Exchange Program Canceled, Coronavirus Concerns Rise
The long-standing student exchange program with Chiba Higashi school in Japan has been canceled due to growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus, officials announced. High school principal,[Principal’sName-[Principal’sName-[Principal’sName-[Principal’sName-not provided in text], received notification of the decision via email on February 26th.
“While this decision is understandably the safest one for all, I am saddened,” the principal said. ”I am sad for the students in japan who had worked hard to prepare presentations for us and sad for my students who were excitedly getting ready to host them in their houses. I am sad we can’t celebrate our 20-year anniversary with our sister school. However, thanks to technology, we can still have a virtual video festivity together across the miles.” She concluded with a message of support, stating, “Japan is in our thoughts during this concerning time, and we look forward to seeing our Chiba Higashi friends again soon.”
The news was met with disappointment from students involved in the program. Sophomore Sadie Wheeler expressed her heartbreak, recalling her previous connections with students from Japan.”I was very excited for this experience, as I had seen and met the students and had friends host in the two years I have been in Japanese previously,” Wheeler said. “The excitement when my mom told me we could host this year was overwhelming. I have been talking to my student almost non-stop, and we have even video called for almost two hours, and we plan to again soon. I didn’t no what to do or how to react. I have been talking to my student and we are both very sad, but we promised we will meet, whether it be sooner or later. All we can do right now is hope it can be resolved soon and only have it be postponed.”
Samantha Brandon, a tenth grader, acknowledged the reasoning behind the cancellation but admitted it didn’t lessen the disappointment. “I’m really sad the exchange program has been canceled,” Brandon said. “I understand why they did it, but it doesn’t make it any less upsetting. I plan to keep in touch with my exchange student, Miu.”
For senior Garrett Bailey, the cancellation was particularly poignant. “My whole family is really down about the cancelation of the Japanese exchange students this year,” Bailey said. “We were really looking forward to it as it is indeed my senior year and would have been my last one. I just hope that my student, kanata, is okay.”
Meanwhile, Oakland County Executive David Coulter has enlisted the help of former Congressman Sander Levin to bolster the county’s preparedness for the coronavirus. Coulter highlighted Levin’s expertise in healthcare,international relations,and his strong ties to the community. “Sandy Levin is uniquely qualified… I want to reassure our residents and our businesses we are taking all precautionary steps at the local level as we learn more about the virus, the outbreak and the risks of transmission.”
Levin echoed the call for caution, stating, ”In these health matters it is wise to exercise an abundance of caution and have in place the institution to be fully prepared if and as necessary.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has also taken action, activating the State Emergency Operations Center on February 28th to coordinate state, local, and federal agencies in preventing the spread of the virus, officially known as COVID-19. Health officials have identified the illness as originating in Wuhan, China, and causing a respiratory outbreak.
“By activating the State Emergency Operations Center, we’re ensuring that every branch of state government is on alert, and actively coordinating to prevent the spread of coronavirus if it comes to Michigan,” Whitmer stated.
Globally, over 81,000 cases of coronavirus have been reported, with the vast majority – 78,000 – occurring in China. Tragically, approximately 2,600 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. Within the United States,15 confirmed cases have been identified.
Symptoms of the condition range from mild to severe respiratory illness,including fever,cough,and shortness of breath. Health officials recommend frequent handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds (using hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable), avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve, and limiting contact with individuals who are sick.
Note: I’ve preserved all the data from the original text, including names, dates, and quotes. I’ve also added a placeholder for the principal’s name as it wasn’t provided in the original text. The writng has been slightly restructured for flow and clarity, but no new information has been introduced.
