The Coronavirus
The virus that changed the world
When the Coronavirus first occurred, no one knew what it was. It was all over the news with the first documented symptoms in a small town called Wuhan, China. The first cases were connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. Most Americans did not worry much about it because it was confined to that part of the world. There were a few news stories about it and the symptoms the Chinese people had acquired and what the Chinese government was doing to help these people.
Then a couple of months later, Americans find out that there are cases of this Coronavirus outside of China. Now other countries are reporting people suffering with similar symptoms in their countries and some of their patients are also dying from these symptoms. What was a small issue in China has now become a global issue and can affect the United States!
Our nightmare has now become a reality because two days later, the Coronavirus has hit the United States like a bomb! People in our country have gone to the hospital with similar symptoms as patients in China and other countries. Doctors all over the world are clueless as to what has officially created or caused this virus. The American people are eagerly awaiting reports from the CDC to find out what we need to do to try to prevent catching this virus.
The CDC is working diligently trying to produce test kits in laboratories to get them out to the American public as quickly as possible.
Passengers who have flown on flights from China to America are now having to be quarantined for a mandatory fourteen-day period.
Also, several members that were on board a Grand Princess Cruise ship test positive for the Coronavirus.
At this point, the American government is genuinely concerned because patients across the country have been hospitalized with this new virus. Many of these patients have lost their lives to this virus. The CDC is doing everything humanly possible to contain this virus.
The government is mandating that the American people wear masks out in public to protect themselves as well as other Americans. Also, they are issuing mandatory shutdowns of government agencies and encouraging other businesses to shut down as well.
The CDC has created vaccines for the virus and mandating that most Americans get vaccinated to prevent dying from the Coronavirus. Many Americans are going to their doctors' offices to get vaccinated as quickly as possible. However, the new problem is that the doctors' offices are not able to keep up with the demand for the vaccine. Patients are now having to wait months to get their vaccine and praying they do not catch the virus before they can get vaccinated.
Government agencies and businesses are slowly opening their doors again. It is not completely normal because now all employees are having to wear a mask to work and people that come into their business are also having to wear a mask. Even schools participate in the same policies as other government agencies. Teachers and students wear masks all day. Young children who have trouble keeping coats on in a classroom and using a tissue to wipe their nose are being mandated by the local and state government to keep a mask over their mouth and nose. Teachers are having to lift their masks to speak out to their students because students are complaining about not being able to hear their teachers' voices.
Now the news is reporting that the Coronavirus has changed and there is a new virus. So now the American people must get another vaccine. It is even encouraged for young children to get this vaccine. The vaccine will not prevent you from getting the virus, but it should prevent you from dying from the virus.
After the latest vaccine, many businesses are allowing customers to come into their business without wearing a mask. Also, government agencies and schools are not requiring masks anymore. Some doctors' offices and hospitals are still requiring the use of masks in their facilities, but not all of them. Our country is starting to develop some form of normalcy again.
The children that stayed home when the Coronavirus first was diagnosed in America have suffered the most academically and socially in comparison with their peers in school before this virus occurred. Studies show the huge learning gaps between these students as well as their social emotional learning gaps. These students are showing large developmental delays in both areas and schools do not know how to close these learning gaps.
Then there are all the families that suffered the loss of loved ones to the virus. Some of them lost more than one family member to this virus. There was no way for them to prepare for this tragic loss. Then their family's funeral was vastly different from funerals before the virus because of the fear of contamination of the virus. The funeral had to be a closed funeral, and they were not allowed to invite all their family and friends to help them grieve the loss of their loved one.
Our world has changed in just a couple of years because of a new virus. No one knows how the virus started, but our world will never be the same because of it. We have vaccines for the virus now; however, the virus continues to mutate. Not as many people are dying from the virus, but we still do not know what the long-term effects are from catching the virus. There are still some serious heart and circulatory issues that are created after patients have caught this virus. Doctors are making these connections each day.
One thing is for certain though our world will never be the same after this virus. Hopefully, a doctor or scientist will finally figure out how to prevent us from catching this virus. Another hopeful scenario would be that if we catch the virus, then a doctor or scientist will find a cure for it in which we will not have any future long-term effects from it.
About the Creator
Amy James
I have been an educator in Georgia for 28 years. I am a school counselor and a single mother. I have a son and pets that are my whole world. I am an academic, and I love to read and write.
France Steps Back as G7 Summit Is Rescheduled to Avoid Clash With White House UFC Event
In an unexpected twist that has raised eyebrows across diplomatic circles, France has agreed to step back from its preferred scheduling as the G7 summit was moved to avoid a direct clash with a White House–hosted UFC event. The decision, while seemingly procedural, has sparked wider debate about political priorities, international symbolism, and how global diplomacy increasingly competes with high-profile domestic events for attention. The Group of Seven (G7) — comprising the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, and Japan — is traditionally a stage for coordinated responses to the world’s most pressing challenges. From wars and climate change to economic instability and technological regulation, the summit is meant to project unity and seriousness. That is why the rescheduling, reportedly prompted by a clash with a major UFC event linked to the White House calendar, has drawn both criticism and bemusement. How a Scheduling Conflict Became a Diplomatic Issue According to diplomatic sources, France had initially proposed dates for the upcoming G7 meeting that aligned with its broader foreign policy agenda. However, those dates conflicted with a high-profile UFC event scheduled to take place with strong White House backing. Rather than competing for political attention — particularly from U.S. leadership — negotiations led to a decision to move the summit. France, as a key diplomatic player within the G7, ultimately agreed to “tap out,” a phrase borrowed from mixed martial arts that has been widely used by commentators to describe the outcome. While the term adds humor to the situation, the underlying implications are far more serious. At its core, the episode highlights how domestic political events in powerful countries can influence international diplomacy, sometimes in unexpected ways. The White House, Spectacle, and Soft Power The involvement of a UFC event — a sporting spectacle with massive popular appeal — points to a broader trend in modern politics: the blending of entertainment, image-making, and governance. Sporting events have long been used as tools of soft power, from Olympic Games to World Cups. However, the idea that a global diplomatic summit would be rescheduled to avoid clashing with a combat sports event hosted around the White House is a striking illustration of changing priorities. For U.S. officials, the UFC event reportedly carried significant domestic political value, attracting media attention, high-profile guests, and a large public audience. In an era where optics and engagement matter as much as policy substance, the White House appeared unwilling to divide focus. This placed allies like France in a difficult position. Insisting on original dates risked reduced U.S. engagement at the summit — something no G7 country wants, given Washington’s central role in global decision-making. France’s Calculated Compromise France’s decision to accept the rescheduling reflects diplomatic pragmatism rather than weakness. French officials are well aware that the effectiveness of a G7 summit depends heavily on full participation and attention from all members, particularly the United States. By stepping aside on scheduling, France avoided a potential scenario where the summit would be overshadowed, poorly attended, or perceived as secondary. Still, critics argue that the move sets an uncomfortable precedent, suggesting that entertainment-driven political events can take priority over multilateral diplomacy. Supporters of France’s decision counter that diplomacy is about choosing battles wisely. Preserving unity and ensuring productive discussions, they argue, matters more than symbolic rigidity over dates. Reactions From Other G7 Members Other G7 nations have reacted cautiously, with most avoiding public criticism. Privately, however, diplomats have expressed concern that the episode reflects a deeper imbalance in how global governance is conducted. Some European officials worry that repeated concessions could weaken the perceived seriousness of forums like the G7. If summits are seen as flexible around domestic political calendars — particularly those tied to spectacle — their authority may gradually erode. At the same time, countries such as Japan and Canada are said to have supported the compromise, emphasizing the importance of maintaining smooth relations and ensuring the summit remains effective rather than symbolic. What This Says About Global Leadership Today Beyond the immediate scheduling issue, the incident offers insight into the evolving nature of global leadership. Politics today operates in a crowded attention economy, where leaders juggle international crises, domestic pressures, and media-driven events simultaneously. The clash between a G7 summit and a UFC event may seem trivial on the surface, but it reflects how political capital is increasingly tied to visibility and public engagement. Leaders must balance governing with maintaining relevance in a fast-moving media landscape. For traditional diplomatic powers like France, this shift can be frustrating. European diplomacy often emphasizes process, continuity, and institutional strength — values that can clash with more performative political styles. Critics Warn of Slippery Slope Critics argue that accommodating such conflicts risks normalizing the sidelining of diplomacy. Today it may be a UFC event; tomorrow it could be an election rally, a media appearance, or another high-profile spectacle. They warn that global challenges — from ongoing conflicts to climate emergencies — demand sustained, focused leadership. Anything that dilutes the importance of forums designed to address these issues could have long-term consequences. Some commentators have also pointed out the irony of world leaders struggling to align schedules at a time when global cooperation is more urgently needed than ever. Conclusion: Symbolism Matters France’s decision to step back as the G7 summit was moved to avoid clashing with a White House UFC event is more than a quirky headline. It is a reflection of the changing dynamics of power, attention, and symbolism in international politics. While the rescheduling may ensure better participation and smoother logistics, it also raises uncomfortable questions about what global leaders prioritize — and how diplomacy competes with spectacle in the modern age. As the G7 eventually convenes, the real test will not be the date on the calendar, but whether leaders can rise above distractions and deliver meaningful action. Still, the episode will linger as a reminder that in today’s world, even the most serious global gatherings are not immune to the pull of entertainment and domestic politics.
By Muhammad Hassan5 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (1)
This is the first year that when I caught this virus after receiving all the vaccines and the booster, I actually had to be hospitalized for a week. It caused my heart enzymes to be way elevated which was abnormal and it took several more tests, blood thinners, and IV fluids to get my body somewhat back to normal.