From the information that we have received thus far, it is clear that well over 8,000 people are infected with the deadly Coronavirus outbreak worldwide, including China, the Americas, and certain countries in Europe and Africa. Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province in China, where the virus was known to originate because of the wide use of bats, snakes, rats, and mice as consumable food, is now on lockdown. Several hundred people have been detected as dead from the virus. In America, as of now, there has been concern for the safety of people, and especially children attending school.
At Rise Kohyang High School, students and teachers alike are deeply concerned about the effects of the Coronavirus in California. Located in the midst of traffic by Wilshire and across from the large Lafayette Park, lies a small but incredible network of students and teachers. During the Coronavirus crisis, many Chinese people could be seen wearing masks and certain tools to decrease the contact with what may possibly be contaminated air. Students and teachers created a harmony of distressed worry about what the future may hold. A chemistry teacher exclaimed, “I am slightly concerned about the issue at hand,” when asked of her thoughts of the recent Coronavirus. Lauren Pyon, a student currently attending RKHS explained, “I hope I don’t get the Coronavirus and die. That would be the worst way to die. That’s why I’m wearing this mask even though some people might think I’m being overdramatic.” This judgment may not be the solution to our problems, but a great way to prevent the plague from being reduced in certain areas.
Transfer students from South Korea were originally supposed to arrive at Los Angeles and shadow students from RKHS last week. This was an amazing opportunity for Korean-speaking students at RKHS because it provided students with social experience. However, a week before their arrival, their flight was canceled due to the fact that the airplane originally scheduled to pick up the students was making a stop in China. The United States government decided to cancel airlines arriving from or near China in order to further protect American citizens from infection. This opportunity is one that was significant to the building of character at RKHS and the implementation of social character and stability.
The impact of the Coronavirus is grave and severe. However, American citizens are confused on what action to take because there were no instructions from the government. School systems are incredibly uncertain on what gestures to enact. Sooner or later, a mandatory meeting is required to further discuss the safety of students and the future of the virus and how it would be implemented to the school system so that it does not create mass confusion due to the event of the severe oronavirus.
Julie Chae, Grade 11
Rise Kohyang High School
