One city: two pandemics

 After submitting a large midterm paper last Friday, I determined I needed to go home. Home for me is Louisville, Kentucky. Prior to going to the University of Kentucky, I attended a school located in the downtown area (called Presentation). This being said, downtown Louisville has become a second home for me. So of course, on my way home, I had to drive through the area. My heart has been absolutely broken. I've known the protests occurring here have been extensive, and I've heard they've been increasingly destructive, but words can not match up to the sights I saw. Every single business, house, car, and restaurant had been boarded up with the remains of their shattered windows on the ground beneath them. The trash cans charred, showing remnants of flames. Scattered flyers and posters lay discarded in random places, all reading "Say her name". The once vibrant 4th street live is boarded up and quiet, as if it's trying to hide. I received an alert Friday night saying someone had set off some type of small, home made bomb in my high school's parking lot. They had shattered the glass doors and broken the beautiful stained glass windows that have been there for over a century. I'm not discrediting the cause, nor am I speaking in hate, but I'm speaking in pain for the city I love. It seems as though we truly are facing a second pandemic, and If I'm being truly honest, I don't know which is more looming. 

In reference to COVID-19, I think these large massed protests, in which many are not wearing masks, pose a threat to public health. Once again, not discrediting the cause, but from a public safety stand-point, it rises many COVID related risks. Some individuals I know that live in Louisville and participate in these protests have said, "Yes we are aware there is a pandemic going on. But are you aware there has been one happening for centuries? COVID-19 MIGHT kill us, but I KNOW racism will kill me." While there is a lot to be unpacked in this statement, it allows for an insight on the mindset of those participating. So often you set back and wonder how are they not concerned for their health and safety? and reading that statement allows you to see that they really are. 

A response to the mandated Flu vaccine for the University of Kentucky

 Last week, every student at the University of Kentucky was sent an email from President Eli Capilouto. In this email we were told that it was mandatory for every student to receive a Flu vaccination. It being my first year as a student, I'm unsure if this has been mandated every year prior, or if it's only required due to the pandemic. This being stated, this post will be examining this requirement in the pretense of it being mandated due to COVID-19. In my Bio 101 class, we're currently doing an assignment on the myths and facts of COVID-19. One of the myths presented is that getting a Flu vaccination will aid you in defense against the virus. This is false, as the strands targeted for Flu vaccinations are different than those found in COVID-19. While Influenza and COVID-19 are both types coronaviruses, they have different affects on the body, as they target different functions. COVID-19 will typically affect multiple areas of the respiratory tract, such as the alveoli sacs of the lungs, while the Flu predominately affects the columnar epithelial cells. The major difference between the two are the originating viruses. COVID-19 generates from SARS-CoV-2, and the Flu generates from an Influenza virus. Another difference between the two is that COVID-19 is quickly mutating and changing, we don't have an understanding of it yet. While the strands of the Flu vary every year, we have an understanding about the infection and are able to predict those strands. This information being provided and understood, allows for it to be concluded that an influenza vaccine would be inefficient and unnecessary in preventing COVID-19.

Midterms during an educational emphasis on online format

 The week of October 12-17 is The University of Kentucky's universal midterm week. While tensions and stress are typically high during this time, the air around campus seems more tight than normal. When walking through Willy T. earlier today, I passed a girl sitting a table crying into her open textbook. Instead of thinking, "She must be struggling with studying," I was left thinking, "I bet she's lost because she doesn't understand online lectures." This is a theme I think is present for a lot of students right now. We've made it through papers, assignments, quizzes, tests, etc... but now it's time for a cumulative exam on what we've learned. That's what makes this midterm season so frightening, what have we learned? As I've stated in other blog posts, I'll be the first to tell you I haven't actually learned much at all this year. At my high-school last year, finals during an online format were easy. Most teachers were understanding, allowing for them to be open note, or simply regurgitated information. That's where the line is drawn. College professors don't give this leeway. Not only are we expected to fully understand the information we're given, we're expected to be able to apply it abstractly. We've been taught how to study and we've been taught how to take tests. But we have never been taught how to efficiently do online school, and how to take tests based off limited understanding. I think it would beneficial if professors could realize this challenge and offer more aid to students in these areas. I also think it would be helpful if there were university made opportunities in order to help teach students how to do online school most efficiently. 

Online Learning: The Double-Edged Sword

Online education, in itself, does provide equal opportunity for those to learn during COVID. It allows individuals to make the decision of staying safe at home vs. taking the risk of living on campus. That opportunity extends to students who live out of country, or across seas, so that they do not have to fight the battle that is entering the country (due to COVID) right now. It allows for many students to have a greater opportunity to go to school, with online education being dominant, instead of an occasional option. For individuals that have to work, take care of children, or maintain other duties besides being a student, it provides a new opportunity. Where online learning falls short, is that it is not equitable. Yes, students may be able to stay home or learn wherever they please, but what if they don't have access to WiFi? What if these students depend on issued dining plans for meals? What if these students do not have a safe place to attend class - and further that, what if their environment would be an embarrassment for them? For individuals that have learning disabilities, and other such academic inhibitors, how can they get adequate help through a computer? With these issues being stated, I think a hardship clause for those impacted by COVID-19 would be beneficial. While online school aims to put everyone on the same field, it puts everyone in different positions on that field. There are too many uncontrollable variables and contexts that result not only because of online based education, but due to life during a pandemic. With these things being taken into consideration, in order to fairly begin this clause, those who believe it applies to them - should apply for the clause. After reviewing the applications, it can be decided who should receive the clause. 

I have a niece who is six years old. She is in full custody of her grandparents - who are both in their 70's. She is doing full-time online school. She struggles with sitting down in front of a computer screen for hours, and she can't retain what's she's been taught. Her grandparents don't know the material, how to operate her school-issued iPad, or what resources are available to help her. While this is an example of a young child, I think this can be interpreted at a collegiate level as well. I personally struggle with online school. I can not learn through a computer and I think online learning puts too much work on a student. I was always told in high-school that in college it's supposed to be 25% in the classroom and 75% on your own. During this time period, it's 100% on the student. It goes beyond an act of responsibly and relies on a single factor, are you capable of teaching yourself material? For many individuals that answer is no. The ability to learn through a zoom or asynchronous format is a skill most haven't developed yet. It's difficult for an instructor to maintain a classroom environment they have no control over, and putting students into breakout rooms in-order for them to learn the material together, almost never works either. At this point and time, the majority of students are learning nothing and are purely just submitting assignments.

 I think that prior to the pandemic, an online learning background would make an individual less competitive in the job market. This is because an online format has less structure and many view it as an 'easy way' to get a degree. With this being the new normal in education, I don't think it will discredit anyone, especially not with the circumstances involved. On a personal note, in this aspect I feel less qualified when compared to someone who took completely in-person courses. I want to go into the medical field, and I think there are some classes that just can't be taught online, that are being taught online. Having medical based students do online clinicals is the worst idea. Not only would I feel unqualified to do the job asked of me, I don't want someone who learned clinicals online to interact with me at a clinic. I have an experience to back this statement up. A few weeks ago, my roommate decided she needed to go to the E.R.  The nurse intern, who did her I.V told us she had completed most of her prior clinicals online the previous semester (in order to connect with us). The nurse had problems finding obvious veins, stuck my roommate twice in bad places, and when she did find a vein - blood from it went EVERYWHERE. Nothing against the nurse, and I know her schooling was situational, but I think instances like these should be thought about. How qualified can an individual be if they're never given the experiences needed? 

UK Core Issue: How Do We Distribute Covid Vaccines?

At the time a vaccine becomes available, I think it's important to have a relevant and strategic plan. If it begins immediately available to any of the general public at the same time it would result in chaos and possibly further vaccine shortages. The most systematic and beneficial plan of action in distribution is to begin vaccinating those who are the most high-risk, first. For Fayette County, a list of elderly residents should be procured. They will be contacted in order of age (oldest to youngest), alphabetically. This allows for an orderly and logical approach to the vaccine to begin. After all of the elderly have been vaccinated, the vaccine distribution can be moved to the rest of those who are high-risk. Following a similar format, those with the most severe risk will be vaccinated first, and the following individuals will be vaccinated alphabetically. After these individuals have been vaccinated, the distribution can be opened to the rest of the public. With this category having a larger population, random vaccination appointments would be the most fair and orderly process. The governor, will come on twice a week to randomly draw a letter of the alphabet for each county. The letter drawn will be the alphabetical group eligible for that group of testing. This will continue until each letter has been announced, and opportunity has been given to everyone. At this point, the vaccines will be made available by appointment for those unable to receive it when they were supposed to. 

I think this is the most orderly and fair way to do things. Without things being random to the general public, it would result in absolute chaos and riots of enormous amounts of people storming the vaccination centers. The plan detailed above is an entire vaccination plan, rather than for a third of the population. This being stated, the plan would continue until all of the high-risk have been vaccinated. At this time, a re-evaluation of the vaccines available will be conducted, with hope that more have been produced in the mean time of this process. I think it would dangerous to open vaccination to the general public with limited amounts. That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, with riots and people angry that they weren't able to obtain one. The most safe and effective plan of action is to wait until there is enough vaccinations to cover the majority of the Fayette County population. This limits chances for violence, rioting, and extreme upsets. 

 There are many contextual factors that need to be considered: access and ability to go to to vaccination centers, the specific need for a vaccine, and varying ability to be told of vaccination appointments. The best way to address these contexts is as followed. Having vaccination centers available in varying areas of the county, to ensure every individual has a vaccination area within a general walking or bus ride distance. The specific need for a vaccine will be made known to a health official when addressing what defines high-risk (age, health problems, etc..). An official in this position will have access to this type of information - the names, age, and severity of risk for each individual. While it is difficult ensure every individual will be able to make the appointments due to work, school or other factors, they will be given a few days time to make the clinic. If it still is not possible, they can then schedule an individual appointment at a later date. While that might not be an ideal situation for those impacted, it's the best that can be done when trying to mass distribute a vital vaccine. 

Pop Culture and It's influence during the pandemic

 Over the course of time, there has been many pandemics. One thing that separates the COVID-19 pandemic from the others is the global access to communicate with each other, through social media and pop culture. Since the day quarantine began, people have been generating memes and other types of funny content to discuss the things happening. 

The photo on the right illustrates what it was like during the toilet paper shortage in the U.S. I found this meme to be funny because of how realistic it is. I remember when there was still a toilet paper shortage happening, it was trending on every social media platform: Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, etc. 

This meme is from a European perspective. I think it's interesting to see how other countries around the world view how the U.S. is combating  COVID-19. This meme is funny, because it also adds comedy to a realistic situation. 

How much influence is too much?

 The internet has become one of the major influences on people in our society. With this comes the creation of positions such as influencers and content creators. These people are paid to promote fads, fashion, and habits. Many influencers will discuss their "work out routines" and some will advertise appetite suppressors. This has obvious effects on those who intake the media, and I think these types of posts are what is largely responsible for the current 'fitness' trend. Around campus at UK, you'll see flyers about events relating to "getting your body back, girl!" or overhear a conversation in which an individual is freaking out because they've exceeded their 1,000 calorie diet. While I think fitness is important, and I'm glad people are focusing on their health, it's becoming apparent it's no longer about that. It's about having the best body, and following what everyone else is doing. Influencers and those that follow them have normalized extreme dieting and fitness regimes to a dangerous extent. I have a 12 year old sister. She's already very small and petite, especially for her height. She wakes up early in the morning everyday to complete a two-hour workout in order to make sure she stays under 100 lbs. Her reasoning why? because all the influencers she looks up to advertise "Chloe Ting workouts".  I think this current trend shows the affect of the internet on people, and I think it's important to recognize that- especially in regards to COVID. Whatever they promote, whatever they post, that's what is normal and 'okay'. If they're not distancing and they're not wearing proper PPE, that's what is going to be processed by many. This is a video of an interview and discussion about the dangers of influencer based body expectations happening in Ireland. 

COVID-19: The unexpected diet plan

Prior to going into quarantine, my family didn't cook very much at all. We would go out to different restaurants for dinner or would grab fast food for lunch. When the lock-down began, we quickly went to Kroger and stocked up with large amounts of food. Ever since then, we only cook in, we haven't been to a restaurant since right before the pandemic began. It surprisingly wasn't a difficult transition. Everyone in my household has a very fast paced life style, so eating out was of necessity rather than luxury. With my family's new connection with food, came a new connection within our family. Dinner time has become a special time at home, we all contribute to fixing dinner and we all sit down together and talk. This is something I hope remains a tradition in my family after the vaccine for COVID has been passed. In terms of health and diet, I lost a lot of weight through this process. We would fix more balanced meals and regulate the types of food we were eating, rather than ordering whatever was being served. All in all, the food situation regarding COVID for me and my family allowed for a healthier relationship, and a healthier diet. 

"You know what they say about good food, it brings people together."

 Dining halls on campus are a favorite of many. You know what they say about good food, it brings people together. In this situation, is that a good implementation? When walking into the 90, people are supposed to stay distanced by the blue markers located on the floor. This is mostly effective, with few in groups on single dots. When you enter the buffet style eatery, there's large amounts of students piled close together in line to get food at the hot spot places (Comfort Food, and Athenian Greek). Where the main issue arises though, is in the dine-in complex. I don't know how it's a safe plan of action to have numerous people in an area, congregating together, without masks. While it's understood a masks can't be worn while eating, what can be said about the particles they're releasing? In a space where food is out in the open, it seems it would be a contamination factor. I dread walking into the dining halls every day. No, not because I don't like the food, but because it poses a greater risk than many realize. That is one thing I think the University should add to it's COVID-19 policy, closed dine-in options at the dining halls. It contradicts many of the major actions being promoted and is a health risk for the students. 

Improper mask attire in the William T. Library

 The William T. Young library is a place where many students come daily to work on schoolwork. The tables have reduced chair capacity, and other spaces available have been distanced. On almost every wall in sight there are flyers and posters reading, "MASKS ARE REQUIRED IN THIS SPACE." or "STAY 6 FEET APART!" There are admins walking around approx. every 30 minutes to and hour checking for appropriate mask attire and social distancing polices. You would think the message would be very clear. As I'm sitting here, in one of the large green study chairs in the library, I am the only person in this space wearing a mask. There are five people in this area, excluding myself. Some have the masks swinging from a single ear, waiting to throw it on when they see the admin approaching. Others have completely forgotten the mask and it lies shoved in their backpacks. In fact, if I stand and walk around the second floor, out of the 30ish students I see, only about 7 of them have masks on. Not only are they not wearing the required PPE, many are closely congregated with their friends. They've drug the chairs from table to table, re-arranged the layout of the large study chairs, and cram into a small table. While many move and follow the instructions the admin gives, some will return to their positions and attire as soon as he's left the floor. Pictured below is an example of an individual in the library, with their masks hanging from a single ear. 

Humanity vs. Ideology

There has long been a debate regarding the authenticity of the media. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this issue. Depending on which news station you follow, or what company you choose to get your data from, the answers and statements about COVID were very different. In the beginning of the crisis, most Republican biased media blew off the pandemic and claimed it was a liberal scam to shift the country to socialist tendencies and allow for a reduction of "American freedom". Where as Liberal biased media blew up the statistics and made rash claims that sparked fear and shortages across the country. Even neutral sources, such as the Center for Disease Control, has been shown to be publishing inaccurate data regarding COVID. This leaves the question, where is one supposed to get accurate data from? I don't think there is an exact answer to that question. I don't think there is one definite source 100% reputable to rely on. I would recommend reading and retaining information from a variety of different types of sources. Find the common ground, find what's different, and do some research on the two. The only way to become knowledgeable about something is to actively educate yourself about it. Simply reading an article isn't going to help you, as that article is always going to be written in some type of bias. An article I've found that agrees with much of my perspectives and a lot of what I've talked about in this post is linked here:  Covid-19 Can Change International Politics Forever

In my household, the majority of my family members are conservative. Thus, they only watch and read conservative news. This causes a conflict because a lot of the time I have point of their bias and help them see facts. Honestly, I think the way this pandemic has been politicized is going to be more of a long term problem than the pandemic itself. Once a vaccine has been produced, this pandemic will be remembered as nothing more than an awful, weird, exciting event that happened in our lives.The effects of this pandemic though, that's what will be remembered. The gap between partisan politics has somehow become even larger, with political tension running rampant in the country. Beyond that, politics regarding to the global society has also become unbelievably tense. I've seen people shrug away and distance themselves from those of Asian heritage in grocery stores, because COVID-19 has been labeled "the Chinese virus". Where is the line drawn? At what point does humanity come before ideology? 

College party culture: creating a second wave of COVID-19

At the University of Kentucky, we are most efficient pertaining to COVID-19. At least, that's what we're told. In walking around campus, it's rare you'll come into contact with someone not wearing a mask. In common areas and dining halls, that becomes a different story. In these areas, many people aren't wearing masks or social distancing. The same can be said about people going to off campus parties and congregating inside other people's dorms. For this reason, I fear campus will have to go online before the end of the semester. I believe the University is truly doing all they can do. They are constantly surveying these areas, attempting to distance them and encourage them to put their masks on when finished eating. People are sanitizing and wiping down surfaces periodically throughout the day. The University can only control so much, and at some point the students have to take that responsibility upon themselves. I've seen so many posts from the people I know at UK in crowds of at least 100 people from daily Fraternity, Sorority, and off campus gatherings. These posts are captioned with phrases making a joke about the pandemic and things such as, "I'm not losing another year to the rona!".These people then come back to campus and continue their daily schedules. Knowing this, and knowing the spreading rate of COVID-19, I think it will be impossible for students to remain on campus until November. Until students decide to take the situation we're in seriously, it's uncertain how long it'll be before we have a guarantee of what's going to happen.   

An introduction: myself and COVID-19

My name is Tori Simpson, and I'm an 18 year old Caucasian female. I'm from a small town right outside of Louisville, Kentucky. I wouldn't say I fit into an exact class system, seeing as my class varies based on which of my guardians you examine. My father is of middle class, and my mother figure (my great-aunt) is of upper class. My father and I have lived with my great-aunt, whom I call "Karo", since I was around 7 years old. We live on a large 'farm' of sorts ( we don't produce any animals or crops), surrounded by my immediate family, and I've always grown up being "of the land" as they call it. I've also attended private school for the entirety of my educational career, which as I'm sure you can guess, created a very diverse personality for me when mixed with my country roots. An important thing to know about me is my passion for healthcare. This passion has been prevalent in my life since I was around 6 years old, when my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. Needless to say, that's what I'm pursuing in college. Pertaining to COVID-19, it becomes interesting in my family because most people in my household are of high-risk. I wouldn't say this pandemic has been 'worse' for my family in the sense of physical health, but it has definitely been a large burden on our mental health. With my family members being high-risk, we went into quarantine on March 13th and those at home are still in quarantine. Food and groceries are brought to our car from Kroger, we watch movies and play card games daily, and would have any other necessities delivered to our house via Amazon. Our contact with those outside of our farm was extremely limited and I can probably count on one hand the amount of social interactions since March. I've mentioned that my immediate family also lives on the property, I have an aunt who's a nurse, and her husband also works in hospitals. To make matters worse, they have a baby under the age of one. My family and I will help take care of the baby while they're at work and it's a risk we take daily. In this situation though, what has to be done, has to be done. Surprisingly, the closest encounter we've had with COVID isn't from them. It's from a sweet, old priest that has been close friends with my family for decades. He fell ill with COVID a few months ago, and he was one of the few we would maintain interactions with. Luckily, none of my family caught it and Father Ralph has made a recovery. My story with COVID isn't pleasant, but it's significantly better than a vast majority of the global population, and for that reason you will not hear me complain.