Daily Archives: May 13, 2020

Opinion

A pandemic sort of poem?

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How do I keep myself grounded when the world keeps spinning out of control ?

As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, I begin to lose my balance.

It was finally supposed to be my year.

This wasn’t what I had in mind.

All the empty halls that I was supposed to be walking through. Reminds me of all the opportunities that have been removed.

I’m losing track of the days , somehow they all feel the same.  Wake up, thank god, sit, and rest.  Wishing I was the hole in the wall, at least it’s free from this anxiety induced mess. Don’t get me wrong I love my home, but too much of something can make you feel sick.

 Once throughout the day I let out a big smile as if everything was normal, but then I quickly remember.

I wish I could forget. I wish I could go out and not think about the consequences.

Just take me back to those moments that I took for granted.

That distant memory that keeps cascading in the burrows of my mind. Have we always lived this way?

With this much fear of the unknown. I guess we all have problems of our own. Tik tok. I’m reminded of the time.

Months go by and no good news insight.

Tired of turning the news on at night and hearing that the  death tolls , and infections have risen.

I just wanted to be a reckless teen, to actually know what college freedom is.

Guess I’ll test my luck next year but for now I’ll just wake up, thank god, sit, and rest.

Arts and Entertainment

The best A24 films to watch

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A24 is an independent entertainment company that produces films. Over the years their selection of films has expanded and reached different platforms. These may be some of the best movies coming out now in terms of screenplay, creativity, and cinematography.

If you haven’t taken the time to watch an a24 film I highly recommend you do. They have movies ranging from horror to coming to age etc. You will not be left disappointed by their catalog.

Out of all the films, these are the ones that truly caught my interest.
Lady Bird (2017)
Greta Gerwig’s’ Ladybird is a coming of age story about a high school girl who’s tired of her small town in Sacramento. This film gives an insight into what it really means to grow up.

Florida Project ( 2017)
Monee and her struggling mom live surrounding” the most magical place in the world” but are living a completely different reality. This movie showcases the harsh reality that some of the residents in Florida endure.

Mid 90s (2018)
Jonah Hill’s directorial debut; is a story about a 13-year-old skater-boy growing up in the 90s. This movie delivers the pressure of growing up without parental figures.

Amy (2015)
Although A24 is known for its creative films, they have also been successful with their documentaries. Amy is a celebration of the remarkable Jazz star Amy Winehouse’s life, and career.

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Speechapalooza goes online, collects donations for student relief fund

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Northern Essex Community College students hosted an online public speaking event, called Speechapalooza, on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube from Wednesday-Friday, April 29-May 1. (Pictured is Dylan Musgrave participating in the event.)

The event helped collect donations for the college’s Student Emergency Fund and was attended by hundreds. The fund provides laptop and/or internet access, tuition assistance and stipends for students dealing with food insecurity, the costs of remote learning, as well as other needs connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Tuesday, the fund had raised at least $15,099, according to the NECC Institution for Advancement. 

 This year brought the sixth annual iteration of Speechapalooza, the first ever to be held online. It is organized and presented by students in the Principles of Public Relations course taught by David Rattigan this semester.

The show is split up into three episodes that were released over a three day period. 

Throughout its production, the event gained press attention all across MA; it was picked up by reputable, widely read outlets like the Eagle Tribune and Merrimack Valley Magazine. Speechapalooza was promoted by the NECC Newsroom, the college’s official communications division, the NECC Observer and the Lowell Association for the Blind.

Former Executive Planning Committee Co-Chair Amari Butler of Methuen is a member of the LAB. She says, “Being one of the co-chairs of  Speechapalooza has taught me to be more of a leader. It has given me more confidence despite my disability.” 

The Executive Planning Committee coordinated the entire event and wrote and disseminated the press releases which were run in the aforementioned outlets. The committee was entirely student-run.

 “Especially in a challenging time like this, we want to give students an opportunity to voice their concerns and opinions,” says Jasmine Sanchez of Haverhill, another former co-chair of the Executive Planning Committee. “We don’t often get to hear what students want to say, so adapting rather than cancelling the event is a no-brainer.”

 After stay-at-home orders and school closures were effected by MA Gov. Charlie Baker about halfway into their semester, students of NECC’s Principles of Public Relations class converted Speechapalooza into an online event so that student speakers could be celebrated in spite of COVID-19 and so that money could be raised for fellow students in some way affected by the pandemic. 

Students were gathered from the numerous public speaking classes and asked to record themselves delivering a speech at home. Nine willing students were featured in the event. Student speeches exhibited a wide range of subjects, with one student’s speech constituting an examination of the nuances of biomedical engineering and another’s presentation recounting a personal story of beating drug addiction. 

John DiBurro of Haverhill, a student of Principles of PR, proudly states, “Our team worked incredibly hard to make this event happen. Through our efforts, we achieved a greater audience than anticipated and raised a substantial amount of money for those in need.” 

“Our lineup was a wonderful reflection of the students who come to our school,” says Andrew Venditti of Haverhill, an Executive Planning Committee co-chair. 

The Executive Planning Committee consisted of Butler, Venditti, Sanchez, Jessica Kramer of Haverhill and Jonas Ruzek of Amesbury. 

Wednesday’s episode was co-hosted by Alyse Festa of North Andover and Cole St. Jean of Plasitow, NH,  Thursday’s episode was hosted by Trey Cruz of Lawrence and Friday’s episode was hosted by Dylan Musgrave of Plaistow. Cruz says, “The tenacity with which our PR students pursued this event shows a lot about how hard-working NECC communications students are.”

Other students involved in coordinating the event included William Tapley of Sandown, NH, DiBurro, Rachel Anderson of Haverhill, Evan O’Connell of Reading, Julia Matos of Groveland, Dilenia Martinez of Lawrence, Finbarr Arsenault of Amesbury and Katherine Townsend of Merrimac.

In Speechapalooza’s first online-only event different challenges arose. Speaking at home is much different than in front of an audience according to the host of episode two, Cruz.

 “There’s a certain energy exchange that was lost in having to take this to the web. It doesn’t feel natural speaking to a laptop camera. I think hosting is largely about interacting with the audience, and when deprived of a direct, visible audience, my role did feel a bit superfluous,” he said. 

Venditti had this to say of the event: “Easily the biggest challenge in organizing this online was coordinating. Sometimes, emails make it easier to reach someone, but trying to get a large group of people to work on the same project with little face to face communication was a challenge and a half.”

 Though Venditti did have a positive outlook on the online version of the event.

 “Despite the coronavirus situation, I think Speechapalooza did pretty well for it’s first time being held online… It’s especially rewarding because that helped spread awareness of the school’s emergency fund, and plenty of students could use some help right now.”

“I think hosting Speechapalooza online was a success, and it made it much easier for people to see the event,” said Musgrave.

According to Youtube statistics, Speechapalooza attracted over 400 views over the three episode event. The videos can be accessed from the Speechapalooza social media accounts and can be found on youtube for years to come.

To view the three episodes visit the Speechapalooza YouTube page.

Arts and Entertainment

Creative ways to wellness

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What a time to be alive. With our go-to places, like restaurants, malls and bars closed or reserved for take-out, and social distancing keeping us at least six feet away from our friends and extended family, some of us have found ourselves with extra time on our hands and combating our lust for our usual activities that have temporarily come to a halt. While some of us may remain content or unbothered, others may find themselves struggling with the changes that have fallen upon us. It’s important to not only stay active and healthy in body but in mind as well.

Art therapy is one way to combine fun and health. Practicing self-therapy through artistic expression does not require a degree. According to GoodTherapy, a blog dedicated to providing mental health resources to people in need of them, art therapy is “a specialized area of mental health that uses art materials and the creative process to explore emotions, reduce anxiety, increase self-esteem, and resolve other psychological conflicts.” 

These art materials can include anything from paints, markers, colored pencils to cameras. You can get creative with these tools in a variety of different ways, making your to-do list a whole lot longer.

I will highlight five art therapy activities to try at home to help yourself de-stress, relax, and artistically express yourself:

The first activity on the list is collaging. The art of collaging traditionally involves the cutting and pasting of different images to make a whole new creation, representative of whatever the artist chooses.  If you have a collection of magazines that are no longer of use, here is your chance to use them.

The collaging technique can be used in a variety of projects. One example is vision boarding. A vision, or dream-board is a collage consisting of images, affirmations, pictures, symbols, etc. representing an individual’s dreams or visions. For example, a college student may decide to include an image of a diploma, cap or gown on their board to represent graduating.

Vision boards can help to develop or identify your vision, provide clarity, and give you a visual to focus on to help you achieve your goals. If you believe in the law of attraction it’s possible meditating on these images could aid in their manifestation in your life.

So, find an empty, open area, perhaps by an open window, grab your board – a piece of paper, cork, or poster board – scissors, glue, and that stack of magazines, maybe some markers, gems, patterns, or stickers to jazz it up, and get to work on creating your future.

If you’d rather a less messy, more modern, tech-savvy option, vision boards can be created online as well. Using the handy dandy cut and paste tools on whatever program you choose to use, and the billions of images available on google.

Another activity that aids in the quieting of the mind and calming of the nerves is coloring mandalas. With the mention of coloring, some adults may have already looked away, finding the activity to be reserved for children. But coloring is certainly an art technique reserved for those of all ages.

Mandalas are intricate, geometric designs. If you’ve seen one, you know how detailed and complex they can look in black and white, never mind in color. Mandalas themselves are important in various traditions and religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, as they aid in meditation and spiritual guidance, among other practices.

Coloring mandalas helps to improve focus and concentration, de-stress, and reduce anxiety. It’s circular designs help to provide clarity in the mind, creating space for new thoughts and feelings. If you don’t believe me – just try it. Mandala designs can be found online and printed out, in hundreds of coloring books dedicated to them, or can even be drawn from scratch.

This is an activity children can easily participate in, possibly adding some additional peace of mind for parents and guardians alike.

The next occupation is that of painting. In case you’re unfamiliar with this art, painting consists of applying pigmented liquids to a solid surface. Usually these pigmented liquids are applied using brushes but there are other creative ways to do this as well. From acrylic to oil to watercolor paints, using brushes to hands to sponges, applied to surfaces including paper, canvas, and brick, there are a plethora of tools you can use to create.

Painting does not just have to consist of putting paint to paper. If you’re looking for a bit more excitement, there’s a couple ways to spice things up.

Music can make anything more fun. Turning on some relaxing tunes, upbeat hits, or old slow jams, you can either use the music as background noise or include it in your painting process. Listening to the beats, notes, and instruments of the music, you can allow them to serve as a sort of guide for your hand while painting.

If you’d like to take a break from the brush, perhaps get more primal or bring out your inner curious child, try using your hands and fingers – maybe even your feet too! – to create your next masterpiece. Stepping outside traditional tools can create something more innovative and meaningful than you would’ve imagined.

Additionally, setting can also influence one’s enjoyment of painting. Rather than staying inside, painting outside with nature as your muse can add a new level of excitement and inspiration to your painting.

 Painting, in common with the other activities listed, can help to relieve stress. Additional benefits include creative and emotional growth as well as the boosted self-esteem that comes with the finished product.

Paints, brushes, and other supplies can be found at art supply stores like Michaels and Joann’s, but also at retail stores like Target, Walmart and even Dollar Tree. If you’re especially crafty with plenty of time on your hands, you can make your own paint as well as brushes and stencils with instructions found online.

As some of us are quarantined at home with family, seeing a lot more of them then we’re used to, this could be the perfect time to consider painting a family portrait.

Another expressive art form, one I find is often forgotten to be considered art, is photography. Photography, simply put, is the art of taking pictures using a camera. The process is not as simple as it sounds though, as photographers use different cameras, lenses, filters, framing, among several other tools, to capture their intended image.

With this being said, not everyone is or is expected to be a professional photographer. You don’t have to be to take pictures and enjoy the art of photography. If you aren’t particularly skilled or invested in this, you can simply use the camera on your phone to take pictures.

Believe it or not, photography does have therapeutic benefits. Photography is not only a fun activity, but something that can allow you to express yourself, reflect, and connect with others through the sharing of  your art with others who indulge in photography or simply enjoy viewing it.

You can take photos of anything – yourself, friends, family, nature, objects or structures you find meaningful or that help you stay grounded. You can look back at these photos when seeking comfort, or use them for inspiration in your other artistic endeavors, like say, painting.

The last, but certainly not least, art therapy activity to try at home is writing. Yes, I know– as a college student, all you do is write. But try taking a break from writing essays and embark in some personal, free-writing.

Journaling is an almost ancient method of therapy. Writing down your feelings, thoughts, and experiences allows you to channel yourself onto paper and can help you to clear your mind, find new perspectives or just express yourself.

There are numerous subjects and topics to write about – yourself, your life, the tree that grows outside your window or the bird that is nesting in it. Within writing lies many genres – narrative, mystery, horror, drama – the list is long, as well as different writing styles. The combinations and possibilities are limitless.

With this unique time in mind, it could be the perfect moment to start a journal to document your life or write about this experience. Some of the best documented personal writing comes from times of peril and change.

If you struggle with topics to write about, a quick google search can provide you with thousands of different writing prompts and ideas. Put your pen (or pencil) to paper!

There you have it – five new activities to add to your list of things to do while quarantined – although all of these activities can be done even when your favorite places do re-open. Enjoy the beauty of art and self-expression combined and bring out your inner artist, which lives in us all.

News

Children face homeschool blues

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In these troubling times, education for the young has taken a new form to accommodate the circumstances, though not all of it is welcome. Some students find themselves using new online tools to learn while others find their parents becoming their teacher.

Alicia Togue, who has children in both fifth and sixth grade, has had experience in teaching, which she believes offers them an advantage and a unique experience compared to most kids.

Togue says that her children’s education is going well with her being able to teach them all of the core subjects, though she notes that it would be far harder if her kids were older. That being said, Togue did comment that her children miss the social interaction with their peers.

Alida Carter also has children in fifth and sixth grade, as well as one child in first grade. They meet with their teacher online, the first grader meeting three times a week while the fifth and sixth grader only meet their teacher once a week. Carter said that the first grader seemed to be enjoying remote learning, but her other children were not. Carter believes that her children are not getting all of the education that they need.

Suzanne Binkney, who has children currently in pre k, believes that education is not as productive during these times, with academics progressing slowly and her children not getting therapy. Her children also have the benefit of having a parent who was once a teacher. Binkney’s children are communicating with their teachers via email, with the option of video chat. Their teachers record lessons for their students and post work online. In terms of core subjects, Binkneey’s children are learning math, ELA, and social studies just fine.

Home Page News Bytes, Opinion

Practicing media literacy: An especially important skill during a pandemic

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With the increased usage of technology and the internet alike, it is important media consumers are practicing media literacy in their daily lives.

Media literacy is a crucial skill, as it is the ability to recognize and identify different kinds of media and understand the messages being sent and why. Whether it’s reading a book, or magazine, watching a television program or film, listening to a podcast – the list could go on – media is being consumed. Consumers can range anywhere in age from the two year watching Sesame Street, to the 13 year old creating tik toks, to the young adult studying their textbook, to the old man on the bench reading a newspaper.

It’s important to realize all media is created by someone for a purpose with a goal in mind.

When consuming media and asking yourself questions like, who created this? What is the message and who is it for? Why was it made – What is the point? How does it make me feel? You are practicing media literacy. Also being sure to check and research the sources of whatever you are consuming can reveal some interesting and even surprising details.

It is important to practice being media literate to avoid the spreading of false information, propaganda, and unnecessary fear and panic. As Donald Trump has made well aware, fake news is certainly real. Media literacy is also key in understanding how the media we consume shapes and effects our perceptions, without us even realizing it.

Arts and Entertainment

Five more things to do during a pandemic: Fighting boredom one task at a time

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We are weeks into Massachusetts’ shut down and there’s no telling how long this pandemic will actually last. To keep in theme with my last story, I offer you a list of five more things to do in or around your home while quarantined. Those who are not very artistically inclined can appreciate this list much more, as these options are less artistic and more practical.

  1. Watch netflix. The first on the list is one I assume to be the most popular during this time. In case you’re unfamiliar, Netflix is a streaming service that offers thousands of shows, specials, and movies to watch in all genres. There’s a little something of everything on there, making it possible for almost anyone to find something they like. Included in Netflix’s Top 10 titles list this week (as of May 11) are titles including films Sleepless, John Henry, Den of Thieves, Becoming, Extraction and netflix original shows, Workin Moms, Dead to Me, Hollywood, Outer Banks, and Ozark.
  2. Take up interior designing. Being cooped up inside, you may realize how outdated or cluttered your space is. Unlock your inner interior designer and take the time to redesign, move some furniture around, add some new pieces, and create DIY decor projects. Or do some next level spring cleaning and maybe finally get to cleaning that messy closet. Declutter your space, declutter your mind.
  3. Launch a creative endeavor. Whether it’s a blog, podcast, novel, or starting your music career – now may be a good time to get a head start. With the extra time some have on their hands, sitting down and brainstorming ideas or crafting the perfect alias could serve as something both productive and entertaining. No one is expected to emerge as the new Britney Spears or Stephen King but finally taking the time to evaluate and experiment those ideas you saved for later could prove to be liberating and who knows, maybe the next pop icon will emerge.
  4. Complete a puzzle. This is a simple activity but can keep a person captivated for hours. The traditional puzzle comes in a range of pieces, with a variety of subjects for images, and can be purchased online or even traded with friends or neighbors. Virtual puzzles are also an option as well as teasers, tests, and illusions.
  5. Try something new. Whether it be cooking a new recipe or dish, trying to learn a new language, or finally learning how to do a cartwheel, go out of your comfort zone and explore new territory. Now is a time as different as any so why not go with the flow and try something unexpected.

There is no clear end of this pandemic in sight but that does not mean we should just sit around and wait. Now is the time to narrow in on priorities and make the days count, whatever that may mean to every individual person.

Although the state of Massachusetts is looking to reopen soon, as Massachusetts Mayor Charlie Baker recently released a four phase plan to reopen the state, openings and ventures will still be very limited.

It’s better to be inside, doing something productive, than wasting away counting down the days until the coronavirus has been vanquished. Or at least under control.

 

Home Page Featured News, News

The essential worker: A view from the frontline

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Shopping centers, restaurants, parks and any other place where social gatherings could take place are now shut down until further notice, unless deemed essential by the government.  
Being an essential worker during this COVID-19 pandemic can be very stressful. Many workers are scared to bring it home. Sadly, because thousands of people are laid off, those working at hospitals and grocery stores are the only providers.
Medical staff are working day and night as their hospitals are full, and they are only taking emergency patients.
Some grocery stores currently have limited supplies on canned goods, shelved items, water and toilet paper and must limit the number of customers that come in the store, to establish social distancing. Grocery stores have also converted aisles into one-way travel lanes.  
Jillian Verrette, 21, a grocery employee at the Westgate Market Basket says, “I  feel safe with all the new rules, but then again, some people don’t wear masks. I preferred working how it was before the quarantine because everyone was happy and enjoyed the work. There are many new rules that are stressful as well as limits on certain items of food.”
Verrette continues, “As an essential worker many say we are risking our lives being surrounded by new people all day. There is an equal share of very grateful customers as well as angry ones. Many people say thank you and try to offer tips which we are sadly not allowed to take.”  
Angelys Ortega, 18, a produce worker at a New Hampshire Market Basket doesn’t feel as safe, “No I don’t feel safe at all working during this time. I honestly think everything should be shut down, everyone staying (inside).  I never enjoyed working but you gotta do what you gotta do to survive.” 
Many parents are laid off and their children are the providers worried about making ends meet. Places such as liquor stores are still open and considered essential which many have mixed feelings about. 
Some employees say other stores are not as strict with safety precautions. Eleanor Coffin, 19, an employee at a BJ’s says, “I feel safe working to an extent, I wear my mask everyday but there’s a lot of my coworkers, even managers and a bunch of customers who walk around without one. It’s crazy,” she says. “BJ’s hasn’t made masks mandatory and they also have not put in place a limit to how many people are in the store, so it’s basically business as usual but with corona going around.”  
While wearing masks is now mandatory there are those that don’t comply. Many workers wear masks and gloves and some customers take off their masks inside. However, it is difficult to breathe it is also pointless to wear if you take them off.  
Home Page News Bytes, News

Face masks mandated in Massachusetts

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On May 6, the use of mandatory masks took effect throughout the state of Massachusetts. The order, executed by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Barker, requires residents to wear a face covering in public places when they cannot socially distance themselves. The request applies to all employees, customers and public transport companies that are open to the public. Companies can deny entry to customers who refused to wear masks. People who show no symptoms of illness may still be able to spread COVID-19.  
Covering your face can help prevent you from spreading COVID-19 to others or from getting the virus yourself. A face covering can include anything that covers your nose and mouth, including dust masks, scarves and bandanas. If you need more information about what type of masks you should wear or other methods to protect yourself, you can find it on mass.gov. 
The governor’s executive request does not apply to children under the age of 2 years-old or to anyone who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or other exemptions issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.  
Freddy Rodriguez, 48, a jewelry maker says, “I think it’s great that even children have to use a face mask. I have two young children, ages 4 and 7, and I was concerned that many parents would not be concerned for their children against COVID-19.” Rodriguez ended saying, “The last time I went for a walk with my children there were many parents with their children who did not respect the protection methods.”  
In addition to wearing a mask, you should continue to practice methods to protect yourself such as social distancing, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, cleaning things that are frequently touched, etc.  
Francis Garcia, 42, says, “The new order established for all citizens of the state of Massachusetts seems perfect to me. We must take action so that the same thing that happened in many states, doesn’t occur to us, for example, New Jersey or New York.”
Garcia also says, “Very often I take the bus to transport myself, and many people don’t take the virus seriously. It seems good to me that now it is mandatory to use it even when you are in the bus or train.” 
Many people who support this new measure are also calling for other types of methods to be used, such as wearing gloves.  
Edwin Martinez, 30, says, “Many times when you go to the supermarket you see that many people do not wear gloves or take social distancing seriously.” He goes on, “I hope people take good measures on wearing gloves. Because when you buy at the supermarket you don’t know who touched the product or if the person who touched it has COVID-19.” 
Massachusetts residents are also urged to stay home as much as possible. People who violate the order of using a mask could be fined $300. 
Opinion

The ups and downs of COVID-19

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Around three months ago, the first COVID-19 case was announced in the United States. Since then, it has affected all of us. I remember looking through various articles on the virus as early as mid-January, reading from sources such as NHK Japan, a news outlet closer to the epicenter of the outbreak. I brought them up in conversation as passing remarks over dinner, where I’d get responses such as “It’s probably not that dangerous,” or “There’s no way it could come here.”
Now, looking back at the different ways that everyone has been affected by this virus, and looking forward to the end of the semester, I look back at the different ways that I have coped with the virus, and the multiple lessons it has taught me.  
My family, before the virus, was very distant, with me and my sister having a passive animosity to our stepsiblings and their mother. We, too, had been growing further apart, from each other, and our own parents. Both of our birth parents wound up as essential workers, and our stepparent, working from home, so our chances to connect with our own parents decreased, as our chances to connect with our stepparent increased. 
One would assume this amount of forced compatibility would result in days of fighting and hostility, but instead, we quickly accepted our fate, and wound up conversing and interacting with our family more. 
I, personally, wound up connecting with my youngest stepbrother and playing many video games with him that I would otherwise find menial. It turned out to be quite fun and time-consuming where there was nothing else to do. I also connected more with my sister in a similar way, she wound up showing me a few recipes as we did some cooking and baking together.
With the rest of my family, I still wound up connecting in these small, unique ways, and ultimately learning a plethora of new skills.  
This quarantine has been a perfect time for self-reflection and learning. I found the chance to look inward at my personal goals, flaws, and potential improvements. Many of these were found in everyday tasks, sometimes as simple as remembering to do my laundry as to keep my room from growing messy. 
This self-reflection also let me see just how much I missed the outdoors. While I have always had a draw to the outdoors and exercise, I typically stay inside, keeping safe and playing video games, even when not in quarantine.
Now that human interaction has been reduced both for myself and the people around me, I have found myself missing this interaction now more than ever, and longing to go outside with friends, even if it’s just a quick bike ride or jog.
It also brought me the realization that I am an extreme procrastinator, especially if I constantly am working from home. With this being a huge part of community college for the time being, I seriously need to re-evaluate how I do my work and my ethics behind it. 
No matter how long this virus continues to rage on, and whatever it takes to stop it, we have learned valuable lessons; from being brought closer together to family, being torn from them, or our workplaces, and stripped of our everyday lives. Whether it be someone you know, or someone that you have merely interacted with once, we all know somebody that has been lost to this virus.
I hope that this virus does not continue on at its current state, where we are forced inside to repel the chance of infection. I am hopeful for our future, for the state of all people, and a positive result from this virus.