COVID-19: Emerging Challenges for Students in Medicine and Schools in the United States

Abstract

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world everywhere, including the lives of high schoolers in America. The sudden sharp rise in coronavirus cases forced the closure of schools in Mid-March to curb the further spread of the virus. Several end-of-the-year celebrations, school activities, and examinations were canceled. At the same time, the cancellations gave a chance for the youth to adapt to uncertain situations and learn adifferent perspective of life. Living in Florida, a state that battles hurricanes for almost half a year, school closures have become the norm: it is not rare for students to be reminded to keep their textbooks and notes home for a week or two. Prepared from past closures due to hurricanes, the school district board already had a virtual school platform, and the principal instructed all students to shift to Zoom and alternative eLearning. However, when the coronavirus pandemic led to the indefinite closure of high schools across the country, thiswas something new, different, and unexpected that school communities had to face.