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BRAVO MEDICAL MAGNET HIGH SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | VOL. XXIX, ISSUE II | WWW.BRAVOWEB.LAUSD.NET| February
2020
Coronavirus Outbreak
Black History Month and its Importance
By: Kheiry Venegas
By: Silvia Lopez
On December 31st of 2019, the first few cases of the coronavirus outbreak were concluded. The virus originated from the city of Wuhan, China, with a population of over 11 million people. The primary theorized cause of the outbreak is the Human Seafood Wholesale Market where meat was sold and likely catalyzed the spread of the virus. After connecting the first victim’s illness with the market, it was shut down by January 1st. As of February 5th, there have been an estimated 25,000 confirmed cases, with six of them being in California, two in Illinois, one in Washington, Massachusetts, and Arizona. Other cases have also been confirmed in Canada, Australia, and the UK. Although thousands of cases have been confirmed, 493 have died from the illness as of February 5th. The contagious factor in the virus has yet to be narrowed down, but researchers assume it began with an animal-to-human contact, and then followed by human transmission. The main concern is hospital outbreaks, seen how the same happened with the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. Symptoms of the virus include a fever or elevated body temperature, a dry cough, fatigue or muscle pain, breathing problems, coughing up blood, headaches, and diarrhea. Another major side effect could be pneumonia and was the case among 41 patients. Although the outbreak of the coronavirus has aggrandized, there isn’t a definitive cure or treatment to help with the symptoms, but doctors and scientists are working steadily to find one. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported their findings in three patients with the help of a team of scientists. Another institute in Australia also studied the virus in a lab where a sample was collected from a patient. Through research being done like previously mentioned, steps are being towards finding a vaccine for the virus. To ameliorate conditions, a thousand-bed hospital is being built in Wuhan, China, and the city itself has been shut down to contain the spreading virus. Transportation has been cut off as of January 23rd, and limitations have also been put in place in neighboring cities. Combined, the constraints of transportation have affected over 35 million individuals. Since the outbreak intervened with the Lunar New Year, many events were canceled or postponed, and even Shanghai’s Disneyland was shut down until further notice. The United States has taken action as well, asserting preventative measures at border control, and canceling flights to and from Wuhan, also canceling sporting events.
CNN.com
February is finally among us and with it comes a homage dedicated to the countless black Americans that have shaped America and its history. It is a month of celebration that dates back to 1915 with prominent historian Carter G. Woodson and one that is continued with other distinguished Black American figures. In the past, and even currently, Black people have not been given the proper dedication or proper acknowledgments in comparison to other certain races. As a result, Harvard-trained Woodson and others dedicated an entire week to highlighting the countless successes of other Black Americans. The celebration had always occurred the second week of February up and was meaningful due to the fact that the birthdays of former President Abraham Lincoln, prominent abolitionist movement activists, and Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave also landed within the same time frame. In large part to the Civil Rights Movement, the week evolved into a month and is more meaningful than ever in 2020. It is the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and the 150th anniversary of the Fifteenth Amendment, which granted black men the right to vote.
Iowa Caucas By:Briana Soto This past week, one of the biggest elections that determine the candidates for the presidential elections was unsuccessful when coming to terms with the voting regime. The Democratic National Convention decided to try counting votes from all caucuses through a new app, which turned out to fail badly. Normally, after the caucuses submit their votes, the Democratic National Convention chases after the precinct caucuses that have not submitted their votes, but this year, they are chasing after almost every caucus. Now, a team of roughly a dozen party officials are currently in Iowa working with the state party to report the results of the caucuses. Although, these results were delayed as well due to the Iowa precincts and the Iowa Democratic Party. Additionally, not only was their app failing, but the phone line that was supposed to allow caucus officials to report their results was overrun, thus making the caucuses even more of a mess than it already was. Despite the attempts to try and improve the caucus votes system with the use of an electronic app, some Iowa caucus chair holders preferred to count votes in their traditional manner. For example, Bill Schoenenberger, the caucus chair of a precinct in Des Moines explained that on Tuesday, he received a call from an official from the Democratic National Committee and instead of using the app or the hotline on Monday night, he tallied up his votes and emailed the accumulated results to the Polk County Democrats. The app evidently did not work adequately and what happened on Monday night should have never happened. It is said that the app for will not be used in Nevada or anywhere else during the primary election process and the Democratic National Convention officials have reported that they expect the technology vendor must provide an absolute transparent account of what exactly went wrong in the process. Their main goal at this moment, is to make sure they take every vote into account as quickly as possible to move on with the process. As the results remain inconclusive, many people have voiced their opinions about the caucus method and the fact that the voting takes place in Iowa. These opinions have mainly been expressed by Democrats, since they believe that Iowa isn’t the most diverse state and the first election is the most important as it gives the candidates the most opportunity for media and press exposure. A little more than 90% of the residents of Iowa are considered white and the remaining percent are black, hispanic, or asian. This is an issue that has been widely discussed in the past by Democrats, since it is believed that the first election should be left for a more diverse state. Although, many Iowa residents have also voiced their opinions and have stated that they see nothing wrong with beginning the elections in a state like Iowa. Starting the voting in Iowa this year has proven that there may or may not be changes in American Democracy.
2 WORLD
VOL. XXIX, ISSUE XIV
BRAVO
Meet Our New Math Teacher By: Laura M. Gueta
September 2019
Bravo Blood Drive By: Valentina Guevara
This past Wednesday, February 5, 2020. I had the great pleasure of welcoming Ms. Safy, our new math teacher, to Bravo High School. In our interview, we spoke about her brief history with Bravo and what motivated her to apply for a permit teaching position. Additionally, she talked about her connection with the students and the differences she sees in college and Bravo students. Besides, Ms. Safy told me what she enjoys from teaching high school students and the ambition she has for her students and her classroom. The interview is provided below.
On Friday, February 7, 2020, Bravo held its annual blood drive in the gym. Every year, the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center offers a free blood drive for Bravo students to participate in.
I know you taught Geometry for the Jaime Escalante program we have here at Bravo during the summer, is that right?
16 year old donors must have a parent fill out a consent form.
Yes. What motivated you to apply for a teaching position here at Bravo?
The blood-drive was successful as more and more students turned up to participate. For future donors, the requirements are: Only students 16 and over can donate.
Donors 17 and older can donate without a consent form. Iron level requirements are 2.5 and donors must weigh over 110lbs.
Well, I worked summertime with the students. I like the staff, and I like the students, and I just think Bravo is a good fit for me. I know you have a few days of meeting the students, but do you think you have had to adjust your teaching patterns for students to accustom to this transition? Oh yeah. Coming in the middle of the year is challenging, no just for me, but for the students, too, cause they’re used to another teacher’s style, and now they are being introduced to a new style. So we are trying to meet in the middle. Are there any fun facts that you feel comfortable students knowing about you? I have a good sense of humor, but I sometimes think it’s not appropriate [ Laughs ] to do it yet. With summer classes as the students get to know me better, they feel comfortable, and I see that already happening. Students have felt free to ask questions. At the beginning they were backing down, now they feel free to ask. I like that. You are indeed teaching Algebra I and II, will students be able to have access to meet or see you for after school math tutoring? Not yet. I’ve been asking for that to happen, but you know it’s hard for students to give up their lunchtime and come, and after school, I don’t see anybody. There is one student, though who keeps coming to ask questions during lunchtime, so she brings her lunch. So I hope that attracts more students to come in. I am inviting them to do it because I know some students need help, and they don’t have a sixth period, so I have the sixth period open. I don’t have office hours as I used to when I was teaching college. Wow, what college did you teach at? I am teaching at LACCD colleges. So I am teaching South West College, Los Angeles Valley College, and parts of Escalante I teach at East LA College. Now, do you see any differences between teaching at college and teaching at Bravo? A huge difference [ Laughs ]. It’s a big difference because you are very independent when you teach college. When you are dealing with adults, you don’t have to respond to parents, and the development of adults of age in college is a big difference. High school students are still kids, 18-yearolds are still kids [ Laughs ]. What do you like about teaching high school students? When I teach college, I see students come in with a very weak foundation. I always hope I can teach them the foundation because, at the level, they are learning other things, but they lack the foundation. So in high school, you have the chance to give them the foundation, so when they go into higher math classes, they are equipped with everything they need to do well. I think this is a good transition to ask, are there any goals you have for your students and classroom this semester? Well, my goal and every teacher’s goals are to have our students pass 100% in our class. My goal is to have all students go up on their grades. That’s my hope, but of course, there are a lot of factors, their skills, and their willingness to ask for help because some students are not even interested, and that’s challenging. I appreciate the initiative. Alas, thank you once more, Ms. Safy, for your time. Bravo Knights, I hope you all feel more comfortable to ask Ms. Safy for math guidance, her room is 419. It is recommended to come during lunch or sixth period.
Voter Information By: Valentina Guevara For those Bravo students eligible to vote for the presidential primary ends March 3, 2020. Beginning February 22, voting centers will be open and available for voters to cast their ballots. Sites in Boyle Heights are listed below. 4 day sites Boyle Heights City Hall 2130 E 1st St, Los Angeles CA 90033 Hours: February 29 - March 2: 8am - 5pm March 3: 7am - 8pm Tenrikyo Mission 117 N Saratoga St, Los Angeles CA 90033 Hours: February 29 - March 2: 8am - 5pm March 3: 7am - 8pm Assumption Church 2832 Blanchard St, Los Angeles CA 90033 Hours: February 29 - March 2: 8am - 5pm March 3: 7am - 8pm 11 day sites Evergreen Recreational Center 2844 E 2nd St, Los Angeles CA 90033 Hours: February 22 - March 2: 8am - 5pm March 3: 7am - 8pm Hazard Recreational Center 2230 Norfolk St, Los Angeles CA 90033 Hours: February 22 - March 2: 8am - 5pm March 3: 7am - 8pm Alma Family Services 3218 Wabash Ave, Los Angeles CA 90063 Hours: February 22 - March 2: 8am - 5pm March 3: 7am - 8pm
3 ENTERTAINMENT VOL. XXIX, ISSUE XIV
September 2019
ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Swift: Miss America
More Things to Think About
By: Mia Crespo Friday January 31, Taylor Swift released a documentary in partnership with Netflix. In this documentary, Taylor reveals herself in her most vulnerable state to getting political and sharing her views on some topics. She explained her childhood and how she first started music and writing songs to perform for her family to perform at small little events to signing her first record deal with Sony Music. She talked about how she was in every celebrity news headline where they wondered what new guy she was dating next. She also went on to explain how being in the music industry at such a young age she was taught to be polite and to always smile and she was never allowed to show how she really felt.
Chiefs beat 49ers with their first win in 50 years The Super Bowl is one of America’s most anticipated football games that occurs on the first weekend in February each year. This year, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers were pit against each other in an effort to claim the win for the 54th Super Bowl. Although both teams made it to the Super Bowl, both teams weren’t always successful in doing so. To say the least, the Chiefs had been struggling for years. They hadn’t won a home game in twenty-five years until this past year and hadn’t claimed a Super Bowl title in 50 years. This all changed when they brought in quarterback Patrick Mahomes, their saving grace in ending this painful drought. For years they had lived in their past losses and didn’t have a reason to look forward to the future up until February second. The first quarter ended with the Chiefs: 7 & 49ers: 3, the teams then tied up at 10:10 to close out the second quarter. After the halftime show starstruck the crowd members, the teams continued the same. The 49ers then redeemed themselves in the third quarter with a ten-point lead due to a 42-years field goal and a touchdown rush. Finally, the much anticipated 4th quarter approached and fans were struggling to maintain their composure as the Chiefs continuously scored and the 9ers stayed the same. Mahomes magically made four consecutive passes in an effort to bring the Chiefs to the 49ers’ 10-yard line, and two plays later, Mahomes threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to fellow player Williams. This then brought the Chiefs to an 11 point lead with the scoreboards all over America showcasing their win of 31:20.
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Vital Signs Staff VALENTINA GUEVARA LAURA M. GUETA BRIANA SOTO KHEIRY VENEGAS MIA CRESPO SILVIA LOPEZ
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