The Dimond Plague Recently a distressing illness has swept through the halls of Dimond. Out of nowhere, students dropped like flies, classrooms were suddenly empty, except for a few remaining stragglers. “The Dimond Plague,” as it has been deemed by students, actually originated at Service High School, according to several students. “My cousin goes to Service and got the same symptoms of this sickness a few days earlier than it hit Dimond,” said Sophomore Ian Dana. Symptoms of the ailment include sudden unexpected vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, and nausea. When it first was introduced into Dimond, students were running to garbage cans and restrooms right and left. Freshman Colton Stephens said of his experience with the Dimond Plague, “I was just sitting in my math class the other day when BOOM I just had to throw up like crazy. I did not even have time to tell my teacher, but had to just sprint out of the class room.” Another student, Moses Sohn, junior, had different symptoms. “I was not feeling well when I woke up, so I decided to stay home from school the day I got sick. “All day, I had a pounding headache, and it hurt to even keep my eyes open. Every time I tried to get up, I felt so nauseous that I had to just lay in bed all day.” Nancy Edtl, the Anchorage School District’s head nurse said that this is a sort of “Noro-like virus.” (adn.com/2013/04/05/2853572/dozens-of-anchorage-students- sickened.html) Fortunately for Dimond students, the so-called Plague lasts only 12 to 48 hours, passing through the diseased peoples’ systems. Unfortunately, however, the 12 to 48 hours are incredibly brutal. For the students who have not contracted this virus, the Dimond Plague seems almost scary. “I’m kind of afraid to catch it actually,” said Freshman Chris Carrigan. “From what my friends have told me, catching the Dimond Plague would be one of the worst experiences of my life.” Many students did get sick recently, but what kind of precautions did teachers take? Math teacher Jim Anderson said, “I don’t want to catch this sickness man! I bleached everything, febreezed the air, and as you can see, I’m wearing a dust mask over my mouth.” Is this overkill? Would it not just make more sense to stay home instead of coming to a disease-ridden environment? “No, no, no,” Anderson said. “I’m totally disinfecting this place. Plus, I can’t let my classes down!” This is a crazy stint of sickness that has hit Dimond, and although it has passed now, it has definitely made an impression on everyone. Students at Dimond are definitely being more cautious now. With any luck, the Dimond Plague is gone forever.