Nurses Continue to Work Hard Despite Coronavirus Threat

By: Annika Blackburn

During this difficult time of dealing with the COVID-19 coronavirus, many people stay home in order to keep their community safe. But, some people still have to go to work everyday, and it’s more important than ever that they do that. Even though Governor Pritzer enacted a Shelter-in-Place order for the entire state of Illinois, people who work for essential businesses and companies are more needed than ever. Many shops such as salons, boutiques, and other small businesses have closed. But, things like grocery stores and hospitals still need to stay open. Food is a necessity, and so is medical care.

So far coronavirus cases have spiked to over three thousand in Illinois. That is why essential service personnel, doctors, and nurses need our support more than ever right now. The amount of people who have gotten the virus has been going up continuously everywhere, not just in our state. There have been over six hundred thousand reported cases of the coronavirus worldwide. Over thirty thousand people in the world are reported to have died from the disease. 

Doctors and nurses are working longer and harder hours because so many people are getting the coronavirus. Lots of hospital workers also have been contracting the disease themselves because there is not enough personal protective equipment to go around. More masks and gloves need to be produced in order to remedy this issue. Doctors and nurses in some hospitals are even forced to wear trash bags in an effort to protect themselves from the disease. Hospital workers are also scared to go home from work everyday because they do not want to give their families the virus. 

A lack of ventilators is also a big issue for many hospitals across the United States. As you probably already know, the coronavirus is a disease that greatly affects its victim’s lungs, making it very difficult or even impossible for them to breathe on their own. A ventilator is a machine that helps a patient who is struggling with a respiratory issue to survive. It is a device that “breathes” for them. Since there is a lack of these machines, the government has called on manufacturing companies such as car companies to start making ventilators instead of their usual products. If we don’t get more ventilators soon, doctors may have to start making the impossible choice of who to save and who not to save. Some fashion businesses have also started to make masks instead of clothes in order to provide for this nation’s medical workers. 

Nurses are not the only people who have been working harder than ever lately, mail carriers, grocery store staff, factory workers, and first responders are also still on the job. People still rely on getting their mail and also want to stock up on groceries because of potential quarantining during this time of the coronavirus. Fires still need to be put out and crimes still need to be stopped. Plus, people still have all kinds of emergencies that aren’t related to the coronavirus. First responders continue to risk their lives and get the disease everyday. Now is the time to thank everyone who continues to serve the community despite tough times. The world hasn’t stopped turning just because we have a virus to deal with. Teachers and everyone working at home are also to thank for their efforts. Staying at home helps to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 

You’re probably wondering what else you can do to help stop the spread of the coronavirus besides staying at home. Well, there are many ways that students, or people who are no longer allowed to go to work can help their community. You can follow basic rules such as washing your hands after being in public or sneezing/coughing into a tissue. Social distancing and not gathering in groups are also things that people can do to protect themselves and their community. Nurses, doctors, and essential service workers all rely on you to help stop the spread of the virus. Volunteering for churches or food banks would also be a big help.  Finally, everyone is struggling during this time of the coronavirus, just in different ways. Essential workers have to risk getting the disease and may have to work longer hours. Other people wish they could leave their homes, but can’t. Thankfully, people have been supporting each other in this difficult time all over the world and will continue to do so.

Science Olympiad Excels at Regional Competition

By: Annika Blackburn

On Saturday, March 7, the Science Olympiad Regional Competition was held at Parkland College for middle and high school students. Jefferson’s team had been preparing for this event for the past several months and did well in the competition. Although Jefferson’s Science Olympiad team will not be advancing to State, students worked really hard on their events and some even won awards that reflected their valiant efforts. Jefferson placed third in the competition while St. Matthews placed first. Glen Raymond placed second in the Science Olympiad Regional Competition. 

I interviewed an eighth grade Jefferson student who did quite well in Science Olympiad. Her name is Makenna Beaulin. When asked about her experiences in the program, she eagerly responded, “In between my events, I hung out with my coaches and did photoshoots with my friends. All of the events included a written test and a small experiment. I got three medals,” Beaulin also said, “My favorite thing about Science Olympiad is the people. My coaches, who were supportive, fun, and helpful. My teammates, who were entertaining, kind, and encouraging. I loved spending my Wednesday afternoons with them every week,”

Science Olympiad is a fulfilling event that encourages students to explore science, even after the competition has ended. Students in Science Olympiad make new friends and have the opportunity to study branches of science that really interest them. I really enjoyed my years of participating in this wonderful afterschool activity and I am looking forward to doing it in high school. Through doing Science Olympiad, I have learned a lot about science and just studying in general. I believe that I’m a better student because of the time that I’ve spent in the program. 

I would also like to thank Jefferson’s Science Olympiad coaches for all of their hard work in preparing the team. Ms. Wheatman, Mr. Wills, and Mr. Knicle (a retired Jefferson science teacher) worked so hard to support the needs of everyone in Science Olympiad. Finally, I would like to thank all of the staff at Parkland who helped to coordinate the day and judge each event. Science Olympiad is an amazing event that helps to inspire students across the country. 

Book Review: Stargirl

By: Annika Blackburn

Since the state of Illinois went on a stay-at-home-order, I’ve been reading more than usual. One of my favorite books that I’ve read during this time is Stargirl, which was written by: Jerry Spinelli and published in the year 2000. Even though it was introduced to the world almost twenty years ago, it is still a popular book today that was recently made into a movie. In the book, a strange, new girl comes to Mica High, where Leo Borlock goes as a Junior. He is the protagonist of the story. This very eccentric girl, Susan Caraway, apparently gave herself the name Stargirl when looking up at the night sky while walking through the Arizona desert. She captures the heart of Leo with a single look, even though it takes him quite a while to realize this. 

Stargirl became a cheerleader and cheered for both teams, not just her own. She wrote greeting cards for strangers and serenaded her fellow students with her ukelele in the cafeteria. At first, Leo was happy to be Stargirl’s boyfriend, the two of them just fit together somehow. But, his mood quickly changed when he realized that no one was speaking to him, or even looking his way like they used to. He knew that Stargirl’s wacky behavior had made her unpopular, but he didn’t know that would rub off on him too. Throughout the rest of the book, Leo battles with the longing to be with Stargirl and the need to be popular. Is there any way that he can change Stargirl? Make her more normal? 

I enjoyed reading about such a character and learning a powerful lesson about nonconformity. Stargirl is different from everyone else in the way that she doesn’t care about what everyone thinks of her. She only really cares about what her family and closest friends think. Since this mentality is quite unusual for a teenager, she is shunned. At first, Stargirl’s presence shocked everyone, but then people simply got tired and annoyed by her weird antics. Stargirl gave candy hearts to everyone on Valentine’s Day. She ran in the wrong direction at her school’s cross country meet. But most of all, people didn’t like how she cheered for the other team at basketball and football games. Her fellow students thought of her as a traitor to Mica High. 

As you can see, parts of this book are heart-breaking. But, don’t worry, there are bright spots and little bits of sunshine scattered throughout the novel to compensate. I would personally recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotional read. Stargirl taught me a valuable life lesson about individuality and selflessness. The same thing could happen for you.