FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM DECEMBER 24, 2020 • KIDS & EDUCATION • THE QUEENS COURIER 33
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Queens high school students discuss arrival of COVID-19 vaccine
BY ERIN YOON
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
As COVID-19 cases once again surge
in Queens, the FDA-approved Pfi zer
COVID-19 vaccine is bringing hope to
a borough once home to the epicenter of
the pandemic.
Many believe the vaccine’s creation signals
a bright future. Th ough some express
skepticism toward its hurried production,
countless studies have shown the vaccine
to be eff ective and safe in clinical trials.
Beyond an allergic reaction in one person
in the United States, there have been no
adverse events reported.
Queens high school students demonstrated
polarity within their views of the
vaccine upon being asked whether they
would take it or not.
“I would take it once I’m sure there
are no harmful side eff ects so I can play
sports again,” said Justin Lau, a student at
Benjamin N. Cardozo High School. “But
if I was not sure about the safety of the
vaccine, I would not take it since personal
health is a bigger priority.”
Th e vaccine feels like a risk, he continued,
especially because its creation process
was so rushed. It is impossible to
know about any long-term dangers at the
moment, according to Lau.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the
National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases, addressed the quick
timeframe in which the vaccine was created
on ABC News’ “Good Morning
America” on Tuesday.
“People understandably are skeptical
about the speed, but we have to keep
emphasizing speed means the science was
extraordinary,” Fauci said.
At St. John’s Episcopal Hospital in Far
Rockaway, where vaccinations for frontline
workers began earlier this week, none of
the 175 people who have received the vaccine
have reported any adverse reaction.
Other Queens students displayed
more optimistic attitudes regarding the
plausibility of the vaccine.
Samuel Kim, a junior at Bayside High
School who has been working at a relative’s
store during the pandemic, looked
to the FDA for the vaccine’s credibility.
“I think it is promising,” he stated.
“Th e FDA did approve Pfi zer’s vaccine
and I have little doubt about it, although
it is one of the fastest vaccines to be created.”
However, Kim, like many others,
decided that he would wait until the
vaccine’s safety was confi rmed by a reliable
population. Th ere could be downsides
that are yet to be known, he said.
Supinder Kaur, a junior at Benjamin
N. Cardozo High School, told QNS she
is eager to take the vaccine.
“I am hopeful and would heavily consider
taking the vaccine,” Kaur said.
Kaur asserted that the FDA’s approval
of the vaccine’s production signifi cantly
bolsters its credibility. Despite the arrival
of the vaccine, she said that social distancing
should still be maintained in
order to achieve solid progress in quieting
the pandemic.
Th e vaccine is fi rst being distributed
to frontline healthcare workers who are
most exposed to the virus.
Books for kids to read during the holiday break
BY SABRINA LEE
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Th e holiday break is the perfect
time to cozy up under the
blanket with a good book. If
you’re looking for some new
books for your kids to read during
the holiday break, you’re in
luck! We have compiled a list of
some of the best books from this
year to help your child pass the
time. Th is list includes books for
a range of reading levels — from
pre-school picture books to middle
school chapter books.
We have included a diverse
selection of stories — biographies,
superheroes, fantasy —
and you will undoubtedly fi nd a
perfect one for your kiddo! We’re
also really loving this year’s reads
about diversity and inclusion
with important messages for any
child, so we made sure to include
some of the best on our list. Take
a look at our list and fi nd your
child’s next favorite book!
“We Are Water
Protectors” by Carole
Lindstrom, illustrated
by Michaela Goade
Early readers (grades P-1)
Looking to teach your kids
about protecting the environment?
Th is call-to-action narrative
inspired by Indigenous-led
movements urges the readers to
protect the Earth’s water in the
face of environmental destruction.
Th e powerful message is
paired with detailed watercolor
illustrations and has the power
to inspire your young reader.
“You Matter” by
Christian Robinson
Early readers (grades P-3)
Th is New York Times bestseller
brings together many different
perspectives of people all
over the world and reminds us
that everyone matters. Th e illustrations
will captivate any young
reader and show them the world
in a new way. From astronauts to
pets, we are shown many diff erent
points of view all approached
from a place of empathy. Th is
book is a must-read and will
defi nitely bring a smile to your
kid’s face!
“My Best Friend” by
Julie Fogliano, illustrated
by Jillian Tamaki
Early readers (grades P-3)
“My Best Friend” is told from
a child’s perspective who meets a
new friend at a park. Th is sweet
story shares the joy of becoming
fast friends with someone
as a child. Julie Foliano’s prose is
paired with Jillian Tamaki’s soft
illustrations. Th is is a great winter
read for younger children
that celebrates friendship!
“Fauji Singh Keeps Going” by
Simran Jeet Singh, illustrated by
Baljinder Kaur
“Land of the Cranes”
by Aida Salazar
Upper-level readers (grades
3-7)
“Land of the Cranes” is a great
way to introduce conversations
about immigration and refugee
families with your child. Nineyear
old Betita, a young refugee,
is taken to a detention camp
aft er her father is arrested by U.S.
immigration offi cers and deported
to Mexico. As Betita is surrounded
by other detained children,
she must remain hopeful
and remember the story her
father told her — her family are
cranes that have returned to their
promised land. Th is heartbreaking
story told in verse shares the
realities of a family who must
endure hardship while fi nding
the strength to dream.
“Prairie Lotus” by
Linda Sue Park
Upper-level readers (grades
5-7)
Award-winning author Linda
Sue Park tells the story of a
young half-Asian girl, Hanna,
who must navigate life in the
1880 Dakota Territory. Aft er her
Chinese mother passes, Hanna
and her white father must start
a new life in a small town. We
follow Hanna as she deals with
the existing prejudice the townspeople
have against Asians
while pursuing her dreams.
Th roughout the novel, there
are potent comments on racism
while sprinkling in some humor
to create an overall, captivating
read for your kids.
“Before the Ever After”
by Jacqueline Woodson
Upper-level readers (grades
5-6)
ZJ’s dad was a kind-hearted
football hero to many but aft er
years of head injuries, he has
developed a temper and memory
trouble, eventually forgetting
ZJ’s name. ZJ must navigate
this new present and try to hold
onto the happy family memories
of the past. We recommend this
novel for a bit of an older reader
who wants to dive into a powerful
and moving story.
Victoria Jones/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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