New Year’s is a yearly time of optimism and hope, as people have the opportunity to change, make resolutions, and better themselves. Yet in the first month of the new decade many sorrowful things have taken place. 

For example, The coronavirus is spreading like wildfire, with nearly 60,000 cases. On the topic of wildfire, millions of acres of Australian land are on fire. Attacks were made between Iran and America. And saddest of all a helicopter crash claimed the lives of 9 people including Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant.

“It’s been really bad we need something to turn it around. We need something good to help the pain,” said Stryker C.

The coronavirus was first discovered in 2012 but has reached its highest death peak as the Howl goes to print. Symptoms include a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and fever. The virus originated most recently in Wuhan, China, where it spread to over 19 countries, including the U.S. At the moment, there is no cure and it is highly contagious. 

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Which has resulted in thousands of confirmed cases in China,” said the CDC.

In the continent of Australia, the temperature reflects their summer season, and over 46% of its land up in uncontrollable bush fire flames. It has claimed the lives of over 24 people and burned over 3,000 homes. It has been hard on the Australian people, causing many people to move to places they’ve never been. It has been one of the saddest moments so far in 2020.

“It’s sad because they didn’t do anything wrong and are now in flames and defenseless against it,” said Brianna C.

On December 31st, 2019, an Iraq-backed militia attacked the U.S embassy in Iraq. In retaliation on January 3, 2020, the U.S carried out a drone strike on the Baghdad airport in Iraq, killing the Iranian General Soleimani and nine others. Then on January 8, 2020, an enraged Iranian government launched 11 Fateh-313 missiles toward Ayn-Al-Asad base, injuring over 100 people, said CNN. While still on high alert, the Iranian state shot down a Boeing 737 flying from Ukraine. It claimed the lives of all of its passengers, claiming the lives of 176 people. This was one of the biggest moments of sorrow in January.

“I didn’t really feel good about the attacks. I wasn’t scared, just worried they would attack us,” said Dalton F.

One of the saddest moments of January came on January 26, when TMZ posted that a Calabasas plane crash, claimed the lives of 9 people. Of those nine,  Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna were killed. This sad news shook the sports world as some of the most famous athletes reacted with disbelief and sadness. Many memorials around L.A were quickly set up in his honor. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players ever, a great father to his kids, and an all-around legend.

“It’s a tragic and unexpected event. I miss him and his mamba mentality. But his legacy will live on forever,” said AAU Basketball Star Sebastian W.