. Whether it is an Instagram post or commenting on the NJSIAA page, New Jersey high school seniors have been nothing but relentless in getting answers for themselves.
However, as one school, and one community, we can only remain hopeful and continue practicing our social distancing as much as possible, for the more we do so, per1. A final decision was made on May 4 to officially cancel haps the faster we can return to life as we knew it. the 2020 spring season. While not much more detail has come forth, here is what has been confirmed:
“The NJSIAA medical board determined that, due to a lack of viable testing and vaccines, spring sports were not a viable option.”- Gov. Phil Murphy
Editorial Cartoon by Abeeha Zaidi