The Forge Vol. 106 No. 7

What to Indulge in While Stuck at Home p. 3 | Are We Immune to the Virus? p. 5 | COVID-19 Recap p. 2 |

THE FORGE Vol. 106 No. 6

SANTA BARBARA HIGH SCHOOL - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020 A Senior’s Perspective on COVID-19.

Will Sports Ever Be the Same?

Get a first hand perspective on the tragic end of senior year. | p. 4

What does the future of sports look like after COVID-19? p. 6

Est. 1914 How Our Lives Flipped Upside Down in a Matter of Days.

What life was like before and after Coronavirus took over our lives. | p. 7

THANK YOU SBHS!

Photo Courtesy of Jacqueline Morison

2 | NEWS

THE FORGE STAFF

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EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Madeleine Mishler

LAYOUT EDITOR Jacqueline Morison

SPORTS EDITOR Andre Battle COPY EDITOR Emerson Steady

STAFF REPORTERS Zane Forte Elias Campos Sam Long Michael Elias Anya McCue Esme Gonzalez Viviana Trujillo Karissa Fields Will Goligoski Morgan Maloney Genesis Zarate Caroline Nuhn Sofia DiPadova Ella McMillan Will Salazar Grace Larson Hannah Ziouani Annie Knecht

ADVISOR Otto Layman www.sbhsforge.com

THE FORGE

JUNE 3, 2020

The Silver Lining of the Pandemic

BY MORGAN MALONEY

Covid-19 has not only drastically changed the daily lives of everyone around the globe with its many negative impacts; ironically, it has actually had some positive effects on the planet and environment.

Covid- 19 has put the world on hold, causing lots of people to stay home and practice social distancing, which has decreased travel, factory work, daily transportation, and many other activities that have adverse impacts on the environment. With many people staying home and out of work, the levels of carbon emissions have greatly decreased, and less people have been interfering with the environment, giving the planet a much-needed break.

One of the most positive changes that we have seen since the outbreak of the Coronavirus is an increase in air quality, especially in the more industrial countries. Air quality has dramatically improved since factory work has stopped and since travel bans have been implemented.

According to Newsweek, “One of the areas that scientists are witnessing a big difference in air quality. It seems

that the pandemic is already leading to huge reductions in air pollution in those regions that have been significantly affected by COVID-19—such as China and Italy—as industry, aviation and other forms of transport grind to a halt”. Peter DeCarlo, an Associate Professor of Environmental Health Engineering at Johns Hopkins University told Newsweek “Both China and Italy industrial areas are showing strong drops in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) corresponding to reductions in industrial activity and vehicular traffic. This isn’t surprising given that vehicles and industry are the main source of NO2 and when these sources are essentially turned off, the atmosphere will clear up relatively quickly.” The result of better air quality in such little time will hopefully make people and businesses more aware of their daily impacts.

In addition to air quality, the pandemic is positively affecting canals, wildlife, and much more. In Venice, Italy, the Venice Canal is clear and full of fish for the first time in a long time and people are able to see the bottom of the canal, most likely resulting from the halt of travel and tourism allowing the canal to recover

and return to its more natural state.

Without the vast amount of tourists and the transportation, trash, and other careless acts of visitors, the canal has been able to be restored to its more natural state. The Venice Canal is well known for boat transportation and water taxis, which results in lots of water pollution and sediments on the bottom of the canal being stirred up which adds to the dirty and cloudy appearance of the canal. Without the daily impacts from humans on the canal, it was able to somewhat recover to a natural state that many people never expected was possible, hopefully resulting in more awareness and consciousness of how people affect the canal in the future..

With all the negative impacts that have come along with Covid-19, there have been some silver linings and eye opening takeaways that we can hopefully all take from this horrible and life changing pandemic. With life being put on hold, the environment has experienced positive impacts and has been able to slightly recover and return to its more natural state. Hopefully these positive changes that we have seen over the past couple of weeks

will change how we go about treating the environment and show us how important it is to give the planet a break.

How California is Flattening the Curve

BY SAGE COTE Here in California we have really felt the Coronavirus’s wrath due to our state’s large population, but unlike other states in the Union, California has been ahead of the curve in fighting the disease. For example, California was one of the first states to order the partial closure of recreational businesses. This was crucial because this gave California an early edge against the Coronavirus that other states were hesitant to go through with.

Another thing California has done to be ahead of the curve during this pandemic is the mandating of face coverings in Los Angeles. This is es-

sential in the fight against the Coronavirus because one of the main ways for this disease to spread is by someone coughing or sneezing and contaminating a surface. This surface would then be touched by someone who ends up touching their own maskless face and infecting themselves. Because of this face covering mandate, this greatly decreases the chances for infections of this kind.

California has also followed the instructions and warnings of the federal government, and because of this it puts us above the curve in the fight against the Coronavirus.

The San Francisco Bay area has also issued a shelter in place order which ensures a lower disease spread

rate from a smaller amount of people being outside recreationally, which cuts down on the risk of exposure in this pandemic.

California, as one of the largest economies in the Union, has a much larger budget than other states, and because of this was much more well equipped to fight Covid-19. California’s quick response, and large economy has set us above the curve during this pandemic.

In conclusion, you can sleep safe knowing Governor Newson is working hard with our elected officials to ensure the safety of the citizens of our great state.

What to Indulge in While Stuck at Home

BY CAROLINE NUHN There are countless ways to receive entertainment in our current, technologically obsessed, world. It is not too uncommon for most Americans to have access to popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Apple TV and even the Kindle. Entertainment is available at the push of a button. The only problem, however, is that there is simply too much to choose from. Netflix alone, for example, has over a thousand titles. Due to the highly contagious nature of coronavirus, people are being told to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus. This is giving many people an incredible amount of free time. In the following article, I’ve listed movies, TV shows, and books to indulge in during this time of quarantine.

During times of confusion and unease, there are many different ways to handle the stress of it all.

Some turn to sobering, relevant media while others try to distract or distance themselves from reality.

Movies are able to provide almost any type of comfort one may need. For those who need a good laugh during these trying times, there are movies such as 21 Jump Street, a disastrous misadventure between two undercover cops. Another film full of hilarity is Bridesmaids, which follows a maid of honor and her messy attempt at giving her best friend the perfect wedding. To contrast, some may desire the cold brutal facts of what the world could become, for this I recommend the movie Contagion. This movie is the perfect one for the person who’s ready to dive deep into the world of pandemics. For others who want to escape the world around them, a binge of the Lord of the Rings, or the Star Wars franchise are great

options. These movies contain epic, and unearthly tales that allow the watcher to become immersed in a completely alternate world. For romance fiends Love Simon or When Harry Met Sally are two heartwarming and charming movies to slip into. With over decades of film to choose from, there is something for everyone, and it is readily available with just a click.

If a film just is not long enough, or if viewers are looking for a longer, possibly more elaborate story, with characters that they can grip on to for hours instead of days, then television binging may be more suited for them. Binging, in regards to entertainment, has become such a popular term in the recent past that it has become a large part of many people’s lives. Today there is even more time for entertainment and binging has once again surged in popularity. Movies have become too short, people need longer and more gripping entertainment. Many programs on today’s media platforms have upwards of one hundred episodes, these include shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, or Supernatural.

These shows are perfect for those who wish to devote a large amount of time to a certain world or universe. In contrast, there are many shows with less than ten episodes that are perfect to binge over a few days, these include Virgin River or The Haunting of Hill House. This time of quarantine is a perfect time to binge the shows that have been on the to-watch list for months.

Entertainment, of course, is not secluded to movies or television. This quarantine is a perfect time to help create a new habit. Reading is a great way to dive into a new story as well as satiate your brain.

Despite the way many view reading, this is a perfect

time to find the types of books that you actually enjoy. Many are taking this time to read classics that have been on their to-read list. Series such as Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones are perfect examples. These three books are set in a completely alternate world and therefore are used by many as a form of escapism. For example, books to provide heartwarming comfort in this time of panic. Books like A Man Called Ove, News of the World, and Lily and the Octopus, are great ways to give readers a break from the panic they may be enduring. Lastly, are the books that make us laugh.

Laughter, in all walks of life, is the most common way to distract from the harshness of the world.

Some books that will provide comfort in the form of a good laugh include Funny in Farsi, Let’s Pretend this Never Happened, and Crazy Rich Asians.

In response to the current, global situation there has been a surge in books being brought to the light of a new genre. Pandemic lit, short for pandemic literature, are books that many can relate to the COVID-19 situation. An example of these books is A Beginning at the End. Reading is an excellent way to entertain one’s mind while still being beneficial.

Now is a perfect time to indulge in this new hobby.

Entertainment gets people through the worst of times. It draws them together, creates connections, informs, and allows a place to escape. With the state of the world today there is an incredible need for entertainment. Movies, TV shows, and books are not simply ways to cure the boredom, but rather portals to a world of wonder and imagination. Now, more than ever before, we should be grateful for the ability to access entertainment at our fingertips.

JUNE 3, 2020

NEWS | 3

THE FORGE

This is Trump’s Pandemic

Activities in Quarantine

BY HANNAH ZIOUANI

BY EMERSON STEADY

The human race is notoriously bad at assessing and responding to risk.

But the U.S. government’s inefficient and ineffective response to the global threat of novel coronavirus, a pandemic unlike any seen since the Spanish flu, has taken our lack of disaster preparedness to a new level. Across the United States, social distancing measures meant to “flatten the curve,” came far too late to be as effective as they could have been despite the fact that experts have been warning about Covid-19 for months. Even the President of the United States, Donald Trump, described it as “just a flu,” only weeks ago. In fact, Trump has been one of the biggest skeptics of the disease’s dangers from the start, constantly downplaying it in briefings and his appearances on talk news shows, mostly on Fox News, often saying it would go away very soon, perhaps even “miraculously.” As possibly the biggest threat to humanity of the century, this is certainly Trump’s biggest test in office thus far, and he has already resoundingly failed. As the U.S. death toll from Coronavirus surpasses 90,000 and is only expected to continue to grow exponentially, many of those lives should remain on the conscience of an egotistical president who put his own need to be right above the health and safety of his citizens.

So what could the U.S. government have done to prevent such a staggering loss of life in our country?

The answer is simple: more social distancing, sooner, and widespread comprehensive testing. The goal of the intensive social distancing measures put in place in the U.S. over the past month is to “flatten the curve.” The idea behind this concept is to distribute the number of infections of the disease over a long period of time to avoid overwhelming the healthcare systems of a country. By having family units avoid contact with other family units and maintaining the six-foot distance rule, the impact of the virus on the U.S. could be greatly mitigated. Unfortunately, social distancing is by far the most effective when put in place before there is substantial community transmission. Because the virus has such a long incubation period however, this would have meant implementing these measures weeks before cases were reported. Fortunately, President Trump was surrounded by White House staffers and federal government employees who all, according to the New York Times, “identified the threat, sounded alarms and made clear the need for aggressive action” and have been doing so since January.

Unfortunately, in a classic Trumpian fashion, he chose not to listen and

continuously downplayed the threat of the virus pretty much right up until the moment it led to the complete shutdown of society as we know it.

By the time schools, businesses, and public gathering spaces were closed, Trump had to make a full position reversal and issue federal directives in line with the steps states were already taking on their own. Trump appeared to be mainly motivated by two things: preserving his own ego, and protecting the economy. Ironically, recent research into the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic by MIT has shown that the cities that responded the fastest and most aggressively with social distancing ended up seeing far more economic growth in the aftermath of the pandemic than those that didn’t. This is most likely a result of the great cost to society of a mass-death scenario.

Meanwhile Trump had at one point set Easter Sunday as the date he hoped to have “the country opened,” but that date has come and gone and there is still no clear end in sight. Economists and public health experts both agree ending social distancing now would be disastrous for both the economy and the public health. The Executive Branch’s most visible response to the crisis is the Coronavirus Task Force headed by Vice President Mike Pence.

Trump has been proven wrong over and over again, but even now he continues to flout this team’s suggestions such as those of Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases and public face of the medicinal response to the crisis. Trump continues to advocate for the easing of social distancing sooner than recommended and even retweeted the hashtag “firefauci.”

In terms of actual policy, Trump was quick to act to ban travel from China at the end of January, but only for non-Americans. Unlike Trump, however, COVID-19 doesn’t seem to discriminate based on race or nationality. The one area where Trump can be given some credit in this whole crisis

was his signing of Congress’ Coronavirus economic stimulus bill. This bill included many policies which would generally be characterized as liberal and even socialist such as universal basic income checks and government grants for small businesses. But this bill was absolutely necessary, if not too minimal, for the current situation.

It was a rare moment of political unity and showed our strength together as a nation in the face of something that is unlike anything seen in the last century. But because of poor planning and understaffing, people are waiting on phones for hours and are still unable to claim their checks. Additionally, Trump has been at constant odds with the governors of many of the hardest-hit states such as New York’s governor Andrew Cuomo, leading to petty fights over the very serious topic of distributing equipment which could potentially be the difference between life and death.

Although the future is hazy and many people are wondering when social restrictions will be lifted and how large a toll the virus will take on the U.S., one thing is abundantly clear: this is Trump’s pandemic. As he has repeatedly done throughout his presidency, he refused to listen to the experts, flaunted the systems put in place to deal with these situations, and continuously lied to the public all to boost his image and fuel his ego.

When history looks back on the monumental event that was the coronavirus pandemic of 2020, it will recognize two things. First, that much of the loss of life and economic ruin caused were the fault of one man: President Donald Trump. And second, that the tragedy of this moment had to mark a fundamental change in our direction as a species and make us change the way we recognize existential threats and collaborate to protect the ones in the world whom we hold dearest.

Possibly the most intriguing realization American citizens are having (unrelated to Covid-19), is that despite being given practically all the time and space in the world, we are still incredibly lazy. Although being subjectively lazy is relatively relaxing for many, for others it can be quite debilitating. Given that, it is important to abide by four principals daily: do something fun, do something recreational (exercise), do something educational, and do something creative. These four principles align directly with four ‘happy’ chemicals in the brain: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

Doing something recreational releases the dopamine chemical and endorphins; dopamine accounts for the ‘striving’ emotion and endorphins account for the ‘power through’ emotion. Doing something fun releases the oxytocin chemical, which accounts for the ‘loving’ emotion. Doing something creative releases the serotonin chemical, which accounts for the plain and simple ‘good’ emotion. Doing something educational also releases the dopamine chemical, as learning something new gives way for the rushing feeling of reward.

Psychology used to be primarily concerned with figuring out what was supposedly ‘wrong’ with people and making them “normal,” which was used to mean “healthy.” Although, in the late 1990s, psychologists began exploring what is now recognized as “positive psychology” to get a better understanding of how otherwise average people might become happier. Having a sense of control over your own destiny is paramount to happiness. When a sense of control is lacking, people tend to easily throw in the towel and, in turn, feel dismay and hopelessness, but with purpose and control over their own destinies, people become energized and open up to their talents and ambitions. Additionally, a perception of progress is essential; it’s no fun feeling like one is sealed in neutral. The perception of progress is a cornerstone of the path to developing sustainable happiness. Connectedness is also a significantly important ingredient in the happiness recipe, as humans are naturally social animals. We thrive on connections to other people. The last, but certainly not least, important aspect of happiness is acquiring a vision and meaning; If you can find that

sort of vision and meaning and offer it to the people in your life, you’re laying a firm foundation for genuine, long-term happiness.

So, how exactly does one incorporate these principles into their everyday lives while in quarantine? Unfortunately, it won’t be mere second-nature, and achieving this in the most optimal way can take some serious persistence, motivation, and focus.

When it comes to setting goals, realistically there is no “easy answer” – real change requires real effort. The “quick fix” is seldom a “meaningful fix”. Distractions and competing responses are going to happen, and that’s okay - you just cannot give up. With that in mind, to begin engaging the four essential principles to happiness, one must organize their goals.

For instance, make a list of ideas divided into four categories individually designated to a principle.

Don’t lie to yourself when jotting these ideas down, though. You must ask yourself: Is this idea an activity I see benefiting me in the near and/or distant future? For example, if you’re more of an extroverted person, bird-watching may not be your best bet in doing something fun - try, say, family game night twice a week.

In beginning my quarantine routine using the four principles, I organized some ideas, wrote down goals to complete by the end of the month, constructed a weekly calendar, and have continued to meditate, make daily to-do lists, and bought a few books (via instacart). I have to admit, though, I was skeptical at first about the promises that come with following the four principles. After a few days of successfully following them, though, my mood and self-esteem shot through the very roof I’m quarantined under. In this process, I’ve begun to get to know myself more, which is something incredibly significant for growth in us teenagers. Do it for yourself, and nobody else. Challenge yourself, and remember that it is more than okay to trip here and there; learn to forgive yourself for it. In order to keep myself motivated, I continuously remind myself that this is it. Yes, this is it. Today is all we have. Tomorrow might be no different or better. Besides, none of us know for certain that there will even be a tomorrow. The bottom line: your time on earth is limited. Remind yourself of that as often as possible. That perspective will help you consciously and intentionally seek happiness at every possible turn.

4 | SBHS

Pandemic Mental Health

BY GENESIS ZARATE Currently many students across the globe are experiencing major changes in the way we go about our day to day lives. The world is going through a major pandemic right now, and with that comes many new challenges.

California, as well as other parts of the world, have been ordered to self-quarantine in their homes and not go outside unless it’s for essential needs in order to help “flatten the curve”. For us teens, this is the largest world event that we have experienced in our lifetime. As a result, many of us don’t know how to react and adjust to such drastic and dramatic changes which cause such a strain on our mental and physical health.

Mental Health is one of the biggest factors that comes with these types of situations that sadly many people in the media don’t talk about. It’s completely normal for anxiety, depression, paranoia, stress, frustration, etc. to increase or develop. According to the Mental Health America Organization, “one in five people who already have mental health conditions are at risk of increase”, and, “one in two are at risk of developing mental health issues”, while in self-quarantine. In our day to day lives we are always consumed by school, work, family, friends, relationships, etc. that we never just stop and take a moment to ourselves. We are always focused on continuing to move forward onto the next thing and thing after that. Quarantine has paused all of our chaotic lives and now all we are left with is ourselves.

It is giving a lot of us time to be consumed by our thoughts and overthink many things.

The media plays a huge role in stress and anxiety levels for many people. COVID-19 needs to be taken seriously and precautions should be followed to avoid getting it. However, I am saying that there is a lot of fake news, misinformation, and exaggerated information which is instilling a lot of fear in many people across the world. So make sure you are staying up to date, but that you are getting reliable information.

Do not allow yourself to be consumed by fear, anxiety, depression, stress, or paranoia.As stated by the Santa Barbara Psychological Association, “..danger may be easily distorted in our minds, and that decisions or reactions made while feeling panicky are unlikely to be helpful.” So it is important to try and learn how to cope with them as best as you can.

The world right now is a very chaotic, intense, and overwhelming place and it’s important to not give into its craziness. There are many tips and tricks that you can use in order to help cope. For starters, remember everything that’s going on right now in the world and in your life are most likely out of your control. You can’t fix everything, but you can help ease outcomes. Right now remember to take time to yourself and just breathe. Mental and physical health go hand in hand so make them your priority.

THE FORGE

JUNE 3, 2020

Senior Season Cancelled

BY SOFIA DIPADOVA

The coveted second semester of senior year that every high school student looks forward to has been cancelled by COVID-19. The Santa Barbara County of Education released a statement stating the closure of all public schools in an effort to flatten the curve of coronavirus patients. This, of course, cut senior year short for class of 2020 and many of our district’s students are devastated over the loss of prom and graduation.

Prom was scheduled for April 18th, and graduation June 5th, but both events have been cancelled and the seniors in our community are devastated. Charlotte Copp, a senior at Santa Barbara High School says, “I’m really sad that we didn’t even know the last day of school happened without us knowing. Since we’re seniors, we most likely won’t see many of our teachers again. My friends and I are all really upset.” Although many are disappointed that their high school career ended abruptly, most are still looking on the bright side. Gisella de Albergaria, another senior at Santa Barbara, says, “I’m really sad that we won’t be going back, but I am trying to be positive and grateful for me, my family and my friends’ good health.

Hopefully I will be able to see my friends over Summer.” Regarding the ceremonies that seniors have lost, Dr. Simmons addressed many families in a letter saying that, “the District and all High School principals are committed to having a graduation ceremony when we are again allowed to gather together,” which was good news to all. A drive-through ceremony where seniors received their diplomas was held on June 1st. Seniors have also been asked to complete a survey that they can find in NEO about prom, and if they want to have it in the summer or over fall break.

This is where seniors tend to have some opposing opinions, as some students might not return home for Thanksgiving break after they have left for college, unfortunately everyone’s timeline at this point is unclear as we all deal with the impacts of COVID-19. Several options have been presented to the seniors regarding the venue for prom, which guests will attend, and the pricing of prom.

The possibility that prom will be held at the Moxi Museum is just as likely as hosting prom at our very own Santa Barbara High School. Regarding the guest list, there is a chance that one prom will be held for all the

seniors in the Santa Barbara School District. A joint prom between Santa Barbara, San Marcos and Dos Pueblos High School has never been attempted, but would surely be one for the books. But as of now, no determination has been made and many seniors want separate proms, while others don’t agree with having it over fall break. With all the uncertainties surrounding our current situation

in not only the county but globally, hopefully class of 2020 can focus on the positive at this time as we all head into the future.

Domestic Abuse Rising Amid Pandemic

BY HANNAH ZIOUANI

A place that promises security, amenity and tranquility, especially during these uncertain times, is a place most of us call, “home”. For those who have survived domestic abuse, home is the most threatening place to be, as it opens the doors to never ending fear. California’s “Shelter in Place” order bears familiar challenges for those confined alongside their abusers. The emotional and financial stress likely present elevated risks, especially regarding safety, which definitively guides to an elevation in violence.

With that, sadly, this pandemic brings an increase in isolation to the table, which is one of the primary strategies abusers utilize to maintain control.

“Our most vulnerable neighbors bear the heaviest burden in times of crisis,” said Jan Campbell, executive director of Domestic Violence Solutions. “Our entire staff is committed to our mission of providing safety, shelter and support to victims of domestic violence and their families – we are here for you.”

More close to home, Santa Barbara authorities are noticing a spike in domestic violence. “For the most vulnerable people in our community, shelter-in-place is the same as

putting them in a cage with a violent gorilla,” said District Attorney Joyce Dudley in a public statement. While an increasing number of families are notifying authorities for help themselves, 10 from Santa Barbara proper and 16 from North County communities in early April, outside reports of child abuse have actually decreased.

That is likely because kids aren’t in school and mandated reporters, such as teachers, aren’t able to quickly identify the notable signs of trouble. “And that’s why it’s incumbent on all of us”, Walczak, the director of CALM, Child Abuse Listening Mediation, said, “to be checking in with friends and neighbors. To offer compassion and support when we can and make the hard calls when we need to.” With that being said, unfortunately, children living in Santa Barbara County are probably suffering in silence. “If we see or hear something, we need to be proactive.

Even within our own families” said Walczak.

On Wednesday, March 25, police arrested a Santa Barbara man for “willful cruelty to a child.” On Thursday, March 26, a young Santa Maria mother was charged with alcohol offenses and child abuse. On Friday, March 27, a fight between a Goleta couple spilled onto their daughter.

Although horrific, the sudden rise in abuse doesn’t come to a surprise to many. “We anticipated this,” said Walczak, “we know that child abuse and domestic violence are directly connected to stress.” This additionally reigns similar to the 2008 recession, the leading cause of unnatural death in some children’s hospitals went from car accidents to abusive head trauma.

During time periods of trauma, adults generally focus on the “what-ifs.” On the other hand, children typically opt to live in the moment and flourish on routines. “Focus on the here and now”, Walczak advised.

“Avoid anticipatory anxiety. Turn off the news and put down your phone.”

Children will remember how their daily existence played out. It is weird, they are trapped inside their homes, not their schools, but it’s important for them to remember games and beach walks and tickle fights, not stress and violence. Acknowledge that, in these difficult times, it’s perfectly appropriate to feel a wide range of emotions.

Walczak reflects and connects, saying she “had to remind herself of that after the 1/9 Debris Flow when she’d feel guilty about moments of happiness.”

“Kids’ processing is through play and imaging,” she explained. “So you have to find a way to be light and lightheart-

ed. I had to do that as a mom. Give kids space to be kids.”

Safety planning is incredibly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, recommends the following safety strategies: Make a list of supportive people to have regular check-ins with via phone or video chat, take breaks outside (keeping social distancing in mind), consider what places in your home are easy to get in and out of during a conflict, create a code word to share with your support network that indicates you are in need of immediate help, make and hide an “escape bag” (with your important documents, medicine, keys and other items), and be gentle with yourself; you’re doing the best you can. To make a donation and learn about the agency’s most pressing needs, please email Jenni-Elise Ramirez, development officer, at JenniEliseR@DVSolutions. org. Due to health and safety reasons, used clothing/items are currently not accepted. For more information on how Domestic Violence Solutions is handling the pandemic, safety planning ideas, community resources, and more, please visit their COVID-19 website.

JUNE 3, 2020

THE FORGE

SBHS | 5

Are We Immune to the Virus?

BY ELLA MCMILLAN Over two months ago, America was shut down to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Although many people have been following advice and staying at home during the pandemic, there are some who choose to ignore the advice, especially young people.

Experts initially said that young people should not worry about contracting the virus, but we now know that’s not true. The false information was an influence for young people to go out and be in close contact with other people, all while not knowing the big risks that they were taking. Younger people have always had the same sense of immunity to serious diseases and illness, and it doesn’t put a heavy toll on their minds like it does for others.

Data that has been collected across the nation has shown that while older Americans have a greater risk of death from the coronavirus, younger people also get sick from the coronavirus, and many have died. “At the beginning of the pandemic, it was thought that children are not getting infected with the coronavirus, but now it is clear that the amount of infection in children is the same as in adults,” explains Andrew Pollard, a professor of paediatric immunity and infection at the University of Oxford.

But while young people might not show symptoms of the virus as easily, that doesn’t mean that they can’t carry it, and give the virus to other people. The virus can spread from people without symptoms just as easily as with those with demonstrable symptoms. A pulmonologist named Joseph Khabbaza says that the symptoms of the virus may not be evident for up to two weeks, and that most symptoms of the virus impersonate other symptoms of other illnesses like the flu or a cold. This means that some people may not realize they have the coronavirus. People who don’t show symptoms don’t know they have the virus, and are likely unknowingly spreading the virus. A study in China observed that people who came in contact with the virus, and only had mild symptoms, helped exacerbate the spread of the virus. To put it directly, avoiding contact with almost everyone is one of the best ways to stay safe.

Contrary to popular belief, younger people are not immune to contracting the virus. We may have better immune systems than older people, but we are not invincible. We have a sense of invincibility because our immune systems are stronger and we don’t show symptoms as much as older people do. Younger people tend to show less vital symptoms that could be mistaken for a simple cold

or the flu. A test run by the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center explained that 52% of the cases in children were marked by the simple symptoms of a cold: cough, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, fatigue, and fever. While some patients had only digestive problems, 39% of the children at the medical center had pneumonia with fevers and dry coughs, followed by a wet cough. There were only 5.4% severe cases and people who needed critical care. 4% of people didn’t show any symptoms at all, yet still tested positive for the infection. It seems that the virus is almost ubiquitous among young people, because it displays itself so differently from person to person. This can be incredibly dangerous because young people can not only be carriers of the virus without knowing, but also not receive the immediate medical attention that they need. The perception that young people are fine to ignore stay-athome orders just because they are not dying from the virus is harmful, because their social interactions can intensify the rapid spread of the virus.

We don’t want to be stuck inside for summer, so we shouldn’t automatically assume that we are immune to getting the virus.

All in all, we are not immune to contracting the coronavirus. If anything, we are the most dangerous to the community because we do not show symptoms as easily and can endanger others easier. We are a very lucky country with some of the best medical care, and hardworking staff and first responders who keep our hospitals afloat. However, at the rate that the virus is spreading, America has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the world, and our country does not have the space, or resources to take care of everyone.

Even though we have strong immune systems, we are not immune to the virus. Help yourself, your family, and others by staying home.

Congratulations to the SBHS class of 2020.

We are so proud of you!

6 | SBHS

THE FORGE

JUNE 3, 2020

Will Sports Ever Be the Same?

BY ANDRE BATTLE By now, everyone in the whole world has heard of the novel coronavirus and the troubles it has caused for the entire planet. It’s the reason why schools, large public events, elections, many workplaces, and lots of other important events are canceled indefinitely. Sports were no exception, and the cancellation of all sports games, professional and recreational alike, swept America off their feet. The shut down of sports across America was the first closure that indicated the seriousness of the virus.

The shutdown of sports began with the cancellation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s and women’s basketball tournaments due to COVID-19. Although the NCAA tried to compromise with teams by saying they were going to play all games without any fans, many teams, including Duke Blue Devils and Kansas Jayhawks who were top teams in the men’s tournament, were still skeptical and worried of playing any games so they dropped out of the tournament. With the NCAA having almost a fourth of the teams drop out, they decided to cancel the 2020 tournament, and have no inten

tion of rescheduling it. This broke all NCAA fans’ hearts as everyone was looking forward to watching “March Madness,” over their Spring Break.

The closure of the NCAA was the beginning of the end, as other major sports began following in their footsteps, knowing that they would soon be forced to end their season also.

The next major sport affected by the coronavirus was the NBA and WNBA. Concern arose when it was first brought to the public that the star center for the NBA’s Utah Jazz had contracted the coronavirus.

Not too much later, news revealed that two Lakers players and another Utah Jazz player had contracted the coronavirus. It was clear now that the disease could spread very easily around the league. While this was going on, the NBA had planned that they were going to play games without fans, and many games were scheduled this way. But, with how fast the COVID-19 was spreading, the NBA/WNBA decided to postpone the season altogether. There is still no set decision as if, or when the NBA 2019-2020 season could return later in the year.

After the closure of the NCAA,

NBA, and the WNBA, every other major sport followed in canceling their seasons. All soccer in the USA was going to be postponed for at least another month, and probably longer due to the unrelenting spread of the coronavirus. The MLB has cancelled its Spring Training, and the first game of the season is postponed for at least 2 weeks from its start date.

The NFL is not in season but they do have their draft, and are going to be the first sport to have an all virtual draft for its players in sports history.

And finally, the sport event that affected the world the most, is that the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan are going to be postponed until 2021 due to the outbreak. This decision was not taken lightly, and took a long time due to how big of an event the Olympics are to the world, but it was for the best.

As for athletes of other ages, their sports seasons are not looking any better. For kids, all of their sports leagues and club tournaments were canceled for their whole season. But it was probably more serious for those who are high schoolers. They lost their whole season and there is no intention of bringing those back.

All Spring sports were cancelled including baseball, softball, boys golf, boys tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls track and field, and boys volleyball. All high school athletes were devastated, but their pain was nothing close to what the seniors felt with their last season being over. They could not play their last Senior game, and they will not be able to have their last rival game against San Marcos.

They had practiced all of their life to be at the spot that they were, but they were robbed of participating in their final season. It was a dark time for all student athletes when they found out that schools were closed, which effectively canceled all spring sports.

Even with all the bad things happening with COVID-19 and sports, there are just as many heartwarming events happening in the sports world. The four major sports orga-

its maximum effect. The district was then faced with a unique new set of problems.

As the district transferred to a fully online platform using the conferencing application Zoom, teachers had to adjust how they would teach the remainder of their curriculum online. The amount of coursework being assigned seems to vary greatly from class to class, but in general the district has prioritized the mental health of students during the crisis, setting a recommendation of three hours of work per week per class outside of the allotted meeting times. Meals for students continue to be served between 11:30 am and 1 pm Monday through Friday at 18 locations around the district. Unfortunately, consistent communication from the administration has been a problem throughout this crisis. For instance, many students found out about the school cancellation during their fourth period classes on Friday March 13 because of an Instagram meme account, @justsbhsthings, posting a screenshot of an email sent

to parents. It’s very odd that students were not directly informed of this cancellation by the administration.

Additionally, the fact that the cancellation was only announced on the very last day of school left little time for students to clean out their lockers, and tie up loose ends academically.

The class of 2020 has been especially hit hard by the pandemic, with many iconic senior activities including Prom and Senior Night being cancelled. Consequently, there are currently no plans to hold an in-person graduation service. Because of the lack of communication regarding social distancing, the seniors did not even get a chance to say a proper goodbye to Santa Barbara High School on their last day of school.

Overall, however, social distancing has proved somewhat effective and Santa Barbara County has fared better than many other places across the U.S. As of April 20, there have only been four COVID-19 related deaths in Santa Barbara County less than other parts of the country

nizations have all donated money and masks for those affected by the Coronavirus. In the NBA, players have donated over 5 million dollars in total to help either their staff, since they are not being paid, or the World Health Organization to help find a cure for coronavirus. In the NFL, the Patriots sent a plane full of a million masks for doctors and victims dealing with the coronavirus. Despite the many challenges that the coronavirus has given us, it has allowed people to come together to help stop this pandemic that is causing everyone in the world sadness, pain, and stress.

The Dons Distance

BY EMERSON STEADY

In general, Santa Barbara High School and Santa Barbara Unified School District’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was representative of the national response by educational institutions. This does not mean that it was necessarily adequate. The crowded and social nature of high schools make them the perfect breeding ground for a virus as wildly infectious as coronavirus, and although youth are not particularly susceptible to the disease, they are very likely to bring the disease home

to their parents and other elderly family members. With this in mind, school districts across the country began shutting down in-person operations around the first week of March. Santa Barbara Unified, on the other hand, was in line with the San Diego Unified and Los Angeles Unified School Districts, two of the largest districts in the state, in the timing of their shutdown. At first the district just cancelled all non-essential activities such as club meetings and sports games on March 12.

Eventually the cancellation of school was announced on March 13, tentatively until April 6, but later extended until the end of the school year as the intensity of the pandemic rapidly increased. One point where the district should be given credit is that they chose to shut down the schools before any cases of COVID-19 were reported in Santa Barbara County.

Leading health officials have repeatedly cautioned that once any cases have been reported in a community, it is far too late for this kind of social distancing procedure to have

especially in New York and Washington. However, that number is expected to continue to grow quickly in the coming weeks and months.

In the long run, the future is very uncertain for Santa Barbara High School as thoughts now turn to the start of the next school year in the fall. Health experts are uncertain if it would be wise to resume classes in August without the use of extra precautions, and school districts nationally are trying to find solutions for the 2020-2021 year, possibly involving a mix of remote and in-person learning. One thing is certain; the effects of this pandemic will last for less time and the return to a new kind of normal will come sooner if students truly stay home and do not go out and gather with friends. This is a crisis we must all face together, and at the end of the day, all of the individuals have a duty to the whole to keep Santa Barbara healthy and ensure that Dons can return to their classes in the near future.

SBHS | 7

THE FORGE

JUNE 3, 2020

How Our Lives Flipped Upside Down in a COVID’s Effect on Gen Z Matter of Days

BY HANNAH ZIOUANI

BY KARISSA FIELDS Coronavirus has shut down all schools in the Santa Barbara Unified School District for the rest of the academic year and possibly even longer.

Students have lost vital learning and experiences. Classes have become virtual. Parents have lost their jobs and families have lost their source of income. The economic effects of this virus will be drastic. The effect of being enclosed in our homes will also be strenuous on our mental health - especially those with pre-existing mental illnesses. The president downplayed the severity of the virus, resulting in the country being grossly underprepared. We are in an uncharted territory, to say the least.

Seniors went from working tirelessly to get to the end of high school and experience all the movie-like events that come with that to a screeching halt, with online school a poor replacement. Juniors were studying and losing sleep preparing for their SAT and AP exams and building resumes for their college applications. The most important and pivotal years of high school have been turned on their heads and filled with the unknown. Just a week before school shutdown, teachers were saying it was unlikely that the school would actually close. Then school was closed until April third, then at least May first, and now for the rest of the school year. Prom, Grad Night, and the graduation ceremony have been cancelled. AP exams are now 45 minute online tests. SAT’s were cancelled for March, May and June. We went from having plans to having no idea what is to come day to day.

Not only has student life changed

drastically, so has family life. Many parents have lost their jobs and livelihoods. More than 36 million Americans have applied for unemployment since early march. It is highly likely that a recession is approaching. Long school closures are expected to set students back academically. History shows that in the case of a crisis some of the first budget cuts are to public education. Research regarding the last recession found that the drastic cuts in school spending lowered students’ test scores as well as college attendance rates. Studies have also shown that families’ financial stress affects how well students do in school. Parents’ job losses are directly linked to lower student test scores, a decline in student behavior, and increased odds of being held back.

These effects are especially prevalent among low-income students and students of color. This virus has not only led to drastic immediate changes to our education, but will also have long lasting effects on our school system moving forward.

Students are all in government mandated lockdown, and a big concern for many is its effects on their mental health. Humans are social creatures and isolation is bound to have negative effects on mental health whether or not someone has pre-existing illnesses. Consistent evidence links social isolation and loneliness to worse cardiovascular and mental health outcomes. One illness in particular that professionals say “thrives in isolation” is eating disorders. Those with symptoms of depression and anxiety are particularly at risk during coronavirus lockdown periods. For people suffering from depression, the sudden loss of everyday routines can lead to social with-

drawal. The loss of daily structure for people with anxiety and the current catastrophic news can trigger circular thinking, irritability, or sadness.

Despite all of this, STAY INSIDE. The more people go outside the more higher the risk of contracting the virus and thus spreading it. The longer this virus spreads the longer everyone is stuck inside. Please stay in your homes so there is the possibility of a more normal summer and please practice safe social distancing and try to stay productive.

COVID-19 Recap

BY VIVIAN TRUJILLO On March 16th, all teenagers lives had changed as a result of the lockdowns enstated by the state of California. Of course all lives have changed as well. Stores are filled with eerie empty aisles, masks advised at all times, and streets were empty up until some reopenings recently, but the peak is declining. I know staying home is getting harder by the day but it is essential to flatten the curve and make some sort of return to “normal” possible. Pick up a new hobby like art, reading, or anything that you can do at home.

You should only be leaving the house if it is essential, meaning when you have no food left, go to the store,with a mask and practice social distancing, standing 6 feet apart at all times. And please only buy what is needed. You do not need to buy every roll of toilet paper leaving others with bigger families with nothing.

By staying in, you are stopping the spread and flattening the curve, making it more likely that we can return to school in person in the Fall. Now more than ever, we must continue to stay strong and stay inside as we reach our peak, to keep our community safe.

So far we have low rates of Coronavirus in Santa Barbara County. In Santa Barbara alone there are 95 confirmed cases, Goleta has 15, and Isla Vista has 1. Lompoc and Santa Maria

have the two largest amounts with 105, and 343. An outbreak at Lompoc Prison actually accounts for the vast majority of cases in the county bringing the total count to 1,697 cases as of June 2nd. That may sound like a lot, however of those cases, 1,559 have recovered. Additionaly that number came from a total of 20,059 people that were tested, with 18252 tests coming back negative. And I know that most students reading this will think that they’re fine and yes you most likely will be fine but you can still contract it or pass it to your parents or somebody else’s family who may not be able to recover like you can so be considerate. You have your whole life to live and a couple more months inside won’t affect you as much as an immunocompromised person dying from coronavirus. Old-

er people tend to be more at risk, however the most cases have actually been reported in the 30-49 age bracket with 247 cases. All data in this article has come from https://publichealthsbc.org/status-reports/.

So once again please stay home to protect yourself and your family and friends as well as others who may be more at risk. Seeing your significant other is not an essential. Seeing your friends is not an essential. We as a whole must stay strong as we reach the peak of the pandemic. It will be over one day but only if we continue to stay inside. It is completely up to you and your friends so educate them if needed.

America’s Baby Boomers had the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement. Gen X, on the other hand, had the AIDS epidemic. In more recent years, the 2008 global financial crisis modified the outlooks and career trajectories of millennials worldwide. Every generational population is molded by the significant events that take place during their formative years, when their identities and world views are still in variability. It seems clear at this point that the coronavirus pandemic will be a landmark moment in the lives of Gen Z. Neither The Great Depression nor 9/11 so greatly transformed as many conditions of everyday life in such a short period of time the way thaat coronavirus has impacted schools, work, travel, entertainment, and shopping. The outbreak and citizens’ reactions towards it are not an exclusive occurrence – they converge with the trends in history and will have an influence on the future of many, especially Gen Z – those born after 1995.

Similar to millennials, Gen-Z is aging fast, as a vast majority of us are preparing for college. According to esteemed entrepreneur, Robert Glazer, as stated on the Forbes website, “For many in Gen-Z, the economic challenges of COVID-19 will completely reframe their college decision.” Glazer believes Gen Z will soon see their college funds greatly reduced due to collapsing assets, whereas others will begin to fear taking on excessive student loan debt in a recession-shocked economy. According to a new survey from T. Rowe Price that was conducted earlier this year, “In 2018, only 14% of parents were willing to take on over $75,000 in student loans for their children’s college. That number will be lower for both parents and kids after this crisis is over.” In addition, many of us Gen-Zers have seen our millennial predecessors delaying to invest in a house and further significant life events due to the pounding weight of their debts, making us less apt to follow that same path.

In addition to the drastic modification of college decisions amongst Gen-Zers, our media consumption will always take a turn. During this period of social isolation, it should come to no surprise that people are absorbing outstanding amounts of media. A Global Web Index report released data to explore how people have increased their media consumption in correlation to the pandemic, and how it differs throughout each generation. Not alarmingly, 68% of consumers were reported to be seeking out pandemic updates online over any other activity. Gen Zers on the other hand, have other plans, as we happen to be the only generation more likely to be listening to music than searching for news right now.

With that, although staying up-todate with pandemic updates is important, eventually, an optimistic mindset and the ability to switch off will aid people to cope better on a daily basis.

Gen Z was already politically liberal, activist, and against the status quo. The oldest members of our generation grew up amid climbing inequality and fiercely supported

Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries. As the pandemic and its economic toll aggravate discrepancy, some of us Gen Z-ers see hopeless validation of our support for the government-run programs and social-welfare policies less favored among our parents and grandparents. Seventy percent of us believe the government should be doing more to solve problems, compared with 53 percent of Gen X-ers and 49 percent of Baby Boomers, according to Pew Research. Gen Z is seen to care “really deeply about inequalities and addressing that directly,” said Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. “And I think this pandemic, if anything, would really kind of affirm their position.”

In more personal regards to the pandemic itself, in a Pew Research Center poll conducted in late March, a majority of adult Gen Zers said the virus is a “major threat” to the country’s economy and the health of the population.

Whereas only 22 percent viewed it as a threat to their own health, a majority believe the pandemic put their personal financial situation at risk. Recent data from the center found workers ages 16 to 24 — half of whom work in the hardhit service sector — will be disproportionately affected by layoffs because of the virus, although most high school and college students are not eligible to receive checks from the government’s massive stimulus plan. Researchers are wondering whether the coronavirus pandemic will become to Gen Z what the Great Recession was to millennials. Millennials “came into adulthood in a really difficult economic time, and they really struggled to get their footing,” said Kim Parker, director of social trends research at the Pew Research Center.

“We thought it was going to be different for Gen Z. But now this sort of turns that all upside down.”

The global pandemic and its consequences call for deftness and resilience on the part of us younger people. Older generations need to support us and make room for us to prosper. Gen Z is needed in the long term, and we need backing right now. It is a tough time to be a young person on the job market and it will probably be that way for longer than we think. As the next generation, Gen C, grows up, foreign plagues are likely to replace communists and terrorists as the new generational threat. Also, a communal spirit, ironically born through social distancing, causes people to turn outward. The election of November 2020 could become a repudiation of “America first” politics. The nation could pivot, as it did after World War II, from isolationism to international cooperation. Molded by steady investments and an influx of the brightest minds, the health-care workforce will surge. Gen C kids will write school essays about growing up to be epidemiologists.

Public health could become the centerpiece of foreign policy. The U.S. could lead a new global partnership focused on solving challenges like pandemics and climate change.

8 | SPECIAL THANKS

THE FORGE

JUNE 3, 2020

A special congratulations to our current Forge editor “Top Dons”!

Jacqueline Morison

Madeleine Mishler

Thank You, Otto Layman.

For 25 years of service to Santa Barbara High School and inimitable mentorship and friendship. There truly is no place like home.