[ID: A high school hallway crammed with shoulder-to-shoulder teenagers, about three of whom are wearing masks. End ID.]

This is a high school in my area. This was the first day back. This picture, taken by a student, went viral (ha), and the superintendent was more or less forced to make a statement. It’s long and it’s a lot of bullshit but here’s the big stupid part.

“One area where we have received a good deal of feedback is mask use in our schools. Wearing a mask is a personal choice and there is no practical way to enforce a mandate to wear them. What we will do is continue to strongly encourage all students and staff to wear masks.”

If I have to explain to you the staggering level of bullshit in this statement, then you’ve never been an AFAB person in high school. Tank top? Sent home. Jeans too tight? Home. Collarbones showing? Home. Never mind the application of out-of-school suspension, which is its own kind of bullshit that we’re not here to discuss today. If you can send someone home for showing too much ankle you can send them home for not wearing a mask.

I’ve seen pushback against him on Twitter but they’ve already proven they don’t give a shit what we think, or care about the safety of the students OR staff. Only that things look like they’ve gone back to normal.

“ Within days of that workout, several North Paulding [football] players had tested positive for the coronavirus. The school’s parents were notified just hours before the first day of class.”

“James’ parents saw the photograph that had been circulating Tuesday and told him, ‘You are not going back to school again,’ he said. But a few hours later, his mother had spoken to the school and was told that students who ‘chose not to go to school’ could face suspension or expulsion.“

“Any student found criticizing the school on social media could face disciplinary consequences.”

In the last four days, a lot of you might have seen the video of Mr. Philip Banks catching a baby boy that was thrown out of a burning building - the baby was saved by both him and the mother who sacrificed herself to help save her kids. In the video, you can hear neighbors pleading with her to jump down herself, but she didn't. She was completely engulfed in flames by the time she went back in to try and save her daughter. There are three heroes in this story, and all three of them are angels, one in Heaven now, and the other two here on Earth. Mr. D'Artagnan Alexander is the name of the neighbor of the Longs who kicked in the door of their apartment, went inside the fire and saved the little girl, who the mother managed to carry as close to the exit as possible before succumbing to her horrific injuries. The final sacrifice of a loving mother and the selflessness and bravery of these two amazing men are incredible. Words aren't enough.

Both of the children made it, but sadly it was too late for Mrs. Rachel Long. She leaves behind a little girl that will need more surgeries to start her recovery, a baby boy that is getting better but is extremely traumatized, and a husband who is now heartbroken and left homeless with their two children.

I implore you, if you cannot donate yourselves, I completely understand, but please at least share the donation link, that helps too!

Mr. Phillip Banks is a true hero. The way he sprinted to catch the little boy, throwing himself with everything he got to save him - without a doubt, the boy would have been severely more injured or gone if it wasn't for him. Mr. D'Artagnan Alexandar is another true hero. That little girl would not have made it without him. He ran inside a burning apartment, risked his life, all to save a child and he tried saving the mother too, but she was already impossible. Can't imagine how traumatic all of that is for the two of them as well, and for all the neighbors and family members affected. A lot of people helped in this tragic situation.

And Mrs. Rachel Long? I can't even begin to describe how horrifying it is what she had to do to save her children, and how brave she was in her final moments. She was such a strong woman and amazing mother. No one should ever have to go through that. How do you recover from something like this? It seems impossible. She and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Photography by Xuebing Du

- don’t drink water in the dark

- don’t look out windows at night

- if you feel it watching don’t look for it just hurry on your way, but to be safe if you feel running for some reason would insult This One then don’t

- take only dead wood from forests, fallen berries and flowers are safe too, the living things are Not For You

- NEVER stomp on the mushrooms

- stay on the animal paths

- leave an offering in the woods to be left in peace during your walks

- the hills and fields may seem open and empty but They Never Are

- listening to the wind is fine but you should never reply to it, if you feel it shift it’s time to go

- if your dog won’t go near it neither should you

- if It’s in your room then shut your eyes or otherwise don’t acknowledge It, It will eventually lose interest

- ghosts can and will lie to you

- don’t give anything your full name

- if you feel weak, don’t rest - leave

- your shadow doesn’t always belong to you

- check your seats before entering your vehicle, do not look back for ANYTHING after

- better yet keep things in your seats

Shipwreck of Lefort, 1858, Ivan Aivazovski