Students’ hopes for 2021-2022

The novel Coronavirus. Image courtesy of cdc.gov

This school year, LHS was subject to, albeit reduced, restrictions regarding mask-wearing and other COVID-19 related issues. With this school year coming to a close, one has to wonder, “What will the COVID-19 situation be like in fall. These are the predictions of a couple students.

Jon Taylor, 9th grade
Purr: In the fall, what do you think the situation with masks will be?
Jon: I think the mandate will be lifted.
Purr: How many people do you think will be vaccinated by the next school year?
Jon: Not many due to the area. Less than ten percent.
Purr: What would you say is the ideal percentage of people in the district who should be vaccinated?
Jon: At least 50 percent as that is enough to inspire everyone else to get vaccinated.
Purr: Do you think you will get vaccinated by the end of summer?
Jon: Probably not because my interactions with people are so few that a mask is never really all that bothersome to me, but if an opportunity arises, I will take it.
Purr: Were there any events that didn’t happen this year because of COVID-19 that you would have liked to participate in? If so, what were they, and do you think they will be available next year?
Jon: Almost all of the marching season got canceled, and I was super bummed about that, but it is on schedule to happen next year. We start band camp the week before school.
Purr: By the end of the summer, do you think there will be many other schools with complete in-person education?
Jon: I do believe there will be since parents all seem to agree that the split and fully online education just will not cut it for their kid’s long-term education.

Elle Roberts-Richmond, 9th grade
Purr: In the fall, what do you think the situation with masks will be?
Elle: I feel it’s probably going to be less of a mandate than it already is. Probably only in large gatherings like assemblies. Maybe we’ll start out with masks and ease into having none.
Purr: How many people do you think will be vaccinated by the next school year?
Elle: That’s tough considering that it’s really the parents’ choice, and some people believe that corona isn’t real, so 30-50 percent.
Purr: What would you say is the ideal percentage of people in the district who should be vaccinated?
Elle: Everyone that can. We should all be taking the vaccine like a normal vaccine because it is a normal vaccine.
Purr: Do you think you will get vaccinated by the end of summer?
Elle: No, my mother doesn’t want me to get the vaccine.
Purr: Were there any events that didn’t happen this year that you would have liked to participate in? If so, what were they, and do you think they will be available next year?
Elle: No, not that I can recall.
Purr: By the end of the summer, do you think there will be other schools with in-person education?
Elle: Yes, I think kids will start coming back to in-person schooling.