Tamzyn Pendleton
Photo Editor
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, most people have been cooped up in their houses. Technology during this time has been both a blessing and a curse. But, at least in some ways, technology has reduced our quarantine suffering. Technology has been able to keep the world revolving without having to physically be there.
Schooling has been completely transferred to online. Students are able to continue their learning through the screen of their laptops. No matter what stage of schooling you are in, whether that’s primary, secondary, or postsecondary, you are now able to learn from the comfort of your own home.
“It is different from my usual schooling because I am not able to have in-class discussions, the schedule is hard to manage, a lot of the material is self-taught now, and the worse part is, I am unable to make connections with my professors,” former SHS student Teagan Pendleton said.
Many schools and districts have been supplying families in need with technology and Wi-Fi. SHS is handing out Chromebooks and hotspots for anyone in need one. These devices can be picked up at Cedar Ridge Middle School, 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays after you have arranged it with your teacher. A total of 1,485 Chromebooks have been handed out to Oregon Trail School District families. This is all due to the advances we have made in recent years, that online schooling is possible, especially with Zoom meetings and Google Classroom meetings. If we look back on the Spanish Flu in 1918, people were unable to seclude themselves as well as people are doing now.
More adults are able to work from home now. Meetings are held on video chats, paperwork is shared through email, and you can complete your work anywhere. Unless you are an essential worker, or work in the food industry, you are most likely setting up an office in your home.
“Having a home office works well as long as you are able to stay on track and keep focus on your daily tasks. I prefer to work on site where I can see to the day to day activities,” Jacob McKinzie said. McKinzie works as a senior superintendent construction manager.
Many people have been staying in touch by contacting each other through different social media platforms, such as Snapchat and Instagram, as well as using other instant messaging platforms like Discord, Facetime, Zoom, and plan texting.
Television streaming platforms have been all the rage right now. Hulu, Netflix, HBO, Crunchyroll, Sling, and Disney Plus are just a few of many platforms that offer hundreds of TV shows, movies, and documentaries online. Some of these platforms are releasing movies and shows early and offering free trials.
“Netflix is a great way to pass the time when you have nothing else to do,” junior Katie Fisher said. “It’s been a real life saver.”
There has also been a huge increase in online classes. These range from art classes, at home workouts, streaming home concerts, virtual tours of museums, and many more. You can now access all of these activities with a click of a button.
Not to mention, everything we could ever want can now be delivered to our front door, thanks to technology. You can get lunch delivered thanks to DoorDash, PostMates, or other food delivery services. You can check out a library book. You can have practically anything delivered through Amazon Prime and have your groceries delivered through InstaCart.
Since being in quarantine, we have had to sacrifice many types of technology. We are unable to just waltz into the movie theatres and watch the newest film. Traveling has been limited to running back and forth from the store. Maybe you are unable to go on that big trip to Costa Rica that you have been planning for years.
Another issue with having everything online now is the occasional problems with Wi-Fi and electronics. If your Internet happens to shut-down, that’s it, you’re disconnected from the entire world with no hope of finishing any work.
“I feel like since the quarantine has started, the Internet has been a lot slower, a lot of waiting time, and it just wasn’t like that before,” Fisher said.
Technology has been able to bring people together during this time of need, like it never has before. Friends and family are able to stay in touch despite the restriction of social distancing, many people’s jobs have been adjusted to online, and there are endless ways to spend your time scouring the Internet.
The Pioneer Press 