FEATURES
to a new sense of normalcy
Illustration By Aleah Green
There have also been some staffing changes regarding professors being laid off during 2020 due to funding being cut. “I would say my only problem about the current education was because of COVID-19 there is a funding cut for teachers, so there are fewer teachers in the university,” Medina said. “That was probably something that didn’t really need to happen because now I feel that I have suffered from this.” Medina said some of his lower-level classes are now being taught by professors who usually teach the higher levels. He said it can make it harder to understand them sometimes as if there is a learning curve. There has also been a surge in technology use in the classroom because of increased virtual communication. However, doing homework online can be difficult for some who are not as familiar with technology. “There was definitely an adjustment for both students and professors getting used to how to switch to an online format, how to teach best, do assignments through an online format and how to administer exams as well because the way we’re so used to doing things traditionally just doesn’t work anymore,” Hagen said. Hagen also said she thinks the new virtual environment will not harm students’ education
Illustration By Shelsey Braswell
in the long run because they will have access to the Internet. Many will be able to look up questions they need, as well as how technology will be around for a while so in a way it can be beneficial. “I think people are starting to realize how many different ways we can learn and use technology for education,” Hagen said. “I think it’s definitely changed and I hope that it’s for the better.” Masks A controversial topic throughout 2020 has been mandating the use of face masks. Reporting by The New York Times gives a look into the anti-mask rallies throughout 2020, which were attended by people refusing to use face masks and groups who believed governments were overreaching with mask mandates. Woodruff said it is technically an infringement on rights, but that it is the kind of minimal infringement used for safety and how everyone should be happy to deal with it during a pandemic. Woodruff supports the right to protest, but he said even if the protests are about maskwearing, there should be no case where these gatherings endanger other people. During the start of 2020, mask-wearing was still relatively new and could have been
uncomfortable for some. Woodruff said the first few times he put a mask on, he kept looking around to make sure that others were wearing masks as well because otherwise he thought he would look silly. Timmons said he thinks it is a waste of energy to get fired up over not wearing a mask. People would be better off addressing tangible problems like social inequalities or climate change, he said. He also said wearing a mask effectively mitigates the spread of COVID-19 and that it is not a hard thing to do, especially during a pandemic. “It does kind of seem weird at this point to go to the store or somewhere and not have a mask on, like they’re just normal to see everyone was covering half of their face at this point,” Timmons said. “It’s all for the greater good of our country to wear a mask or just to think about helping each other and helping our country by wearing a mask instead of debating about it.” Hagen said ultimately wearing a mask is not just for the wearer’s protection but also for others’ protection. “I think that wearing masks is something we should keep in the long run,” Hagen said. “If you’re feeling sick or something, it would be a good idea to wear a mask.”
Isolation The U.S. has had to face isolation and social distancing when exposed to COVID-19. Isolation can take a toll on the human mind and body but was a part of the pandemic. “I would say it’s been necessary,” Woodruff said. “I think we’ll slowly come out of that. But it looks like we still got a few more months, at least, to start coming completely out of isolation. That’s assuming that new variants of the virus don’t spread uncontrollably. I’d say it’s been useful, but also difficult.” Woodruff also said if individuals kept staying home for hopefully just a little longer the U.S. could have this pandemic beat. At the same point, this pandemic brought the need to be isolated. Medina said that COVID-19 has split the nation and created a gap within the U.S. He said it showed how divided the nation is and that the U.S. needs to work on that in the future. Through a pandemic that has shaken the world, COVID-19 took over 2020 and continues to affect 2021. The new truths of the nation have led to new education systems, face coverings and isolation. The normal many people once knew has changed forever.
MONTH #, 2020 – MONTH #, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK
13