COVID-19 POSES CHALLENGES
FOR SOCIAL GATHERINGS
By Kristen Cho
​
COVID-19 has impacted the world on a scale that no one has ever imagined. Everything about a normal life has changed, especially social gatherings and public meetings. Families are discouraged from gathering for holidays and many students attend classes through online learning platforms. COVID-19 has also affected other gatherings, such as orchestras or other musical practices.
Orchestras are now prohibited from having in-person practices and performing live concerts, instead meeting through online platforms such as Zoom, Skype, and/or Google Meet. Similarly, many students who take private music lessons are not allowed to meet their teachers in person and have transferred to virtual classes. Virtual music classes have affected the ability to learn and practice music as well.
Music teachers believe that the best way to teach music is by physically interacting with the students and guiding them through the music pieces. Bayside High School Junior Nicole Meselsohn commented, “I believe learning through a screen takes away the personality within music lessons, which can lead to a very technical lesson that may frustrate students since it might be harder to ask specific questions about each line or note as well as finger placement.”
Nicole brings up a valid point about a certain technique to playing an instrument: finger placements. Students must learn where to place their fingers for each note in order to play a music piece, and in-person lessons allow teachers to easily demonstrate and physically move students’ fingers into place. But when teaching through a screen, teachers are unable to guide their student’s fingers into the correct position.
Moreover, orchestral practices have become increasingly difficult through these online platforms. I am currently in an orchestra called NYLO, and we meet once every two weeks on Skype, but everything about our practice has changed because of this. Instead of practicing as a whole group, my conductor calls out each student to individually play the piece. This has negatively affected the orchestra because everyone plays at their own pace and forgets how to play with one another. In an orchestra, everyone plays the piece together at the same beat and tempo; however, we are now slowly forgetting how to play as a group.
Furthermore, COVID-19 has also affected the ability to have concerts. Before the pandemic, NYLO had three concerts each year: one during February, June, and December. However, after our February concert in 2020, live performances were prohibited. Nevertheless, my conductor, as well as many other conductors, have found a new way to perform - virtual concerts.
In my instance, each student individually sends a video of him/herself performing the piece and my conductor then uses an editing platform that allows him to show all of us playing the piece together. Although it does not bring the same excitement or nervousness as performing a live concert, I believe it is still amazing that we can still perform for others.
Hopefully, we will be able to return to some sort of normalcy and begin in-person required gatherings once again to learn, play, and practice music.
COVID-19 VACCINE HELPS
NORMALCY RETURN TO SOCIETY
By Jiwoo Park
​
In December 2020, the first coronavirus vaccine shots were administered to frontline healthcare workers in the United States. In hopes of returning to normalcy, the vaccinations have been continuing throughout the nation. Being developed in record time due to the unprecedented situation, some people have cast clear doubts about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine while others believe that it will be the key to stopping the spread.
Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending two doses of vaccines given more than 20 days apart to prevent COVID-19. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s coronavirus vaccines are the two prominent leads in the industry. Healthcare personnel, frontline essential workers, and residents of long-term care facilities or people aged 75 years and older were being offered the earliest doses.
Although still in the early stages, the COVID-19 vaccinations have already produced major reactions from society, with various opinions emerging in response to the solution proposed by the CDC. Bayside High School Physical Education Teacher Ms. Kassimis explains, “I do not think that the vaccine is going to reduce cases. I think our behavior can prevent us from getting the coronavirus by wearing our masks, practicing good hygiene and practicing social distancing.”
Similarly, Bayside High School senior Elizabeth Nazginov feels skeptical about the vaccine. “Just because you have a vaccine does not mean you cannot spread the virus.”
On the other hand, Bayside High School Physics Teacher Ms. Norwich is hopeful about the reduced spread of COVID-19 from vaccines, stating, “If the COVID vaccine causes any symptoms, they will be minor compared to having the disease.” Bayside High School junior Jana Kim agrees. “It [the vaccine] could reduce the COVID-19 cases if people are positive about getting vaccinated.”
COVID-19 vaccines assist with the development of immunity to the virus. According to an article on the CDC’s website titled “Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work,” The basic structure is that the body is left with a “memory” in how to fight the virus after being exposed to a slight version of it. While the role of the vaccine is to bring comfort, many fear the consequences of the vaccine.
The CDC mentions that pain, swelling, fever, chills, tiredness, and headaches were reported to occur after receiving the vaccine while others experienced severe allergic reactions. According to The New York Times article titled “Doctor’s Death After COVID Vaccine is Being Investigated” by Denise Grady and Patricia Mazzei, “Health authorities are investigating the case of a Florida doctor who died from an unusually severe blood disorder 16 days after receiving the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.” Due to this incident (among others), fear about the COVID-19 vaccine has become prevalent among the public.
Correspondingly, Nazginov expressed uncertainty towards the vaccinations. She stated, “If required and available, I would get the vaccine, but I will not unless told so.”
Others, however, had different responses. Ms. Norwich said, “I definitely feel comfortable having the vaccine when it becomes available for me.”
Although fear is prevalent, vaccines are viewed as a hopeful source to help society get back on its feet. Ms. Kassimis states, “The vaccines will help us get back to our ‘normal’ life.” Many people around the world hope for a meal in restaurants, a nice vacation, or even an in-person gathering.
While the COVID-19 vaccines have already caused a significant change in society, the controversy surrounding the vaccine is still unfinished. With the widespread debate of hope and fear, society agrees that we need to step closer to normalcy.