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Opinion
The Clarion \ March 25, 2020
How Americans are
handling the coronavirus
By Eleanor Flannery
Sports Editor
The coronavirus outbreak is advancing at an
alarming rate, and it feels like a scary time to be
alive in the world. The coronavirus pandemic, to
me, seemed like nothing to worry about when I
first heard of it; it was no different from a typical
flu. Boy, was I wrong.
People everywhere are panicking, buying out
the aisles of grocery stores, stockpiling toilet
paper of all things! Places are closing down,
like schools, colleges, community centers,
shopping malls, even freaking Disney World
closed its doors.
But I don’t think most people are overreacting,
at least not anymore. I do think people should be
more mindful of their neighbors when shopping
for Charmin, but staying indoors and avoiding
your neighbor seems like an appropriate choice.
The rate at which the virus is spreading in the
United States alone is rapid, and it is being
projected to spread at historic levels if it isn't
contained and taken seriously. The CDC and
health officials around the globe suggest that
focusing on social distancing may help slow the
spread of the virus.
According to Vox, “Researchers currently
believe one person with COVID-19 generally
infects two to more than three others, which
would make the new coronavirus more
transmittable than seasonal flu, SARS and
MERS. That’s why social distancing measures
are so important.”
Of course, the burden of the containment
of the coronavirus cannot all be placed upon
the people; our leaders need to also be held
accountable. The Trump administration seems
to be scrambling to reassure Americans of
their safety from catching the virus, but often
reiterate the guidelines suggested by the CDC
and leading health officials. But not everyone
in the administration is humming a similar tune.
Our very own commander in chief, when
asked by a reporter what he would say to
American civilians who are scared, took the
time to personally degrade the journalist rather
than answer the question. During Friday's
White House news briefing on the coronavirus,
NBC News correspondent Peter Alexander
asked President Trump, “What do you say to
Americans watching you right now who are
scared?” And I know what you’re thinking—
what a simple question! Gee, even Trump could
answer this one, what with the constant updates
from other news outlets and recommendations
from WHO and the CDC, he should knock this
one out of the park, piece of cake.
No, no, you see. Trump took this time to
verbally attack the reporter. He said, “I'd say
that you're a terrible reporter, that's what I'd
say. I think it's a very nasty question and I think
it's a very bad signal that you're putting out to
the American people. The American people are
looking for answers and they're looking for hope,
and you're doing sensationalism.” He also told
the correspondent, “you ought to be ashamed
of yourself.”
I wish I were joking, but no, that was his actual
response. When Vice President Mike Pence was
later probed with the same question, he urged
Americans to “be vigilant.” And he didn’t even
insult the questioner!
It would be reassuring to many Americans
to hear a positive, professional and concise
message from their president in a time like this,
but I know that is asking a lot, since terms like
“Trump” and “professionalism” don’t exactly
go hand-in-hand. But I also know that many
Americans aren’t surprised by the way Trump is
handling the crisis, being that his administration
axed the United States pandemic response team,
back in 2018, a decision made to “cut costs.”
In spite of the lack of reassurance the president
may offer, your average Joe knows right from
wrong, and isn’t inept when it comes to dealing
with the spread of the virus. I know I’m
preaching to the choir, but seriously, stay safe
out there. Practice social distancing, wash your
hands, be mindful of those around you and, of
course, stay vigilant.
Coronavirus and
college sports
How athletes are handling the pandemic
By Margaret Correll
Layout & Design
Brevard College is one of the hundreds of
colleges across America that is being affected
by coronavirus, or COVID-19. Through these
changing times, many student-athletes are
affected by the decisions that are being made.
The USA South Athletic Conference
unanimously announced on March 13, 2020,
that all spring sports’ regular seasons, non
conference tournaments and tournament
competitions would be cancelled. This put all
of the student-athletes within the conference,
including the Brevard College Tornados, out
for the season with no chance of returning.
On March 13, 2020, the NCAA announced
that it would allow eligibility relief to all
Division III athletes who participated in spring
sports during the 2020 spring season. This will
allow for athletes to have extra eligibility for
continued participation, if needed.
While this all sounds nice and colleges are
doing what they can to try and remedy this
situation, it does not help the fact that many
athletes across the country are losing a whole
season of their two or four-year time at their
school. Students are losing that time to make
memories with their teammates, go on trips
and finish out a great year of playing.
Taking into account the loss of time for
juniors, sophomores and freshmen, it may
not be as big of a deal, but for seniors who are
also student athletes, this is a hard situation
to overcome. Graduating and leaving a sport
behind, more than likely forever, is something
that every senior has to deal with. The situation
at hand is taking away the opportunity to have
a great last season for every senior affected
by this virus.
Everything that could have been done to help
student-athletes during this time was handled
properly, but it does not make it hurt any less
to those that may not be able to come back
after this spring. For the student-athletes who
are taking it hard, remember the good times
you had with your team and try to see a bright
side in all of this, if there is one.