Plus, schools are heading online! We meet a seventh-grader in Atlanta, Georgia who is getting used to this new way of learning. We check in with Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markel on their departure from royal responsibilities. And, in this week’s Know Ohio, Mary introduces us to a famous Jazz poet who spent his young years in Cleveland.
pandemic (noun) a global outbreak of a disease or illness
essential (adjective) absolutely necessary or extremely important
fracking (noun) the process of pushing fluid into rocks below the earth’s surface to open them up and remove oil or natural gas
levy (noun) a tax collected from people who live in a certain area
formative (adjective) having a strong influence on the rest of someone's life
TOP NEWS: South Korea Lab Creates Coronavirus Test Kits
Hello everybody!
Welcome back to NewsDepth. So much has happened since we left for spring break so let’s hop right into the news.
The coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19, have been causing big cancellations and lawmakers are hoping to stop it’s spread through regulations. On March 11 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Pandemic means a global outbreak of a disease or illness.
“Let me give you some other words that matter much more, and that are much more actionable: Prevention. Preparedness. Public health. Political leadership. And most of all, people,” said Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus while announcing the pandemic.
“We’re in this together, to do the right things with calm and protect the citizens of the world. It’s doable.”
Scientists and doctors have stepped up to treat people with COVID-19 and to find creative ways to prevent the spread. Across the globe in South Korea, a company called Seegene has developed a test kit to determine if someone has the illness or not. The kit relies on a DNA blueprint of the virus and was developed in less than two weeks.
Remember the symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, cough and difficulty breathing - are easy to mistake for other illnesses like the flu or allergies. The only way to know that someone has COVID-19 for sure is through a test.
Reporter Ivan Watson was given special access to the lab where the test kits are made.
POLL RESULTS & INBOX
Check it out! Rick has the results from last episode's poll and shares a selection of student answers to the recent Inbox question:
T OP NEWS: Campaigns, Cancellations and School Closures
COVID-19 has caused the cancellation or postponement of numerous big events. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that all large gatherings be canceled. This is because the virus is spread mainly from person to person.
Sporting tournaments have been hit hard. The National Basketball Association suspended its season on March 11. And Major League Baseball is postponing their season too. Perhaps the biggest change though is to the 2020 Olympics. The world competition that was supposed to begin in Tokyo, Japan this summer has been pushed back until next year. The new opening ceremony is set for July 23, 2021.
The coronavirus has also impacted the 2020 race for president. The remaining candidates in the race are Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden. Both have canceled campaign events. During their most recent debate, the two men stood far apart from one another just in case they had COVID-19.
Even the Ohio primary election was impacted - you can read more about that in the Buckeye Beat below.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that everyone to stay at home until May 1 unless it is absolutely necessary for them to leave - think going to the grocery store, to the doctor or to work if your job is considered essential. Essential means absolutely necessary or extremely important. Only businesses the state has deemed essential are allowed to stay open.
DeWine also announced that school buildings are to remain closed through at least May 1, which is why you are likely reading this from home! Ohio isn’t alone in this. Nearly every state in the country has closed schools or recommended that they be closed.
School from home is different for every student, but we are all in this together. Reporter Evan McMorris Santoro has a look at school online for a student in Atlanta, Georgia.
For this week’s poll we want to know: How are you doing during the pandemic? Choosing which emoji fits you best. Click here to vote!
Then write to us! Tell us your best tips for staying positive while you’re stuck at home. How do you cheer up? How do you stay connected with friends?
You can use the inbox form to submit your great letters. Rick will share some of your best pieces of advice next week.
BUCKEYE BEAT: March 2020
Here are some of the biggest stories from our state in March!
Ohio Townhall on Climate Change
A unique trio of lawmakers are calling for steps to be taken to help the Earth’s changing climate.
Former Ohio governor John Kasich, former Ohio secretary of state John Kerry and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger held a panel discussion on March 9 at Otterbein University.
The three politicians were representing Kerry’s non-profit foundation called World War Zero, which brings together people of different jobs and political parties to fight climate change.
They were trying to show that people from both sides of the aisle are concerned about environmental issues. They discussed renewable energy and fracking. Fracking is the process of pushing fluid into rocks below the earth’s surface to open them up and remove oil or natural gas. Fracking can cause both air and water pollution.
Kerry said he wants to continue having World War Zero-led discussions in other states and on social media.
Photo credit: Karen Kasler / Statehouse News Bureau
Ohio Primary
Sticking with politics, Ohio did not have its primary election on March 17th as previously scheduled.
Department of Health Director Amy Acton ordered it to be postponed as a health emergency, citing concerns about crowded polling places possibly allowing the coronavirus to spread easily.
The decision came around 10 p.m. the night before the primary was supposed to be held.
To vote, citizens must now request a ballot and mail it to their county’s boards of elections. Ballots must be mailed by April 27 or delivered in-person by the 28.
Photo credit: Karen Kasler / Statehouse News Bureau
Geneva-on-the-Lake Erosion
Because the primary was postponed, issues and levies that were on the ballot are still in limbo. A levy is a tax collected from people who live in a certain area.
One village with a levy on the ballot is Geneva-on-the-Lake, located right on the shores of Lake Erie in Ashtabula County. And lately, that shoreline has been causing problems for this town. The water has eroded up to 55 feet of the shoreline. That’s a dangerous risk to the public, as it’s getting closer to sewer lines, gas lines, and water pipes.
If voters pass the levy, it will give the park service funds to deal with the severe erosion. Now, officials will have to wait until ballots are processed in a month, or even longer.
Photo credit: Tim Dubravetz / ideastream
TOP NEWS: Harry and Meghan Leave Royal Roles
Earlier in the season we told you about Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle wanting to give up their duties as part of the United Kingdom’s royal family.
As family members of the monarch, they are expected to represent the queen on various trips and promote causes for the country. but they said they want more independence.
Well the day has come. The two had their last as working royals March 31. While they are still technically part of the Queen of England's family, they are not allowed to use their royal titles and have given up their brand called “Sussex Royal.”
Harry and Meghan will spend a year transitioning to their new lives, which some say will include moving to Canada or the United States. They plan to work for a non-profit organization.
Reporter Max Foster was there when the two completed their last royal commitment - attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9.
KNOW OHIO: Langston Hughes
How about a little jazz to relax us to the end of this week’s NewsDepth Backpack?
In this week’s Know Ohio, Mary Fecteau discusses jazz poetry and one of its leading pioneers: Ohioan Langston Hughes. Hughes spent his early years in Cleveland. Even though his time here was difficult, he found a positive way to turn it into art.
A+: Horizon Science Academy Packs Hallways for Read Across America
Read Across America Day was held March 2. It is a day when classes across the country take part in reading books. This week’s NewsDepth A+ goes to students at Horizon Science Academy, who took the challenge to a whole new level!
Every single student participated in the event from kindergarten through grade 12. Younger students were paired with older students to take turns reading books. Elementary students selected books to read and be read to them. They were paired with either a middle school or high school student.
“I think it's amazing to read to the younger guys,” Freshman at Horizons Carlos Avila said. “It gives me the chance to meet new people.”
Students sat in the hallways and read books and got to know each other. Not everyone was a new face though!
“I loved being able to read with my brother at school,” fourth-grader Dy'Nasti Kirk said, “It was so cool that his class got to come into mine.”
Great job, Horizon Science Academy! We’re proud to award you this week's NewsDepth A+ for being so eager to read and learn.
And by the way - the NewsDepth team participated in Read Across America as well! Host Rick Jackson, coordinating producer Margaret Cavalier and associate producer Anna Huntsman read to students at Louis Stokes Head Start School in Warrensville Heights.
Submit your ideas for our NewsDepth A+ segment to newsdepth@ideastream.org for consideration.
PETTING ZOO: Therapy Pups Bring Smiles to Hospital Patients
This week NewsCat chose some four-pawed employees who she thinks are absolutely essential for cheering up cancer patients.
Reporter Graham Ulkins visited the furry workers at a hospital in Louisiana.
STAY IN TOUCH
That’s all the news we have for you in this week’s Backpack edition of NewsDepth. But there are plenty of ways to stay in touch.
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