Should Wearing Masks in Public be Mandated by Law?

By Madeline Singer
Staff Writer

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public, especially in places where it’s hard to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and another person. Cloth face masks are being recommended because we now know individuals with COVID-19 could have mild or no symptoms, while still spreading the virus to others. In order to prevent the spread of diseases, wearing masks in public should be mandated by law. It is to the benefit of the whole country and community and by wearing one, it will help stop COVID-19 from transmitting. 

As seen in the image, and supported by scientific evidence, by wearing a mask chances of getting the virus is significantly less than not wearing one at all. For the public health, masks are needed and must be worn to ensure safety. 

Now, some may ask “Can the government legally force you to wear a mask?” The answer is “yes.” In a pandemic, governments have the authority to do a lot of things that would otherwise be questionable. Think of it like this: The government has the right to ban smoking in public places because your smoking can affect my health. And some places have signs that say, “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” Just add “no mask” to the sign.

Sony debuts the PlayStation 5

By Ishan Pahwa
Staff Writer

Ever since the original Playstation home video game console debuted in December of 1995 in North America, Sony has almost never failed to disappoint. Now, with an estimated 200 million systems to be sold during the lifespan of the console, the Playstation 5 (abbr: PS5), has been announced to much anticipation. 

The successor to the Playstation 4, the Playstation 5 takes everything that the Playstation 4 possesses and bumps it up a notch. For starters, the CPU (Central Processing Unit), has been bumped up from a 1.6 Gigahertz (GHZ) 8-Core AMD Jaguar to a 8x Zen 2 Cores 3.5 GHZ. The new console also has a 4K Ultra-High Definition (UHD) Blu-Ray drive to its name, as opposed to the original PS4 which only had a standard Blu-Ray drive (which is the same thing, but the formermost mentioned console has better quality of video). It even has more storage space then the original, with a custom 825 Gigabytes of Solid State Drive (SSD) whereas the original Playstation 4 only has 500 GB. 

Like many other consoles, the PS5 had games released alongside it on release day, which happened to be on November 12, 2020 for North American consumers. There are a plethora of games, such as NBA 2K21, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and the long-awaited Spider-man: Miles Morales. Each game’s price varies, but the range is as low as $49.99 to as high as $69.99. Keep in mind that each price is before taxes and other expenses make their contribution. 

As for the console itself, it is priced at $499 pre tax in North America. Despite this base price, many online reselling websites have listed the console for over $1000. The Playstation’s online multiplayer system Playstation Plus, along with Playstation network, are also available on the console as they were on the two preceding consoles (PS3 and PS4 respectively). 

Any video game console needs a controller, and Sony has (obviously) not dropped the ball there. The new DualSense controller, which is similar in size and shape to the PS4 controller, has replaced the DualShock line of Playstation controllers, of which the PS4 contributed to. Each DualSense controller costs $69.99 pretax. However, Sony has generously provided each purchaser of the console a packed-in controller, as they have for all their consoles.      

Fun Thanksgiving Treats

Jennifer Cantarero

Staff Writer 

  Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and although the turkey is always the star of the show we all know that the desserts are what everybody waits for. So it’s time to bake some delicious goodies for you and your whole family to enjoy!

Oreo Turkeys:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. white chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• Red food coloring
• 40 candy eyes
• 20 Oreos
• 20 butterscotch chips 
• 1 c. candy corns 

Instructions:

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, add white chocolate, coconut oil, and a few drops of food coloring. Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until melted. Transfer melted chocolate to a small zip-loc bag or pastry bag and snip a small hole on the end. 
2. Dot the back of candy eyes with melted chocolate and place two on each Oreo. Dot the back of butterscotch chips and place one each Oreo to create a beak. 
3. Pipe a red line beside the beak to create a gobbler. Create feathers by stuffing four candy corns into the filling of the Oreo, point side down. 

Pumpkin Spice Pretzel:

Ingredients:

• 24 oz. white chocolate
• 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 2 drops orange food coloring (optional)
• 8 oz. pretzel twists (about 1/2 of 1 lb. bag)
• Orange sprinkles (optional)

Instructions:

1. Line three large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Melt 20 ounces of white chocolate in a double boiler or the microwave. If you are using the microwave, make sure to stop and stir the chocolate every 15 seconds to avoid scorching.
3. Once melted, stir pumpkin pie spice and orange food coloring into chocolate. Dip pretzel three-quarters of the way into the warm chocolate, remove and gently shake to allow excess chocolate to drip off. Place the pretzel onto the prepared baking sheet and let the chocolate set. Repeat with the remaining pretzels.
4. Melt the remaining white chocolate and drizzle over pretzels. Top pretzels with sprinkles. Allow the chocolate to completely set in the refrigerator before serving.

Maryland Increases Covid-19 Restrictions After Numbers Spike

By Ally Haddad 

Staff Writer 

   As a result of a “staggering, spiking” surge of coronavirus cases this week, Gov. Larry Hogan announced the state of Maryland will be reinstating it’s loosened restrictions again on Friday at 5 p.m.  

   Here’s what Hogan has ordered for Maryland: bars and restaurants are to have a 10 p.m. curfew. While they can still serve people, there’s no seating at bars, restaurants or diners between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. However, takeout orders will still be permitted during those hours. In addition, any elective medical procedure that isn’t urgent or lifesaving is to be avoided for now.

Hogan also announced that fans at race tracks or stadiums for professional or collegiate sporting events are no longer permitted. Also, visitations at nursing homes and hospitals are suspended in most circumstances. With the exception of a few end of life care and the parents or guardians of minors these guidelines are strict. Finally, retail businesses, restaurants and churches are all capped at 50% capacity again.     

   These restrictions come after record breaking cases slam Maryland and people neglect social distancing because of the holidays. According to an article by WTOP News, “Maryland on Thursday recorded 2,910 new cases — nearly 600 more cases than the previous one-day high, which was only set five-days before.”

   The state’s hospitalization and positivity rates have also been rising in all counties of the state. In addition, hospitals are beginning to reach capacity again as 85% of the state’s hospital beds are already filled. Contracting data the state holds shows “a large uptick in new cases among Marylanders who have recently been exposed in bars and restaurants.” Compliance with masks and socially distancing “drops dramatically” as the day gets later said Hogan. 

   With the holidays fast approaching, the positivity rate is expected to rise even more in coming weeks. As of now, Maryland’s positivity rate has risen from under 4.4% earlier this month to almost 7.2% now. Over thanksgiving weekend, more people traveled and used air fare than they had ever in the past six months.

Netflix Announced Cancelations to Several Popular Series in 2020

By Ally Haddad 

Staff Writer 

   Netflix has produced hundreds of original shows since 2013. The streaming service typically cancels several of those series after only one or two seasons because of their ratings. Listed below are the 19 shows Netflix unexpectedly cancelled or ended this year. 

1. The Society 
2. I Am Not Okay With This
3. Money Heist 
4. The Crown 
5. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
6. Dead to Me
7. Ozark
8. Lucifer
9. Astronomy Club
10. Turn Up Charlie
11. V Wars
12. Spinning Out 
13. Messiah
14. October Faction
15. AJ and the Queen
16. Atypical
17. Insatiable
18. Soundtrack
19. Altered Carbon

Following MCPS Instruction During Covid

Annie Ryan

Staff Writer

On November 6th, Montgomery County Public School’s brought their framework for the phased return of students to in person learning beginning January 2021, to the Montgomery County Board of Education.

The Montgomery County Board of Education has speculatively approved those plans. and outlines the district’s plan for a phased-in return to in person instruction with smaller groups in January, and larger groups in February.  In the presentation shown to the school board on November 6th, MCPS showed a slide that indicated a hybrid instruction model — a mix of in-person and virtual classes, would not be allowed or an option to students until the county had on average, less than five confirmed cases per 100,000 residents for two weeks.

As of last week, the county had a rate of 11.9 cases per 100,000 people. Before going back into schools, MCPS says that the COVID-19 rate must drop before pursuing hybrid teaching for all students and teachers. Guardians of Montgomery County Public Schools students will have three weeks, beginning last Wednesday to decide whether they want their children to return to school buildings for hybrid learning when face to face instruction is a go in the future.

The survey was sent in an email, and is labelled just as any other email that most MCPS parents don’t always completely read through. Interestingly enough, if someone for instance didn’t see the email or just didn’t do the survey, the county will be taking that as if that person would rather have your children stay completely online.

Post Malone Wins Nine Billboard Music Awards in 2020

Annie Ryan

Staff Writer

This year, the Billboard Music awards were supposed to be held in April in Las Vegas, but due to COVID-19, the prominent award show had to postpone their 25th year in celebration.

The three-hour award ceremony was held in October in Los Angeles. While many artists performed in person, there was no live audience this year. Included in those performances, was Post Malone performing ‘Tommy Lee’ and ‘Circles.’   This year, Post Malone made history when he was nominated for 16 Billboard Music awards this year.

In the end, he came out with ten awards this year at the ceremony. Those awards include: Top Rap Album, Top Rap Tour, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Male Artist, and overall Top Artist. Post Malone dominated plenty of the award categories this year. T

his year happens to be the year after the year in which he scored two multi-platinum singles ‘Sunflower’ and ‘Circles’ while his third album, Hollywood’s Bleeding (released September 2019) had sold over three million copies. The singer-songwriter and rapper, 25, said that he was ‘“blown away, just by the love that everybody’s shown to me. We just try our best every day… to reach out to people who might not have anybody to turn to and show everybody that they’re not alone, and music can bring everybody together, he added.’ ‘It’s absolutely incredible and I just want to say, thank you so very much, ladies and gentlemen. I’m blown away. I’m floored.”’

Following Virtual Homecoming at DHS

Lydnsey Dwyer

Staff Writer

As most schools are continuing to be shut down due to the current COVID-19 outbreaks, almost all after school activities including sports, dances, and more are being canceled as a result of this. As people all across the country know how important and traditional this dance based atmosphere is, what will really be missed?

While almost all schools in the state of Maryland had their homecoming dance canceled many people gathered their friends together as a group to try and relive the night they missed. Friend groups all around were dressing up, taking pictures, and hanging out calling this ¨foco¨, or fake homecoming, but is it really the same as the actual hoco?

Even though friends get to hangout and take pictures it isn’t really the same thing considering the loss of the homecoming football game, the jam packed gym, the pep rally, and most importantly known at Damascus is spirit week. 

While discussing with senior Annie Gruner about what she will miss the most about her senior hoco being canceled, she said, ¨I think taking pictures with your friends is great but I don’t think anything can replace the feeling of doing hoco hallways and having the pep rally.” Also, senior Michael Hess explains ¨ I personally wish we were able to have homecoming because its a fun night with friends and I would want more than just the homecoming dance. I miss the stuff that goes on during hoco the most; like the homecoming football game and also being able to spend the whole week dressing up with friends based on our themes.¨

Although Damascus High School came out last month in our homeroom classes announcing that there will be a virtual homecoming during this month, it isn’t even close in comparison to one of the most enjoyable weeks of the year.                             

Former Vice President Biden Projected to Defeat President Trump in 2020 Election

Mackenzie Lionberger

Editor in Chief

After a long election night and week of anticipation, Former Vice President Joe Biden was elected as 46th president of the United States. President Donald Trump has yet to concede and is mounting legal challenges in the hope of overturning states results.

   On November 7, it was announced that Biden is projected to win key swing states such as Pennsylvaia, Georgia, and Michigan which gave him the electoral vote 270, beating President Trump. The electoral votes stand at Biden 290 and President Trump 219. Biden won the swing states that Trump had one previously in 2016. Biden is also the most voted candidate of all time, even beating former President Barack Obama. The 2020 election also had the highest voter turnout, with 159.8 million American votes, according to NBC.

   While all media outlets and poll projectors have all announced that based on the votes counted that Biden is the President Elect, the Trump administration is claiming that mail in ballots shouldn’t have been counted in some states. Trumps says, “Joe Biden has not been certified as the winner of any states, let alone any of the highly contested states headed for mandatory recounts, or states where our campaign has valid and legitimate legal challenges that could determine the ultimate victor.” 

   President Trump while still denying he lost, fired the Department of Homeland Security cybersecurity chief, Chris Kerbs. He made the news public on Twitter, saying, “the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud.”

   Many analysts have said the reason for Trump being ahead in states like Georgia then falling behind is because the majority of people who voted early were most likely voting for Biden. The state of Georgia issued a recount and found that Biden won and there was no evidence of fraud. 

The election was anticipated by many like John King at CNN, that the results were not going to come in on November 3, due to the large number of mail in ballots and early voting. As the night began, many of the states were called early such as Vermount, Minnesota, Maryland, and ect for Biden, while other states like Arkansas, Mississippi, and Kenutkcy were called early from Trump. 

  Many of Trump’s lawsuits so far have been unsuccessful. In Nevada, the President claimed there was voter fraud because many of the votes in Nevada were out of state. The Wall Street Journal reported that a list of 3,062 alleged votes from out of state were active military who lived in Nevada but are stationed either overseas or in another state. A comment added to Milatary.com from Amy Rose said, “It’s pretty obvious that hundreds of military people are on this list. There didn’t seem to be any effort to look at this list before they made their accusations.”

   The Trump administration must show valid proof or evidence of fraud and many legal analysts have questioned the ethics or morals of these lawsuits. Former Justice Department elections official and now Loyola Law School professor, Justin Levitt said, “This may be an attempt to appease the ego in chief, but there are real world consequences for real people that come out of that. The attempt to soothe the president’s ego is not a victimless crime.”

   Despite ongoing lawsuits from the Trump administration, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris celebrated their projected victory at a rally in Wilmington, Delaware. They were greeted with supporters who were socially distanced in their car. Vice President elect Harris gave an inspiring speech saying, “all the women who have worked to secure and protect the right to vote” and said: “And I stand on their shoulders.”      

Harris is not only the first woman but is the first black and South Asian vice president. With thousands watching, the Vice president elect said, “And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before. And we will applaud you every step of the way.”

NBA Virtual Draft Kicks Off in Connecticut

Christian Silva

Staff Writer 

On November 18th the NBA virtual draft was held in Bristol, Connecticut. One team with high expectations from fans for the draft. For the last near decade the New York Knicks have simply been a huge disappointment for the people of New York. 

   With the recent firing of old Knicks GM Scott Perry all eyes were on the new GM Leon Rose and his executive World Wide West. The NBA draft this year wasn’t the strongest draft but there were players that brought the excitement to the draft for instance Anthony Edwards from Georgia University, Lamelo Ball, James Wiseman, Obi Toppin, etc.

But since the Knicks held the 8th overall pick, there was a good chance that none of those players would still be available. Obi Toppin was the Knicks target for the draft but there were also rumors of Cleveland who had the 5th overall pick would pick him or even the Detroit Pistons who held the 7th overall pick would take him. 

   There were rumors of the Knicks trading up in the draft just to acquire Obi Toppin because he was Leon Rose’s target and Leon Rose knew if he could get Obi Toppin who dunks the ball with force that makes fans’ jaws drop to the floor. Obi Toppin  declared for the NBA draft his sophomore year after leaving Dayton University.

    The New York Native Obi Toppin averaged 20.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, he was shooting the ball 63.3% and his 3 point percentage was 39% he was shooting good from the three as a power forward there aren’t that many power forwards that are capable of shooting like high and to add to the resume he was given Naismith College Player of the Year . So of course Leon Rose wanted him and would do all it would take to have this kid in a New York jersey. 

   The draft began with The Minnesota Timberwolves selecting Anthony Edwards, then the Warriors selecting James Wiseman, and leading to the Charlotte Hornets picking up Lamelo Ball. The pick was in for the Cleveland Cavaliers and they selected Issac Okoro, meaning there was still hope for New York then it got to the Detroit Pistons pick and with shock to Knick fans the Pistons selected Point Guard Killain Hayes. Now it was the Knicks turn to pick, New York fans were on the edge of their seats and were hoping and praying not to be disappointed like most years in the NBA draft. 

   For instance, in the 2017 NBA draft when the Knicks selected Frank Ntlikina passing on Utah Jazz star Donvoan Mitchell who later in the NBA became an all star while Frank Ntlikina can barely put up 8 points. “The Pick is in ” popped up in the corner of the screen then the screen turned to NBA commissioner Adam Silver and when he said “With the 8th pick of the NBA draft the New York Knicks select…Obi toppin.” Knicks fans rose from the couch and jumped for joy as they finally made a popular move that they all loved. When Obi Toppin was asked “Why is it important to be drafted from the Knicks?” Toppin replied emotionally with tears of joy “I’m from New York that’s why it’s important. Me reppin my city. It’s amazing! A lot of people pray to be in this position, and I’m not going to take it for granted. I promise you that.” 

   With the coaching of new Knick Head Coach Tom Thibedou who coached stars like Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Karl Anthony Towns, etc. Mike Woodson who was the Knicks head coach from 2011-2014 and led them to the playoffs is returning to the Knicks staff and will help Thibedou try to revive the Madison garden and show fans that New York is back.