def every_other(seq):
    """ Returns a new sequence containing every other element of the input sequence, starting with
    the first. If the input sequence is empty, a new empty sequence of the same type should be
    returned.

    Example: every_other("abcde")
    "ace"
    """
    newSeq = seq * 0
    for i in range(len(seq)):
        if i % 2 == 0:
            newSeq += seq[i]
    return newSeq