2020 Part 2
Let’s hope that 2021 really will not become 2020 part 2. Please stay at home and take care of yourself!
January 24, 2021
It will soon be a month since 2020 has finally ended, and no one has ever been so happy to have it end. Although many of us are relieved that 2020 is finally over, that does not mean 2021 is going to be any different. Some problems we faced in 2020 are being carried over to 2021. If I were to be honest, by the way how things are going, 2021 is just 2020 part 2.
COVID-19 has been the greatest shock and change in all our lives. No one would have ever imagined their lives would turn out like this due to a virus. We liked thinking that we can just leave COVID behind in 2020; however, COVID sadly still exists and is stronger than ever. As time goes by, the virus starts forming new mutation strands, and recently, there were reports of new COVID mutation strands in the UK which has sadly spread to the US. The concern with there being rapid mutations in COVID-19 is the fact that there are more variations of the virus, which will most likely cause the vaccine to be less effective (AP News). Not only that, cases are rising in China as well.
China had to build hospitals in a short period of time due to cases rising in Beijing. The government imposed a lockdown on Beijing with about 1.7 million people on lockdown (UPI). According to a South Korean news agency, in the Jilin Province, more than 100 cases were reported and in the Heilongjiang Province, 150 cases were reported (UPI). The current cases in China are 88,701 infected. Although it is not much compared to how much it used to be, it is still without a fact rising, and especially with Chinese New Year happening, there are worries that the cases will rise.
With all that is going on in the world, it is important to take care of your mental health. Due to people staying inside and the uncertainty of the situation, mental health problems have become worse. There has been data shown that compared to June 2019, in June 2020, Americans suffering from anxiety had tripled and Americans suffering from depression had increased by 4 times (WebMD). The situation made many unsure of what would happen to America, especially with all the chaos that had happened this year including the Black Lives Matter Movement, the elections, the Capitol Hill riot, and so much more. With this in mind, please make it a priority to take care of yourselves, as 2021 will not be the solution to all of 2020’s problems!
I am not trying to be pessimistic and say that 2021 will be just as bad as 2020. Tristen Shinen (11) said, “I think that 2021 is part 2 of 2020; however, the new year has simply started off with similar traits to 2020. As I look to the future, I am hopeful that with the COVID vaccine underway, things will eventually return to normal soon.” I hope that 2021 will be better even if it is only a small difference. I hope that this year is the year where things will get fixed. Take care of yourself and stay safe mustangs!
Emily Eslao • May 23, 2021 at 7:17 PM
It’s very interesting reading this article a few more months into the year – in some respects, it really does feel like an extension of 2020. Fortunately there has been significant progress, and I sure hope it continues so that we can enjoy the rest of the year!
Emma Perron • Feb 21, 2021 at 10:49 PM
It is crazy how COVID-19 has almost been here for a year. Thank you for telling people 2021 is no different than 2020. COVID is still around and people need to be careful. You did a wonderful job writing this article.
Anita Tun • Feb 14, 2021 at 11:01 PM
2020 has been an unusual year, with COVID-19 and a list of other things as well. Although starting 2021 does not mean an automatic restart of everything that has happened, I am optimistic for the new year!
danielle huizar • Feb 11, 2021 at 7:54 AM
This is a great article. I believe many people thought that once 2020 was over, everything would become better because 2020 was some “cursed” year, but that is not the case. I like how you added the COVID-19 rises and effects in 2021 on other countries, and it was great how you ended this article with the hope that 2021 might be better.
Nikole galea • Feb 8, 2021 at 9:27 PM
Great job including the brutal honesty of the fact that just because it is a new year doesn’t mean everything is going to be normal again and that we don’t have any more crazy problems. You very smoothly added the dramatic changes that are going on in other parts of the world that I am sure not many people knew about. Awesome article.
Kylie de Best • Feb 8, 2021 at 8:47 PM
It is sad to see how things are still looking bad, but it is always important to look at the positive aspects too! Overall great article and it really puts into perspective that a new year does not mean things will be normal again.
Sharon Sun • Feb 8, 2021 at 6:57 PM
Great article Eunice! I also have to agree that 2021 is really turning out to share the same characteristics as 2020. Though, to be fair, it is to be expected considering that the pandemic still runs rampant and we still need to be cleaning up the mess that happened in 2020.
faith desio • Feb 7, 2021 at 8:48 AM
I also think that 2021 will be similar to 2020. Sadly, I think that the year will have many of the same issues as last year. But, I am hopeful that towards the end of the year thing will go “back to normal.”
Suhani Bhanvadia • Feb 6, 2021 at 5:45 PM
I agree that 2021 will be difficult like last year. Honestly, 2020 just happened to be the year that many bad things happened but it’s not like changing a number on the calendar will change much. Regardless, I hope 2021 goes well even if it’s only slightly better than 2020.
Paige Reddick • Feb 5, 2021 at 12:19 AM
I really hope 2021 is better than 2020, but its important to acknowledge the challenges we still face in this new year. Thank you for discussing them! I hope this year will begin to improve soon.