OPINION
THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN
CLOSING GYM IS A BAD DECISION Increasing number of students eating in cafeteria during a Covid spike makes no sense STAFF EDITORIAL espite Omicron, the most infectious variant of Coronavirus, running rampant throughout the United States, our school’s administration has opted to move an additional 90 students from the gym into the cafeteria for lunch. These students were forced out of the gym on Monday, Jan. 10, due to the shortage of custodians. Currently, the custodians are unable to clean both areas each day. Ro, pronounced R naught, is a number that measures the rate at which diseases are transferred from person to person. The greater the Ro, the greater the rate of infection. The original SARS-CoV-2 has Ro ~2.79, the Delta variant has Ro ~5.08, and the Omicron variant has Ro 7.0 or greater, according to the website Vitals. Based on the increased rate of infection, closing the gym for lunch and moving all students to the cafeteria is completely illogical. Principal Matt Durst argues that the 2-week mask mandate put in effect on Jan. 10 will assist in eliminating the omicron variant spreading throughout the school; however, masks are not worn during lunch nor are any precautionary measurements taken to eliminate the spread of Covid-19 in the cafeteria. No barriers
D
10 blueprints WINTER 2021
are in place and social distancing isn’t being practiced. A simple solution to this problem has been provided to the staff by several seniors who have argued for off-campus lunch or the return of the senior lounge. On top of this, another possible solution is hiring more custodians; however, the district administration argues that ABM, the company the district uses to contract custodial services, is unable to find people to work. The reason ABM is unable to find workers is that custodians are significantly underpaid, underappreciated and do not get good benefits. Granville High School is a complete contradiction of themselves, saying that they wish to protect their students yet continue to make irrational moves to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We urge the administration to return these students back into the gym for the sake of our safety and those around us. If this is unfeasible, we suggest providing off-campus lunch for seniors because it takes roughly 100 students out of both 5th and 6th-period lunches. Taking these seniors out of the lunchroom satisfies our wishes and helps protect those around us.
NO WINTER FORMAL We want a Winter Formal because it brings the school together.
VALENTINE'S DAY We like Valentine's Day because it is a day where you can show your love for someone else.
SCHOOL INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT We don't like school Instagram accounts because they cause a lot of drama.
