Features
6 The Voyager
February 2022
Book bans in Texas are spreading like wildfire
is banning books allowed, and where did it even come from? Powerful people trying to limit what books are written and read can be dated ith all the ugliness and trouback to 213 B.C! In China, emperor Qin bles faced in today’s world, Shi Huang burned books covering phireading has become a safe losophy, poetry, and history, so that his haven for many people. people wouldn’t know about past, sucWhether it’s a high fantasy book, a murcessful leaders. der mystery, or just general fiction, the Moving forward about 1,700 years to beauty of books is that everyone can find Martin Luther’s Reformation, books and one and learn things from it. writings by him were burned by the Pope Racism, homophobia, and sexual crimes for going against the church. have been around since the beginning of Classics that are beloved by many nowtime. In this day and age, people who are adays also made the infamous “bannedaffected by these problems can try to find book” list. some solace in reading books about charThe Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger acters who have also gone through similar has been banned by many schools, more experiences. during the late 1900s, due to sexual conHowever, this is not the case anymore tent and refrences, profanity throughout for many high schools in Texas. Books the novel, and excessive covering these topics are beBooks are banned violence. ing pulled from the shelves. Of Mice and Men by Texas state representafor not aligning John Steinbeck is antive Matt Krause sent a list with the views of other famous classic that of over 800 books to school people higher has faced much backsuperintendents due to them in power. lash from schools and containing inappropriate parents. Complaints of content for students to read. racial slurs, offensive language, it not beThis action was later amplified by Texas ing “age appropriate,” and even of using governor Greg Abbot, who wanted to inGod’s name in vain have all arisen from vestigate public school’s “pornography” this short, 112-paged book. Another book found in some of the books. by Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, came Many lessons learned from these books under heat, too, for once again using the can’t be found in a classroom, so now that Lord’s name in vain. they’re not accessible at the library, stuA staple in highschool literature, To Kill dents aren’t left with many options. How By JORDAN KRAMER ‘24 Staff Reporter
W
COVID-19: why it may never end
By TIMUR MARKOWITZ ‘24 and KYLE GOLDSTEIN ‘24 Staff Reporters
D
espite many speculating that the immense prominence of Coronavirus is soon to cease, the wrath of the disease doesn’t plan to stop any time soon. For some, the process has begun to feel similar to a common cold; although, children, the unvaccinated, and those with autoimmune compromises are continually at higher risk. Furthermore, the effects of the virus may not dissipate for decades, as the possible long term health complications for those who recover from the disease are still not fully understood. Extended and permanent symptoms of COVID have not been uncovered to the furthest extent, and thus potential health risks might loom even after a full rehabilitation. Despite the prematurity of the situation, many individual studies have produced scientific determinations, yet some discrepancies still exist among the supposed expectations. A complex meta-analysis of manifestations provided by the National Library of Medicine found fatigue, headache, attention disorder, dyspnea (difficulty breathing), and hair loss were common amongst those recovering. The least common after effects were shown to be paranoia, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), post-traumatic stress disorder, myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), and kidney failure. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, long term health effects of COVID include breathing issues, heart problems, kidney damage, neurological issues, mental health problems, and type 2 diabetes. Problems following the virus ap-
pear to be more common than anticipated and therefore pose larger threats. The full range and timeline of COVID-19 ramifications are currently unknown, but the same Johns Hopkins study found that 80% of individuals who contracted the disease continue to have at least one long term condition apart from acute infection. These repercussions can be as detrimental as organ damage, and further research could uncover even harsher long term symptoms. When it comes to children, the range of aftermath is less established; studies released by the UK Office of National Statistics show that 9.8% of 2-11 year olds and 13.0% of 1216 year olds who contacted the virus reported one or more symptoms that lingered for after five weeks of initial diagnosis. According to a selective poll conducted by the Voyager staff, a respresntative 21.7% of Eastern students who contracted COVID still suffer from a known symptom. The most prominent in the school seem to be fatigue, headache, and cough, which match the worldwide statistics. It is important that people, including Eastern students, can research and better understand these post-COVID repercussions if they desire, in order to protect their future health. COVID-19 is proven to have physical and neurological effects on those who fall victim to it. The chances that serious health complications arise seem to be slim amongst the youth, but the reality of the situation may not be revealed for years. Therefore, it remains justified for people of all ages to be wary of the Coronavirus and protect themselves; feeling fine during infestation does not guarantee a perfect or safe aftermath.
The reality of the situation may not be revealed for years.
a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is condemned by many for its use of racial slurs, and the overall experience the black character goes through. Suffice it to say, book bans have been around for a while. It’s unfair to say all book bans are bad, since some books perpetuate really harmful ideas for everyone. However, time and time again, books are banned for not alining with the views of people higher in power, often times white, cisgender, and straight people. To name all the books banned in highschools in Texas would take forever, so here are 3 out of the 50+ the schools and par- Powerful people trying to limit what books are ents are removing from the written and read can be dated back to 213 B.C. Jordan Kramer ‘24/Canva.com shelves: Lawn Boy by Jonathan EviSet in 1954, Last Night at the Telegraph son is a coming-of-age story about a MexClub by Malinda Lo is about a sapphic reican-American boy trying to overcome lationship between a white teeenager and discrimination and discover his sexuality. a Chinese American teenager. This book The reason for banning are once agin for too has been flagged and deemed “inapprofanity, as well as homosexuality, porpropriate” for students to read, despite the nography, and gambiling. main characters being their age. A book of great popularity, The Kite Why does this all matter? Runner by Khaled Hosseni, shows the reAll of these books are centered around lationship over the years of a wealthy boy a minority’s experience, and they all are and his family’s servant’s son in Afghanibeing flagged and pulled off the book stan. Their friendship becomes tainted shelves. If students can’t learn about these when the servant’s son gets raped, and stories in the classroom, then they at least that caused a mom to ask for its removal. should be able to in their own time.
What is a panic attack?
By OLIVIA MARCANTUONO ‘22 Staff Reporter
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lose your eyes and imagine a brick being put onto your chest. Your chest and face start to become numb. You start panicking and try to get the brick off of your chest, but it keeps growing heavier and heavier to the point where you feel as if your stomach is caving in. Nausea grows and dizziness consumes your brain. Suddenly, millions of disembodied eyes The song “Still Want to be Here,” is about stare at you. They are watch- Hutchinson’s fear of death and resentment towards Photo credit: Frightened Rabbit ing your every move, laugh- life. ing at you as you struggle to Many people can suffer from thoughts breathe. You’re clawing at the brick now, like Hutchison did, so, in his memory, a and everything seems so hopeless. The charity was made in Hutchison’s honor eyes keep getting bigger and bigger as called Tiny Changes. This charity was they mock you. You’re ready to give up made to spread awareness about mental hope and breathe your final breath, but, health and to improve the mental health of suddenly, a thought crosses your mind. children and young people, with HutchiNot a bad thought, but a thought of your son’s family explaining that they hoped to favorite TV show or your friends. The continue “the positive impact that his art eyes start to disappear, one by one, and and music had on so many people.” the brick starts to melt into the air. You Continuing its mission to “make young can finally move, and you can finally minds feel better,” Tiny Changes wrote: breathe.” “We can only do that with your help. If This isn’t dialogue from a horror movie you have an idea that will help young or a book. This is what panic attacks feel minds feel better and address inequality like. This can happen multiple times a in Scotland, we’d like to hear it. We inday, and the effects can last as long as 10 vest in new and existing projects. We fund hours. research and support innovation that will The lead singer of Frightened Rabbit, improve young people’s mental health.” Scott Hutchison, described his panic atA great way to help subside a panic attacks, mental health, and how it affected tack is to find a healthy way of coping. his life. This can be through using breathing techOne of his songs called “Still Want to niques and meditation, taking medicine be Here,” is about his fear of death and like anti-depressants (only when preresentment towards life. Hutchison unforscribed by a doctor), seeing a professional tunately died due to his mental state and therapist, or considering getting an ESA took his own life after telling his fanbase (emotional support animal). The article to “Be so good to everyone you love. It’s “Panic Disorder” gives many ways to not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I help get through a panic attack in healthy didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. ways. The mental health hotline is open Please, hug your loved ones.” 24/7 - (SAMHSA) : (800) 662-4357
