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The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

COVID-19 continues to mutate into new variants like the most recent JN.1 strain and remains especially active during the respiratory virus season from fall to winter. Updated vaccines by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Novavax that came out in fall 2023 are effective against newer variants, and CDC safety precautions have largely stayed the same since last year.

Keeping up with COVID-19

by Mendy Mao and Jeremy Peng February 9, 2024

As we slog through another respiratory virus season, COVID-19 is no longer the main topic of discussion. Instead, the nation seems to have collectively moved on, despite the dangers the virus still poses....

Fiona Yan (11) practices presenting her research project at the mock science fair, which was organized by the Research Club on March 6. Fairs were held virtually from 2020 to 2022 due to the pandemic but have since switched back to in-person.

2023 Synopsys Championship returns to in-person science fair

by Edward Huang, Co-STEM Editor March 13, 2023

Upper school students attended the 2023 Synopsys Science and Technology Championship hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Science & Engineering Fair Association (SCVSEFA) at the San Jose Convention Center...

Snow lays on the mountains of Mission Peak in Fremont yesterday. A historic California winter storm brought snow and hail to the Santa Cruz Mountains starting Thursday, closing Highway 17 and preventing up to 104 students and faculty from attending school yesterday.

Historic snowfall strikes Bay Area mountains

by Emma Gao, Desiree Luo, Katerina Matta, and Sally Zhu February 25, 2023

Additional reporting by Shareen Chahal, Kinnera Mulam and Isha Moorjani. A historic California winter storm brought snow and hail to the Santa Cruz Mountains starting Thursday, closing Highway 17 and...

A technician from Inspire Diagnostics applies a sticker to a mini test vial in the Rotunda, the upper school's COVID-19 testing site, on Feb. 4. BA.2 received the title “stealth variant” due to unique genetic traits that make it difficult to trace since it often appears as the delta variant in tests.

More contagious omicron subvariant BA.2 spreads as mask mandates lift

by Kinnera Mulam, Copy Editor March 9, 2022

The omicron subvariant BA.2 has appeared in over 40 countries, including the U.S, and is much more contagious than its predecessor.  As BA.1, or omicron, cases decline, states such as California, Oregon...

A technician from Inspire Diagnostics gives directions to students before taking their COVID-19 tests. Testing will take place weekly on Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Nichols rotunda.

Upper school implements weekly COVID-19 testing for all students

by Isha Moorjani, News Editor February 9, 2022

All upper school students underwent COVID-19 testing on Feb. 4 in the Nichols rotunda with Inspire Diagnostics as a new weekly testing procedure. Upper school nurse Jennifer Olson announced in an email...

California State Senator Scott Wiener introduces California Senate Bill 866 (SB 866), which would allow individuals 12 years old and older to receive vaccinations without parental approval, on Jan. 21 at a press conference in San Francisco. “I think we have a shot for getting it passed,” Weiner said. “It's not guaranteed, the California legislative process is very complicated."

State legislation proposed to expand vaccination age of consent

by Lucy Ge, Co-Managing Editor February 7, 2022

California State Senator Scott Wiener (D-CA) introduced California Senate Bill 866 (SB 866), which would allow individuals 12 years old and older to receive vaccinations without parental approval, on Jan....

With speculation and rumors spreading faster than the omicron variant itself, tension permeates the campus atmosphere, as empty seats dot classrooms and lunchtime conversations detail the friends who are quarantining in their rooms. In total, 48 students and 16 staff members have tested positive since the start of the school year. 

Editorial: We need answers

by Editorial Board January 15, 2022

In a survey sent out to members of the Harker Journalism news staff, 96.9% of the 32 responders indicated that they agreed with the stance of this editorial. With speculation and rumors spreading faster...

The global silicon shortage, driven mainly by the pandemic, has hampered the production of widespread technologies, including automobiles.

How a 50 cent part is killing a trillion dollar industry

by Arjun Barrett, Assistant STEM Editor September 25, 2021

As the world finally transitions out of a global pandemic, cars remain in short supply. Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen have all cut production by as much as 40%. But the automotive industry isn’t merely...

Moderna plans to begin testing for its new vaccine booster shot, which targets the coronavirus and the influenza virus, within the year. Booster shots can help protect against changing and mutating viruses.

Moderna announces new ‘combo’ vaccine to combat COVID-19 and the flu

by Emma Gao and Kinnera Mulam September 18, 2021

Moderna announced the development of a new booster vaccine that protects against both COVID-19 and the influenza virus through a press release on Sept. 9, with testing expected to begin over the next six...

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