Author Archives: The Brave News

Sports: FOR KOBE!

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by Diego Santizo, Sports Editor

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in game six on Sunday night to capture the franchises 17th NBA Championship – tied for most in the league’s history.

(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

When the clock ticked to 0.0, there was confetti and jubilance everywhere in the mostly empty arena in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The Lakers’ bench circled LeBron James, joyously hugging him on the court while Anthony Davis sat down on the scorers table, in disbelief as the emotions rushed over him.

The Los Angeles Lakers were NBA champions for the 17th time in their history after a ten-year finals drought, and on January 26th, the season for the Lakers took on a whole new meaning after the tragic death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others who passed away in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. 

LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the way for the Lakers all throughout the remainder of the season and finally got the job done in their 106-93 win. James had a triple-double, ending the night with 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists on his way to being named Finals MVP – his 4th time winning the award to go along with his fourth championship.

The win caps one of the most challenging seasons in franchise history. Following several years of missing out on the playoffs, the Lakers entered the season as one of the front runners to win after Davis was paired up with James. In his first year with the Lakers, Davis proved to be a difference maker and played big when the Lakers needed him the most during the finals.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was thrown into uncertainty. Racial unrest in the country also threatened the season from finishing but at last on the 356th day of the 74th NBA season, the Lakers franchise claimed its 17th championship.

The victory was a lot sweeter knowing it was a hard earned championship as Miami wasn’t a walk in the park and a big reason for that was Jimmy Butler.

Butler stated after Game 5 that he and his team left everything they had out on the floor, but he was confident that they could win the last two games of the Finals and finish the Heat’s dream run inside the bubble. LeBron James and the Lakers didn’t let that happen.

James would set the tone at the opening tip by defending Butler, but if it wasn’t James, there would always be a Lakers defender on Butler everywhere he went on the floor. 

They weren’t going to allow Butler to beat them. After Butler spent the past three months of his basketball life imposing his will on anyone who came in his path, the Lakers deflated the player who prides himself on being able to play every second if needed. They made Butler look human, and they made the Heat look tired. It ended one of the greatest postseason stretches by a single player and team in recent memory by Butler and the Heat, respectively.

Despite Butler having an impressive campaign, LeBron James made history. 

Heading into these Finals, James was tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks, Lakers) and Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors) as the only players in NBA history to win Finals MVPs with more than one team. 

In the 2020 Finals, James averaged 29.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists per game. The Lakers’ title was their first since 2010, when franchise icon Kobe Bryant collected Finals MVP honors en route to LA defeating the rival Boston Celtics in Game 7. Overall, this is the 17th championship in Lakers history, tying them with the Celtics for most in NBA history.

The 2020 NBA Finals marked James’ fourth Finals MVP for his third different team. It was the sixth time in James’ career that he averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in the NBA Finals. The other five players to accomplish that did it only once (Kevin Durant, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar). James’ 28-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist Game 6 triple-double was his 11th, the most in Finals history.

The celebrations weren’t only in Lake Buena Vista, Florida as hundreds of Laker fans would gather in massive crowds waving Lakers flags through the streets and outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles. 

All decked out in Lakers gear, fans chanted “Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!” through the streets of Downtown LA, which were lit with illegal fireworks launched from vehicles. Cars honked and people applauded from both inside cars and on the streets.

In the midst of the Lakers’ victory, fans forgot LA was in the midst of a pandemic for one night. Fans got caught up in the celebrations, having the Lakers’ on the forefront of their minds and neglecting the consequences that come with gathering in large groups with or without masks.

There is no set date yet for the Lakers’ championship parade because of COVID-19, but fans could not wait to get a head start on the celebration.

In a year where the COVID-19 pandemic threatened the end of the 2019-2020 NBA season and Kobe’s tragic death stunned the globe, Lebron James and the Lakers achieved greatness… but in the end, it was all for #24.

MAMBA FOREVER!

(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Around Bosco: Bosco “Car Hop” Bingo Cruises Back in Style

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by Miles Bondoc

Prior to state and local COVID-19 protocols and guidelines, Bingo served as a major fundraising event at St. John Bosco. Bosco Bingo temporarily shut down following the closure of the campus in March, but returned to campus in new form last month, bringing back the funds and the fun. 

Bingo returned amidst the COVID-19 chaos safely, introducing “car hop” bingo in partnership with BingoMeNow. Now, like back in the “old normal,” Bosco hosts bingo each week – albeit in the parking lot – from 5:00-8:00 PM. Participants can reserve their spots now via the Bosco website. 

The BingoMeNow app allows users to buy in and participate in car hop bingo. Bingo Manager Steve Waller oversaw the reopening process and wrote the school’s plan in accordance with state and local COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for similar events. Prior to the return of bingo at Bosco, other bingo programs reopened, but many of them promptly shut down due to their lack of sufficient precaution. 

After identifying the main issues that caused the closure of these events, Waller and the Bosco Bingo management created their own guidelines to prevent a shutdown of car hop bingo. COVID-19 precautions, such as health screening forms, are required in order to make bingo a safe event for all participants and volunteers.

“[Bingo] has been a hugely successful format and fundraiser for the school. With this change with COVID-19, we had to change everything to make sure that we’re safe,” Waller said.

The return of bingo means a lot for the Bosco community, especially in light of the recent pandemic and subsequent suspension of most school activities. Bosco bingo provides some more financial support for Bosco staff, students and community at-large. The return of bingo gives an opportunity for members of the Bosco family to support their school and community during the troubling times of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The closure of Bosco’s campus has resulted in a major loss of over $250,000 in fundraising money. Previously Bingo brought usually about 200-225 players together in the Bosco MPR and was one of the largest fundraising events at Bosco. Prior to the closure, these funds came primarily from Bosco’s weekly Bingo as well as the Braves Gala. Bingo’s return is certainly a huge help in light of the financial struggle that Bosco has undergone as a result of the campus’ closure and the effects of the virus on the Bosco community. 

The return of Bosco Bingo in a completely new way is certainly an uplifting development for the community and its members. 

Bingo’s return is not only a financial boost, but also is an indication of some return to normalcy at Bosco. After months of time physically distant from campus and the rest of the Bosco community, we now have an opportunity to be able to get back into the swing of things. Bingo provides an opportunity for parents, teachers and even students to reconnect with the Bosco campus and community in a safe and fun way.

Around Bosco: Bosco’s Spanish Honor Society and Key Club Join Forces

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by Diego Santizo, Sports Editor

St. John Bosco’s Spanish Honors Society and Key Club came to an agreement to unite for every single service project for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year, which can end up becoming an agreement for years to come. 

Spanish Honors Society. Key Club. Two totally different clubs, yet two clubs with the same ambitions, announced an unexpected partnership and the future looks bright!

Spanish Honor Society Executive Director Joaquin Medrano, Key Club President Hector Andrade, Key Club and Spanish Honor Society Vice President Diego Santizo and Club Ambassador Pedro Ochoa were the four brilliant minds behind the partnership and have nothing but amazing ideas planned for the current school year regarding these two clubs. 

None of this would be possible if it weren’t for Spanish instructor Ms. Aguilera. She will once again be taking the role of Key Club Moderator for another year, but will also be the new moderator for Spanish Honors Society (SHS), along with teaching seven periods of Spanish classes. 

“I think that it is a great initiative because we are combining two highly community active organizations which creates an opportunity for more to be done both at Bosco and around the city of Bellflower,” said the SHS Executive Director Joaquin Medrano. 

The partnership between the two clubs will allow each club to stay true to their brand and  have their own separate entities while collaborating on every service project taking place for the rest of the school year allowing for double the participation. 

This upcoming service project for SHS will be the first time in Bosco history in which they will be helping out several countries around the world, which has never been done before. 

SHS’s main service project for the year will be sending masks not only to the local community, but to the world, as they are looking to collaborate with a local hospital in the city of Coatepeque, Guatemala, a city to be determined in Spain, as well as a city to be determined in Mexico. 

SHS will also be active during the holiday season as they look to bring a smile to lots of faces at local hospitals around Bosco, as a video message and virtual cards are in the works to ensure that a message of hope and joy is sent to the patients so they’re aware that they aren’t in their fight alone and will be in our prayers as a community.

“I think that having both organizations under common leadership gives a brighter outlook for future years to come as it is easier to come to compromises,” said Key Club President Hector Andrade. 

Key Club will stay loyal to their brand, hoping to have a Dia De Los Muertos event, but will have to unfortunately miss the Rose Parade Float decoration event in December, as there will not be a Rose Parade in early 2021.

Both clubs are already “project heavy” as it is, but this partnership will not only allow them to look good respectively, but will also bolster Bosco’s image and brand beyond Southern California, as clubs within the school are not only making a difference locally, but globally as well.

Sports: High-Flying Dodgers Roll Onto NLCS With 3 Game Sweep Over The San Diego Padres

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by Eric Torres

A 12-3 rout of the San Diego Padres on Thursday night in Arlington, Texas clinched a spot in the NLCS for the Dodgers for an astounding 4th time in the last 5 years, where the mighty boys in blue will battle for a spot in the World Series against the up and coming Atlanta Braves.

The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a team picture after defeating the San Diego Padres 12-3 in Game 3 of a baseball National League Division Series early Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Game 1 saw an electric combined start from ace Walker Buehler and rookie Dustin May, giving up only 1 run through 6 innings. In a rather quiet game, which only saw 7 hits overall, the Dodgers would draw 10 walks in the first 7 innings, as Padres ace Mike Clevinger would exit the game after the first inning. The Dodgers offense, though quiet for most of the game, broke it open in the 6th inning with 4 runs, led by a Mookie Betts double. Victor Gonzalez, Blake Treinen, and Kenley Jansen shut the door on the Padres in the late innings, only allowing one hit through the last 3 innings.

In game 2, the Dodgers’ offense came alive early, scoring 4 runs in the first 4 innings, canceling out an early run given up by starter Clayton Kershaw. However, Kershaw’s postseason demons came back to haunt him in the sixth, giving up back to back home runs to Eric Hosmer and Manny Machado. Things got a little too close for comfort for the Dodgers in the top of the 7th inning, but Cody Bellinger made the play of the day, robbing a go-ahead 2-run home run by Fernando Tatis Jr. The Dodgers seemingly would close it out in the bottom of the 7th, with Turner and Muncy driving in runs. However, the Padres mounted a comeback in the 9th, which saw Kenley Jansen knocked out of the game, and Joe Kelly recording the final out with the bases loaded, holding on to win 6-5.

With all the momentum in their favor, the Dodgers took game 3 in a blowout 12-3 win. After finding themselves down 2-1 after 2 innings, the Dodgers would score 7 runs in the next 3 innings, with six different Dodgers contributing RBIs. Although the Padres showed signs of life in the 6th, reliever Julio Urias would limit the damage to only 1 run. The Padres would not score again, as Blake Treinen, Pedro Baez, and Dylan Floro made quick work of the remaining Padres, and the Dodgers tacked on 4 more in the 9th for good measure, with Will Smith and Cody Bellinger getting 2 RBIs a piece. 11 different pitchers would throw for the Padres in game 3, with only a single one pitching more than an inning.

The underdog Padres were going to have a tough task of defeating the Dodgers anyway, but two of their top starters, Mike Clevinger and Dinelson Lamet, left the Padres with a depleted pitching staff. This was apparent, as the Padres changed pitchers 22 times throughout the 3 game set, with only one pitcher lasting more than 2 innings. 

Meanwhile, a combination of electric pitching and a lively offensive performance would make the Padres a simple task for the Dodgers. Dodgers’ pitching held the dynamic offensive core of the Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Eric Hosmer to just a combined .166 batting average (6 for 36 total). In addition, the Dodgers would only allow 4 total runs in the first 5 innings of play. Clutch pitching was also a positive for the Dodgers this series, as Dodger pitching would strand 19 Padres on base throughout the series. The only blemish on a tremendous team pitching performance from the Dodgers would be Kenley Jansen’s rough outing in game 2, allowing 2 runs in .2 innings, and not being able to close out a 3 run lead. 

On the offensive side, there was an explosive team effort, with 7 different Dodgers registering at least 2 RBIs throughout the series, providing the Dodgers’ pitching with more than enough run support. Overall, the Dodgers combined to score 24 runs on 29 hits in 3 games. Although the Padres had a lead in each game, none of the leads lasted longer than an inning. In addition, a problem that the Dodgers had this year at times, timely hitting, was completely nonexistent this series, as the Dodgers scored 14 runs with 2 outs this series.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will face the Atlanta Braves in a much anticipated matchup, as neither team has lost a game in the postseason yet. The 7-game series will be held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, beginning on Monday, October 12.

Schedule, Via SB Nation’s True Blue LA

GameDateTime (PT)Home teamTV
1Mon, Oct 125:08 p.m.DodgersFox
2Tue, Oct 133:05 p.m.DodgersFS1
3Wed, Oct 143:05 p.m.BravesFS1
4Thu, Oct 15TBDBravesFox or FS1
5*Fri, Oct 16TBDBravesFox or FS1
6*Sat, Oct 17TBDDodgersFox or FS1
7*Sun, Oct 18TBDDodgersFox or FS1

*if necessary

News/Op-Ed: President Trump And First Lady Test Positive For Covid-19, Former V.P. Biden Tests Negative

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By Joshua Hernandez, Editor-In-Chief

Just two days after the first presidential debate in Cleveland, and only one day after a campaign rally in Duluth, Minnesota, President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, announced on Twitter late Thursday night that they both tested positive for COVID-19, were quarantined and beginning their process of recovery.

President Donald Trump stands on stage with first lady Melania Trump after the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020, at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The bombshell announcement comes merely hours after the announcement that one of the President’s top aides – Hope Hicks – tested positive for COVID-19 and had been exposed to the President numerous times, as she accompanied he and his team on Air Force One numerous times throughout the week.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1311892190680014849?s=20

Per usual for President Trump and his administration, the fundraising event in Minnesota – while outdoors – featured no social distancing, with the President failing to inform the crowd that he had been exposed to the COVID-19 positive Hicks.

After criticizing Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden at the debate on Tuesday for his consistent mask wearing as well as his socially distanced and virtual campaign events, the President has now contracted the same virus he’s been “downplaying,” according to interview recordings by journalist Bob Woodward, since its initial onset.

On Friday, former Vice President Joe Biden stated on Twitter that he and his wife, former Second Lady Jill Biden, tested negative for COVID-19, while continuing to champion the same trust in science during the pandemic that has not been proactively vocalized by the President’s reelection campaign.

Throughout the year 2020, President Trump and his administration have remained consistent in their flagrant refusals to wear masks publicly, hosting indoor and outdoor campaign events with little to no social distancing and calling for cities to reopen the economy and scale back on restrictions brought upon by the pandemic. Most recently senior Trump officials were the only one’s in Tuesday night’s debate hall at the Cleveland Clinic to ignore mask wearing guidelines. Unlike some of the President’s family and closest advisers, who arrived at the debate without masks, First Lady Melania Trump was seen wearing a mask entering the debate hall, yet took it off after taking her seat.

Vice President Mike Pence tested negative for the virus on Friday morning and is still in good health. Furthermore, Amy Coney Barrett, the Supreme Court Nominee put forward by Trump to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, has also tested negative for the virus.

In just one month, the American people will head to polling locations and cast their ballots on Election Day. Over a million roughly have already voted. Heading into the final stretch of campaigning for President Trump and former Vice President Biden, it’s a disastrous development for a Trump Campaign that is attempting to weather low approval ratings and slipping poll numbers. Not to mention that there are two more debates coming up – one, as of now, scheduled on President Trump’s final day of quarantine.

On Friday, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows continued to emphasize the fact that President Trump was still handling business as usual while recuperating from the virus at the White House. Originally, the President’s staff thought he’d be able to recover from the West Wing, but after experiencing mild symptoms Friday, President Trump was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He will remain there a few days, according to administration officials.

Meadows also admitted that the President and his staff knew about Hicks’ positive test – as well as knowing they were exposed to her and could potentially have the virus. Nonetheless, the administration chose to move forward with a Thursday fundraising event in New Jersey as well as press briefings.

All year long, the President and his administration have been attempting to quell concerns among the American people by baselessly emphasizing that the peak of the pandemic was already behind them. Nonetheless, in the best case scenario, the President, who is at higher risk of struggling more with the virus due to his age and clinical obesity, can recover and not be seriously affected by it. But the short-term is a worst case scenario for the President, temporarily halting campaign events and putting the status of the October 15 second presidential debate in Miami in jeopardy.

News/Op-Ed: Pardon the Interruption… President Trump, Former V.P. Biden Collide In Chaotic First Debate

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By Joshua Hernandez, Editor-In-Chief

On Tuesday night, President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden clashed in one of the most chaotic, insult-laden presidential debates in history, leaving political pundits stunned, American families appalled and the country in an untenable struggle for decency and civility. 

US President Donald Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden exchange arguments as moderator and Fox News anchor Chris Wallace (C) raises his hands to stop them during the first presidential debate at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP)

Throughout the past few months, Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden has been subject to a litany of insults from President Donald Trump and his administration, who have directly attacked the former Vice President’s mental acuity as well as his record as a senator and the eight years he served under President Barack Obama. Despite the personal attacks and insults that Former Vice President Biden and his family have faced at the hands of the President, the former Vice President has maintained a stranglehold on his leads in the polls, while his opponent has continued to ignite his base despite low approval ratings. 

On Tuesday at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, the seasoned, veteran debater in the form of Joe Biden and the unpredictable, unorthodox debater in the form of President Trump had the opportunity to put the months of insults to rest and appeal to the American people by discussing policy, visions, and providing a semblance of unity through their rhetoric in a time where the country is experiencing tremendous political polarization. 

Instead of getting a civil, decent, and controlled debate, the American people witnessed a nightmare unfold right before their very eyes. The moderator, widely respected Fox News Sunday Anchor Chris Wallace, seemingly struggled to control the personality of President Trump, who continuously interrupted the former Vice President more times than Biden was even able to speak. Rather than employ a message of unity, optimism, and leadership, the President continued to evoke rhetoric that was divisive, despicable and abrasive – yet another trampling over norms of presidential etiquette by an administration that has continually embraced the unconventional, regardless of cultural backlash. 

This debate, amidst all the issues currently going on throughout America and on the global stage, could have been huge. One may argue that perhaps this debate could have been the one to change poll numbers, make undecided voters commit to a candidate or even change the tightly held perceptions some people have regarding the character of both candidates. The debate had all the potential in the world, and certainty all the subject matter that America cares about during this election cycle. The topics that were supposed to be discussed in detail, chosen by Wallace, were as follows: the Supreme Court and Trump’s nomination, the COVID-19 Pandemic that has killed 200,000 and counting, the state of affairs in America economically, the battles for racial justice, and the integrity of the election itself. 

The debate could have been memorable, an opportunity for both of the candidates to be a shining star during a time in our country where everything is bleak – but the American people were left with more questions than answers. Immediately following the debate, Americans on Twitter, reporters on CNN and Fox News, and many politicians were quick to discuss what they had just seen.

The debate had no clear winner. President Trump rarely followed the rules agreed upon by the campaigns, driving the discussion into tangents of low-blow attacks against the former Vice President, while Biden cleared a very low bar set by months of smears against his mental acuity. 

In every way possible, no matter how people now and in the future decide to digest and analyze this debate, one thing is clear – the losers in this debate are the American people, as well as the integrity of our Democracy that is being taken down and overthrown by thuggish rhetoric. The people are suffering because of the utter embarrassment and shame that comes with seeing two grown American men – who are in a battle to run the free world – unable to engage in a debate that should have been civil, informative and unifying for a country that is bleeding for hope and leadership. 

After everything the American people have been through in 2020, Tuesday served as an opportunity to provide optimism in a better direction for the future and ignite the bases of two campaigns that have many flaws. Instead, it was the American people who suffered and were left with nothing to cheer for, nothing to feel proud of, nothing gained in terms of who has a better vision for our nation. 

In lieu of finally getting an opportunity to see what former Vice President Joe Biden would do differently than Trump as President to fix the economy, healthcare, the environment and social injustice, the American people weren’t able to hear his words over President Trump’s consistent interruptions, side comments and insults. The highlights of the debate for former Vice President Biden came in the form of him telling the President to “shut up, man” as well as calling him a “clown.”

On the flip side, President Trump had a debate performance that can only be described as unpresidential. Entering this debate amidst slipping poll numbers, President Trump truly needed a magical – or, at the very least, adequate – debate performance in order to give more fight and direction to his reelection campaign. Yet, he failed to do so.

All night, the President butted in, hurling insults toward the former Vice President in an attempt to get his challenger to make a big mistake – but it never happened. It almost seems as if Biden, the 47-year political veteran, the elder statesman in government is immune to the mudslinging and diabolical rhetoric that the President and his campaign choose to employ day-to-day on the campaign trail. When former Vice President Biden brought up his deceased son Beau Biden’s military service, the President brushed it off, choosing instead to insult Biden’s living son, Hunter. 

Furthermore, the President chose not to condemn white supremacists and far right extremist groups when asked to do so, instead telling the Proud Boys – a far right extremist group that promotes violence – to “stand by.”

In the midst of a pandemic and increased racial tensions, President Trump offered no solutions – only insults and green lights to alt-right militia groups – saying that the reason former Vice President Biden did not host in-person rallies and campaign events was not due to COVID-19 concerns, but because “no one would show up.”

Instead of raising the bar for a man he calls “sleepy” and “unfit for the job” of president, he has lowered it, while making the former Vice President look competitive for telling the President to “get out of his bunker.” All the while, former Vice President Biden has furthered the concerns amongst Americans that he is not energetic enough to truly bridge the divide between the left and the right and excite Americans enough to get tremendous voter turnout.

As both of their respective campaigns continue to play out, the former Vice President has continued to tout that the country is in “a battle for the soul of America.” Meanwhile, the President has continue to maintain a stranglehold on his base of support by promising to take down the “radical left” and to “Keep America Great.”

But, if the debate is any indication of what is in store for this country in the next few weeks, rhetoric will not be a reliable source of optimism, and traditional etiquette in American Democracy might be a thing of the past. 

News/Op-Ed: COVID-19 Responses Around the Globe Highlight U.S. Challenges

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by John Udabe

As the United States persists months into the pandemic, people have continually adapted to an ever-changing “new normal.” Places in the U.S. then began to open up, and then some inevitably began to close again. Some cities around the country are in a perpetual state of cautious phased reopening, while other places remain open as if a pandemic weren’t occurring at all. Around the world, other countries have responded differently to the virus. 

Some countries now appear to be over the hump, while others are resisting a second wave of cases. Some places have returned to nearly normal, others are on their way, and some expect a return in a distant future. Quick and enforced policy appears to have been the key element to striking the problem early, as can be seen throughout the world.

Let’s take a closer look at Taiwan. An extensive list published by the American Medical Association shows that Taiwan was one of the first countries to initiate protocols regarding the virus, with health screenings on flights from Wuhan beginning as early as December 31, 2019. In the months following, Taiwan began more extensive travel restrictions and public safety measures in response to the virus. Tours and transiting to China were soon suspended. 

Places like Taiwan would likely be cautious regardless of public policy. Taiwanese citizens are no strangers to being in the worldy neighborhood of deadly viruses. The effect of the SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, for example, which also originated in mainland China, likely remains in their memories.

By February 1st, roughly 4 million masks were being locally manufactured and sent out, with a set price of about $0.20 per mask, making them widely accessible. A few days later, the mobilization of resources, provided by government and private organizations, allowed for ten million masks to be made per day. 

By the beginning of February, a break in quarantine protocol for positive cases could warrant up to a $10,000 fine. An extended winter break allowed for preparation of returning students. As the months progressed, enforced entry bans and mandatory quarantining led to a relatively minimal effect from COVID-19. According to the CDC, as of last week, Taiwan currently has a reported 509 total cases, with seven deaths nationwide.

These swift actions have had beneficial repercussions to the country. A minimal effect was felt on education especially, and other than a two week buffer in February during winter break, no other time was lost for in-person instruction. School began as normal this school year as well. 

For a large time, Taiwan had launched the only professional baseball season in the entire world. And now, you can even catch a game in person at Taichung Intercontinental Stadium in Taipei after a temperature check and taking your seat in adequately spaced stands. Catching a live baseball game is a rare sight anywhere in the world, and as the MLB begins to enter the postseason in the US, it is a sorely missed sight.

New Zealand has also been notably effective in controlling the virus and is finally in the stages of reopening. Their COVID-19 response is obviously unique, as they are an island nation. Spikes in new cases have been minimal for the past few months, likely due to their strict lockdown measures. From May to August, new cases were extremely rare, and despite a small spike since then, it appears that New Zealand has the virus relatively under control. 

As of September 30th, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health states that there have been 1,480 cases, only about 200 in the last month, and 25 deaths total. Until Wednesday, September 23rd, citizens were not allowed to gather in groups greater than ten. Since April, new daily cases have been kept under 20, and cities are beginning to lift restrictions; the current plan is to slowly lift them and eliminate them completely within two weeks.

Egypt’s COVID-19 response, on the other hand, has been deemed ineffective by many. The World Health Organization states that the North African nation has accumulated over 103 thousand cases with over 5,900 total deaths to date. Toward the beginning of the pandemic, Egypt’s measures apparently failed to effectively contain the virus, which was comparable to other countries at the time, such as the U.S., United Kingdom, Italy, and others. 

According to the U.S. Embassy in Egypt, a government-mandated lockdown was initiated in March, when there were less than 500 cases reported. Public areas such as restaurants and mosques, as well as schools were promptly shut down, and a curfew and flight restrictions were put in place. Yet due to a number of factors, these actions were partly in vain. It is alleged that Egypt did not record data properly, inferring that a large number of cases went unreported and therefore void from precautionary measures. 

In addition to inaccurate numbers, many places in Egypt did not have proper resources available, especially in rural and urban areas, where clean water and proper sanitation is not adequate. A lot of effort by the government focused more on preserving the economy, namely in their oil, gas, and Suez canal infrastructure, and a failed social safety net has thrown many into poverty. The amalgamation of fragile healthcare, ineffective and ill-directed policy, diverse socioeconomic statuses, and contrasting geographic areas have all led Egypt down an undesirable path.

There is no faultless way to deal with a worldwide virus, especially in this day and age, where international travel has never been so conventional. The success of a pandemic response varies from country to country. Coming up with a standard worldwide response would be utterly futile, as effectiveness is contingent upon how a specific society functions. 

The United States is a demonstration of this: states, counties, even cities are reacting to COVID-19 policies differently. Some areas embrace the ideas of social distancing and mask wearing, while others are repulsed by the idea and see the virus as a hoax. 

Life of a Brave: Don’t Make Halloween a Pandemic Nightmare

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by Nicholas Neoman

Celebrating Halloween in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic poses a tremendous new health risk. In the wake of a spike in cases nationwide following Labor Day weekend, health experts are concerned with the implications Halloween places on the rate of transmission.

According to NBC Los Angeles, Labor Day saw a massive “uptick in virus cases.” Events such as barbecues and public gatherings on Labor Day caused a spike in the COVID-19 infection rate. According to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, Los Angeles County’s cases are hovering around 7 cases per 100,000 people. Health experts fear the COVID-19 infection rate will see exponential growth during Halloween, which may mean the popular holiday will look different for at least 2020.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has placed new guidelines for Halloween in the midst of this pandemic. Social gatherings, such as parties, are now forbidden as close interactions will surely cause a spike in cases. Other traditions like Trick-Or-Treating are strictly advised against. Everyone must be six feet apart, which is simply not realistic. While many restless children will still go door-to-door asking for candy, the Health Department strongly advises to limit the amount of contact. Even small interactions with others, like handing out candy, put people at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus.

Furthermore, the Health Department has deemed online parties and drive-in-movies as safe actions for celebrating Halloween. While many are still very sick of doing everything from a distance, one moment of close interaction can ruin what months of time have built. Halloween floods people with nostalgia of times before this pandemic. Thus, the inclination to return to “normal” will be stronger than usual. But, remember: this can be deadly. 

Sharing food such as candy can transmit the virus amongst one another. According to Healthline, as much as 42% of the infected are asymptomatic. Therefore, it is wise to take candy and other food that has not been touched or individually wrapped. While people may not experience symptoms such as coughs and runny noses, they may be carriers of this deadly virus. In the case of Halloween, like always, people will not be able to tell those who are infected based on symptoms. Thus, keep the philosophy in mind that everyone may have the virus.

On top of pandemic precautions and community restlessness, for the first time in five years, Halloween will be on a Saturday. There are no reasons for going home early – school and work do not follow as they usually did in past years. Staying out later because Halloween is on a Saturday only increases the chances of spreading the deadly coronavirus. The more time spent with someone, the larger the chances are of transmission.

The greatest fallacy the news is spreading is that cases are decreasing. While case rates may not be as colossal as they once were, this is misleading. They indicate that public gatherings are not discouraged since case rates have dropped. If people are careless and do not listen to public health and safety warnings, Coronavirus cases will leap as they did on Labor Day.

Halloween attracts many different social groups which increases interactions. Those who have been cooped up in their homes will seek to finally have some fun in months. Things like interacting with others who have not been quarantined together only increases the chances of contracting the virus. The Health Department of Los Angeles implores people to be cautious about actions that they take on Halloween. 

The Saint John Bosco community is nearing its return to campus, and a major spike from Halloween would only delay when students and faculty can come back. Halloween amidst a pandemic does not have to mean there will be a spike in COVID-19 cases. Follow the guidelines, take logical actions, preserve cleanly habits, wear a mask and stay safe.

Sports: Dodgers Enter Playoffs Once Again As Title Favorites. Will They Escape Demons Of Worlds Series’ Past?

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by Diego Santizo, Sports Editor

The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season with a 43-17 record, the best record in the majors, and will take on a Milwaukee Brewers team that never spent a single day over .500 all season in the first round of the 2020 MLB playoffs. It begs the question – can they finally win it all? 

Dodgers fans always have high expectations for their team when the season starts, but since 2016, they have considered their season World Series-or-Bust, and this year surely isn’t any different. 

The Dodgers ended their 2016 season losing the National League Championship Series 2-4 against the New York Mets. Then, they ended 2017 in heartbreaking fashion losing to the Houston Astros in 7 games in the World Series. After that, 2018 ended with a World Series lost against the Boston Red Sox in 5 games. In 2019, the heartbreak continued, as they lost the Divisional Round 2-3 against the eventual World Series Champion Washington Nationals. 

The Dodgers are a team built to win now and for years to come. They boast a strong farm system and some of the best young talent in the majors, while also having Mookie Betts under contract for the next 12 years. 

It is notable to point out they may not have a lot of familiar faces on the team next year as Justin Turner, Joc Pederson, Pedro Báez and Kiké Hernández are among the players hitting free agency this winter. Even more notably, players such as Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and Corey Seager are scheduled to hit free agency after next season. Is time running out for this group to win? 

Despite the speculation and talk, the Dodgers dominated the 2020 season and only lost one series all year! 

After winning their eighth consecutive division title and posting the highest winning percentage of any MLB team since 1906, the Los Angeles Dodgers (43-17, .711) earned the National League’s top seed and the right to host the No. 8 seeded Milwaukee Brewers in the wild card round.

Meanwhile, the Brewers (29-31, .483) are one of two clubs in this year’s postseason with a losing record. The Brewers and Dodgers last playoff meeting came in the 2018 NLCS, which the Dodgers won in seven games.

It is still 2020 and it has been proven time and time again that this year literally anything can happen, so counting out the Milwaukee Brewers wouldn’t be a wise decision, especially after the Nationals shockingly demoralized the Dodgers in the playoffs last season. 

This series features the winners of the last two National League MVP’s in the Brewers’ Christian Yelich (2018) and the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger (2019). However, this may not be the Yeli vs Belli battle one may expect, as both players got off to terribly slow starts and never really found their MVP form. The postseason gives them a much-needed opportunity to start fresh when it matters most. 

The Brewers suffered a major blow when their best starter, Corbin Burnes (4-1, 2.11 ERA) strained an oblique muscle in his final regular season start. Swingman Brent Suter, who made only four starts in 2020, will get the call in Game 1. Brandon Woodruff will take the mound in Game 2, who is coming off his best outing of the season (8 shutout innings, 10 strikeouts), which took place last Saturday.  

The best hope for the Brewers to pull off the upset would be to keep the games close until the late innings. Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen had a 3.33 ERA and career-high 1.15 WHIP. Setup men Blake Treinen, Brusdar Graterol and Pedro Baez also had ERAs over 3.00, which may be partially inflated but still an area where the Brewers can attack. 

Brewers closer Josh Hader can be almost untouchable at times, as he didn’t allow a hit until Sept. 5. However, he did have a couple poor outings down the stretch. Rookie Devin Williams is one to look out for as he only allowed one earned run in 27 innings (0.33 ERA) and struck out 53 (an incredible 17.7 K/9 rate). 

With Hader and Williams at the top of their game, it creates one of the best one-two relief punch combos in the majors, leaving the Dodgers with no choice but to produce runs early.

Schedule

Wednesday, Game 1: Brewers (Brent Suter, 2-0, 3.13 ERA) at Dodgers (Walker Buehler, 1-0, 3.44 ERA), 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Thursday, Game 2: Brewers (Brandon Woodruff, 3-5, 3.05 ERA) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, 6-2, 2.16 ERA), 10 p.m .ET (ESPN)

Friday, Game 3 (if necessary): Brewers at Dodgers, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Sports: Everything You Need to Know entering NFL Week 3

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by Pedro Ochoa

NFL Week 3 is making us all question whether or not we are really here and watching football in 2020, as the league’s two most high-octane quarterbacks headline Monday Night Football.

If you are debating whether to start or sit Lamar Jackson from the Ravens, then you should really think again, because Lamar is a must start for Sunday. Yes, he will be playing a tough defense in the Chiefs and their own QB Patrick Mahomes but he’s Lamar Jackson, the NFL’s reigning MVP. 

Another great start for the week is Dak Prescott from the Dallas Cowboys. He has averaged 28.7 fantasy points in the first two weeks, and he looks to continue that against a Seattle secondary that struggled against Cam Newton in Week 2. As for his Running Back, Ezekiel Elliott, he is also a must start. You drafted him to lead your team, and he will do that this week again.

One of my favorite starts this week at the Running Back position are Austin Ekeler and Josh Kelley. The Panthers have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs since 2019. Ekeler and Kelley will be getting a lot of touches and targets and put up some big numbers for your team.

Kenyan Drake has really been quiet this season. Averaging 13 points this season, he is not looking like the RB1 that you drafted him to be. However, he faces the Detroit Lions this week. This should be a big week for him and the Arizona Cardinals. Kyler Murray and Deandre Hopkins will also have a big game. Put them into your starting lineups!

Dwayne Haskins has found his favorite wide receiver in Scary Terry McLaurin. Terry McLaurin has had a great two weeks and this week he has a favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns. 

DK Metcalf had been Russell Wilson’s favorite target so far this season on deep balls. Metcalf is the leading targeted receiver, and is making the most out of them. Metcalf and the Seahawks look to go 3-0 with a win against the Cowboys.

I gave you the players that have the best match-ups, so I have to now give you some players with not so favorable match-ups. Marquise Brown is my first player on this list. We all thought that Lamar would start throwing more, which would result in Brown having more points per week. This has not happened yet, but it will happen, just not this week against the Chiefs. 

Cooper Kupp has been performing to a level that I think he will stay at. Years back, Kupp would be getting most of the touches in the red zone. That now belongs to Tyler Higbee. Higbee is getting Kupp’s touches in the red zone, and this week, with a not so favourable matchup, I am going to have to say to sit Cooper Krupp.

The Raven’s backfield is keeping people guessing on who to start each week. I don’t trust the Raven’s backfield. They had Dobbins get most of the touches week 1, and Edwards and Ingram week 2. I think every Ravens Running Back should be sat this week against the Chiefs because of the uncertainty of the running backs.

David Johnson has been getting a lot of touches for the Houston Texans this season. With Hopkins out, he needs to find another favorite target. This week, however, is not a great matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have one of the best defenses in the league led by TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Johnson would be a guy that will be locked up throughout the game on Sunday.

The last sit of the week for me is Tom Brady. Tom Brady has really been showing his age recently. He has been averaging less than 13 fantasy points a game. There are plenty of better quarterbacks on the waiver wire that can start instead of him.

These next few guys have really been showing football fans that they are legit players and should be starting in every fantasy team. After Marlon Mack’s injury, Colts’ rookie Running Back Johnathan Taylor has been performing on another level. He is getting over 20 touches a game, which is great for fantasy owners. 

Arizona Cardinals Quarterback Kyler Murray looks to be another early candidate for MVP. He is averaging 30 fantasy points, and that is coming from his ability to rush. He is on pace to break Lamar Jackson’s record for 1300 rushing yards in one season by a QB.

In a grim outlook on the Packers’ Running Back situation, many said, “Don’t draft Aaron Jones, he won’t be getting the same amount of points as last year.” The ones that doubted Jones are hiding because the Running Back has been performing amazing. He is the RB1 right now and looks to stay there against the Saints on Sunday. 

As we go into Week 3, make sure you look at injuries and at the waiver wire. Good luck on your week 3 match-ups!

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