We’ve spent months wearing all types of masks to prevent catching Covid-19. But, with time, we found better ways of keeping ourselves safe. As more people get vaccinated and fewer Covid cases arise, California, along with other states, eased on the mask mandate. Recently the California Governor, Gavin Newsom, stated that starting March 1, the state may allow the public to enter the indoors without a mask. After March 11, places such as schools and daycare centers may also drop the mask mandate. This announcement was met with different reactions. Students all over Poly shared their views on the announcement.
In response to how he thinks the mask mandate lift may work out, 10th grader Omar Estrada said, “I personally see no difference since everyone already basically has no masks outside of class but overall I think everything will be the same.” 11th grader, Jessica Diaz believes that we will see a split all around the school between students with masks and without.
In addition, 11th grader Danisha Bo said, “People should keep wearing their masks, not everybody is vaccinated, and people will get more sick, it will spread exponentially to the point we might go back to zoom.” Bo also added that people should get vaccinated and be mindful of other students, as they might have people at home like elderly people or people who can’t afford to get covid at home.
11th grader Jannah Mohammed believes that if people want to wear their masks is up to them, as she understands it gets hot, and hard to breathe, especially in some classrooms that don’t have an AC. 11th grader Vanessa Cruz said that she doesn’t care if students want to wear their masks, it’s up to them. They all agreed that they would continue to wear their masks to stay safe and believe people should not judge others for wearing or not wearing their masks.
When asked if they think the lift will create an impact such as a surge, Diaz said, “I don’t think so because there’s a vaccine for it. I think it’s going to be normal.” Estrada said, “Yeah, Covid cases at our school may increase a bit more. But nothing big enough to shut down schools for two years again.”
Overall some students like Diaz, Estrada, Bo, Mohammed, Cruz all mentioned that they would continue wearing their masks in their classrooms.
Wearing masks became the new norm. Only being able to see eyes and the top of heads is something expected when going outside. Most were fine with wearing them, knowing it would ensure their safety, while others had difficulty with the mandate. When the vaccine was created, many received the shot, which made a better fighting immune system against Covid. Having the vaccine, vaccine booster, and wearing a mask were all great combinations for avoiding Covid-19. Now, with the choice of wearing masks, there is no knowing how things will work out. All you can do is decide on whether you want to continue wearing masks or not, the choice is yours.
Scenes from the Rapid Assessment Clinic in LBCC (Friday April 10)
City workers clean up graffiti after protests in June
A store owner stands in her storefront fixing broken windows and picking up glass
Drive-thru graduation 2020
Teachers cheer on students at the drive-thru graduation
Liquor Store sits closed and streets remain empty on September 3rd
A Poly High School student, Zion Wilkins, attends a 7:50 am Zoom meeting.
Businesses put up signs informing customers to stay six feet apart from each other and to wear masks at all times.
Murals are painted on boards that establishments in Downtown Long Beach put up due to recent protest resulting from the murder of a black man, George Floyd, by police officers. In this painting 3 black people who have died due to police brutality are painted surrounded many victims last words.
Drive-thru graduation 2020
March 13, 2020, a date which will live in infamy. There are other dates that marked the beginning of the Covid-19 era for other groups of people – for NBA players, coaches, and fans it might be Rudy Gobert’s positive test on March 11, the same day the WHO also officially characterized the spread of coronavirus as a pandemic. But for teachers and students, that Freaky Friday the 13th was the last day in the classroom – and for many students, the last day with their friends – for over a year.
This is a collection of thoughts from the High Life staff and adviser about what we have missed over the past 13 months – or what we feel we have missed out on.
Xandria Hines, Staff Writer
I feel like I missed out on an entire year of my life. My family and I were supposed to do some travelling and visiting family. Getting together and celebrating smaller achievements and happy moments. My friends and I, too, most of whom are other seniors, won’t be able to have a normal prom or graduation. We would be standing so far apart from one another, unable to dance like weirdos or mingle with other groups, that there would be no point in going. Most of the smaller things in life you look forward to aren’t possible, because they’re done outside, or with others. It kind of sucks all the emotions out of you, and I miss that as well.
Sierra Brott-Hunter, Staff Writer
I feel what I missed out is going to family gatherings. I missed out on seeing my best friend that lives an hour away and missed going to her birthday. I missed going to Disneyland, Knotts, going to the park. Missed going to concerts. I miss seeing my friends and going to movies with and just having fun. Just going outside. I miss going to the mall and just being able to chill. I miss going bowling. Going on trips with friends and family.
Kelly Rodriguez, Staff Writer
I feel like I missed out on being a teenager. I am going to be 18 already and we’ve been in quarantine for a year. I didn’t get to be in school doing fun things, going to games, or hanging out with friends since it wasn’t safe. Also, my friend’s parents were scared to let their kids out because it wasn’t safe. Another thing is that I spend my time on the TV and on my phone. I think that my whole family can’t stand each other because we weren’t able to go out and it was all of us in a house, fighting most of the time because we didn’t have space. Till this day my friend can’t go out because her parents are still scared. I only have one friend now. I lost touch with everyone I use to hang out with a lot.
Alex Phouma, Staff Writer
Something that I feel like I missed out on is my last year of high school. For seniors it’s our last year of high school, and after high school you have to become more independent and responsible. You gotta worry about college, for those who decided to go, while balancing working, and the little milestones like being leading and able to drive to get to those places.
Caleb Dunomes, Staff Writer
Throughout the beginning of the pandemic everyone had lost access to so many experiences and activities. Things like access to loved ones and significant others, big sporting events and even once in a lifetime school experiences. Personally, I have missed out on the true teenager experience. With both my junior and senior year being taken away I’ve lost the opportunity to go to dances, go to big track meet invitationals (like Arcadia, Redondo, Arizona and more), and even events outside of school. It felt like I was on the top of the world, going to Disneyland during February (before Covid was seen as a threat) directly after three months filled with events like club events, track meets, Black college expos and fun memories with my friends. Now it feels like I won’t be able to experience that anymore. My life now has just been working, track practice and homework assignments. Covid has made me feel like I’m being forced into growing up without experiencing things that teenagers experience. Now all us seniors can do is grow and face the unpredictable future.
Zinia Francis, Staff Writer
The past year has felt like someone pressed fast forward. I feel like I have missed a significant part of my teenage years. Since I was younger I’ve always wanted to have a true high school/teenage experience like going out after school with friends, sleep overs, hanging out on the weekends, going to amusement parks and having parties. So far as a seventeen year old I haven’t experienced the fun I have been yearning for. The Covid pandemic started when I was sixteen and I will be eighteen in three months. Up until I was sixteen I hadn’t had many outings with friends or was very social in general . I had begun to come out of my shell shortly before the quarantine. I’ve missed out on being social and simply taking advantage of having no responsibility.
Daryl Holmlund, Adviser
Immediately after the home quarantine began, I realized that I wasn’t going to be able to visit my 99 year-old grandma over Spring Break in April – not just because flying to Chicago by plane seemed incredibly risky at the time, but also because she was in a retirement home that was locked down to keep the virus out. Grandma turned 100 in March, and while some family members visited her for her birthday, most of us didn’t feel safe or right flying in and potentially bringing the virus with us to infect other family members. We had a nice Zoom call with family, but it wasn’t the same, and I can’t help but think that if circumstances were different, we would have had a bit of a family reunion. I’m hopeful that I’ll get to see grandma and others this summer, but it won’t be the same as it would have been celebrating on her actual birthday.
This school year has already been different from anything students have ever experienced. Most students start school at 7:50 am. We wake up to open our computer sometimes not even getting ready for the day. For the first time in its history, the Long Beach Unified School District is forced into homeschooling across the entire district. For seniors this school year is new to them in many ways with the responsibility of applying to colleges, scholarships or finding a job. With school being online and ending a bit earlier for most seniors, the remainder of the day goes to homework. Even after doing homework and some studying there is still time in the day that can be filled by doing many activities. Have you been active? Have you been eating because you’re bored? Have you been sleeping your days away? Here are a few safe ways to fill your days during the pandemic:
After classes go on a walk or run
A 30 minutes walk or run through your neighborhood or the closest park(with a mask) may be just enough activity you desire. 30 minutes of activity is just the start of creating healthy habits. If you wish to start working out there are many free personal trainer videos on YouTube and websites that can help you begin your journey at home and at your own pace.
Make breakfast/ learn how to cook your favorite meal?
There are many YouTube videos as well as cooking shows that can be streamed to help you discover new meals to cook. You can also find blogs giving detailed steps on the food you are trying to create.
Bake desserts
On Netflix there are a number of baking series available giving insight on different desserts and how to make them. If you don’t have access to cooking shows there are always YouTube videos you can watch as well. You can also be creative and create your own sweet treat using your favorite ingredients and prior skills.
Try different hairstyles
Although many people will not get to see your hairstyle getting up and trying a different look builds confidence and may change your mood. YouTube and Pinterest have some of the best ideas for new hairstyles.
Paint or draw
Painting and drawing always helps me express myself. If you feel as if you’re not artistic whatsoever then this isn’t the activity for you. Painting and drawing can be time consuming and expensive if you are dedicated. Supplies can be found at a local drug store, 99 cent store and art and crafts stores such as Michaels. Getting your emotions down on paper can be a therapeutic experience called art therapy, different colors, styles and texture can inflict certain types of emotions and even relief. In art there are no mistakes, anything you make is beautiful.
Discover different diets
There are many ways you can start healthy eating habits. Blogs and YouTube can be essential tools to your new journey. Here’s a helpful link to a blog I used when I began my Keto diet:
There are many ways to watch movies or series either way it can be streamed through various apps. If you sign up for subscriptions for at least $9 a month each you can have access to Netflix, Hulu, HBO, STARZ and for a few dollars more you can subscribe to Disney Plus. All of these streaming apps include original shows and movies and a variety of popular movies and series from various networks. There are also movies that are and able to rent that can be streamed through YouTube. My personal favorite shows at the moment are Hannibal, One on One, Sister Sister, Moesha and Grand Army, which can be found on Netflix.
