The Huron Emery Volume 7 Issue 3 December 2021

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THE @THEHURONEMERY

HURON EMERY HURON HIGH SCHOOL, 2727 FULLER RD., ANN ARBOR MI 48105

VOL. 7 ISSUE 3

“I felt very guilty”: Heather Potocki’s COVID-19 experience RIDHIMA KODALI MANAGING EDITOR

Unwrapping the stigma: Addressing period poverty

A

RIDHIMA KODALI MANAGING EDITOR

pproximately, 1 in 5 Americans miss school due to lack of access. 3.5 million women get their period every month. 500 million do not even have access to menstrual or feminine products, experiencing period poverty. On Nov. 1, the Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously on providing menstrual/ sanitation products in all public restrooms (without regard to gender designation and without charge) of Ann Arbor. “It’s terrible when people don’t have access to [menestrual products],” Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor said. “ The absence of period products inhibits people at work, inhibits people at school and inhibits their ability to engage in basic life. It keeps people from achieving what they can and being easy participants in society.” When Taylor became aware of this inequity it was when a high school student approached him and voiced her concerns. Those concerns were that it was difficult for many to obtain for those who did not have established residences. “Over time I’ve heard reports that various jurisdictions are making them available in schools,” Taylor said. “I

didn’t q u i t e figure how we could do that. But over time, it put a bug in my ear as to the importance of the issue, and we’re able to roll out a citywide policy.” Starting Jan. 1, 2022, the ordinance will come into effect making Ann Arbor the first U.S. city to do so. “It’s a fundamental human need,” Taylor said. “A fundamental public health need, in a matter of personal d i g n i t y that these products be available. I’m just so glad that we’re able to ensure that they are. I’m hoping that we can do our part to overcome that and hoping that we can do our part to support people’s engagement in the community, engagement in school, engagement in work and engagement in going about doing things in the regular. Having the products available is going to

See PERIOD, PAGE 4

GRAPHIC BY VIRGINIA HE

Counselor Heather Potocki saw the daunting rapid test result that came upon her phone: positive for COVID-19. This was after she had just gone to work. This was after she had just picked Kane, her son, up from preschool Heather immediately threw on her mask and swear words were spewing from her mouth. She was trying to call her husband, Paul, on her way home. The first dial went straight to voicemail. The second dial, another voicemail. The third call, voicemail again. Two calls later. No response. “Oh my god, will you please answer?” Heather exclaimed. “I do not know what to do.” Then she thought that he must’ve been taking care of Quinn, their daughter. Heather decided to call her mom instead. “I’m freaking out,” she frantically told her mom. “I’ve interacted with so many people.” Heather expressed a plenitude of fret on the phone call home. She remembered when it all started: Wednesday, Oct. 27. Fall colors had started to seep in the leaves, as well as colds amongst staff and students at Huron. Heather was trying to pack up her office and she started sniffling and sneezing. Multiple times. That same day, she was scheduled for her booster shot at CVS and she could not even get it. By Halloween weekend, Heather’s nose was fine. It wasn’t running or burning and the COVID tests she took came back negative. On Nov. 9, Heather woke up with rheum. “I had this two weeks ago but I was negative,” Heather recalled to herself. “So I’m sure it’s fine. It’s no big deal. And I was like, ‘I’ll just take some DayQuil and it will be fine.’” By the end of the day, nothing put a halt to her

See POTOCKI, PAGE 2

OPINION - PAGE 6

FEATURE - PAGE 8

SPORTS - PAGE 15

Jewish Representation in Hollywood, we need more of it in a positive light

Breaking the stigma behind menstruation: It’s normal, natural and real

Sophomores from Georgia and Scarlett Middle School start first chapter of Huron Men’s Volleyball


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The Huron Emery Volume 7 Issue 3 December 2021 by TheEmery - Issuu