Speaking Out

With new public health regulations in place to combat COVID-19 in school boards nationwide and many of our exciting activities shut down or limited, there is no doubt this school year will be unlike any other.

A few days ago, I got back from my last hiking trip of the summer. As I sat on a pebbled Lake Superior beach at night and watched a crescent moon paint the water with a mystical glow, everything seemed peaceful and tranquil.

Conspiracy theorists portray masks as a ploy by the government to control people and restrict their rights for freedom. Anti-maskers brand themselves as freedom fighters as they fight the mandate to wear this symbol of oppression, restraint and imprisonment.

WE Charity is a Canadian non-profit organization that I contributed time and effort to throughout my years in elementary and secondary school.

Every woman has her own experience with veiling. Except for her wedding, or if she’s fortunate enough to meet the Pope, some women may never wear a veil.

Over the last four months, the world has become reacquainted with what’s important in life. For everything we’ve lost, COVID-19 has compelled us to take an introspective look at our priorities and what jobs and provided necessities society on the whole now regard as essential.

Daily life has been defined by change and adaptability since COVID-19 shut down life as we know it back in March. I used to be able to attend school at St. Joseph’s Morrow Park Secondary School in North York, go shopping, attend Mass and, most importantly, I could not only see, but could hug my friends and family.

Capes and feats of strength, or perhaps great speeches and political influence — these are images associated with the heroes we envision changing the world around us. 

With so much going on around the world, I am feeling pretty overwhelmed.

During this time, people are rightly concerned with the dangers of COVID-19. However, there is another problem that has arisen during this confusing time.