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Date is exactly
2020-10-29
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2020-10-29
Boto Votos
A comic strip about Covid-19 -
2020-10-29
COVID Testing in Schools
This article informs of the Texas Education Agency's decision to provide covid testing kits to school districts throughout the state. The testing kits were purchased from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and were to be distributed by size of district and rate of infection. From there, the school districts could decide how to make these available to students and staff. -
2020-10-29
Video Games to Pass Time
2020 was a good time for video games, particularly those that I am interested in. Releasing in the middle of the year, games such as the highly anticipated Mount and Blade: Bannerlord and Crusader Kings III managed to provide time-wasting opportunities to many people. The latter, abbreviated CK3, is pictured here. CK3 is essentially a feudalism-simulator with role playing game mechanics, famous in the PC gaming sphere for both its complexity but also its ability to organically allow stories to form in the most Game of Thrones way possible. This was one of my earlier games, after I was more familiar with how the game differed from CK2. Starting as the Raja of the real-life Northern Indian dynasty of the Imperial Gurjara-Pratihara in 867 CE, through many generations of rulers I managed to consolidate the entire subcontinent through diplomacy, intrigue, and warfare. Around 1000 CE one of my rulers who had a more intellectual education rather than the usual military one, consolidated all imperially sanctioned Hindu beliefs into the Charvaka school, a real-life ancient Hindu belief based on materialism and empiricism. As this new consolidated Hinduism united the subcontinent at a more local level, regional governors along the Indus River took advantage of political fragmentation around the Indian Ocean and pushed west, taking over not just Persia and Central Asia but also establishing Hindu-Somali outposts in Africa and Yemen. By the 1300s the empire spread from Burma in the east all the way to modern day Libya and Greece, with Rome itself falling to a Pratihara expedition. Peace was maintained within the empire's vassals by a robust series of alliances, as well as the use of the "dread" mechanic to scare any more unruly subjects into submission via planned executions and threats. The most serious threats the Pratihara Empire faced was a series of crusades launched from Western Europe, and the Mongol Conquests which were ended by assassinating a few generations of Mongol Khans leading to political infighting and collapse. Beyond the fake history being made in game, this single play through gave me enjoyment for dozens of hours. While psychical entertainment was shut down, travel impossible, and the shadow of the pandemic hung over everything, games like CK3 allow people like me to immerse ourselves in what begins as real history and ends with an alternate history that we ourselves designed. Many people who don't usually play video games became engrossed in them, particularly early on in the likewise open-ended game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The need to develop new hobbies as a way to cope with isolation was a boon for the video game industry, which despite its massive market was seen by many people as quaint at best, or worthless at worst. There is value in video games, especially during the pandemic. -
2020-10-29
Testing Positive
I remember the day I tested positive quite well. Two days before that, though, I drove to the local community college to get a test, because we got the news that my sister was exposed. I had experienced no symptoms, so the test was little more than a formality to me. But, on that night, my mom came into my room, telling me that I had tested positive. I was in the car with them getting my test and no one else that I had been in contact with tested positive or had any symptoms. Though it was likely a false positive, my plans for that weekend were canceled along with any that I had for the next two weeks. I was confined to my room wearing a medical N95 mask for 15 days. -
2020-10-29
A Collection of Quarantine Paintings
I am posting this photo because it showcases how I have spent a lot of my time during the pandemic. This photo displays every painting I have created since the beginning of the quarantine. Some of the works shown in the picture are still works in progress and others are completed. Before Covid prevailed and we were sent home in the spring, I had lost interest in painting and had not painted in months. The lockdown that Covid brought on allowed me to slow down and rekindle the love and creativity I had for painting. In this photo, there are 14 paintings, however, I have made more and gave them to friends as gifts. I mainly work with acrylic paint on canvas because I like vibrant colors and solid lines, although, I would like to start experimenting with oil paints soon. Covid-19 brought on many obstacles to a lot of people, but I am grateful that I could reconnect with painting. This object demonstrates the significant rise of creative liberty within my generation under Covid-19. -
2020-10-29
Election Week Anxiety
Due to the massive number of American voters who decided to cast mail-in ballots, coupled with the unprecedented voter turnout, American’s did not get an answer on Wednesday morning as to who the next POTUS was going to be. This uncertainty, along with the climbing covid-19 numbers, meant a lot of citizens were feeling overwhelmed and anxious about what the next few days, and perhaps weeks, would entail. Crisis hotlines in the US saw a spike in calls related to election anxiety. This political cartoon created by Bruce Plante shows the anxiety that the hotline workers themselves might have been experiencing. With call after call coming into these centers, hotline workers do their best to ease the minds of those on the other side of the phone call. This is significant to 2020 because it illustrates the collective emotions voters were facing in the first week of November 2020. -
2020-10-29
CDC’s Information For Office Buildings
The CDC earlier this year released an article on employer information for office buildings. The article starts off with how employers can protect their staff and others and slow the spread. First and foremost a covid-19 workplace health and safety plan should be created for the business. They recommend an evaluation the building and mechanical and life safety systems to determine if the building is ready for occupancy. Second identify how workers might be exposed to covid-19. Identify any workplace hazards that could increase the risk of spreading. The inclusion of all employees in communication plans as well and contractors if any are involved. The CDC also encourages the education of employees and supervisors about steps they can take to protect themselves in the workplace. -
2020-10-29
Government of Canada invests $945,000 to further protect Prince Edward Island (PEI) farm workers during COVID-19
In this statement, the Canadian federal government pledges monetary relief to P.E.I.'s farmers amidst the pandemic. -
2020-10-29
Social wedding: Ontario Wedding Identified As Superspreader Event Linked To 44 COVID-19 Cases
This article explains how one Ontario wedding became identified as a "superspreader" event. -
2020-10-29
Blacktober - The Wind Rises
Another example of a piece of Blacktober art, with a character from the Studio Ghibli movie, The Wind Rises. -
2020-10-29
Kmart Online Booking System
My housemate and I looked in to opening hours once the stage four restrictions were lifted and retail could reopen. We were surprised to see that we could book online to get first preference in entering a Kmart store, which is a feature completely non-existent before the pandemic. Although necessary to ensure social distancing, booking online to enter a store further digitises our everyday lived experiences. This may not be an issue for people with access to the internet like myself, but it has the potential to further ostracise people with limited or no access to technology. HIST30060 -
2020-10-29
San Antonio Family Bar
This news article is about the San Antonio Shiran family business during COVID-19. In July 2020, the family tested positive and the husband/father, Harvey, was in the ICU for the month. This forced the wife/mother, Lindsey, to take over the family business. I also attached another news article about a Bexar County grant program for bars and restaurants affected by COVID-19. -
2020-10-29
San Antonio Family Bar
This news article is about the San Antonio Shiran family business during COVID-19. In July 2020, the family tested positive and the husband/father, Harvey, was in the ICU for the month. This forced the wife/mother, Lindsey, to take over the family business. I also attached another news article about a Bexar County grant program for bars and restaurants affected by COVID-19. -
2020-10-29
Reddit Title: My Friend Graduating During Covid!
This is a Reddit post by /u/Da_bigmacwillis whose title reflects the celebratory nature of graduation with the contrasting tough times of COVID, and a joyous graduate. -
2020-10-29
Homecoming Football Cancelled
The week of homecoming has always been a huge deal for the students at Great Falls High School. Even when I went there 10 years ago, we went all out. I cannot begin to fathom the disappointment for the seniors who lost their last chance to play a varsity homecoming football game. This season has been met with many hurdles. Limited spectators, masks, social distancing, sign ins and contact tracers for attendance, it’s been a lot of adjusting for everyone, but especially the players. They work their hardest to stay healthy and eligible to play. When news broke about the other team having had contact with covid, the boys were devastated that they would not have the opportunity to fulfill that homecoming legacy. The loss of this game in many ways was the equivalent of a lost season. -
2020-10-29
Great Falls Bison Football
This year is my youngest brother's freshman year of high school. Imagine our devastation when it was assumed that these boys would lose out on the opportunity to start their high school careers participating in a sport that they love. With thanks to GFPS and all associated groups, through social distancing, careful planning, and diligent hygiene-- these talented and amazing athletes were able to play for the very first time, at Memorial Stadium. Go Bison! -
2020-10-29
Governor Bergum adjusts COVID-19 risk level for North Dakota counties
In the early stages of the pandemic, North Dakota shut down like every other state. However, during reopening over the summer, safety protocols, such as masks, were not state mandated, only recommended. This has led us to being the state with the highest cases of COVID in the U.S. right now. During Governor Burgum’s press briefing on October 29, 2020 he adjusted the COVID-19 risk levels for various counties in North Dakota, bumping nearly half of the counties in the state into high risk categories and a quarter of the rest into moderate risk. Governor Bergum is still not pushing for a mandate on wearing masks in public areas, only recommending it. -
2020-10-29
Airlines Conduct Tests to Prove that COVID-19 Spread is not High in Airplanes
United Airlines, Boeing and the Defense Department conducted tests to gauge the risk of getting infected with the coronavirus on a plane. They used a mannequin that would use a spray to stimulate a cough. They concluded that the spread of infection is not high. However, the test failed to test many other factors, such as the patient turning their head to the side to cough, coughing while walking around the cabin, and other common locomotions of airplane passengers. Thus, the test was inconclusive, and seems like a desperate effort for the airline companies to get their customers back. -
2020-10-29
More than 50% of Montrealers Plan to Leave the City for the Suburbs or Countryside
According to RAD, more than 50% of Montrealers plan to leave the city for the suburbs or countryside. Reasons listed were teleworking, price of housing, and quarantine. If many follow through with these plans, this would likely be a significant contribution to the continuing suburbanization of cities. Montreal is also one of the cheaper major cities in North America, it would be a major issue if Montrealers appear to be indicative of the rest of the North American city-dwelling population. Translation of image: 56% of 18-36 year olds have the intention to leave Montreal for the suburbs or country. -
2020-10-29
Keys, Wallet, Mask
The image I chose to share was of the basket of masks in my room. Never in my life could I have predicted that this would be something I have, never mind how much of a staple it would become in my everyday life. I think what I titles thing story holds a certain importance as well. Keys, Wallet, Mask, really emphasizes how much masks have come to be a part of my daily routine. Going from living at home to moving into my new apartment in North End during the middle of the pandemic in July, just minutes from Downtown Boston, I went from only wearing a masks when going to get groceries indoors to wearing a mask every time I walk out my front door, even just walking down the street. I truly has just become such a natural thing to have a mask on my face and for everyone I walk by to have one on as well. I think the significance of the mask during the pandemic and that it has really been the only constant in my or everyone’s lives throughout this COVID-19 experience. Every day I hear contradicting statements about the pandemic, not knowing what’s true and what’s not. My masks for me symbolize a sense of protection at a very vulnerable time in life. I’m not sure if they help or if they don’t, but I know for sure that wearing a mask has given me some sense of security throughout all this chaos and uncertainty. -
2020-10-29
Essentials that are hard to find during COVID-19
I submitted this image because it represents the cleaning items that are essential in my life but have been hard to find because of COVID. Many people were restricted about how many Clorox wipes they could buy at the store. It was weird to go to the store and not find the cleaning products I need. When I found an item such as Lysol Laundry Sanitizer, I would send a text to my friends and family to let them know which store had them in stock. I would also try to buy several Lysol Laundry Sanitizers so that I could give them to my friends and family. Prior to COVID, cleaning products would not be a gift that you would give your friends and family, but it became a thoughtful item that you could give to your loved ones. For several weeks it was difficult for me to find Lysol laundry sanitizer. It was scary to go to the store and find the shelves empty. Luckily, I had already stockpiled prior to COVID so I had plenty for several months. -
2020-10-29
HERMIT HERALD VOL 1 ISSUE 73
Dems unhappy about SCOTUS -
2020-10-29
Mask Storage Solution
I submitted this image because it is a solution to a problem I thought I would never have. When Covid-19 started, my partner and I immediately started wearing masks. We felt it was something we could control during an uncertain time. As the months went on, and our cloth mask collection grew, we needed a place to keep them without being in the way. We purchased some adhesive hooks and placed them near our front door. Every time we leave the house our routine is to check for phone, wallet, keys, and mask. We have adapted quite well to our masks and by purchasing options that display our personalities, it feels as if we are making the best out of a bad situation. This image is meaningful to me because it represents our new routine. Masks are now just part of our daily checklist before leaving for work or to run errands. I do not mind wearing a mask, but I sometimes look at our collection and wonder how long it might be until we can retire our collection of masks. -
2020-10-29
A Collection of Quarantine Paintings
I am posting this photo because it showcases how I have spent a lot of my time during the pandemic. This photo displays every painting I have created since the beginning of quarantine. Some of the works shown in the picture are still works in progress and others are completed. Before Covid prevailed and we were sent home in the spring, I had lost interest in painting and had not painted in months. The lockdown that Covid brought on allowed me to slow down and rekindle the love and creativity I had for painting. In this photo, there are 14 paintings, however, I have made more and gave them to friends as gifts. I mainly work with acrylic paint on canvas because I like vibrant color and solid lines, although, I would like to start experimenting with oil paints soon. Covid-19 brought on many obstacles to a lot of people but I am grateful that I was allowed to reconnect with painting -
2020-10-29
Polling Places Are Closing Due To COVID-19.
The surge of COVID-19 cases across the United States has impacted voting across the country. Not only are some people afraid to vote in person but people are afraid of working at polls, resulting in a shortage of polls workers. Because of poll closures, people are being forced to find new polls. Low-income are being impacted by these closures due to the time it takes to find new polls and the cost of reaching them. Minorities are also impacted because they already faced longer than average wait times before COVID-19 when all polls were open. -
2020-10-29
How the Pandemic Changed Us
On March 13th, 2020, my entire life shut down with the rest of Massachusetts. My public school job closed, my university closed and my life began only existing in the four rooms of my apartment. My time became dedicated to my toddler, I became a stay at home mom, student and caretaker full time. The world around us had stopped completely, or so it felt. Quarantine was in full affect and people were stuck inside for months.Then, almost magically, our communities began to come together. I have witnessed some of the most beautiful things I for so long ignored because of the business of every day life, I witnessed nature and humanity again. I began appreciating the little things again. Quarantine had become a time to reflect, grow and appreciate the world around me. This horrible situation began to blossom into people supporting each other, clapping for the healthcare workers nightly, singing together out their windows, thanking each other. I share this image because I realized in the midst of everything that has been bad about this year, I’m reminded daily that there is always positivity in the world, even when everything around us feels negative. -
2020-10-29
First Day of Cold.
It's cold. I usually waited for the cold. I enjoy wearing a sweater, and the escape from the heat of summer. This year, for the first time, I dreaded winter. They said COVID-19 is stronger in the cold. I guess we will find out.