QUIZ 4: Finale

Mawathe, Anne. "Coronavirus: Why Africans should take part in vaccine trials". BBC.com 2020, May.

This is an interesting and controversial article as it involves tests on human subjects more specifically on Africans. With the pandemic going on, it's just been a whirlwind of a race to find a vaccine, but the process is extensive yet it is easy to create a "infodemic" which is caused by fake news especially being shared on social media due to theories. There has been constant backlash for human and animal testing, but scientists push the importance of doing these clinical trials in order to find a viable vaccine that can hopefully help our bodies fight back this virus.

The main concern is using people in Africa to be the test subjects which is causing an uproar due to the "colonial mentality" of how doctors are pinpointing only Africans to be used for the tests of the vaccine which is deadly, discriminatory, and found to be racist. I understand the need for the vaccine to be found and produced, but the ethics and respect for human plus animal life needs to be of upmost importance. Compensation (monetary promises) is usually the way to get people to volunteer or even have the courage to proceed but as human beings, we should be valued more than just being guinea pigs.

Throughout history, there has been countless times where people were dying due to new or underlying diseases that spread around the world by travel. Going back to the book "Ways of the World" by Strayer, with Europeans traveling by sea to the Americas and creating an epidemic, what happened with the Great Dying, the situation that caused the Little Ice Age and the human devastation done by the Mongols that caused many people to die not just by their hands but leaving trails of dead bodies literally leaving a path for death.

Identifying fact and fiction is important as myths tend to spread just as fast as COVID is. The rumors of the African people being used as test subjects for a vaccine, are just rumors as it is in fact untrue. The CDC also said that facial hair does not effect a mask but only about how often you touch your face/mask so making sure you wash your hands because a picture surfaced that was in 2017, not 2019-2020 which was only talking about wearing a mask in a work setting so that was put out of proportion too. You really cant believe everything on the internet unless viable sources are verified. The hot climate is also fake news as heat does not slow down COVID since it is adapting or fluctuating through different temperatures, so you should be cautious wherever you live. Cures so far that are known as natural remedies are not true as well as theres no real definitive cure. Best thing to do right now is keeping distance from people, wearing a mask to help prevent the spread from droplets of the virus, and practicing clean hygiene specifically regarding our hands.

One thing that is true about Africa is how the healthcare system is not properly funding or giving them equal access to the scientific research but also inadequate support to providing care for those who are ill or are susceptible of catching the virus. Many licensed drugs and important trials usually go through wealthier countries first. The vaccine should be worked on together in a global scale. The Corona Virus should also be about equality as the whole human race is fighting this together as the common threat. The more people involved in trying to beat this thing, the better chances we all have. The people, especially those working close in the scientific research and testing should make sure that this will be available for everyone. In order to get closer to finding a vaccine, we must be closer together as one (still socially distanced).

The history class over the summer really put things in perspective in how plagues of the past evolved into various diseases throughout time, tests being done to find cures, and how long it took to manufacture or even find a vaccine took so long compared to what they predict to find something within a year or so due to the fact we have more advanced technology now than before.

Chakravarthi, Genesh. "Is It Time to Embrace the Anthropocene?" thediplomat.com 2020, Februrary.

When we first started this class we were researching timelines, learning about each age/era, and identifying the importance of each part within. More recently in the book, it was getting into a geological "epoch" which related to the geology, ecosystem, and influence of the climate of our environment mainly because of human involvement that has created this change. An epoch is a significant change in time that is distinctive and significant. The earth has taken a toll from all the things caused by man and needs to be taken more seriously as we live on this planet together. We must try to protect, preserve, and help improve the health of our planet earth. It's not just about us, but how we need to be more responsible for taking better care of our world for all of its inhabitants. It's more than just recycling, conserving energy, and making sure we don't litter, but protecting the animals, keeping the water clean, and conservation of plants with the importance of clean air/oxygen are key factors of the ecosystem that keeps things balanced in a cycle. We need to be making sure we don't over compensate or disrupt the flow of mother nature too much that we experience drastic imbalances that could cause major global phenomenons. Protecting the earth should be of upmost importance for all of humanity and as living beings, we should all agree on this.

There are so many elemental phenomenons that are happening all over the world causing fires, floods, heatwaves, and catastrophes due to the climate or dramatic weather changes. In the past, an example from the book was about the Little Ice Age where areas around the world the temperature dropped and also in the Americas with the European travelers migrated but also disrupted the cultivation of the lands by the natives who knew the layout but there was a disruption which scientist also believed caused a type of disease coming from oxygen supply from the plants around the terrain surrounding the settlements being constructed. From history and now there is still deforestation, accelerated global temperature levels rising instead, and the increase in carbon emissions or our carbon footprints but us humans need to make that significant change to hopefully turn things around or make things better.

We are to blame for what is happening to our planet. Here in CA, we talk about a drought because of the heat and not enough rain throughout the seasons. The earth is showing signs of distraught and we shouldn't take it lightly. Radioactivity, contaminating water, and putting toxic clouds into the air is polluting the ecosystem. Us humans are creating hazardous materials that isn't being monitored or being disposed safely which is dangerous and wrong. Other living creatures are becoming extinct and if we don't act now then we could be too. With the pandemic going on, theres so much as humans that we should be doing together to make these changes happen. In the end, its about our lives here on earth and making sure the generations to come will continue to keep this planet as healthy as possible in order to survive.

This history course gives you a sense of remembering what else matters and the bigger picture. This gives us prediction on how we see the world in the future. In order to make a difference, we need to make that change now.

Dallaire, Justin. "Why Pride Sponsors Shouldn't Hit Pause During Black Lives Matter Protests". 2020, June.

I for one believe that history is repeating itself as time and time again that we are still fighting for equality. From the past of women fighting for equal rights alongside slaves looking for the freedom promised. These movements of feminism, black lives, LGBTQ, status X, etc are of all equal importance because it's about human rights and equality. Times are changing, but so are the ways we think by adapting or becoming more aware and accepting because we should be considerate and comprehend what is still going on in the world. We should recognize how diverse our communities are especially here in the bay area. So many people show their support but receive criticism when everyone has the right to believe in what they want but when it comes to our lives, culture, and human rights then there should be ethics and moral involved that should be obvious enough for those to see what is real and right.

There are those that just choose to deny or not see the big picture as we understand that all lives matter, yet many still don't view it in an equal level or understanding because black lives, women, people with disabilities, etc are still being looked upon as inferior when thats the whole point of trying to tackle this problem. Racism still exists, cultural background is being viewed as different, and masculinity overpowers women move up in the work force when all that shouldn't be an issue. It should be about equal opportunities for ALL. It seems so simple yet, there are many people trying to handle it a different way. So much is happening right now, yet people think this is new when it's more of an eye opener for many who don't fully grasp why this is all so important.

The Black Lives Matter is more than just what it states, but its a prime example of how we should all come together identifying the racial inequality not just in the U.S. but all over the world. This is important for Pride and other movements to step up to show but prove why they are equally as significant. This is a time of change and with the right push forward, this will hopefully be the step in the right direction. We all need to be able to cohabitate together as our focus should be on what we can do to better ourselves to process all of this. This won't take one whole day, but progress everyday as we take in new or more information in hopes of reaching that goal of equality. Yes we will always have our own beliefs, but when it comes to the human race we need to be able to survive with one another.

We become stronger together then separate. I understand there will be indifferences, but that shouldn't tear us apart. Egos clash, pride gets in the way, and that sense on control can shift in a dangerous way when push comes to shove. I just know that I want my kids to grow up living in a world where everyone is literally equal, given the same opportunities to those that strive to work hard, and are not treated different because of any reason since thats what makes us all unique. The world is not perfect and there is no such thing as a world with no hate as that manifests to something else, but I believe in peace, justice, and a way for people to see each other for who they are and not by how they look. Together we can create a better world, but we need to learn how to grow as individuals in order to flourish with each other.

I like how this history class makes you realize how much of the past is still relevant in the present. We always talk about history as something we learn from, but even now we are still learning from our mistakes. I just really liked how this course tied into current events that will ultimately pave the way for whats to come next. I have always been fascinated by history, cultures, and the world. The interesting thing is that in a few years hopefully, we will think back to what has been happening recently as a thing of the past, but in hopes that progress and more stuff to cheer about by then.