20 17 9 ` ` Congratulations, Class of 2020! 2 In the News 2 Economic fallout of coronavirus By: Helene Webb By now, the coronavirus has spread throughout the globe and reached over 199 countries. Even here in Fort Mill, the effects can be felt with students out of school, shops everywhere closed down temporarily and empty toilet paper aisles in grocery stores. It may be hard to imagine, but there are problems much worse than that which the coronavirus has exposed or worsened. The U.S. stock market crash, partially brought on by the virus, could cause large issues for real estate, banking and small businesses, all of which contribute to the economic health of the nation. The airline industry is another industry suffering as people are hesitant to travel into unknown areas where they could become infected or simply be at a loss for resources. Countries like Italy, which are typically popular vacation destinations, are now on lockdown to recover from COVID-19, causing a serious depletion in normal tourism income. Popular cities within America are experiencing this kind of downfall as well: New York City and Los Angeles have both been put on complete lockdown following severe outbreaks of the virus. Movie theaters everywhere have also entirely shut down. Large-scale films like Mulan, Black Widow and Wonder Woman 1984 have pushed back their release dates in the hopes of not losing out on millions. However, the unsung heroes of the pandemic are the ones who will be at the biggest deficit at the end of this. Hospitals and their employees have experienced such an influx of patients that they are completely unable to help everyone with the amount of supplies they have available. Test kits, ventilators and facemasks are increasingly hard to come by now, which puts the health of both patients and their doctors and nurses at risk. To combat this, new legislation was passed by Since the beginning of March, the U.S. stock market Congress to alleviate some of the legal restrictions by which facemask manufacturers have to abide. This will allow them to has been on a steady decline. This signals worsening produce at a much higher rate, and hopefully solve the shortage issue, but it also means that hospitals will be spending more economic conditions in every industry, from airlines to fast food. in order to acquire the medical supplies they need. Unfortunately, there are no perfect solutions to any of these problems. No one exactly knows what the economic Photo courtesy of Google images state of the world will be once this crisis has passed. Perhaps the best thing to focus on for now is staying at home, staying safe and staying smart. AMC headed for bankruptcy Mental Health Awareness Month By: Daniella Crawford By: Helene Webb With movie theaters everywhere shut down due to the coronavirus crisis, many “Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so,” is a quote by large chains have run into problems trying to stay afloat. AMC, one of the biggest theater Daniel Handler, the author of The Blank Book. May is known for being the mental corporations in the United States, was forced to issue $500 million in debt to keep from health month, and the awareness leads to escalated chances of early intervention, filing for bankruptcy amid closed theaters and delayed movie releases. Though the debt which then proceeds to fast recovery. This awareness also advocates for educating fixed AMC’s short-term problem, the problem now is going to be continuing to pay it off more and more of the community of the unknowns of varying illnesses. in the long run. Unfortunately, AMC made another decision recently that makes those Unfortunately, with the coronavirus still lingering in the community, mental health is even more of a priority. payments seem less possible. It is said that one in five people will Trolls: World Tour, the animated experience a mental illness during his/her children’s movie that was set to arrive in lifetime, but during these times those numbers theaters before the large-scale could be skyrocketing with people suffering shutdowns, instead released on video on from anxiety. Mental Health America (MHA) demand (VOD) for rent in the hopes of mentions that there was an additional 19 recouping some of the money spent on percent increase of people who had anxiety production by Universal Studios. The due to the early stages of the virus in February. VOD release made Universal over $200 This trend is usually expected to occur during a million in just a few weeks, more than its pandemic, but it keeps on adding more cases to prequel Trolls made after spending five the “mental illness pile” in the U.S. months in theaters. Due to this streaming Anxiety is only one of many illnesses, success, Universal stated that moving “but because of stigma, many people do not forward they may select certain films to seek treatment for mental illness. Only 44 release only on VOD with others having percent of adults with diagnosable mental a normal theater opening. The success of illness receive treatment,” said Trolls: World Tour may be mostly owed After taking out a $500 million issue in debt, it looks likely that AMC will soon declare bankruptcy. By @justgirlproject on Instagram in a post. Mental to the coronavirus quarantine, as kids are refusing to play any Universal Studios movies in the health has always increased upon the stuck in the house and parents need future, the company may have made a bad situation community, and not just due to the virus. worse. something new for them to do. However, Mental health month is such a vital Among the popular beliefs, many people do this shift in Universal’s business model awareness that brings hope to the Photo courtesy of Google images not speak of their illness and hide away in fear. spells trouble for movie theater chains no community. If one is looking for Mental health is no easy subject for more information, check out matter what. one to freely discuss, but there are always mhanational.org for helpful solutions, connections and close acquaintances resources or visit this post by In response, AMC issued a formal statement that they would no longer play any with whom one can get through the hardships @justgirlproject. Universal Studios films in theaters worldwide. As Universal owns big-budget franchises associated with mental health issues. Mental Photo courtesy of Instagram like Fast and the Furious and Jurassic World, AMC may be entering hot water by Health Awareness Month is supposed to making this choice. Paying off a $500 million debt is no small feat, and refusing the inform, educate and aspire hope within the business of an entire production studio is an unprecedented consequence of this community and not bring panic. shutdown that could spell the end of AMC theaters forever. Anti-lockdown protests By: Daphne Clish As the general way of life in America has essentially been turned upside down, most are reminiscing about the old way of life and waiting for everything to return back to normal. However, there are groups of protestors who do not want to wait for the coronavirus pandemic to end; they want their lives back now. Conservative groups across the country have been participating in “anti-lockdown protests,” claiming that the government-issued lockdowns are a breach of freedom, and that they violate the constitutional right to peacefully assemble. Although the lockdowns put out by the government are in order to keep everyone safe and to “flatten the curve,” some of the protestors claim that is not what they are protesting against. Tyler Miller, the organizer of a protest in Washington state, explained Most people say that the the reason behind the demonstration, “The fact I am protesting does not mean I think it is a restrictions imposed by the government are necessary for good idea to have gatherings, I just believe that the government has no authority to prohibit public health, but some believe them.” Miller also said, "We believe that the state governor has gone beyond his they are unconstitutional and constitutional authority in shutting down businesses and ordering people to stay at home.” violate personal liberties. The Many of the protestors are without protective masks, and with the large number of people latter group of Americans have in these groups, it is shocking, especially due to the fact that the number of coronavirus taken to the streets in protest. cases has not yet had a significant drop. Photo courtesy of Google This new era of life has brought many challenges as the country tries to function images despite the virus, and with these challenges, new ways to think about how individual rights may affect the safety of others. While it is a difficult topic, it is definitely something that should be discussed, especially since no one knows how long this epidemic will last. 3 Columns 3 NBA Player Spotlight: Rudy Gobert By: Preston Poore Madelyn’s Advice: One of the most talked about athletes as of right now is Utah Jazz Center, Rudy Gobert. Gobert has been featured on almost all news channels after the announcement of him testing positive for the coronavirus Staying Connected (COVID-19). His carelessness when it came to the virus has been criticized By: Madelyn Prickett by many players around the league. Some fans have even gone so far to With the rise of COVID-19, the state of South Carolina has state that he should be moved in the offseason. While his actions were never advised its citizens to practice social distancing.