Over one year ago, the first American was diagnosed with a virus that has become more than just a disease; it has become a symbol of fear, isolation and death. Endless lockdowns and mask mandates are what particularly characterize our perception of 2020. But has COVID-19 really brought only negatives to society, or are there perhaps even aspects about our life that were enhanced due to the global outbreak of a novel disease?
We have peered at each other from behind cloth masks for more than a year now, and it looks like the end might be in sight, but have we gained any positive understandings throughout this horrific pandemic? Have we gained a new appreciation for social connections amid social distancing? Photo by Dominic Johnson
The year 2020 was unusual and difficult for people all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I myself never thought I would live in a time where everyone would be walking around with a face mask in public. Since the outbreak began one year ago, in January 2020, many people have questioned the effectiveness of face masks, and many recent studies have shown their true scientific effectiveness.
While some face masks are single-layer masks made up of non-woven fabric or wood pulp tissue paper, others are made from 100% cotton, but the most effective masks seem to be N95 masks, but often times the consumer does not know the differences between one or the other. Photo by Molly Munoz
Here are some interesting facts about MBU Timeline, the student newsmagazine of Missouri Baptist University, in St. Louis:
*Our mission statement is: MBU Timeline is the student news network of Missouri Baptist University, a private Christian university that embraces the essential core value of “social change through service and leadership.”
*The Bible verse that drives our mission is 2 Timothy 2:15 (Worldwide English Version): “Tell the true message in the right way.”
*The WordPress website has been up since late-fall 2013. We average about 3,000 sessions and about 5,000 pageviews per month.
*Our stories and galleries get as few as 40 or 50 hits, or as many as 8,000 hits.
*We have readers in every state and more than 90 countries around the world. We have several readers in South America, the United Kingdom, India and Australia.
*Most of our readers are in Missouri, followed by Illinois, California and Texas.
*We do not accept advertising as we are a not-for-profit online newsmagazine.
*We welcome contributors from all walks of MBU life, regardless of your major. Reach out to us on Twitter at: @mbutimeline.
We have peered at each other from behind cloth masks for more than a year now, and it looks like the end might be in sight, but have we gained any positive understandings throughout this horrific pandemic? Have we gained a new appreciation for social connections amid social distancing? Photo by Dominic Johnson
