The Effects of the Pandemic

The Corona virus is fairly new and constantly mutating, most know about it. It's awful that people are dying, but that's not the full extent to which this virus is impacting the world. It’s so bad that all fifty states have closed their schools and non essential businesses at one point or another due to the pandemic. Everything and everyone has been affected in some way by this virus, some less extreme than others. For example, students such as myself, struggle with online learning and perform worse than in face-to-face learning. All of these effects of the pandemic are why I think Covid - 19 regulations aren’t strict enough.

It’s not just schools and people that are being affected in this pandemic. Unfortunately, due to quarantines and closures, the economy is suffering as well. Businesses are making less money because their customers are quarantined, or just choose to stay at home. The businesses suffering the most are the ones that require face-to-face contact, such as barber shops and restaurants, etc. These are all non-essential businesses, but their closures could still impact the owners and employees, and the local economy in general.

John Scott from weforum.org states, “The long term societal impacts, such as exacerbation of inequality and changes in consumer behaviours… will change our way of life forever.” Because of lockdowns and quarantines, fewer people are making trips to the store. Businesses are suffering greatly because fewer customers means less profit, and less profit means businesses closing down for good. Some of my and many others favorite businesses are small, fragile ones that survive on monthly profit, like small family owned restaurants. These businesses won’t be able to survive much longer, if this pandemic keeps dragging on.

Scott later adds that, “The social dimensions of the crisis, including generational frictions and continued stress on people's well being, will create substantial societal consequences for the long term.” I agree with John Scott that there will be “substantial societal consequences for the long term”  because I personally have felt said consequences. I´m a generally happy person, but being completely deprived of all social interaction affected my mood immensely. I’m not the only one that feels this way. Staying inside of a house for an extended period of time affects a person’s mental health AND physical health.

This pandemic is affecting so much more than just mental health, though. Alexander Bartik from pnas.org states, “The fate of the 48% of American workers who work in small small businesses is closely tied to the resilience  of the small business ecosystem.”  What’s at stake here is people’s jobs. The more businesses that close, the more jobs that are lost. These jobs are paying for people’s homes and food. It’s an awful thought that people who are losing their homes and starving because they’re losing their jobs. 

Marianne Bertrand from pnas.org later adds, “The crisis duration plays a central role in the total potential impact.” I agree with Marianne Bertand et al that the duration of this pandemic will affect how bad the impact is. Every day that goes  more cases arrive, and businesses close. Sadly, this pandemic is affecting education as well. 

According to Kate Taylor from The New York Times, “Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, where classes were virtual all fall, found that the percentage of middle and high school students who failed two or more classes the first quarter increased 83% from the first quarter of the  year.” What’s at stake here is students' grades.  Eighty-three percent is a LARGE percentage, and failing two or more classes is a big deal, especially in high school. Failing two or more classes in high school could affect what college a person goes to (if you decide to go at all) and this college determines a person’s job. 

Taylor continues “Forty-two% of students received at least one F in the first grading period in the fall, compared with 26% in the fall of 2019.” In other words, almost twice as many students are failing classes than last year, due to the sudden shift from physical school to online school. I also have experienced this, as I have also performed worse in online learning compared to face-to-face learning.

            You may be thinking "All of these things are bad, but how can I help prevent them from happening, aren't I just a single person?" My answer to this is yes, you may just be one person, but if we all work together we can help put an end to this dreadful pandemic. Wear a mask and wash your hands at the moment, that's the best we can do. 

So, after all this evidence that the Corona virus is hurting everyone everywhere, are you still going to stand by as people die and the economy suffers? Or are you going to do your part and wear a mask, a tiny little piece of fabric. Your tiny gesture can save lives. Sure, they may be tedious and uncomfortable at times, but what do you think is more important, your comfort or peoples’ lives?