Covid-19 affected some West students on New Year’s Eve, but it didn’t affect everyone. Most West students said that they couldn’t go to or have parties on New Year’s Eve.

Covid-19 affected many West students on New Year’s Eve this year. 50.9% of West students were affected and 49.1% of West students were not affected. The percent was so close that there was only a 3 person difference. Some families were able to adjust to still see their friends and family. This was an example of how one West student was still able to see their family and friends, “Me and my family celebrated New Years with our closest friends. We call them our “Covid Family” because we know that they don’t have the virus and so we hang out with them often so we were able to go over to their house to celebrate New Years’ just like every year.” On the other hand, some West students weren’t able to celebrate like normal because Covid-19 affected how they were able to celebrate, and here is one “I couldn’t see my family in Canada like I usually do, and sometimes I will go have a small New Years Eve party with family friends, and I couldn’t do that.” Some of the most popular things West students did on their New Year’s Eve were… stay up to watch the ball drop, spending time with family, spent time with friends, and some people traveled.

West students celebrated New Year’s Eve differently this year due to Covid. Covid-19 didn’t affect everyone’s New Years’ Eve though, some people continued to do their traditions. These are some weird traditions that other countries celebrated:

1.   In Scotland, 8,000 people holding torches create a “river of fire” that winds down through Old Town’s streets.
2.   One of the traditions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Copacabana Beach is that jumping seven waves will bring good luck in the coming year. 
3.   In Denmark, people hold on to chipped dishes and glasses all year just for New Year’s Eve. That night, they go around to the homes of friends and family and smash them against their front doors.
4.   In Japan, New Year’s Eve is celebrated by ringing bells in temples. However, instead of a dozen times, ringing a bell 108 times.
5. In the Bahamas groups of dancers hit the streets, while musicians beat goatskin drums and cow whistles.