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Health care workers collect saliva samples at a drive-up testing site in Arizona in November. Since then, COVID cases have dropped significantly in most states, including Illinois.

COVID cases decreasing

Josie Cable, Opinions Editor • February 22, 2021

While vaccines start being distributed across the U.S., COVID-19 cases are decreasing from a record-setting surge in December. Over 11 million people have been fully vaccinated with their second dose...

Though vaping has become popular in the past few years, few have considered the effects of respiratory viruses like COVID-19 on people who vape.

Up in the air

Kaitlyn Wenzel, Staff Writer • February 19, 2021

Over the past year, COVID-19 has taken over many people’s lives around the world causing their social lives and day-to-day activities to come to a halt. However, a common activity that many teens and...

Teachers and staff at Des Moines Public Schools got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at a clinic held at Central Campus. Overall, Illinois is sixth in the country, following more populous states, in terms of percent of the population receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

McHenry County behind on vaccination

Emma Snyder, News Editor • February 9, 2021

As the COVID-19 vaccination efforts begin to increase, McHenry County has the lowest percentage of its population vaccinated out of the Chicago suburb collar counties. The COVID-19 vaccine is in high...

A student sits on her Chromebook during an in-person class at West on January 27., one week after MCHS back from a semester fully remote.

Hybrid continues strong despite challenges

Mackenzie Sroka, Staff Writer • February 2, 2021

After starting returning to school January 20, many students and teachers say that hybrid learning is going well, and should continue as planned as they work out problems.  While teachers figure out...

Patient receives COVID-19 vaccine shot in Anchorage, AL. Frontline health workers were the first scheduled to receive the two COVID injections, which need to spaced several weeks apart.

Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines begins

Joe Ndu, Staff Writer • January 26, 2021

Ever since the pandemic quarantined America, we have been waiting for something that would get us back to some semblance of normal. That hope is slowly becoming a reality as the COVID-19 vaccine had begun...

Students return to East and West Campus starting January 20, the start of second semester, to begin hybrid learning. As many things return to “normal,” students will need to adhere to new rules involving mask-wearing and social distancing.

Hybrid’s happening

Kiera Loewe, Social Media Director • January 20, 2021

Starting second semester, students have the option to remain remote or begin hybrid learning. Regardless of what option a family chooses, students will need to adjust to new schedules, new guidelines,...

From Black Friday until Christmas Eve, people flood stores looking for the perfect gift for their loved ones. This year has been the opposite of normal, though, so shoppers shouldn't shop as they normally do.

Opinion: Shop safe this holiday season

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • December 11, 2020

What do you get when you cross a global pandemic and Thanksgiving weekend? A super spreading event that causes more transmissions in a state where numbers are still steadily rising. Black Friday shopping...

As the country approaches the holiday season, health officials warn of a surge in cases following Thanksgiving. Case in McHenry County and Illinois have risen steadily in the past month.

COVID-19 cases at a new high post-Thanksgiving

Josie Cable, Opinions Editor • December 10, 2020

Following Thanksgiving, coronavirus deaths and cases have been reaching new highs, specialists believe that COVID-19 surges are in the country's future while people continue socializing. Though these...

Signs provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health hang on bulletin boards throughout West Campus. Now that students will not be returning to hybrid, only teachers, staff, and administrators will see them.

District 156 dashboard reports COVID cases

Kyla Henige, Managing Editor • October 30, 2020

Six people at MCHS have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a dashboard created by District 156 administration. This dashboard is used to keep the community updated on the McHenry Country metrics...

A student wears a mask in the hallways at West Campus on October 20, only a couple days before the district announced they would be pausing plans to begin a hybrid schedule.

Hybrid learning “paused”

Emma Snyder, News Editor • October 29, 2020

Due to the influx of COVID-19 cases in McHenry County, MCHS will no longer be returning to its hybrid model on November 4.  On October 22, the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) released a...

On October 26, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks at his regular COVID briefing to tell the general public about the latest rising COVID-19 case numbers.

Illinois sees spike in COVID-19 cases

Kiera Loewe, Social Media Director • October 27, 2020

The increase in COVID-19 cases may cause parts of Illinois to go back to Phase 3 restrictions late this week and early next week, including the closing of restaurant dining rooms and restrictions on social...

Starting September 21, select classes began meeting in person. This included MCHS's bands, which practiced outside of East Campus on September 22.

MCHS begins to open back up to students

Emma Snyder, News Editor • September 25, 2020

After opening the school to sports and extracurricular activities, MCHS will start allowing students to come into both East and West Campuses for in-person learning opportunities starting September 21.  In-person...

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