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4th of July
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2020-10-12
A Covid-19 July 4th, 2020
One of my favorite holiday rituals is to go to a park, lay a blanket down, enjoy a picnic with my circle of family and friends along with the many other groups who are also awaiting the start of the fireworks show. The aromas of barbecued items such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and corn wafting in the air mixing with other ethnic delights are reminders of the diversity of this country. I open the doors of my Jeep, connect my iPhone and select my July 4th playlist to share with the people around me. In the distance I hear other groups talking and commenting on the music; it's nice to have background music as the show begins. "What's a July 4th show without the good 'ole '1812 Overture'?" is a common remark. The attraction of the fireworks, at least to me, is being there to hear the reverberation and smell the sulphur as they explode in the air besides the visual display. Timing the music to the show, especially the finale, is my annual challenge; one that I've been somewhat successful several years in a row. This year's holiday was spent indoors, by myself. I just didn't have the energy or interest to go to the bother of barbecuing for just me. My friends and family were all hunkered down at their respective homes. To observe July 4th via TV was just not same. For me, there would be no physical sensation of the sounds or of the smells that are so closely associated with the holiday. So, I passed on recognizing July 4th as a holiday...it was just another Covid-19 day in the year 2020. -
2020-08-11
Back to Normal Life
In the middle of March, COVID-19 was in full uproar and actions were being taken at the state level in order to combat the crisis. On the individual level, many people around college-age were preaching on a variety of social platforms information about the pandemic and what actions should be taken. Many were preaching that staying at home was the best option, and it didn't matter if you wanted to hang out with others, we all had a job as humans to help each other out by staying home. Nearly every single individual who spoke out on the subject no longer practices what they preach. As the months passed from March, everyone soon forgot about what they said, and with case numbers remaining prevalent, many still went back to their normal way of life. July 4th was the biggest turning point for college aged kids returning back to normal, with it being an opportunity for parties and other social gatherings, soon the normal kick-backs and late-night hangout sessions returned. Since that time just over a month ago, it seems that everyone is hanging out with their friends again, with many social media posts being centered around hanging out with people after so long. The amount of cases has only risen, yet everyone returns to their normal life as if it is safer than March or April. While it may be that everyone has became desensitized to COVID-19, the threat is still out there. Normal K-12 schools have resumed online, and many are soon returning in-person, with colleges following suit at the end of August. The cases will only be increasing and almost no one who virtue-signaled to each other at the beginning of the breakout are maintaining their social-distancing or remaining safe. -
2020-07-04
Oakland Fireworks
Fireworks are illegal in Alameda County. But that did not stop Oakland, a city within Alameda County, from celebrating with fireworks on the 4th of July. While all official firework shows across the Bay Area were cancelled this year, this video shows the private firework shows that lit up the sky of Oakland this 4th of July. -
2020-07-04
4th of July Weekend Sparks Further Protests
As the 4th of July weekend commenced, different sections of the country were split: quarantine, masks, and social distancing for a fairly quiet holiday or continue on with business as usual. In the tweet, we are invited to view what a 4th of July celebration looked like at Mount Rushmore. There were masks amongst protestors, amongst some attendees, and very few from the President's personal entourage. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #rushmore. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it touches on the intersection of politics, health, and public protest. Buzzfeed News Article: (https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katebubacz/trumps-visit-to-mount-rushmore-photos) -
2020-07-03
4th of July Essentials
As the 4th of July is only one day away, many people are preparing to celebrate. As Doctor Del Rio highlights in his tweet, it is imperative to practice safety guidelines this holiday season. As case numbers get even worse, hospitals are getting overstretched and there may not be enough medical care for everyone that needs it. This item was added TAGS v6.1.9.1. I originally searched under the hashtag #wearadamnmask. Within that search, I have chosen to add the following tweet because it highlights the importance of wearing any type of face covering. It also has multiple medical professionals present stating the same thing .