COVID-19 Affecting low-income students

When the COVID-19 outbreak began in Wuhan, China, not much attention was put on it. Many countries put the possibility of a pandemic on the back burner. Only when China went into full lockdown mode and several other countries began to report cases did the international media begin to direct the spotlight on it. 

In Colorado, the first case was reported a few weeks ago and at that time, many people thought it would be under control. However, in the following weeks, school districts, businesses, public libraries, etc. have been closing down. Governor Jared Polis issued a stay at home order on March 25th, bringing the entire state to a standstill. While this lockdown has been causing irreparable damages to small businesses and causing an economic contraction, the impact of this pandemic on students is far more outreaching. Many students in primary and secondary schools rely on schools for a number of reasons. According to the County Health and Rankings, 42% of school children in Colorado qualify for free and reduced lunch. These students often depend on school for their only full meal. 

To mitigate this impact, many districts are implementing food give outs to students who need it. In Boulder, I had the chance to talk to a couple of parents as they came by. When I asked them about how they were feeling about the health crisis and how well they were faring, the answers were all distraught with one common theme. Worry. They were worried about losing their jobs and not being able to financially support their families. A parent of a middle schooler and a high schooler talked about how the reality of him becoming unemployed inched closer to reality every day the state stayed in lockdown. He also voiced his concern about his son who is currently a junior in high school. Many others feel the same. Parents value their children’s education and are worried about how this is affecting their future success.

This brings out another issue. High school is a crucial stepping stone in your future. For many people, what you do during high school will impact what colleges will accept you and that decides your future. Already, many opportunities have been crushed under the claws of the COVID-19 pandemic. May SAT and SAT Subject Tests have been canceled. The once a year AP test was shortened to 45 minutes and has sparked fear in many high school students that their hard work will not be recognized by colleges. The prestigious Regeneron ISEF canceled for the first time, taking away an opportunity which many perceive as a strong college resume booster. I talked to a fellow high school student over Instagram where he voiced his concern that his “AP scores will not be recognized by colleges.” Another junior talked about how the pandemic and the school closures is “slowing taking away opportunities” to do resume-building activities. As a high school student, I feel these pressures on me as well. This year, I am taking two AP tests which I have studied loads for. Just like the classmates I interviewed, I am worried about whether the scores will be recognized. 

Yet, amid these tense and depressing times, people understand that the COVID-19 virus will cause more damage if no safety precautions were taken. Perhaps the best thing students can do now is catch up on the sleep they were so mercilessly deprived of since the beginning of the second semester. 

Written by: Jason Cui

https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/colorado/2019/measure/factors/65/data