STAFF OPINION

5 Things We’re Talking About

1

MASK GUIDANCE CHANGING

Governor Mike DeWine is lifting any mandatory Covid restrictions to the public starting as soon as June 2. Although everyone has been dying to take off their masks and stop social distancing, this order has become controversial because of the sudden end to all restrictions. Many people are worried that not enough people have been vaccinated or do not want to be vaccinated, which can put high risk people in danger. This drastic change was very surprising to us, as we thought that the restrictions would gradually go away, not suddenly.

5 2

PALESTINE

As the Israel-Palestine conflict continues to heat up, tensions keep rising due to multiple failed peace talks. There has been lots of outrage on social media, mainly due to frightening images of children on both sides hiding from bombs, in fear of their lives. While many more Palestinians are dying in this conflict, it isn’t completely one-sided. What started as hope for a completely Jewish state in “The Promised Land” has turned into a region known for violence and sadness. In American, we have seen an increase in anti-semitism and Islamophobia. Nobody except those on the ground in this region is responsible for anything that goes on there, and it is unacceptable to spread hate of any kind. During these trying times, it is more important than ever that we love our neighbors as ourselves.

3

HAVING A NORMAL SUMMER

School will be out soon and everyone is making plans for the summer. Many teens now have been vaxed, which means wil have a much more "normal" summer than we did last year. We are looking forward to a mask-free summer!

SUMMER OLYMPICS There are only a few months left until the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics are to take place. Exactly one year after they were originally scheduled, July 23, 2021, will mark the first day. The location will remain the same as planned and the games will continue in their normal form. According to the official Olympics website, IOC president Thomas Bach along with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, stated last year, that the games would not be held any later than the summer of 2021. With that, athletes and fans are eager for the games to begin.

4

VAX-A-MILLION LOTTERY Many of us who have gotten the Covid-19 vaccine have registered for a chance to win a grand prize. For winners eighteen and up, the prize is that of a whopping $1 million. And winners under the age of eighteen will win a four-year scholoarship to any state college in Ohio. The first registration deadline of May 23 has passed, and the first winners will be announced on May 26.