In China, there are around one million people in “re-education” camps. The occupants are Uyghurs and other minorities. According to The New York Times, the Chinese government describes the camps as being places that “provide job training, counter religious extremism, and counter-terrorism.”

These camps have men, women, and children. The children are usually separated from their parents and are sent to orphanages or boarding schools where they are taught Chinese communist propaganda. As reported by Save Uighur, the older inmates are forced into labor and work for brands such as Apple, BMW, Gap, Nike, Samsung, and many others. Inmates are forced to learn Mandarin and Chinese laws and are stripped of their religious freedom, culture, and identity.

Business Insider states that women in these camps are sterilized and forced to abort as well as to take birth control. Angelina Oganesyan, a junior at University High School, in regards on how this made her feel responded by saying, “This is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable. This is on par with Nazi behavior. I can’t even begin to imagine how they feel.”

NBC News questioned Chinese officials on why people are being sent to these camps, and they responded by saying, "There are three types of students at these reeducation centers: those who have committed a minor offense like wearing a burqa or watching an illegal religious video; those who have committed more serious offenses and were given the choice to attend instead of going to jail; and others who are sent for rehabilitation after a prison term."

The Chinese government also claims that these camps are helping stop terrorism and violence. When asked of a better alternative to stop terrorism and violence, Oganesyan responded, “Just because there are terrorists doesn’t mean all people are terrorists. Enslaving these people isn’t a viable solution to stopping terrorism. Terrorism should not be fought on the bases of speculations.”

To help the one million Uighurs and minorities enslaved in these camps, students can contact the Senate at www.saveuighur.org and urge them to co-sponsor the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Students can also help by signing petitions and informing others of what is happening to Uyghurs and minorities in these camps in any possible way.

Many high school students love the freedom of online school, but some parents and the LAUSD school board believe that it offers way too much of it.

Even though some students miss certain things about in-person school such as their friends, teachers, sports, and extracurricular activities, they believe the freedom of online school is exceptional. Students get to work at their own pace, set their own schedule, and be free from the stressful environment of school. Nevertheless, many parents believe their children are using this freedom to go and do nonacademic things.

At home, it is easy to stray away from our class instruction and go check social media, play video games, or even watch TV. Such leisure activities pose too much of a distraction for students and their distance learning. As a result, online school becomes more distanced, especially on the teacher’s behalf, trying to have a full engaged class.

Most parents have to do work so they don't have the time to supervise their child. In an article featured in The Washington Post, a mother stated, “When my daughter started having trouble focusing at school, I did not think much of it. I sternly told her to pay more attention. But my words did not resonate, apparently. She was frequently off task, chatting with friends or moving around.”

Clearly, this is an ongoing issue for many students. Unlike in-person class instruction, in online classes we are in the comfort of our own homes and have a limitless environment. Most often with online school, distractions are more accessible, and it is easy for students to transition their focus elsewhere but the Zoom session.

Online school doesn't just provide way more freedom, but it also requires more trust between the student and the teacher. Mariana Kayichian, the Magnet Coordinator at University High School and a former math teacher, stated, “I'm sure many students may attend a Zoom session, turn off their camera, and then multi-task or not engage. This is harder to do in person. I would easily notice a student on their phone or sneaking a Netflix show in person, but virtually, students do that unnoticed. However, it's also harder for students to get support and clarification on their assignments online.”

Distance learning is quite a challenge, and it makes perfect sense why some students may get distracted without the right discipline.

On August 18, LAUSD’s first semester of virtual classes began. LAUSD decided to turn to virtual learning for the students and staff’s safety due to the pandemic. LAUSD has been trying to convert back to in-person learning for the second school semester.

Among the of safety precaution solutions are the Covid-19 testing locations. “Currently, there are 41 testing sites," said LAUSD "Each testing site is located at a school within each community of schools."

LAUSD is doing testing in phases. They explained, ¨The the first phase of testing includes employees working at school sites or offices and employees and their children participating in the childcare program. The second phase of testing will consist of all staff who is currently working from home. The third phase of the initial testing will consist of all students." In other words, the first phase is testing all the workers, the second phase is testing at-home workers, and the last step is testing students.

State guidelines say schools cannot reopen at this time with California surpassing one million Covid cases, ranking second behind Texas. If the LAUSD transfers back to in-person classes, what should you know? What is LAUSD’s plan and what are the precautions?

Austin Beutner, Superintendent of LAUSD, regarding the planned precautions of returning to school said, “Safety practices at schools such as cleaning of classrooms, social distancing, and grouping students in small cohorts and our school-based system of Covid-19 testing and contact tracing [are going to be implemented].”

Mirna Mondragon, a low-income mother of a child enrolled in LAUSD, is concerned about the whole plan, explaining that “It is unreliable because how will you enforce social distancing in class, including passing period and lunch.” About the cleaning process, Ms. Mondragon says, “I trust that they will try to keep it clean, but that is not realistic, there are too many kids, and I don’t trust it.” Additionally, Ms. Mondrago thinks contact tracing will be a "Potential super spreader, [as] kids go to six-period classes [and] there could be spread of infection there.”

Covid infection cases continue to rise in California and it's understandable that there is ongoing controversy on whether these planned precautions will work for a safe return to school. Although there are already plans set in motion with the LAUSD, Covid testing and a hybrid plan for the possible return of school for later in the second semester, nothing is guaranteed in this pandemic.

In June, nearly ⅓ of American renters were unable to pay rent. According to CNBC, “30% of Americans missed their housing payments in June." The lack of a second stimulus may have reflected poorly on Trump’s administration and many Americans still desperately need the stimulus checks. Things will only get worse for Americans who are struggling economically as the pandemic drags on, while they wait for another stimulus that is yet to come.

The United States was economically well prepared for the Coronavirus Pandemic. Following consistent market growth ever since the 2008 financial crisis, the government was ready to weather the storm of the pandemic. On April 17, 2020, the government passed a stimulus that would deliver $1,200 to every American. According to a CNBC article wrriten by Alicia Adamczyk, “The checks, worth $1,200 for individuals with adjusted gross income below $75,000 and $2,400 for couples earning below $150,000, are part of the federal government’s response to unprecedented unemployment levels and financial strain caused by Covid-19.”

However, after the first $1,200 checks that arrived at American’s homes in April, no further relief has come to American households through the Coronavirus pandemic. Proposals for a second check were stopped by conflicts in Washington over what would be included in the stimulus.

In a CNBC article by Grace Segers, Democratic Speaker of The House, Nancy Pelosi, blames Republicans for the delays. Segers stated, “Pelosi placed the blame for the ongoing stalemate squarely on the Trump administration, arguing Democrats still have not received word on compromise language for a strategic testing, tracing and treatment plan, vaccines, and Obamacare coverage for Americans who are out of work.”

Nevertheless, it is not just Republicans who have been delaying the stimulus. It was found that Democrats too were unwilling to compromise on the terms of the stimulus. Talk Radio 1170 stated, “Pelosi had previously rejected a $1.8 trillion proposal by the White House, arguing that it did not do enough on provisions such as testing and tracing and on funding for child care."

Further on, President Trump has not been consistent on the issue. Trump has thus far been somewhat uncompromising in negotiations over the stimulus. “Mr. Trump soon tweeted that he was pulling the plug on negotiations over further stimulus," stated Talk Radio 1170.

It remains unclear whether this will change under the Biden administration.