COVID-19

By JORDAN KRAMER ‘24 Staff Reporter

With all the ugliness and troubles faced in today’s world, reading has become a safe haven for many people. Whether it’s a high fantasy book, a murder mystery, or just general fiction, the beauty of books is that everyone can find one and learn things from it. Racism, homophobia, and sexual crimes have been around since the beginning of time. In this day and age, people who are affected by these problems can try to find some solace in reading books about characters who have also gone through similar experiences. However, this is not the case anymore for many high schools in Texas. Books covering these topics are being pulled from the shelves. Texas state representative Matt Krause sent a list of over 800 books to school superintendents due to them containing inappropriate content for students to read. This action was later amplified by Texas governor Greg Abbot, who wanted to investigate public school’s “pornography” found in some of the books. Many lessons learned from these books can’t be found in a classroom, so now that they’re not accessible at the library, students aren’t left with many options. How 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 back to 213 B.C! In China, emperor Qin Shi Huang burned books covering philosophy, poetry, and history, so that his people wouldn’t know about past, successful leaders. Moving forward about 1,700 years to Martin Luther’s Reformation, books and writings by him were burned by the Pope for going against the church. Classics that are beloved by many nowadays also made the infamous “bannedbook” list. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger has been banned by many schools, more during the late 1900s, due to sexual content and refrences, profanity throughout the novel, and excessive violence. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck is another famous classic that has faced much backlash from schools and parents. Complaints of racial slurs, offensive language, it not being “age appropriate,” and even of using God’s name in vain have all arisen from this short, 112-paged book. Another book by Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, came under heat, too, for once again using the Lord’s name in vain. A staple in highschool literature, To Kill 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 parents are removing from the shelves: Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison is a coming-of-age story about a Mexican-American boy trying to overcome discrimination and discover his sexuality. The reason for banning are once agin for profanity, as well as homosexuality, pornography, and gambiling. A book of great popularity, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseni, shows the relationship over the years of a wealthy boy and his family’s servant’s son in Afghanistan. Their friendship becomes tainted when the servant’s son gets raped, and that caused a mom to ask for its removal.

Books are banned

for not aligning Set in 1954, Last Night at the Telegraph with the views of Club by Malinda Lo is about a sapphic repeople higher lationship between a white teeenager and in power. a Chinese American teenager. This book too has been flagged and deemed “inappropriate” for students to read, despite the main characters being their age. Why does this all matter? All of these books are centered around a minority’s experience, and they all are being flagged and pulled off the book shelves. If students can’t learn about these stories in the classroom, then they at least should be able to in their own time.

Powerful people trying to limit what books are written and read can be dated back to 213 B.C. Jordan Kramer ‘24/Canva.com

COVID-19: why it may never end

By TIMUR MARKOWITZ ‘24 and KYLE GOLDSTEIN ‘24 Staff Reporters

Despite 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 The reality of the released by the UK Office of Nasituation may not tional Statistics show that 9.8% be revealed of 2-11 year olds and 13.0% of 12for years. 16 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.

What is a panic attack?

By OLIVIA MARCANTUONO ‘22 Staff Reporter

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 stare at you. They are watching your every move, laughing at you as you struggle to breathe. You’re clawing at the brick now, and everything seems so hopeless. The eyes keep getting bigger and bigger as they mock you. You’re ready to give up hope and breathe your final breath, but, suddenly, a thought crosses your mind. Not a bad thought, but a thought of your favorite TV show or your friends. The eyes start to disappear, one by one, and the brick starts to melt into the air. You can finally move, and you can finally breathe.” This isn’t dialogue from a horror movie or a book. This is what panic attacks feel like. This can happen multiple times a day, and the effects can last as long as 10 hours. The lead singer of Frightened Rabbit, Scott Hutchison, described his panic attacks, mental health, and how it affected his life. One of his songs called “Still Want to be Here,” is about his fear of death and resentment towards life. Hutchison unfortunately died due to his mental state and took his own life after telling his fanbase to “Be so good to everyone you love. It’s not a given. I’m so annoyed that it’s not. I didn’t live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones.”

“C The song “Still Want to be Here,” is about

Hutchinson’s fear of death and resentment towards life. Photo credit: Frightened Rabbit Many people can suffer from thoughts like Hutchison did, so, in his memory, a charity was made in Hutchison’s honor called Tiny Changes. This charity was made to spread awareness about mental health and to improve the mental health of children and young people, with Hutchison’s family explaining that they hoped to continue “the positive impact that his art and music had on so many people.” Continuing its mission to “make young minds feel better,” Tiny Changes wrote: “We can only do that with your help. If you have an idea that will help young minds feel better and address inequality in Scotland, we’d like to hear it. We invest in new and existing projects. We fund research and support innovation that will improve young people’s mental health.” A great way to help subside a panic attack is to find a healthy way of coping. This can be through using breathing techniques and meditation, taking medicine like anti-depressants (only when prescribed by a doctor), seeing a professional therapist, or considering getting an ESA (emotional support animal). The article “Panic Disorder” gives many ways to help get through a panic attack in healthy ways. The mental health hotline is open 24/7 - (SAMHSA) : (800) 662-4357