https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2020/03/thoughts-on-coronavirus-crisis.html
https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2020/04/thoughts-on-coronavirus-crisis-part-2.html
https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2020/04/thoughts-on-coronavirus-crisis-part-3.html
https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2020/05/thoughts-on-coronavirus-crisis-part-4.html
image by Alissa Eckert, MS, Dan Higgins, MAMS,
1.) Grieving of Lost Opportunities
Nearly every high schooler looks forward to the final quarter of their senior year! For some, it is the last time together on their sports teams or other student organizations. For many, it is Prom Season. And of course, graduation!
Sadly, all of that would be canceled for the Class of 2020!
Everything they looked forward to is gone!
One of my Facebook friends thinks that this new generation of graduates should just get over it and move on.
IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE!
For every setback, there are stages of grief! There is denial, sadness, anger, and eventually acceptance!
The road to acceptance TAKES A LOT OF TIME! It doesn't happen overnight!
In fact, telling people "get over it and move on" PROLONGS THE GRIEVING PROCESS!
That may sound counter-intuitive, but LIFE IS COUNTER-INTUITIVE!
Let the kids grieve and leave them alone!
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Grieving over lost opportunities isn't limited by age.
South by Southwest, a popular festival in Austin that showcases many emerging artists, filmmakers, and musicians was canceled early in the coronavirus.
This video shows interviews with independent filmmakers who were so excited that their films will debut at the festival until it was canceled. The interviews discussed their grieving process post-cancellation.
The Atlantic “What Filmmakers Lost When SXSW Was Cancelled ”. YouTube video, Posted Apr 28, 2020
2.) Elections under the coronavirus crisis
In the 2nd part of the coronavirus crisis blog series, I did mention about this crisis leading to more demands for all-mail voting. I also did mention the flaws of such a system.
https://pablowegesend.blogspot.com/2020/04/thoughts-on-coronavirus-crisis-part-2.html
I did remember this opinion article by Hawaii's Lee Cataluna published in February (before the virus hit our shores) mentioning the same flaws of an all-mail voting system
Lee Cataluna, “New Election Means Being Vigilant for Old Tricks,” Honolulu Star-Advertiser, February 26, 2020,
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2020/02/26/hawaii-news/lee-cataluna/lee-cataluna-new-election-means-being-vigilant-for-old-tricks/
The possible downside is depressing to consider, though, and it goes something like this:
>> “I’m in charge in this family, and I’ll fill out all the ballots in this house!”
>> “You want to keep your job, you show me your ballot with the right names checked on it.”
>> “This nice politician came to the day room this morning and helped all the kupuna fill out their ballots and took them to be mailed. Isn’t that sweet?”
>> “Hey, man, I hear there’s a guy who is paying 30 bucks for every blank ballot you get for him.”
>> “Voters in one district are complaining that no ballots were delivered to their mailing addresses. In other news, neighbors have reported a suspicious vehicle that showed up on their street moments after the postal delivery.”
>> “Oh, babes, sorry. I filled out yours when I filled out mines. And then I filled out mines. I figure save you the trouble, yeah?”
But we can't conduct an in-person election during an epidemic, can't we?
There was controversy over how primary elections were conducted in Wisconsin last month. It was past the deadline to apply for absentee voting, some polling places did close and therefore causing long lines in the polling places that were open.
But we can learn from how Liberia conducted elections in 2014 when the Ebola virus was going around.
Photo by: REUTERS / James Giahyue
Bystanders read the headlines illustrating the battle over holding the election amid the Ebola crisis in Monrovia, Liberia.
https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-elections-and-covid-19-what-we-learned-from-ebola-96903#
First, elections are possible in dangerous public health conditions if election officials cooperate with health, security, and other key authorities. Second, elections are imperative to protect democratic rights at a time when significant state power is being concentrated in the executive branch through the exercise of powerful emergency measures. And finally, elections must be preserved in times of crisis, as they anchor public trust in national institutions and hold public officials accountable.
Elections are possible even in the direst of public health environments. At the height of the Ebola epidemic in Liberia, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems worked with the National Elections Commission and medical experts to integrate a range of practical health measures, such as social distancing and revised processing, to ensure the safe exchange of ballot papers, ID cards, pens, and other common voting materials. During poll worker training, we incorporated an unprecedented focus on the role of queue controllers and testing the temperatures of voters. And we supported an aggressive voter education effort — built upon an extensive public health campaign — which proved critical to changing citizens’ behavior.As a result of these measures, the election proceeded without disruption or significant public health consequences. Liberia’s democracy, at a critical stage in its evolution, was able to take a step forward rather than be beaten back by the threats presented by Ebola.At a time of national crisis, elections are essential because they reinforce democratic institutions and the rule of law. Their postponement can have significant implications for democracy, power, and governance, especially when governments are authorized to use exceptional authorities. Mishandling or manipulating elections during such a crisis can drive the long-term decay of fundamental freedoms, solidify state capture, and feed corruption. As James Madison, the architect of the U.S. Constitution, wrote, "Where … elections end, tyranny begins.''
If Liberia can do this, so can the United States. We have a big election coming up this November! It's time election officials to properly prepare so that in-person voting can go smoothly without too many problems.
3.) Race Relations
The spread of the virus hasn't been equally distributed among racial groups.
In the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, there have been rumors that African-Americans would have a stronger immunity to the disease. Sadly, it turned out that African-Americans would have higher rates of infections. Some of it has to do with higher rates of poverty, as well as higher percentages working in service sector jobs in which "work from home" is nearly impossible.
Learn more at
Charles Blow, “Social Distancing Is a Privilege,” New York Times, April 5, 2020,
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/opinion/coronavirus-social-distancing.html
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams and CNN commentator Van Jones, both of whom are African-Americans, have also encouraged other African-Americans to practice more healthy habits (eat healthy foods, exercise more, avoid drugs, alcohol & smoking).
For saying this, both have been accused of "blaming the victims of a racist society".
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams
Public Domain
Van Jones
The Van Jones article
Van Jones, “I'm Someone Covid-19 Could Easily kill. Here Is What I'm Doing About It,” CNN, April 24, 2020,
https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/24/opinions/creating-a-pandemic-resistant-black-community-jones/index.html
the responses to Van Jones' article
Royce Dunmore, “Van Jones Slammed for Saying Black People Must Change ‘lifestyle Choices’ Amid Coronavirus Pandemic,” NewsOne, April 24, 2020,
https://newsone.com/playlist/van-jones-slammed-black-people-change-lifestyle-choices-amid-coronavirus/item/10/
Van Jones has long been an advocate of social justice. He is dedicated to educating others about how the effects of racism are still hurting the African-American community. But because he also mentions that sometimes people have unhealthy habits that make them more vulnerable to illnesses, he gets accused of "blaming the victim" and "ignoring the harms of a racist society"?
This is ridiculous.
We can multi-task! We can be aggressive against racism AND promote healthier habits.
I mean, Michelle Obama has been doing both of that for years. She wrote about how felt she felt socially isolated while being an African-American student at Princeton University. She introduced Barack Obama to community organizers in Chicago's Southside. She also advocated for healthier meals at school cafeterias.
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams also addressed the Latino community in his comments, being that he does have Latino relatives. Yet PBS reporter Yamiche Alcindor abused the race card in her tweets while Adams' speech was still going on.
Townhall writer Julio Rosas had a classic response to all this
Julio Rosas, “PBS' White House Reporter Irresponsibly Tries to Gin up Racial Controversy Against Us Surgeon General,” Townhall, April 13, 2020,
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/juliorosas/2020/04/13/pbs-white-house-reporter-irresponsibly-tries-to-gin-up-racial-controversy-against-surgeon-general-n2566799
As a Latino myself, I did not find the appeal to be problematic at all because I know of the unhealthy habits that are common within the Hispanic community. Likewise, Adams knows how devastating COVID-19 can be to people with underlying conditions or whose bodies are not in the best of shape because of unhealthy habits, which in turn can be harder for their immune system to fight off the virus.
As for myself, even I have to remind myself to get off the computer, take a walk or ride a bike. And also to reduce my junk food intake and eat more fruits and veggies. This isn't "blame the victim", it's about self-improvement.
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In other race relations news, there has long been a stigma towards face coverings that comes with stereotypes regarding criminal activity.
But now people of all races are encouraged to wear face coverings.
But the previous stigma doesn't go away overnight.
Dr. Oz was using a red bandana to demonstrate how to properly cover your mouth & nose.
screenshot via Jing
Dr. Oz holding a red bandana
The problem is, the red bandana is associated with the Bloods gang. Wearing that could get you killed by rival gangs or harassed by the police who would just assume you are a gang member.
Aaron Thomas responded to suggestions to wear face coverings in an article that went viral.
Aaron Thomas, “Why I Don’t Feel Safe Wearing a Face Mask,” The Boston Globe, April 5, 2020,
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/04/05/opinion/why-i-dont-feel-safe-wearing-face-mask/
and moreOn Saturday I thought about the errands I need to make this week, including a trip to the grocery store. I thought I could use one of my old bandanas as a mask. But then my voice of self-protection reminded me that I, a Black man, cannot walk into a store with a bandana covering the greater part of my face if I also expect to walk out of that store. The situation isn’t safe and could lead to unintended attention, and ultimately a life-or-death situation for me. For me, the fear of being mistaken for an armed robber or assailant is greater than the fear of contracting COVID-19These are the fears that Black Americans have to constantly face. Where we can go, how we can show up, what we can wear, what we can say — it never ends. The world is upside down right now with the coronavirus pandemic, and we are living in a dystopian nightmare come to life. Still, we are living in an America where history dictates that, even in the most absurd times, hatred and bigotry continue to reign. We are still judged, convicted, and sentenced by race, by gender, sexual orientation, and class.
I will not be covering my face until I am able to obtain a face mask that is unmistakable for what it is. Let me be clear: This is not because I do not trust the advice of the CDC — I do. I believe in science, and I have followed all of its guidelines up to this point. I know masks work, and I trust the CDC’s recommendation.What I do not trust are the innate biases and lack of critical thought about the implications of these decisions. I do not trust that I can walk into a grocery store with my face covered and not be disturbed. I do not trust that I will not be followed. I do not trust that I will be allowed to exist in my Black skin and be able to buy groceries or other necessities without a confrontation and having to explain my intent and my presence. I do not trust that wearing a make-shift mask will allow me to make it back to my home.
The issue was commented further on this article
Annie Reneau, “A Black Man's Viral Commentary On Face Masks Shows Why It's Not an Easy Choice for Everyone,” Upworthy, April 6, 2020,
https://www.upworthy.com/black-man-wearing-face-masks-coronavirus
4.) Education
As mentioned in previous posts on the coronavirus crisis, many critics of traditional schools were gloating that this era of mandated distance learning would be the beginning of the end of traditional schools.
But in reality, this mandated distance learning is making many people MORE appreciative of traditional schools.
It is a major source of stress for families to be doing teleconferences for work, while also homeschooling their multiple children.
Elizabeth A. Harris, “'It Was Just Too Much': How Remote Learning Is Breaking Parents,” Yahoo, April 28, 2020
and moreWith teachers relegated to computer screens, parents have to play teacher’s aide, hall monitor, counselor and cafeteria worker — all while trying to do their own jobs under extraordinary circumstances. Essential workers are in perhaps the toughest spot, especially if they are away from home during school hours, leaving just one parent, or no one at all, at home when students need them most.Kindergartners need help logging into Zoom. Seventh graders need help with algebra, last used by Dad circa 1992. “School” often ends by lunchtime, leaving parents from Long Island to Dallas to Los Angeles asking themselves the same question: How bad am I if my child plays “Fortnite” for the next eight hours?
Other families have reached out to McIntyre to say that they are too overwhelmed with their own work to help with the lessons at home. And some have told her they are trying but that their children won’t cooperate.
“She gets frustrated every time we start,” one mother emailed her last week, “and then I get irritated and she gets irritated and it usually ends in me saying we should take a break and then the cycle repeats. One or both of us typically ends up in tears by the time it’s all said and done and no work is completed.”
Even parents who describe running tight ships at home say they are anxious about what months away from classrooms will mean for their children. They are also finding it hard to accept that 25-minute Zoom classes or lessons sent by email is what school has been reduced to.
The litmus tweet of the moment came from Sarah Parcak, an archaeologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
“I told our son’s (lovely, kind, caring) teacher that, no, we will not be participating in her ‘virtual classroom,’ and that he was done with the 1st grade,” she wrote on Twitter in early April. “We cannot cope with this insanity. Survival and protecting his well being come first.”
Yes, schools with traditional campuses could definitely improve, especially when it comes to protecting student's well-being!
However, there are also necessary for that not every family is psychologically or economically equipped to do homeschooling.
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On the other end of the educational spectrum, the coronavirus crisis is creating more fear for college students pursuing a PhD.
Many have already taken out student loans, and with this economic climate, there would be fewer opportunities to become faculty members on college campuses.
This article by L. Maren Wood encourages current PhD students to start working on Plan B!
L. Maren Wood, “For Would-Be Academics, Now Is the Time to Get Serious About Plan B,” Chronicle Vitae, April 21, 2020,
https://chroniclevitae.com/news/2341-for-would-be-academics-now-is-the-time-to-get-serious-about-plan-b
andA lot of graduate students and recent Ph.D.s are in a dire state of limbo now that Covid-19 has brought faculty hiring to a screeching halt. I know how it feels to be a job candidate with spectacularly bad timing through no fault of your own. After all, I earned my doctorate in 2009 — a year after the faculty job market collapsed in the Great Recession of 2008.Back then I spent three fruitless years on a tenure-track market with very few openings and far too many applicants. So let me offer would-be faculty members some advice that I wish someone had told me early on: Academe may be your Plan A, but this is no time to hold off on creating and pursuing a Plan B
But isn’t leaving academe tantamount to selling out? No, it’s survival. If your advisers or fellow students are disappointed in your decision, then they truly do not understand the depth of the hiring crisis, nor the toll that contingent positions take on people’s lives and health. Their disappointment should be at a system that churns out Ph.D.s with nowhere for them to go, and with little preparation for other kinds of meaningful careers.
I definitely second the necessity of a Plan B! While I'm currently in a full-time library job, it took YEARS to land one. If I only focused only on Plan A, I would've been living on the streets while I was waiting to land a full-time library job.
Ignore the idiots who say "focus only on a Plan A"! Always have a Plan B, as well as a Plan C and a Plan D.
