COVID has affected many people in major ways. It can seem dark at times, however, there are some benefits of the pandemic. In some aspects, the environment has improved. 

“In terms of fossil fuels, we saw a decrease in emissions due to business shut-downs and less transportation. More people began working from home, and less traveled,” science teacher Suzy Farrow said.

There have been some incredible outcomes of the lockdown. In India, people can see the Himalayan mountain range for the first time in decades. Also, Venice canals are clearing and people can see fish now. 

“One of the perks we say pretty quickly was that in lockdown with hardly anyone commuting to work, there was a drastic reduction in pollution in the atmosphere. Being home meant a lot more energy use from individual houses which requires more refining of natural gas which can add more pollutants into the environment,” Physics teacher Kelsey Pierson said.

With all of the changes seen and consequences to our actions, people can only hope for a better tomorrow. 

“I have no doubt the future will look better than it does now, because of the younger generations. Both Millennials and Generation Z grew up learning about human impacts on the environment, and have a deep understanding of how humans affect it,” Farrow said.

While this is all great news, there have been some negative causes of COVID to the environment. 

“Individual habit pollutants have increased due to single-use plastics: disposable masks, bulk food stores wrapping food in plastic, stores banning reusable bags, etc,” Farrow said.

The production of these single-use products has been altered due to COVID and the lockdown.

“Specific single-use products have definitely increased. The new thing to see discarded on the ground as litter is a mask. There is a lot of trash created due to COVID. There’s definitely an increase in individual healthcare supplies, as nothing can be reused,” Pierson said. 

 This can have a negative impact on the planet, but it is necessary to help keep people safe. 

“While I personally do as much as I can to reduce single-use plastic, I understand the temporary need for protecting public health,” Farrow said.

Masks are a great example of this. People have been using masks to help protect and stop the spread of COVID. Masks are a single-use product that is in higher demand than usual. 

“I prefer disposable masks because it is easier to get a new one than it is to have to wash it out,” freshman Lexi Stubblefield said.

People are wearing all different types and styles of masks. It is a matter of preference. 

“I prefer cloth masks since I can wash them continuously,” Farrow said.

Most are becoming irritated with the masks and are tired of wearing them, but Farrow says that we should keep in mind that they are important to the safety of public health.

“Masks are a matter of public health. We are in a temporary situation with the pandemic, and that calls for all people to come together to help protect each other. When we are on the other side of the pandemic, we can work towards becoming more sustainable again,” Farrow said.

Opinions on masks and the COVID situation can differ. While the production of single-use products has increased, there have also been many improvements to the planet because of the decrease in fossil fuel use. The lockdown has helped to bring some parts of the world back to life. People should remember that even in a global pandemic, there is always a silver lining.