Community/School News Mary Grlic, Editor Corinne Lafont, Editor

By: Ana Gaztañaga

The coronavirus has not only altered the vivacious lifestyles everyone relies on, but has also physically mutated itself to impact other parts of the world. Over time, viruses are bound to change and revamp through mutations and develop new and diverse variants of itself. However, the real problem lies within the strain’s reaction to its environment: arise and dissipate or emerge and persevere? Although experts are still not fully aware of the strain’s effects or its capacity to harm others, day by day, they grow more confident in their research for both the strain’s potentials and cure.

What is it?

In the fall of 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) detected a strain called B.1.1.7 with several mutations (about 23). Since then, the variant has overtaken 50% of cases in the UK, officially becoming the most common strain in England. The COVID variant spreads more easily than other English strains, the proteins on the new variant are identical to the strain that the vaccine targets. The variant itself does not have enough mutations to overpower the effects of the vaccine, relieving all Britons throughout the UK. Although it is possible for the new strain to evolve and evade the current vaccine, experts are ensuring frequent updates within the cure, continuing to guarantee safety and relief internationally. The coronavirus has taken, and will continue to take, a toll on everyone, limiting our social lives and complicating our fight back towards normal. However, as new variants of the virus emerge, new resources and cures are discovered day by day. Everyone is encouraged to continue to social distance, wear a mask, and persistently apply disinfectant to further ensure the safety of others. Although the coronavirus evolves and mutates overtime, we are also able to adjust and improve conditions throughout the world.

with a 50% to 70% more chance of transmission compared to the original coronavirus. B.1.1.7 shares similar symptoms to that of the original COVID-19, with the common cough proving to be the most prominent manifestation of the strain. Other typical symptoms include fatigue/weakness, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, and fever. However, the probability of the loss of taste or smell is lower than that of the original coronavirus. In January of 2021, experts in the UK perceived the new strain as deadlier than the original virus, yet many more studies need to be conducted to confirm these findings.

Vaccine for the Strain

Vaccination for the current coronavirus is both essential and in high demand throughout the world, but will it work for this new strain? Studies show that the vaccine is still effective towards the variant despite its mutations. According to the BioNTech CEO Uğur Şahin, 99% of

Student Spotlight: Emma Nagler By: Isabel Taveras

Emma Nagler's junior year has become a platform for several accomplishments, including her perfect score on the SAT. According to prepscholar.com, out of the two million students that take the SATs, only 500 students achieve a perfect score!

Not only does she strive for academic excellence, but she also dedicates thirty hours a week to ballet- a passion she took on at just two years old. Last summer, she participated in a 5-week intensive ballet program in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she met friends with the same interests. She was also a part of one of the first ballet programs, called Ballet West, that opened up after the start of the pandemic. At these dance academies, several annual performances like Swan Lake take place. All the effort put into those rigorous hours are exhibited at classical shows such as the Nutcracker. Emma says, “Another favorite experience is getting to perform in the Nutcracker every year because it is a really special tradition that I’ve been a part of since I was little”. Along with ballet, Emma also has several musical interests. She has played the clarinet since third grade and now tutors other clarinet players. She also enjoys playing the piano for leisure. Emma’s love for science and inclination towards helping people has led her to consider a career as an orthopedic surgeon. She states, “You can see the progress and impact you have made on the person’s life and I love that about orthopedics.” She also expresses her concern about the underrepresentation of women and other minority groups in the orthopedic field. Emma will surely be an inspiration for other women interested in the medical field and hopefully raise the average percentage of women and minorities in orthopedics.

Emma Nagler is undoubtedly a very well rounded student. With all her good work and effort, Emma is destined for success.