Like many schools in the SF Bay Area, my high school has turned to online learning. It is using Zoom, and it features video calls with more than 30 participants and a chat feature where we can ask questions after class. In a world that is focused on social media, it is ironic that we now desire in-person experiences.
Adjusting our social lives to this new reality has been, admittedly, a challenge—but I’ve used the time to experience things virtually, like coral reefs and marine sanctuaries across the globe. For example, . I can clearly see brightly-colored coral reefs and sea creatures in American Samoa, nearly 5,000 miles away. I realize how important it is to preserve these biodiverse environments worldwide!
It is reassuring to know that there are others who are experiencing the same inconveniences, troubles, and hardships. Together, we can get through this.