I Have an Itch I Cant Reach I Cant Wait to Draw but Im Stufying Once Again
current events conversation
What Students Are Saying About Living Through a Pandemic
Teenage comments in response to our recent writing prompts, and an invitation to join the ongoing conversation.
The rapidly-developing coronavirus crisis is dominating global headlines and altering life as we know it. Many schools worldwide have closed. In the United States alone, 55 million students are rapidly adjusting to learning and socializing remotely, spending more time with family, and sacrificing comfort and convenience for the greater good.
For this week's roundup of student comments on our writing prompts, it was only fitting to ask teenagers to react to various dimensions of this unprecedented situation: how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting their daily lives, how we can all help one another during the crisis and what thoughts or stories the term "social distancing" conjures for them.
Every week, we shout out new schools who have commented on our writing prompts. This week, perhaps because of many districts' move to remote online learning, we had nearly 90 new classes join us from around the world. Welcome to the conversation to students from:
Academy of St. Elizabeth; Abilene, Tex.; Alabama; Anna High School, Tex.; Arlington, Va.; Austria-Hungary; Baltimore, Md.; Bellingham, Wash.; Ben Lippen School; Bloomington, Ind.; Branham High School, San Jose, Calif.; Boston; Buffalo High School, Wyo.; Camdenton, Mo.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Collierville, Tenn.; Dawson High School, Tex.; Denmark; Desert Vista High School; Doylestown, Penn.; Dublin, Calif.; Dunkirk, N.Y.; Eleanor Murray Fallon Middle School; Elmhurst, Ill.; Fairfax, Va.; Framingham, Mass.; Frederick, Md.; Hartford, Conn.; Jefferson, N.J.; Kantonschule Uster, Switzerland; Laconia, N.H.; Las Vegas; Lashon Academy; Lebanon, N.H.; Ledyard High School; Leuzinger High School; Livonia, Mich.; Manistee Middle School; Miami, Fla.; Melrose High School; Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Penn.; Milwaukee; Montreal; Naguabo, Puerto Rico; Nebraska; Nessacus Regional Middle School; New Rochelle, N.Y.; Newport, Ky.; Newton, Mass.; North Stanly High School; Oakland, Calif.; Papillion Middle School; Polaris Expeditionary Learning School; Pomona, Calif.; Portsmouth, N.H.; Pueblo, Colo.; Reading, Mass.; Redmond Wash.; Richland, Wash.; Richmond Hill Ontario; Ridgeley, W.Va.; Rockford, Mich.; Rovereto, Italy; Salem, Mass.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Seattle, Wash.; Sequoyah School Pasadena; Shackelford Junior High, Arlington, Tex.; South El Monte High School; Sugar Grove, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo.; Timberview High School; Topsfield, Mass.; Valley Stream North High School; Vienna, Va.; Waupun, Wis.; Wauwatosa, Wis.; Wenatchee, Wash.; Westborough Mass.; White Oak Middle School, Ohio; and Winter Park High School.
We're so glad to have you here! Now, on to this week's comments.
Please note: Student comments have been lightly edited for length, but otherwise appear as they were originally submitted.
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How Is the Coronavirus Outbreak Affecting Your Life?
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The coronavirus has changed how we work, play and learn: Schools are closing, sports leagues have been canceled, and many people have been asked to work from home.
We asked students how their lives have changed since the onset of this pandemic. They told us about all the things they miss, what it's like to learn online, and how they're dealing with the uncertainty. But, they also pointed out the things that have brought them joy and peace amid the chaos.
Life as we know it, upended
Yesterday my school district announced that our school would be closed until May 5. Upon receiving the email, I immediately contacted my friends to share our responses. To most of my friends and me, this news was no surprise. Already finishing week one of quarantine, I find myself in a state of pessimism in regards to life in the midst of a pandemic. My days have blurred into Google Classroom assignments, hobby seeking, aimless searching on Netflix, and on exceptionally boring days, existential contemplation.
The dichotomy of chance freedom from school and yet the discombobulated feelings of helplessness and loneliness plague my time home alone. My parents are yet working and as an only child, I try my best to stay sane with blasting music and shows. Other times I call my friends to pass the time doing school assignments. Even then, schoolwork seems increasingly pointless.
With most of my classes being APs, the recent CollegeBoard update for the 2020 AP exams was a blow to my educational motivation. I am naturally a driven, passionate learner with intense intellectual curiosity. But in the midst of this chaos, I can't help feeling like all the assignments from my classes are just busywork. I manage to stay afloat, keeping in mind that everyone is doing their best. Despite no ostensible end in sight, I hope this quarantine brings out the best in me, in society, and in nature.
— Brenda Kim, Valencia High School
The struggles (and joys) of distance learning
Although we do have online school now, it is not the same. Working from home is worse as I don't care to admit, my work habits from home are not the best. I am easily able to procrastinate at home and having class in bed is not the best idea. Plus, I can no longer get the one on one help teachers provide if needed.
— larisa, california
The coronavirus affected me because now having to do school virtually is kinda hard because I don't have much of a good wi-fi, and its nerve-racking to know about what we're gonna do about the tests we have to take in order to pass because I do care about graduating, and going to next grade in order to keep going to finally graduate school and get my diploma I just hope this virus doesn't affect anything else besides school.
— julien phillips, texas
I personally have to do 2-3 hours of work a day instead of the usual 8 hours (including homework), and it feels more tiring somehow. I'm in the comfort of my home all the time, but have to do this for a few hours, and it feels much more monotonous than 8 hours in a classroom, and that's what everybody has been doing for a lot of their life.
But in that sense, it also feels a lot calmer not being around people constantly, having anxiety and autism. The people in classrooms are insane. It didn't affect my life negatively by much, but it really makes me think. If the school system were like this in the near future, I think it would be much more sustainable, in many ways.
— Alexen, Lawrence, Massachusetts
I never understood how much social interaction I experienced at school until the end of the first week of my self quarantine. I had been trapped in my house with my family for about 5 days at that point, when my AP Language and Composition class had a Zoom conference. I had done them for other classes so I wasn't exactly excited for the opportunity. It was just another zoom lecture.
As it turned out, it wasn't a lecture, it was a conversation. It was a discussion about our last current events assignment that I didn't know I desperately needed. The conversation was explosive. Differing opinions flew left and right, people brought their cats to join in the fun, family members popped in and out of the frames, and the controlled chaos felt incredible. I relished in the opportunity to argue and challenge their opinions. I didn't even realize how isolated I was feeling until I was able to talk to them in a creative and intellectual setting once again.
— Yaffa Segal, New Rochelle High School
Finding new ways to socialize
Finding new ways to stay social has been essential, and recently, my friends and I all drove our cars to a large parking lot, parked more than 6 feet apart from each other, sat in our trunks, talked and enjoyed each other's company for over an hour and a half. This was crucial in keeping our sanity. We missed each other and being in the presence of people other than our family; however, we were sure to maintain our distance and continue social distancing. We did not touch anything new and we stayed more than 6 feet apart from each other speaking about the adjustments we have been making and the ways we have been coping with all of the changes we are experiencing.
— Carly Rieger, New Rochelle High School
…[T]his "corona-cation" has given me a lot of time to reflect, and while I haven't seen my friends in person for a week and half, I feel closer to them than ever. We've FaceTimed almost every day and we play some of our favorite group games; Psych and PhotoRoulette are two apps I highly recommend to have fun from the comfort of everyone's homes.
Because my mom has a weak immune system, I've been quarantined since the moment my school closed, so social distancing has been a little more than 6 feet for me. However, my friends did make me a care package filled with my favorite candy and a puzzle which my family completed in a week.
— Jessica Griffin, Glenbard West HS Glen Ellyn, IL
Mourning canceled events
To say that this virus has completely changed my day to day living would just be an understatement. I went from having things to do from 7:20am to 8:45pm every week day to absolutely nothing. The whole month of March was going to be booked as well. I had activities such as the Wilmington Marathon that I work at and the Masters Swim meet that I was going to volunteer for. Then I had a club swim meet but everything got canceled. Everything that I was looking forward to just came to a halt and nothing is going to be postponed, just canceled.
— Ellen Phillips, Hoggard
As a High School senior, this quarantine has seemed to just chop off the fun part of our senior year. We had made it so far, and were so close to getting to experience all of the exciting events and traditions set aside for seniors. This includes our graduation, prom (which is a seniors only event at my school), senior picnic, theme weeks, and much more.
— Cesar, Los Angeles
Like many other students involved in their school theatre programs, I was severely affected by the closing of schools due the growing pandemic. My theatre company had been rehearsing our play for months and in an instant, we were no longer allowed to work on our show. The Texas UIL One-Act Play Contest was postponed because of the coronavirus, and while it is a reasonable action, it left an army of theatre students with nothing to do but vent through memes, TikTok, and other forms of social media. These coping mechanisms helped me, as well as my fellow company members, process the reality that after all the hard work we put in, we may never get to perform for an audience.
— Ryan C, Dawson High School
Living with mental, emotional and financial strain
The coronavirus is having a pretty significant impact on me. Physically, it's reducing my daily physical activity to the point where the most exercise I get is walking around my house and dancing around my room to songs that make me feel like I'm not in the middle of a pandemic. Emotionally, it has also been very straining. My mom is a substitute teacher and she is out of work for the rest of the school year with no pay. I myself am missing my closest friends a lot right now, and feel lonely often.
— Sela Jasim, Branham High School
I struggle a lot with mental health. I have had depression and ptsd, as well as anxiety for years. Seeing people outside of my family is what keeps me sane, especially those closest to me. Having to FaceTime my therapist is weird and scary. Things are so different now, and I'm slowly losing motivation. My thoughts recently have been "don't think about it" when I think of how long this could possibly last. I am scared for my grandparents, who live across the country. I feel like I haven't spent enough time with them and I'm losing my chance. Everything is weird. I can't find a better way to describe it without being negative. This is a really strange time and I don't like it. I'm trying my hardest to stay positive but that has never been one of my strong suits.
— Caileigh Robinson, Bellingham, Washington
My mom is a nurse so she has to face the virus, in fact today she is at work, her unit is also the unit that will be taking care of coronavirus patients. My whole family is very afraid that she will get very sick.
— Maddie H., Maryland
Appreciating the good
Although we are going through a horrific time filled with all kinds of uncertainty, we are given the opportunity to spend more time with our loved family and learn more about ourselves to a broader extent while also strengthening our mental mindset. I can't stress the amount of frustration I have to return to class and my everyday routine however, I've learned to become stronger mentality while also becoming creative on how I live my life without being surrounded by tons of people everyday.
— anthony naranjo, Los Angeles
Although I could list all the negatives that come with Covid-19, being a junior in high school, this quarantine has been a really nice calm break from a life that seemed to never stop. A break from 35 hour school weeks along with 15 hours worth of work, being able to sit down and do hobbies I missed is something I am really appreciating.
— Ella Fredrikson, Glenbard West, Glen Ellyn, IL
An upside to these past weeks of quarantine is being able to see my usually busy family more, especially my father. I've had more talks and laughs with my family the last few days than I've had in the past couple of months, which helped lighten such a stressful time in my opinion.
— Marlin Flores, Classical High School
Several months before the outbreak my mom randomly asked me what would I study if I could choose anything, not for a grade, not for any credit. Now, because of corona, I am learning Greek with my father! He can't travel for work now and doesn't attend meetings as frequently, so he is at home too.
— Lily, Seoul, Korea
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How Can We Help One Another During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
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In a series of recent Times articles, authors wrote about the need for solidarity and generosity in this time of fear and anxiety and the need for Americans to make sacrifices to ensure their safety and that of others in their community.
So we asked students what they and their friends, family and community could do to help and look out for one another during the coronavirus outbreak. Here is what they said:
Help your neighbors, especially the sick and elderly.
There are so many things we can do to help each other during this pandemic. Use gloves when you go shopping or are in public, masks if you think that it would be best for you, those who have more wiggle room financially can help out others who don't have that same wiggle room financially and who are now struggling, buy groceries for those who can't afford it or are at risk if they were to go out in public. Donate if you can, and help the elderly or those who desperately need it, and for goodness sake wash your hands and (for all that need to hear the reminder) SOCIAL DISTANCING IS A FRIEND. Social distancing is proven to help drastically, so please, social distance.
— Dakodah, Camdenton, MO
As a person, we have the ability to help our friends, families, elders, people with illnesses in our community and people with high risks of getting the virus. We can accomplish this by simply observing who may need help with shopping, for groceries or clothes, with yard work, or any kind of outside work that is done where there are rooms full of people, such as going to the bank. As a younger person and a person with a low risk of getting the virus, I have the capability to walk to places and go in and out of buildings with a smaller chance of getting the virus as compared to one of my elder neighbors. My friends and I can go around the neighborhood and see who needs help during this hard time, whether I have to give them money or food to help them out.
— Adrianna P, New York
Many elderly people in my vicinity suffer from chronic conditions and illnesses and there are others who often live alone. Going to the grocery store or the pharmacy can also be hassle for many. Due to the recent pandemic, people are stocking up necessities however, some people are not being practical and overstock, not leaving anything for others. Fights are breaking out in grocery stores and this is a dangerous situation to put the elderly in.
— Sydney, B
In our American society we tend to be very individualistic. This pandemic has truly proved that point as people do not care for other but themselves. During this time we should consider not only ourselves but the people in need, which are the elderly and young children. Instead of hoarding all the food share some with a neighbor or an old person that doesn't quite have the ability to run around store to store grabbing what they can. Make sure when you feel ill or if a family member feels ill to stay contained in your home. If this is not an option you could always take your ideas to social media, posting ways to stay clean and making sure we support the people who need it.
— Marley Gutierrez, Pomona, CA
Stay connected.
We could help one another just by the simple ways of: texting your friends every now and then and keep them in check and give them positive reinforcements; call your far away family and report to them on how you are doing and make sure that they are doing OK as well; help elders that are not safe to go out by running errands for them.
— Xammy Yang, California
It's really important for everyone to stay in contact with others. Be open to talking to people you don't necessarily talk to all the time just so you can fulfill your own social requirements. It's also important to listen to others and take into account their feelings. We are all in a time of stress and anxiety about the unknown and we have to just go with the flow and wait it out. I'm stressed about possibly missing milestones in my life, like prom and graduation, but there are others suffering. We all just need to be prepared, stay healthy, and reach out to others.
— Elysia P., Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn, IL
Stay apart.
The most important thing one can do during this time of uncertainty is to protect oneself, that is how one can protect others. By practicing social distancing, the risk of spreading germs or disease is reduced. From within one's home, much can be done. Keeping in touch with close friends and family, donating money and food to those in need and not hoarding or stockpiling too much are all things one could do to support one's community. Every little thing counts.
— Francheska M-Q, Valley Stream North
Honestly, as boring as it sounds, staying home is the best way we can help against the coronavirus. The second best in my opinion would be spreading the word and encouraging others to wash their hands often and to not go in large groups. Our number one priority should be protecting the elderly and people more vulnerable to getting the disease, or more likely for it to be fatal. If I were to get the virus, my chances of death would be very low, but I would be most worried about accidentally passing on the virus to an elderly person who might not be so lucky. Staying home, clean, and avoiding large groups is the safest and best way for us to help in efforts against the coronavirus.
— Christian Cammack, Hoggard High School In Wilmington, NC
Stay informed.
During this time of crisis, seeking accurate information should remain people's main focus. Reading articles from trusted sources such as the CDC and New York Times rather than sensationalized media that spreads false rumors for attention will improve reactions to this scary situation because it has the potential to reduce panic and allow people to find ways proven to slow the spread of the virus.
— Argelina J., NY
Donate to those in need.
We can help one another during the virus break by doing online donations to people who need it the most, not taking supplies that you know you don't need, and/or offering online support for those who have relatives that have the virus and want someone to talk to. We, as a community, can keep distance and update each other on the constant updating news.
— Marisa Mohan<3, NY
… donate food to food banks or homeless shelters. Food is even more of a necessity right now, so it is crucial that everyone has what they need because some people get their food from school or from work, which isn't available at the moment. Finally, even if we feel we're healthy and we're not afraid to get the Coronavirus, it is very vital to participate in social distancing because it will help society overall.
— Bridget McBride, Glenbard West HS, Glen Ellyn, IL
Encourage positivity.
In my opinion, we should all do our best to help and encourage each other with healthy habits and staying positive. Too many people are worried about the coronavirus. What will happen because of this is more stress and anxiety. In turn, this leads to people stocking up on products and taking resources from other people who need them. As long as we all contribute and help one another, we will be able to keep things under control.
— Mieko, CA
Learn lessons for future preparedness.
I believe that this horrible trouble we are all put into is teaching our younger generations such as me, to be prepared when these unexpected events happen. We can help the elders and take care of them because if we don't prepare next time then we will struggle to survive if the coronavirus becomes a long term thing. This situation is also bringing our communities together, or at least teaching us to. We can learn to share resources that maybe we have to much of. Just a couple days ago, my grandma had ran out of cleaning supplies and she didn't have a working car at the time. My family and I decided to give her some of our extra supplies since we stocked up on so much. I believe that we can definitely use this time to help our minds grow and learn new things.
— Becky Alonso, CA
Things we shouldn't do
"Desperate times call for desperate measures." -Hippocrates This quote describes my opinion of the COVID-19 crisis. Our communities must make sacrifices in order to overcome the trials we are facing. Instead of describing what we should do, I am going to shortly convey examples of what our local communities shouldn't do. We shouldn't panic. Panic causes the nervous system to spark and will create unsettling emotions that will produce nothing helpful for the situation at hand. We shouldn't buy abundant amounts of resources unless instructed to. Please be considerate towards these people because they probably are struggling a lot more than you at the moment. We should be mindful of others. I am not saying we have to interact with everyone (DO NOT DO THAT), but I am saying we should be kind when we do interact.
— Adrianna Waterford, Bloomington, IN
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What Story Could This Image Tell?
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In our Picture Prompt, "Social Distancing," we asked students to write memoirs and poems inspired by the illustration above, or tell a short story from the perspective of one of the people pictured. In prose and poetry, they expressed a range of responses to the pandemic, from fear, panic and anxiety to resilience and hope.
Creative short stories
From the perspective of the Binocular guy:
I thought social distancing would be great, no one would bother me or interrupt my work. But actually doing it makes me realize that those things, those pains in my neck that would annoy me, are the things I miss the most. I miss the smell of Phyllis's choking perfume. I miss Michael pacing around the office. I miss the way that Pam would bite her pen when she was focusing. I miss people. Now that I'm alone in my apartment, I hunger for human interaction. I have taken to staring out the window at people walking past and imagining the conversations they have. Oh how I wish to be a part of them, but I can't risk going outside. I thought my window would cure my loneliness, but it has only made it worse. Social distancing has hurt me more than any virus could.
— Andrew B., Abilene
It's another day in the city. Car horns honking, people scurrying over town, and there I am. No, not that person or the other. In the upper left corner. Do you see me? Yes, you found me! The only creature not on a screen. I have never understood why they sit there and look at their own devices. I enjoy sitting on the roof and looking at others. People watching is my favorite, but the only thing that most people are watching is a tiny screen. Everyone is wrapped up in their circumstances. Sick in bed with their computer, walking down the stairs with a device. But I'll be here, waiting for someone to notice me — just the dog on the rooftop.
— Hope Heinrichs, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC
Opening to short story for the homeless man:
It's so cold out today. My blanket is the only that is keeping me partially warm. Before today, my HELP sign got me a few dimes. That way I could buy some food. But today, the streets are empty. The only people passing by either have masks covering their face or run past me with their hands full of food and supplies. I wonder what's going on?
— Ariel S., Los Angeles
Cold: That's all he feels as he's reclining on a random door.
Scared: That's what he wants to avoid feeling as he sees people coughing around him.
Alone: That's what he is as he wanders from place to place, looking for somewhere to spend the night.
Worried: That the door's owner might make him leave his only sanctuary.
Pity: That's the emotion he evokes on the few that are brave enough to wander the streets.
Remorse: That's the emotion that the passersby show when they refuse to stop to help.
Cold: That's all he feels as he realizes that he has no one.
— Laura Arbona, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC
Memoirs in the time of coronavirus
Trapped. The walls are closing in. Someone coughs from outside, I immediately close the blinds and clorox the window. The television is on loud. The person on the other end of the line of dad's phone is obviously deaf because dad is yelling into our end. In line for the computer, I have been waiting for two hours.
Bored.
— Allison Coble, Hoggard High School
It all began with just one human. After days there where more and more infected people and everything started to be different. We all thought it isn't that bad and China is the only one who suffers but we were absolutely wrong … Now there are too much cities which are in quarantine and there are about 16 thousand deaths. I'm scared. And I can#t do anything than staying at home and pray. I often watch videos and try to distract myself. When people ask me what has changed I can say: Everything. The human has changed. The human attitude has changed. Just everything. It's not surprising for me if you can't find toilet paper or water. The people are going crazy because of this virus. They know that they can be in danger fast if they just make one false decision. In this time we all have our anxiety. Either we are scared of being infected or we are scared that a loved one is infected.
— jana.hhg, Germany
This pic remind to me that we live in this period. Under from the outbreak of pandemic's coronavirus, we stop to go out in order to avoid each social contact. So, we stay our home every day, all day. Most of the people stop working regularly and they work from home. The schools and other utilities are closed down and remain still open grocery stores and services for essential products. The whole world is in quarantine. Our effort to be uninfected is captured from this pic.
— Joanna, Greece
This photo shows that even in a time where socializing is not advising, humans are naturally social and are still coexisting in this time of distancing. The way the artist drew this made me feel a sense of separation but also togetherness at the same time, which is similar to the way I feel now. We're all living our different lives with different situations and yet, we're all somewhat connected.
— Ella Shynett, Hoggard High School in Wilmington, NC
Its Day 3 of quarantine and its starting to hit. This picture shows us how people are pretty much keeping as much distance away from people as possible. They're still living their lives normally, just alone. But at my house it's anything but normal. Every time I touch a light switch, my mom swoops in and wipes it down with a Clorox wipe. When I have to itch my nose, my mom screams at me. But I know deep down she's just trying to keep me and my sister safe from the virus. She mainly wants to protect my grandma, who is very vulnerable at this time. Its gonna take some time to adjust to this type of living, not seeing friends in person for weeks, or just going to starbucks. But I know that it will all pass in no time and we can go back to living our normal lives. I actually can't wait for school to start for once.
— Dean, Glenbard West Highschool
Poetry
Stuck inside with nothing to do
I'm really bored can't think of anything at all :/.
All I can do is homework woohoo
Cant see my friends all I can do is call
Trying to get it all done before its due
With this virus I sadly can't even go to the mall
Thinking of you and you and you
Can't wait to go back to school
and walk the fourth grade hall!
— Isabella V Grade 4, Jefferson Township, NJ
Poem by The Lady Running With Toilet Paper:
TP
TP
Why do people have to hoard it
It's the coronavirus, not diarrhea
Don't' jack up the prices, I can't afford it
One pack, that's it
It's all I could find
To those hoarding the toilet paper
You make me lose my hope in mankind
As I rush down the vacant street I pass by some stores
Some open, some closed
As I scramble past the doors
No one seems to be coughing
But I can feel it in the air
A dull creeping paranoia
Assembling into a scare
Up the stairs I make sure to not touch anything
Don't forget to use your elbows
Don't touch the key ring
In through the door, drop the TP, wash my hands
Wipe down the counter, wipe down the door
Make sure to cancel any plans
Sit in solitude
Turn on the TV and watch the news
All I'm able to think is, "Oh god we're screwed!"
— Ellinor Jonasson, Minnesota
Is social distancing impractical,
when we live at such close proximity,
drink tea with the neighbors,
or buy food from the Deli,
You could choose to be stubborn,
and get frustrated from being indoors,
or you could be compliant,
And watch the birds soar,
In the end it's our choice
where we decide to look,
The dirty wall to the left,
or the canvas on the right,
— Saharsh Satheesh, Collierville High School, Tennessee
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/learning/what-students-are-saying-about-living-through-a-pandemic.html
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