3 THEVOICE |

THURSDAY, OCT. 22,2020 |

EDITOR RYAN NG

Viewpoints

“It’s enough to make you feel

Students are experiencing more stress and financial pressures since the beginning of the pandemic. ix LECKE iLLUSTRAT.

absent

Student voting marked

he B.C. provincial govern-

ment could see a drop

in student voting, due

to the stress and anxiety surrounding voting during a global pandemic.

A snap election was called in the middle of an academic semester, and amid total uncertainty regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

For many students, this is the first semester of online learning. The stress of learning in a completely new approach, as well as studying for upcoming midterms could be deter-

rent enough for students to choose not to vote.

Students are also experiencing higher levels of stress. A study from Chegg.org found that 58 percent of college students surveyed were “moder- ately”, “very” or “extremely”

OPINION

worried about JACOB eir own mental WAN TUVEN health.

The same study found that one in five students are experiencing more financial pressure since the start of the pandemic. Financial barriers translate into lower voter turnout, as the B.C. government found that people with a higher unemployment rate and a lower median income are less likely to vote.

The percent of young people voting has risen over the last two provincial elections, but this trend could come to an end due to the constraints of school work anda provincial mandate asking students to stay home. Mail-in ballot- ing is increasing in popularity this elec-

tion but it is still unlikely to draw an increased number of voters, strictly due to the abruptness of this election. Not all post secondary institutions are providing the U-pass that many students relied on to travel. Many of whom will need to take an increas- ingly risky transit system. Students are going to have to leave their homes and schoolwork and head to the polls on Oct. 24, 2020. At the same time, everyone is advised to remain in their homes as much as possible due to the COVID-19 restrictions, making going out to vote a difficult proposition.

Issues&ideas

Seniors

need

food, solutions

Community steps in after food bank closures

m= By EMMA GREGORY

ince the start of a petition by the S South Vancouver Neighbour-

hood House, local commu- nity members and organizations have stepped in after multiple Greater Vancouver Food Bank locations have closed due to the pandemic. Since creating a petition, the South Vancou- ver Neighbourhood House (SVNH) has been discussing solutions for the community.

This came after seniors and at-risk community members were faced with additional barriers in accessing afford- able food in South Vancouver.

The petition started in Septem- ber and is nearing their goal of 1,000 signatures. Since creating the petition,

SVNH said they have been in conver- sation with The City of Vancouver, discussing solutions for food support in South Vancouver.

“We're working on creating a new food hub, that’s where we're at right now,” said Laura Gair, Seniors Hub programmer at South Vancouver Neighbourhood House.

Because of the Food Bank closure, from the end of March, the SVNH distributed meals and one hundred hampers to young families every week. Approximately 300 low-income community members were accessing emergency food every week.

“We need help,” said Gair

Location barriers and distribution protocols were two of the main chal- lenges facing community members wanting to access low-income food.

“Before COVID, my place would fit 60-70-sometimes a hundred people. Now with the new restrictions I can only seat maximum 35.” said Reverend Chien of Potter’s Place Mission.

Between Aug. 18 and October,

a ss

Kate Molloy organizes pre-packed grocery bags to be distributed to South

Vancouver residents at the St. Augustine Anglican Church in Marpole, Van-

couver. EMMA GREGORY PHOTO

SVNH redirected its clients to the Marpole Food Drive and the City Reach Care Society. Asa result of the closure of the SVNH, the Marpole Food Drive opened on Sept. 3.

“T overheard the coordinators talk- ing, and I said I'll do it.” said Kate Molloy, who works as the executive director of the Kerrisdale-Oakridge- Marpole Community Policing Center.

Youth apathy for

COVID virus creates risk

oung people have developed y sentiments of overconfidence against the pandemic.

COVID-19 has been the rise amongst young people in developed countries, and to avoid another major lockdown in B.C. they need to be more careful.

In August SFU Health Sciences professor Scott Lear told Global News: “I think the message that we hear is that you’re young, you're not going to die, so you're not going

7Y

bh al OPINION

ae; HENRI B. to be at risk”. Dr. Bonnie NGIMBIS Henry, B.C.'s

health officer, said on Oct. 19 ina state- ment, "It is possible that we could go into one of those rapidly increasing curves or waves," she said. "We are ina tricky place right now.". Reports from the BC Centre for Disease Control confirm that during the second week of July, the largest proportion of new cases reported was amongst the 20-29 age group.

Since the start of COVID-19 when it first emerged in Wuhan, China, media and medical experts have focused their messages on how the virus mostly affects vulnerable people, particularly the elderly or those with chronic diseases.

With many of the jobs the youth hold closing their doors the lack of employment and other activities during the lockdown is another key factor that explains the rise of the pandemic. Youths, few wearing masks, spend their spare time at social gather- ings with a high rate of propagating the disease.

COVID-19 is a serious killer that can damage the lives of all generations of people. Health experts are vehe- mently warning that the COVID-19 can generate long-term side effects even if somebody recovers from it.

With the second wave in full swing, young people in B.C. need to be cautious about how they spend their time. No one wants to tell anyone they can't go out and enjoy their lives. With the risk so high and the potential of another lockdown so great, it’s best if you stay inside. If you must go out, wear a mask.

The Voice is pub- lished by Langara

government and administration. We

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