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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2020)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020 FEATURES HERMISTONHERALD.COM • A11 COLUMN Social distancing has us Zooming through the pandemic L iving through a pan- some of our work from demic has many side home, fi guring out what effects, but one par- slice of home to show peo- ticularly relevant to 2020 ple can be tricky. is knowing what the My fi rst video inside of professional conferencing not acquaintances’ homes with family or friends look like. was as a guest pre- Video chatting senter for a class of with co-workers, journalism students teachers, professors from my alma mater, and clients provides where classes have Jade glimpses into liv- now moved online. McDowell ing rooms and kitch- NEWS EDITOR We were using ens that under nor- Zoom, which I have mal circumstances heard provides dif- we would never visit. We’re ferent backgrounds you can also getting a peek into the use to blur out what’s actu- abodes of late night televi- ally behind you, but I was sion hosts, news anchors not confi dent enough in my and politicians. Zoom profi ciency to try For those of us privi- getting fancy. I ended up leged enough to do at least stacking some empty shoe boxes on top of a chair in order to bring the laptop level with my face while I sat on my couch, in front of a wonderful abstract paint- ing of the New York City skyline that I purchased at the point in my life where I decided that I was too old to keep using posters taped to walls as my only home decor. Some video conferences, such as the ones we’re con- ducting with candidates for the May election, I’ve done from the offi ce. But for my 9 a.m. briefi ng with East Oregonian staff each morn- ing I’ve just settled for leav- ing the laptop on my lap while I sit on my couch at home. Setting it on the COLUMN G CRYPTOQUIP one else is drinking water so maybe I shouldn’t either. I just dropped my pen on the ground, but everyone else will notice me duck out of the frame to get it, so I’ll just leave it there.” Other complaints people seem to have about work- ing via video chat is peo- ple not muting themselves, but as someone who is used to regular conference calls over the telephone, I feel that this happens less often over video when people can visually see the symbol on their screen showing they are muted. Also, it is eas- ier to quickly identify the culprit behind those errant sounds and shame them into silence when you can see LETTER TO THE EDITOR Seniors deserve a graduation rowing up in a their dream degree, or even small town, you graduating! look forward to big Yes, COVID-19 is a exciting events and new horrendous and horrible things happening. virus, but it is affecting When everyone thought everyone mentally, physi- of the year 2020, cally, and through we thought it was their hopes and going to be full of dreams too. amazing, — wait, We seniors have no — extravagant, worked so hard for new, exciting path- this moment, and to ways. Just like the get it thrown away Nevaeh 1920s, it would be like trash? I think Cubbage- full of parties, hap- not! We deserve Thorp piness and feeling to have this grad- alive. uation, especially Now looking back, none since it means the end- of those truly happened. ing of our childhood, and Instead we got threats of the beginning of our next world wide wars, and now chapter. We dreamt of this a deadly virus that has no moment for so long and vaccine. The only part that worked incredibly hard is happening is everyone for this. Restless nights trying to feel alive while in and days of studying, tak- quarantine. ing classes to challenge While most people are ourselves and even taking in their kitchens doing classes that we are already work, or sitting back supposed to take and work- watching Netfl ix or Dis- ing hard on them. No mat- ney+, students are taking ter what type of student advantage of this moment you are, we deserve to of no school. We love that have a graduation. As one we have no school, but it unknown has said “Gradu- leaves us stressing out and ation is an exciting time. It freaking out (mainly high marks both an ending and a school and college stu- beginning; it’s warm mem- dents) about our classes, ories of the past and big grades, and whether we dreams for the future.” are able to graduate or Also, it gives seniors a move up toward that next chance to show our fam- grade. This also means ilies what we accom- that so many hopeful peo- plished; we completed high ple may not get, or will school and matured. A lot have to wait even lon- of us worked to pay for our ger for, advancing, getting graduation cap and gowns, kitchen table would be eas- ier, but a sink full of dirty dishes feels like the wrong background for a staff meeting. (As a side note, I have noticed that not going any- where has greatly decreased the amount of laundry I’m doing, but the num- ber of dishes has multiplied exponentially.) I don’t know about any- one else, but seeing myself displayed on screen during video conferences makes me far more self conscious than normal, in-person meetings: “My ear itches, but I just scratched it 30 seconds ago. Will it look weird if I do it again? I’m thirsty, but no and all that goes with it. We deserve to have this moment, whether it is on the day the school planned it or on another day when it is safe and healthy to do so. This is so important to me because I am a senior, and I have dreamt of the moment I walk across the stage and say goodbye to my dearest friends and childhood and say hello to adult life and the new chal- lenges that will push me to become a better person to society and become more successful. It gives me the chance to prove those who doubted me wrong, to see that I have succeeded at this and I will overcome any other challenges as long as I keep a positive mind and a hard working soul! This is our time, our chance to prove all those who doubted us, the class who was born at a horri- ble and horrendous time in 2001, and now living during another time that took our shine away again, to show that we will rise up and be the greatest. This class believes in them- selves and the world and will do whatever it takes to make this world or even our community a better place! Nevaeh Cubbage-Thorp is a Hermiston High School senior. Things I miss from before COVID-19 School plays, dance competitions and prac- tices, watching my brother play baseball, hanging out with friends, are all things I miss from before COVID-19. It has been really hard adjusting to staying at home and no longer being able to do my activities. My life was jam- packed before this and now I have no idea if I will even be able to go back to my activities I have worked so hard for, until next year. I am very unhappy having every- thing shut down and not being able to do things that I love. I wish things would go back to normal. I even want school to come back. Reagan Stanek is a sev- enth-grader at Sandstone Middle School. what everyone is doing. The internet has been full of humorous or cute exam- ples of people’s children or pets interrupting their video conferences, but sadly, I have no cute children or dogs or cats to hold up to the screen (I don’t have any ugly ones either). That may be a good thing, however, considering I saw a tweet from a NASA employee this week stating that her department had a serious conversation about how to prevent cats from accidentally commanding spacecraft from people’s home offi ces. I promise, there will be no cats writing for the Hermiston Herald. TELL US YOUR STORY We are collecting stories from students and teach- ers about COVID-19’s aff ects on the school year. Submit guest columns, letters or video clips (shot hor- izontally) to editor@ hermistonherald. com with your name and contact information. ‘Heroes Work Here’ Staff photo by Ben Lonergan A “Heroes Work Here” sign was erected at Guardian Angel Homes in Hermiston last week. SUPER CROSSWORD: TAKING OUT THE MIDDLE SUDOKU DIFFICULTY THIS WEEK EASTERN OREGON EVENTS The place to fi nd everything happening in Eastern Oregon. Post your events. It’s fast and easy! e-Edition For Hermiston Herald information 541-567-6457 • info@hermistonherald.com 333 E. Main St. • HermistonHerald.com Exact digital replica of this print edition is available online, every Wednesday by 5:30 a.m. Check out Hermiston Herald.com for more information.
