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1. I think the pandemic really helped push along the use of these virtual programs because I believe it was going to become a very popular thing anyway in due time. Yes, these programs were going to be used everywhere in the classroom and working world, but the pandemic made it come into a immediate existence.

2. The carbon footprint will get worse because even though people will be traveling less there are different ways that are detrimental to the carbon footprint that won't get solved by more online platforms and less travel.

3. The pandemic for sure did because people had a lot of time on their hands and always were glued to their electronic devices. There were a lot of big things that needed to be addressed with everyone having very strong opinions about.

4. For me it is just hard to get motivated to do anything. The effect the pandemic had on everyone was very exhausting and i felt like it was very hard to focus on things especially school.

5. I think most people will be able to adapt back to normal social activities.

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1. I believe that virtual programs have gained popularity solely because of the pandemic. These platforms have been out many years before the pandemic and weren't as popular

2. I believe that the carbon footprint will continue to increase as the world begins return to normal.

3. Yes, I believe the pandemic caused an increase in media coverage of the election. There was nothing else to talk about. The media has taken a horrible turn of reporting the horrors of the world.

4. No, I have personally gotten less out of my education online.

5. Yes, I believe peoples social skills has been affected because of the pandemic, specifically children. Children have suffered the most at hand of the pandemic with being forced to stay indoors.

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1. I think the pandemic was the driving force for the popularization of online platforms. Virtual Platforms were at high demand to connect in the new environment that was presented. Our use of technology grew rapidly during the pandemic.

2. The decrease in travel has reduced emissions in that areas. However individuals are continuing to waste products in other formats. Policies need to be in effect to minimize waste on a global level. We are misusing our resources and damaging the space we are occupying.

3. Individuals have a bit more time on their hands during the pandemic. With major cancellations individuals are expressing their individual strong feelings. The political landscape in extremity was a space for people to release thoughts and attempt to generate solutions.

4. Motivation is difficult to develop in online learning settings. Interaction with other students teaches us how to work with and learn from others. I have found strengths in online learning as I have to find discipline and self directed education.

5. People who enjoyed interacting in social settings will most likely find that comfort and excitement again. For individuals that are more introverted the pandemic and social distancing guidelines have given a reason to not be social for many.

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Please create a note to respond to these prompts and put your name in parentheses.

1. Do you think the pandemic was the main reason for virtual  programs (such as virtual classrooms, Zoom, etc) to gain popularity and accelerated use or do you think they would have been developed and utilized without the pandemic?

2. Do you believe once the world returns to "normal" carbon footprints, pollution, and consumption will return to their original levels/increase or do you think reductions in travel and remote options will continue and assist in efforts to reduce climate change?

3. Do you think the pandemic caused the increased media coverage in the most recent elections? If not, what do you believe the cause is?

4. Is online learning/ remote work as effective and productive as the standard in-person mode? Do you have any personal experiences with increased/decreased productivity due to online modes?

5. It has been said that lack of social interaction has affected people's manners/ social cues and also made people accustomed to not attending social events causing them to not want to attend events that have began again. Do you think that people's social skills and interactions have been permanently impacted by the pandemic or do you believe people will adapt back to normal social schedules?

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In the political realm, the pandemic has increased usage of online platforms and created more connection opportunities. There has also been an increased usage of online learning so there is a projected increase in global learning opportunities. Additionally, due to a decrease in global trade agreements, decreased immigration, and withdrawing from conflicts there has been a noticeable increase in nationalism.

My experience:
The first election I paid attention to was the 2020 presidential election because it was the first I was able to vote in. Due to an ongoing pandemic, stakes were high and it was an intense election. People were also online a lot more so there was a constant flood of political news and media on all platforms. I felt suffocated. The only topics of conversation was the campaigns, masks, vaccines, and the virus since nothing else interesting was happening. There was barely any movies or TV shows being produced or events to watch/ attend or any social events going on so it made politics the only thing to follow. Therefore, I noticed a gross increase in online platforms for political purposes in a more negative way than discussed in the report.

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While climate change is still worsening, there has been a reduction in travel, thus reducing many institution's carbon footprints. Many corporations are also planning on making long-term plans to reduce travel with remote options. The Covid-19 crisis has also acted as almost a reality check and environmental issues have been noticed more and there is a stronger will now to address the issues that have been previously ignored.

In the clip from the Today Show attached above, it is demonstrated how the shut down was almost like an unintended experiment that showed how much our day to day lives affect the environment.  With the shut down National Parks are flourishing, there has been air quality improvements such as in Wuhan by 30% and almost 50% in Milan.  Venice's canals are clear, there is more visibility of the Himalayas and there are clearer skies in LA. These big improvements in such a short amount of time show how much our consumption and carbon footprint could be reduced. We never thought we could reduce travel and production until we had no choice, so it puts things into perspective of what else we could do to help the environment.

My experience:
While being in a lockdown, I became a lot more conscious/aware of my waste and overconsumption while being trapped in my house. I noticed how often we had to take out our trash and how I still had the urge to shop when I had nowhere to go. It put a lot in perspective to me about how much stuff we purchase and waste because we do not truly need it.

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Coronavirus Impact: Environment Thrives As People Follow Stay-At-Home Orders | TODAY

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Due to the pandemic, there has been a decrease in social interactions because of the transfer to virtual learning, online options, and working remotely. Consequently, the demand for technological skills has increased and there has been a  negative impact on people socially. There has been a noticeable divide in education between students who have accessibility to technology and those who do not. Lack of social interaction not only has negatively impacted affected accessibility to education but also mental health. 80% of college students reported a decline in their mental health since the beginning of the pandemic. While this isolation has affected mental health and some parts of education negatively, there has been a positive increase in flexibility in work and education.

My experience:
I personally noticed a decrease in my mental health when the pandemic first began. I am very extroverted and like to stay busy and with people all the time so when the pandemic began I had a very hard time keeping myself busy while not being able to see my friends and family. I was very frustrated all the time but have seen a positive increase since the transition back to in-person learning and the world slowly becoming normal again.

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On the Wrong Side of the Digital Divide, Life Without Internet in Age of COVID-19

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COVID-19 has made the digital divide into an emergency. We spoke to residents of Oakland and Fresno to find out what life is like without internet access.

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The pandemic had a lot of negative consequences but there has been an accelerated development in technology. There has been increased hybrid options meaning some parts are in-person and some parts are virtual. There has also been a lot more development and usage of learning technologies such as video conferencing (i.e. zoom) and virtual classrooms. Due to this advancement, people have adapted and become more skillful with the the available technologies due increased development for faculty in most businesses and students at most schools.

My experience:
Personally, if you had asked me at the beginning of my freshmen year if I thought I would attend class through a webcam and be able to learn anything I would think you were crazy. I learned and adapted quickly and watched my teachers and peers do the same. I had never even heard of Zoom before 2 years ago and I have become very knowledgable with hybrid class and online learning and have been able to learn with tools provided for me by my school.

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There has been a lack of funding to higher education compared to in-person learning, due to the questioning of its effectiveness compared to the cost. Additionally, there has been an increased demand for new skills in the workplace. This pandemic has also shocked the world's economy. With an increase in unemployment and uncountable businesses closing policymakers and economists are unable to gauge when we will recover. Attached is the "State of US Economy" addressed by the State of the Union. Key points outlined are the decrease in GDP, which is the lowest growth rate since 1946, 25 million Americans were unemployed in May 2020, and the economy lost 9.4 million jobs.

Results from the 2021 Educase report and the "State of US Economy" report, the economy was overall very negatively impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.

My experience:
During the summer of 2020, I was at a loss trying to find a summer job while home from school. Most retailers were closed or not hiring, and same with food and dining services. I also could not nanny since most parents were already working at home. I ended up being able to get a job eventually but am lucky I did not have bills or a family to support.

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State of the US Economy_ GDP, Unemployment, Jobs & More _ 2021 State of the Union Facts