As a mom to two middle school children, I was able to witness how important and effective teachers are especially in times of crisis.  The article written by you, “ Coronavirus pandemic will show exactly what we’re made of”, was assigned virtually by Andrew Robert Bird, English teacher from Troy, Michigan, to my children to read and analyze.  I was impressed by the teacher and my two children and on how they worked together to decipher current issues and turn the idea of no school to more than a snow day.  It got them thinking, evaluating and believe me it will impact my children for years to come.  Most importantly, your article got them feeling.  Please read my two children’s analysis and witness the future generation’s perspective and interpretation of your article on current issues. And to give you an insight, an excellent teacher can and will be just as effective face to face as they can virtually.  So if you are asking, what we are made of?  Let’s fast forward to resilience, creativity, and the future voice of education.  Both my husband and I are health care providers and my husband is at the front lines caring for COVID patients, we both are grateful of our overlooked hero’s who are our educators.  They are the ones who will impact our future medical professionals, statesman, journalists, accountants, entertainers, parents and historians.   Thank you for the thoughtful article, it got us all thinking and hopefully taking actions.

Lucas, 13 years old from Northville, Michigan

 Summary
 
In order to stay safe from this novel pandemic, the coronavirus,we must stay home and not fear it, but not underestimate it. We should maintain social distancing and as long as all of us cooperate, this pandemic will be destroyed.
 
Three Quotes
 
“It is a human wildfire and each of us feels like a dry leaf, praying the wind blows in the other direction” (Albom 1). The author creates an extended metaphor to describe the coronavirus and how quickly it spreads like a fire. We are the dry leaves, just waiting to catch on fire, and we want the virus to go away by the wind blowing the other way so the fire (coronavirus) doesn’t catch us. We are leaves waiting to burn during this pandemic.
 
“It is time — and the speed with which this virus is tumbling institutions — that has jolted us so thoroughly from the idyllic days of January, when our biggest worry was who’s going to shovel the snow.” (Albom, 5) This quote means that the real problem is not the virus, but how all of a sudden it became a problem that “jolted” us. This pandemic really changed our lives in only a few months.
 
“This is not who we are in America. We don’t live in the dark. Which is why, more than many countries, we will have a harder time with COVID-19. It’s because of how good we have it and how freely we move.” (Albom, 11) This means that in America, we get all these liberties and can pretty much do as we like, as long as it is not harming anyone else. Because we are free, it will be harder to endure staying at home because of COVID-19. Unlike countries like China, you can basically close everything in a snap of a finger due to the fact they are not as free as us.

Kayleigh, 11 years old from Northville, Michigan 
 
 
Quote Analysis

Mitch Albom mentions, “ It is time — and the speed with which this virus is tumbling institutions — that has jolted us so thoroughly from the idyllic days of January when our biggest worry was who’s going to shovel the snow.” This is a significant quote because it establishes that we weren’t physically and mentally prepared for what was going to happen to our world in a matter of weeks. We were worried about the snow on our driveway and not our world’s health. Part of the problem with COVID-19 is the suddenness with which it has disrupted our lives. Recognizing the rapid changes that have altered the norm can help people appreciate normal life more.
 
Mitch Albom mentions, “ Concerts canceled. Spring breaks canceled. Universities going strictly online. Games without fans. Debates without audiences. Then the NBA. Then the NHL. Then March Madness.” This quote is important because it is listing all the events that have been canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and how it has affected our culture by disrupting the important events.
 
Mitch Albom also mentions, “ Many have never felt so vulnerable. We are tucking into our lives, wary of gatherings, wary of neighbors, wary of things that were just, what — two weeks ago? — symbols of our human spirit: handshakes, high-fives, hugs, kisses.” This quote is significant because it is explaining the things we used to do weeks ago and now we are very scared of those things because of the outbreak. High fives, hugs, and kisses are all things that we would do daily but now these things are vital to stay away from. Social distancing is needed to prevent the rapid spread of the virus, but it also makes it harder for people to show their affection for each other.
 

I was out doing my regular Saturday morning shopping (not panic shopping) and as I was finishing up, I noticed this guy going up and down the aisles talking loudly with his family and others he encountered, spreading misinformation and half truths about the situation. He even harangued the woman at checkout, having her read out loud the percentage of alcohol in his pre purchase sanitizer and then declaring to all within earshot that it wasn’t enough and that we all would be better off making our own.

As I was walking out the door, he was behind me and noticed I had on gloves — It is still the winter season where I live, and it was a chilly day so I was wearing my winter gloves. He said in a stage whisper … “Yeah, gloves … You got on gloves … That’s a good idea right about now …. I should be wearing gloves … You were thinking Miss Lady”. Really???

Panic tends to cancel out logical thinking. One person overloading their cart with bleach, toilet paper, wipes, water, etc. will get other people to not think but react and do the same. It’s ridiculous, sad and shows how easily people can be misled.

Be proactive. Wash your hands. Don’t be touching extra stuff and if you feel safer wearing gloves even if it’s not winter, do it. The life you save may be yours … or the life of someone you love.