Credit: © Ailisa, Shutterstock

Saturday, December 26, marks the first day of the holiday Kwanzaa. The holiday was developed in 1966 in the United States by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Pan-African studies and Black cultural leader. The holiday centers on the Nguzo Saba, seven principles of Black culture developed by Karenga. These principles are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Kwanzaa is seven days long, lasting from Saturday through Friday, January 1.

The word Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, comes from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means first fruits in Swahili (also called Kiswahili), an East African language. There are seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa: mazao (the fruits of the harvest), the mkeka (a mat on which they are arranged), the kinara (a candleholder), mishumaa saba (candles), muhindi (ears of corn, one for each child in the family), the kikombe cha umoja (the chalice of unity), and zawadi (gifts). The zawadi that families exchange are often homemade. Each evening, families light one of the seven candles in the kinara and discuss the day’s principle.

Near the end of the holiday, there is a feast called karamu. It features traditional foods, ceremonies honoring the ancestors, assessments of the old year and commitments for the new, performances, music, and dancing.

Like so many holidays this year, Kwanzaa might look different than in years past. For instance, the entire community usually gathers for karamu. But, in many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic (global outbreak) of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. Such efforts often include social distancing, meant to limit contact among people and thus the spread of germs. But, limiting the spread of germs doesn’t mean you can’t have seven days of joy!

One socially distant way to celebrate the holiday is to have a virtual dance party with friends and family. Performances, music, and dancing are important parts of karamu. So, choreograph a dance with the people in your household and send a video to friends and family. Your friends and family can learn the dance, too! If you must visit friends or relatives, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after greeting others. Wearing a protective face mask when not eating can help prevent the spread of disease. However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a safe and fun Kwanzaa!

Credit: © Drazen Zigic, Shutterstock

Cans of cranberries are piled high on grocery store shelves. The smells of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg float through the house. The sound of snapping green beans fills the air. It’s nearly Thanksgiving Day in the United States, the day set aside each year for giving thanks and remembering the blessings of life. People may celebrate the day with family gatherings, feasting, and prayer. For many people, Thanksgiving calls forth memories of tables crowded with food, happy reunions, football games, and religious contemplation.

But Thanksgiving Day—like so many holidays in 2020—might look different than in years past. In many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic (global outbreak) of COVID-19. Such methods often include social distancing, meant to limit contact among people and thus the spread of germs. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has even advised Americans to avoid Thanksgiving travel and gatherings with relatives outside their household. That means that people might not see loved ones in person or crowd holiday tables this Thanksgiving Day. But, limiting the spread of germs does not mean you can’t have a day of thanks—and delicious foods. Just as you follow a recipe for your favorite Thanksgiving dish, follow these recipes for a safer Thanksgiving Day.

Gathering with people in your household is the safest way to celebrate the holiday. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the company of friends and distant relatives. Plan a video chat to share details of your meal, catch up with loved ones, and talk about the things you are thankful for.

If you must visit friends or relatives, it may help to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after greeting others. Food tastes better with clean hands anyway. You want delicious butter on your warm roll—not yucky germs! When not eating, it may help to wear a protective face mask. Plus, a face mask is a great way to hide yawning. (Roasted turkey, a popular holiday dish, has a chemical called tryptophan that is said to cause drowsiness.)

One way to practice social distancing at a holiday gathering is to seat one household per table. This means that you can sit with anyone who lives in your house. So, your seatmates might include your parents, brothers and sisters, and any grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that live in your home. Then, seat people from other households about 10 feet (3 meters) away. Before sitting down, disinfect your table and chairs. To pour on some additional safety—like you might pour on the gravy—bring your own drinks, plates, cups, and utensils.

We at World Book are thankful for our readers. We are also thankful to all the doctors, nurses, delivery drivers, and grocery store workers working to keep us safe and healthy. However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a safe and fun Thanksgiving!

Credit: © FamVeld, Shutterstock

Trick or treat! It’s almost Halloween. But this year, Halloween may look a bit different than in years past. A different look doesn’t scare Halloween, though. Your costumes might change from year to year, so you look different each Halloween, too!

In many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic (global outbreak) of COVID-19. Such methods often include social distancing, meant to limit contact between people and thus the spread of germs. But, limiting the spread of germs does not mean you can’t have any fun. Here are some tips—and tricks—for a safe and spooky Halloween.

If you plan on going door to door to collect candy, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before greeting others. Carrying hand sanitizer is easy, because you will already have a bag in which to carry your goodies! Plus, candy tastes better with clean hands. You don’t want any yucky germs with your delicious candy.

Another way to stay safe while going door to door is to incorporate a protective face mask into your costume. If you’re going as a unicorn, for example, wear a mask with rainbows. If you’re going as a cat, wear a mask with whiskers, a nose, and a mouth. You could also decorate a mask with the wrappers of your favorite candy, letting your neighbors know which treats you like best.

Not leaving the house this Halloween? You can still go trick-or-treating! Have members of your household stand behind the doors in your house—the front door, back door, bathroom doors, or bedroom doors, for instance. Knock on each door and yell, “Trick or treat!” Your family members can hand out candy. And the best part about trick-or-treating at your house? You get all the candy!

Many people carve jack-o’-lanterns for the spooky season. A traditional jack-o’-lantern is a hollowed-out pumpkin which has eyes, a nose, and a mouth carved into it. With adult supervision, you can carve a pumpkin, creating frightening or funny features. If you don’t want to carve a pumpkin, you can paint on a silly or scary face. One way to enjoy time with your friends may be a socially distanced pumpkin-carving party. Set up tables outdoors at least 6 feet (2 meters) apart and have each family bring their own supplies, or you can provide supplies for your guests. Make sure to disinfect such instruments as carving knives and paintbrushes.

However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a safe and fun Halloween!

T. J. Warren of the Indiana Pacers goes for a lay-up shot against the Philadelphia 76ers on August 1, 2020, at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The NBA resumed its suspended 2019-2020 season with teams sequestered (isolated) at the resort and no fans in attendance, precautions against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic (worldwide outbreak of disease). Virtual fans can be seen in the background, projected against the walls of the arena.
Credit: © Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE/Getty Images

The National Basketball Association (NBA) resumed its season on Thursday, July 30. But, this season looks much different than seasons past. Gone are the cheering fans. Instead, the stands are empty.

In March 2020, the NBA suspended its 2019-2020 season because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19, a contagious respiratory disease, first broke out in China in late 2019. It soon spread throughout the world. The NBA suspended play on March 11, 2020, after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for the disease. Most other major sports leagues around the world quickly followed the NBA in suspending or canceling scheduled events. In June, NBA teams and players agreed to a plan in which the top 22 teams in the standings would resume play under a shortened schedule to compete for a place in the playoffs.

All 22 teams are sequestered (isolated) at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Living in this “bubble” is intended to protect the players, coaches, and staff from contracting and spreading COVID-19. The complex includes weight rooms, practice gyms, and game courts. There are no Disney princesses or pirates. But, there are many famous faces, including such top players as LeBron James and Zion Williamson.

The season resumed with a game between the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Jazz beat the Pelicans 106 to 104. That same night, the Los Angeles Clippers played the Los Angeles Lakers. It was another two-point victory—the Lakers beat the Clippers 103 to 101.

Opening night provided a platform for players and others to express support for Black Lives Matter (BLM). BLM is an activist movement that was formed to campaign against racial injustice and what its members consider police brutality against African Americans. BLACK LIVES MATTER was painted on the court, and the players knelt during the national anthem, an expression of protest begun by the American quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

The NBA is not the only sports league to resume suspended play. The National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) have resumed their seasons, too. One thing all the leagues have in common is the absence of spectators at games. But at-home celebrations are likely to be spirited, as fans throughout the world have been without professional sports for months.

American immunologist Anthony Fauci
Photo credit: NIAID

You may have seen Dr. Anthony Fauci featured at press conferences as a member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, assembled to fight a pandemic (global outbreak) of the coronavirus disease COVID-19. In many ways, Fauci has become the face of efforts to stop the deadly disease in the United States, especially the practice of social distancing. But, how much do you know about Dr. Fauci?

Fauci (pronounced FOW chee), an American immunologist, has served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) since 1984. An immunologist is a scientist who studies the body’s defenses against disease. The NIAID is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the United States government.

Anthony Stephen Fauci was born on Dec. 24, 1940, in the Brooklyn borough (district) of New York City. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1962. In 1966, Fauci earned a doctor of medicine degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York City. In 1968, Fauci joined the NIAID’s Laboratory of Clinical Investigation. In 1974, he became head of the Clinical Physiology Section, and he was named chief of the Laboratory of Immunoregulation in 1980. Immunoregulation is the control of immune responses.

As director of the NIAID, Fauci has advised multiple U.S. presidents and led efforts to combat such emerging diseases as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS), SARS, the swine flu, MERS, the Ebola virus, and COVID-19. In 2008, President George W. Bush awarded Fauci the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts in fighting HIV and AIDS. The medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by the president of the United States.

April 3, 2020

As the world continues to struggle with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, most schools and universities around the globe have closed in an effort to help stop the spread of the deadly disease. In the United States—where there are more COVID-19 cases (more than 245,000) than in any other country—school closures began in March 2020. Schools began to close in March or earlier in other countries as well, as COVID-19 quickly spread from where it was first detected, in China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is a pneumonia-like disease caused by a coronavirus, a type of virus that also causes the common cold and other diseases of the upper respiratory system. To date, COVID-19 has killed more than 54,000 people among more than 1 million confirmed cases.

On March 22, 2020, a school in Carlsbad, California, optimistically awaited the return of students in mid-April. Credit: © Shutterstock

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 188 countries have closed schools locally or nationwide, leaving more than 1.5 billion people—nearly 90 percent of the world’s student population—out of classrooms. The closures have also affected more than 60 million teachers, many of whom continue to instruct through online classes or other forms of distance and remote learning.

In 2009, a contagious disease known as the swine flue forced school closings in several countries. In this photograph, children wear protective masks as they return to classes in Mexico City on May 11, 2009. The Mexican government had closed schools in April to help stop the spread of the disease. Credit: © Jorge Dan, Reuters

Public schools are closed throughout the United States, but many states are hoping to bring students back to classrooms by the end of April. All timelines, however, depend on the containment or continued spread of COVID-19. Such states as Alabama, Oklahoma, and Virginia have cancelled classes until the start of the fall 2020 semester, and many other states may soon have to follow suit. As a result of the class disruptions, most standardized testing will not take place this spring, and the April ACT and May SAT college entrance examinations were both cancelled.

This illustration of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) shows the spikes on the outer surface of the virus that appear as a corona, giving the virus its name. Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

School closures are part of social distancing, also known as physical distancing, an effort to slow or stop the spread of a contagious disease by limiting contact between people. Social distancing is most effective against illnesses that can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing, direct or indirect physical contact, or through the air. Typical social distancing measures call for the closing of such public places as schools, restaurants, museums, and many offices and stores. They may also call for people to maintain a distance of around 6 feet (2 meters) between them in public places.

March 27, 2020

As the world struggles to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a practice called social distancing is being implemented to slow the spread of the disease. Social distancing describes the effort to limit direct human contact and increase the physical space between people to avoid spreading a contagious disease. Social distancing is most effective against illnesses that can be transmitted by coughing or sneezing, direct or indirect physical contact, or through the air. COVID-19 is a coronavirus that causes a pneumonia-like disease. Coronaviruses are types of viruses that cause the common cold and other diseases of the upper respiratory system.

On March 20, 2020, train passengers wearing protective masks sit in designated areas to ensure social distancing in Palembang, the capital of the Indonesian province of South Sumatra. Credit: ABDUL QODIR/AFP via Getty Images

Social distancing requires the limiting of non-essential travel and large group gatherings. Authorities have suggested keeping a distance of 6 feet (roughly 2 meters) from other people in public. Social distancing also calls for the closing of such public gathering places as schools, restaurants, museums, and many offices and stores. A widespread policy of social distancing to counteract COVID-19 began in many places the second week of March 2020.

This illustration of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) shows the spikes on the outer surface of the virus that appear as a corona, giving the virus its name. Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Another aspect of the social distancing strategy requires that people who may have been exposed to a contagious disease isolate themselves, or self-quarantine. People in quarantine for COVID-19 must first follow the standard hygiene rule of washing their hands frequently. But they must also refrain from sharing towels or eating utensils, they must remain at home, they should not have visitors (except as needed to receive care), and they should follow the 6-feet (2-meter) distance rule with family members. Self-quarantine lasts for a period of at least two weeks. That amount of time allows people to know whether or not they have the coronavirus and if they are contagious to other people. After the period of self-quarantine, if the person does not show symptoms of COVID-19, they can return to their normal routine. For those that do have the coronavirus, they must then continue a longer period of isolation at home or in a hospital or other health care facility.

Social distancing can help flatten the curve, an expression that describes curbing of the rate at which people become infected by COVID-19. On a line graph, a sudden surge in cases of illness over a short time appears as a tall, narrow curve. On a similar graph, the same number of cases dispersed over a longer period of time appears as a longer, flatter curve. Ideally, social distancing will flatten the curve by slowing the numbers of people infected by COVID-19. Flattening the curve helps to avoid having more sick people than can be treated effectively at any one time.

COVID-19 is the name of a respiratory disease that was first recognized in human beings in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. The disease was given the temporary name 2019-nCoV, for novel (new) coronavirus of 2019. It was later officially named COVID-19. The virus that causes the disease was named SARS-CoV-2. Its symptoms include breathing difficulties, coughing, and fever. On March 11, 2020, The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic—that is, a disease that has spread over an extremely wide geographic area. By mid-March, the virus had caused more than 8,200 deaths, and more than 200,000 cases had been confirmed worldwide. More than 150 countries have reported cases of COVID-19.