COVID-19 Vision Media Package

VISION TV

On March 26th, North Greenville announced the heart breaking news that the Spring commencement would not be taking place. Vision TV’s Bethany Fowler brings you the latest details and seniors opinions.

VISION ONLINE

COVID-19: how did we get here?

Kaitlyn Lundy, Staff Writer

The month of March has been a bit of a whirlwind in which we’ve adapted new terminology like “social distancing” into our daily routines that now look different themselves.  Apps like Zoom are of frequent use, toilet paper products are nowhere in sight, and unemployment rates are skyrocketing while healthcare workers serve on the front lines working around the clock.  But what led to this spiraling of events, bringing us to the present?

According to the New York Times, beginning at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China with the report of several dozen cases of what appeared to be pneumonia, a new virus was found, later to be named COVID-19.  The first death due to the virus occurred on January 11 in China and by January 20, cases were present in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the U.S.  The virus entered the U.S. through the means of a 30-year old man who had previously been in Wuhan, Japan.  The Chinese government restricted travel to and from Wuhan a few days following and on the 31st the Trump administration stopped allowing travelers into the U.S. who had recently been in China.  On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a global health emergency.  President Trump later called a national emergency on March 13.  Among these trying times we have experienced new circumstances, unlike any others seen in our lifetimes, as we carry on life during a pandemic.  We have seen how this can leave passengers on cruise ships quarantined for a couple weeks.  We have seen major cities scarce for the first time in a long time, same for public transportation.  Major events like March Madness, concerts, etc. have been cancelled. 

But in light of the destruction and disruption that the virus has caused, there have been moments of hope peeking through the darkness.  The canals in Venice, Italy are clear and full of fish, air pollution in China has noticeably decreased since February, the earth is healing in areas on lockdown because of the absence of human interaction, as reported by NBC.  And while the earth heals outdoors, within quarantine there are opportunities for the human race to recuperate, reconnect, and reevaluate. 

On March 15, South Carolina governor Henry McMaster announced school closures across the state until the beginning of April and educators began preparations for online learning.  At that time the Center for Disease Control (CDC), recommended gatherings of people should not be over 50 for the following eight weeks.  A week and a half later, the governor addressed the issue again, changing it to the end of May when students could return.  It was on March 23, that NGU began learning online and after the announcement on Facebook Live by President Fant on March 26, it was presented that that would continue until the end of the spring semester.      

The current situation is a learning curve for us all and an act of patience.  But through the guidance of local and federal governments, the diligence of healthcare professionals, and the willingness of the public to practice social distancing, hopefully, we will ride this out in a quicker manner.  And once on the other side of this, may we be a people more conscious of how we treat each other and our environment based on what we’ve seen.

John Johnson, Staff Graphic Artist

VISION RADIO

Connor Boulet, Station Manager

Coronavirus changed lives all over North Greenville University. With classes moving online, students, faculty, and parents adjusted their schedules on extremely short notice. Departments like the business school regularly engage in online coursework, making the transition relatively smooth. However, applied schools like the College of Communication and Fine Arts are suffering. Amy Dunalp, the Chair of the Department of Theatre at North Greenville University, struggled early on.

“Much of the work I do in Voice and especially in my Acting III class depends on personal interaction in the moment.  Theatre is, by nature, a live art form, and depends on being ‘in the room where it happens… Technology is great, but it’s limited.”

As a parent, Amy also deals with a crowded household during quarantine.

“It has been a bit of a struggle to get them up and motivated in the morning, but they are doing fairly well at keeping up with their work on their own.  Of course, we’re dealing with disappointment as well.  My middle son is a Senior, and we’re sad that this semester isn’t going as it was planned.  He was supposed to go to Disney with orchestra, and there are concerts, dances, events, etc. cancelled, just as they are for everyone.”

Students face the grim reality of a semester cut short. Theatre senior Ashlynn Butrovich misses her on-campus social life.

“It’s really difficult being away from study partners and friends that keep your spirits up. And I know they tell us to keep in touch virtually, but it’s not the same. A lot of people respond to physical touch and being physically present with someone when they have their friend time.”

NGU postponed the Lerner and Lowe musical Brigadoon to September. Brigadoon was Ashlynn’s senior project.

“It feels anticlimactic and devastating. Everything I loved about school, friends, senior projects, late night hang outs, sitting in Amy’s office to laugh with her about dumb stuff, has all been taken away to leave me with what I dislike most about school: book work and tests. I feel incomplete knowing I won’t properly graduate the way I always dreamed.”

However, they’re finding silver linings. Amy expressed gratitude for how well NGU supported the transition online.

“I’m truly grateful for the technology we have available to us as teachers.  I can’t imagine trying to do this type of transition ten or even five years ago.  We’ve been using Zoom for class meetings, and it’s been great to see everyone’s faces. 

Ashlynn admitted the laid-back nature and flexible scheduling of internet courses has its appeal.

“It has had its ups and downs for sure. I enjoy doing things at my own pace and in my pajamas, of course… The faculty members have been very gracious and patient.”

Artists stick together, and by keeping in touch and facing the challenges of quarantine during the Coronavirus pandemic together, NGU’s Department of Theatre is determined to pull through.