Category Archives: News

COVID-19

The positive side of COVID-19

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The coronavirus pandemic has definitely been difficult for a lot of people. Not only because of the constant fear of contracting it, but also due to the staying at home and not seeing friends or family. Even though times may seem very grim, there are still upsides to this virus that not as many people talk about. 

The biggest positive of the pandemic is the lowering of emissions. This is caused by less people going to work in factories. This lowering of emissions is very positive and proves that it is possible to cut emissions. Although this lowering of emissions may not be sustainable long term because it gives a lot of people jobs, it still shows that it’s possible to lower the emissions. 

Another positive to COVID-19 is how much happier pets are. Many dogs and cats are stuck at home while their owners are at work or school, or just out of the house. These pets need attention and most good owners give their pets as much attention as possible, but when owners are at home pets get so much more attention than normal. Dogs and cats all thrive when they get more attention so having their owners around is good for them. One issue with this is extra attention these dogs and cats are getting is that when owners go back to work and leave them at home again they could get stressed out and be more unhappy when they don’t get the extra attention.

The final positive is the positivity in communities around the world. Around the world people are coming together to celebrate health care workers for doing what they do. People are doing favors for their neighbors, who may not be able to leave their house, and wearing masks and taking proper precautions for people who are at higher risk.

COVID-19, Tech/Games

Conspiracy theorists burning down 5G towers in delusion that they are causing the corona-virus

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There have been a lot of theories on the coming of the new COVID-19 virus, but this conspiracy has been one of the most damaging. This theory involves the work of 5G mobile towers being accused of having connections to the virus. People say the towers have been emitting radiation poisoning, and that people are getting sick because of it. People have said that these towers, for mobile communication, can have an effect on giving people cancer as well as killing wildlife.

The news has been spreading through social media networks, but only recently there have been acts of arson. There is a Facebook group called “Stop5G Australia,” that’s filled with many people that believe the towers are making us all sick.

These theories are easily put down due to scientific facts, but that doesn’t stop individuals from continuing their beliefs. COVID-19 is a virus that spreads through human contact.

Because the attacks continue, it has had a saddening effect on emergency services that depend on the mobile networks provided by 5G. It’s not just the abuse of the towers, as reported by TheVerge,  there have been reports of worker harassment and people attempting to stop repairs and management of the towers as well.

National

Illegal immigration in the United States

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Image taken from: https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/should-i-use-the-term-illegal-immigrant

There are four types of immigrants: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented. Today I will be talking about undocumented immigrants. Undocumented immigrants are people who are foreign-born and who also don’t have a legal right to stay or be in the United States. 

You may ask, where do they all come from? Half of illegal immigrants come from Mexico or other Latin American countries such as: El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, or Colombia. The other half comes other countries like Poland, Sweden, Pakistan, Somalia, and Iraq, which all provide large numbers of illegal immigrants here in the United States. 

Illegal immigrants come to the United States often because of new job opportunities that could be offered. They are able to build a better life in the United States because their own country is lacking certain things such as resources, decent living conditions, or safety. They could also flee to the United States because of war. 

A myth that has been well ingrained in peoples heads is that immigrants steal other’s jobs. The truth is they don’t. They take jobs that the American workers decide not to take. They also start their own businesses and spend their income on American services and goods. According to the ACLU, over 100 years, Immigrants pay more than $90 billion in taxes every year and only receive $5 billion in welfare. Without any contributions to the public treasury, the economy would then suffer huge losses. 

Some people ask the question “Why don’t they come here legally?” The answer to that question is that, it’s not that easy. The first thing immigrants have to do is get a visa and have a qualified reason to be in the United States.

There are many ways to be here temporarily, such as being a student, tourist, or being here for short term business. But all of these require for you to prove that you intend to go back to your home country. Each year visas are allowed globally for each type of relationship and once they are all issued, the rest are put on a waiting list. The process can take from anywhere up to 27 years. 

The Pledge of Allegiance states “with liberty and justice for all.” We don’t see any of this going on with illegal immigrants. They instead are kept in detention centers. Families are being pulled apart; women and men are housed separately and they are not allowed to know how long they will be detained, their personal belongings are taken away from them and they are not treated as humans, they are treated as ‘aliens’ and outsiders. This is a worldwide issue that deserves more attention than it gets. 

Advice/How To, COVID-19

Things to do during quarantine

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By: Linda Tellez-Ruiz

Quarantine can be very stressful and very boring. Although you may have a lot of time on your hands, no one‘s quite sure what to do with all that time. You and your family might be tempted to go out to a park, or do something outdoors, but you just don’t want to risk it.

Well, I have a lot of family friendly ideas to pass the time.

The first thing that’s fun, and also kind of expensive, but is totally worth it, is to get an inflatable pool. It doesn’t even have to be new; they’re basically sold everywhere and they’re probably only maybe $100. If you invested in one it would last you way longer than just quarantine so you could be using it for the summer, and just for family fun whenever you want.

Another thing that would be fun for the whole family is a big 1000 piece puzzle. They are very time consuming but also very fun. You can get them online for a couple of bucks.

Something you can do as a family is binge watch a TV show and also prepare to watch that show by cooking a family dessert. It’s a fun and tasty activity for the whole family.

Now, something that I like to do, that’s not really hard, but it takes a lot of time and dedication, is if you have a pet take the time and try to teach it some cool new tricks. I’ve done this and I’ve taught my dog how to roll over. It’s very easy, and very cute, and fun, just put on a tutorial on YouTube and follow the instructions.

COVID-19, World

Coronavirus in Mexico

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By: Heidy Ramirez

There are top 10,000 corona virus cases in Mexico. Latin America’s second biggest outbreak. There have been 970 deaths because of the coronavirus and Mexico is entering “phase 3.” Mexico does not really have hospitals that can help them all at the same time and if they do, Mexicans do not really trust it to be the top best thing.

It’s worse for Mexicans for the corona to be out there, because everyone is always out and around people. The Mexico metropolitan area is home to more than 20 million people so for the corona to be there, it will expand more than in most countries and states.

They do not have as many hospitals or doctors and nurses to help with the coronavirus stuff as Americans and other people do. They are also telling elderly people to stay indoors, even if they work, for their safety.

Most Mexicans are saying they don’t deserve what they have coming but they deserve moral support and help from other countries. Many doctors and nurses have to take more shifts because of how many people have the virus there and not many people that can help treat it.

There is at least around 1 million Mexicans trying to cross the border to get some good help
because they don’t really have much in Mexico. The government of Mexico did not give the
announcement to stay at home until April even though as I write this, we’re waiting to see
what the government and president has to say about all of this.

The system of health will be overloaded faster than other countries. Mexico had about 65 tests per million inhabitants (2,250 per million in the United States).

The National AIDS council of Mexico said that people who are testing are doing better than
other countries. Not everything will be solved when you take the test. There are going to be
more things you have to do so it’s better to be clear from it.

A virus never really goes away so in conclusion no one will ever be clear from it and in Mexico it’s probably worse to be because everyone’s always together like they’re one big family. The numbers started on March 18 which was 25 deaths and on April 22 there were 970 deaths because of the Coronavirus.

What are the things that nurses in Mexico are doing? They are avoiding wearing masks to avoid
sowing panic and two doctors and one hospital administrator have died. Also, there were at least
51 staff members that have been infected by corona.

Some Mexicans are attacking the doctors and the nurses with bleach and burning them and a lot more things because they’re scared of the coronavirus. There have been a lot of attacks since the corona virus started. There have been a lot of threats of who might be sick and who will try to do anything to get rid of the sickness. Mexico is just trying to be clear from it just as everyone else is having to do whatever they need to.

Getting To Know/History, Science/Nature

What is Seasonal Depression?

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Image taken from: https://www.evidentlycochrane.net/preventing-seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/

As the seasons are changing, people are able to do more outside and are less confined to their houses. Many people also find that they have more energy than they did in the winter months.

This could be because of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It is a type of depression that, according to the Mayo Clinic, is related to changes in seasons. They also say that most symptoms, in people with SAD, start in the fall and continue through the long winter months. In some less common cases, people have been known to be affected in the spring and early summer.

SAD is very common in the United States, according to the Cleveland Clinic, with approximately half a million people suffering from it each year. This is more likely to start in young adulthood, but children and teens could also experience SAD. People who live far north and south of the equator are also found to be more likely to be affected. 

Most of the symptoms are the same as depression. The most common symptoms, according to Cleveland Clinic, are:

  • Sadness
  • Anxiety
  • Increased need for sleep
  • Inability to concentrate
  • Withdrawal from social activities
  • Loss of interest in usual activities 

The treatment for SAD varies depending on the severity of the case. Anti-depressants work in some cases but the most recommended treatment is light therapy and spending more time outside. Light therapy is when a device containing white fluorescent light is placed at a distance of 2-3 feet away from the patient. It is used as a substitute for sunlight, which has been shown to improve the patient’s moods. 

If you have diagnosed with SAD there are multiple things to do to keep your symptoms from returning. One thing to do is to try and spend time outside, even when it’s cloudy, the sunlight will still help. A second thing that is helpful is to eat well-balanced meals with lots of vitamins, even though you body might be craving starchy and sweet foods. Another thing that would help with SAD is exercising for thirty minutes a day, at least three times a week. 

COVID-19, Movies/TV/Theaters, National

Louisiana police use siren from ‘The Purge’ to signal quarantine

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The Purge siren goes out with an announcement.

The police used a siren to signal that curfew had begun and to stay inside. However, they were unaware that the siren was used in the 2013 movie The Purge. In the film, the siren announces the beginning of a twelve hour period where all crime is legal. I’m sure for people who knew about the movie, this would have been terrifying to hear, especially at night.

The police issued an apology, and stated that the siren would be not used again. After getting numerous complaints, they assured the public that it was not a prank set out by the department, and it was an honest mistake.

The Purge is an incredibly successful horror film franchise. It has spawned four films and a T.V. show. A fifth film was slated for a 2020 release, but production was most likely stopped due to the virus. In the series, all crime is legal for a 12 hour period once a year. Hearing this type of siren late at night must have been scary for some people, and luckily the police department was able to catch their mistake on the first night they used it.

COVID-19, National

Why aren’t there any supplies?: How COVID-19 is impacting the supply chain

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We are in a time unlike any our generation has ever faced. With millions of people out of work, and many quarantining at home, it’s crazy how much our world has changed in a short amount of time. However, one of the most pressing issues is the lack of supplies for both healthcare workers and people at home. 

Image taken from: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/we-have-plenty-of-food-so-why-are-grocery-store-shelves-so-empty/ar-BB12NCzl

Masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer are all important supplies to prevent the spread of disease. But for most of these supplies in high-demand, there aren’t nearly enough to go around. According to the New York Times, crucial supplies for saving lives are also running out. Ventilators and other life saving equipment are at shortages. Test kits are in high demand and are rarely handed out. This prevents people from being diagnosed and given the proper assistance to stop the spread and get healthy again. Masks, gloves, and other protective supplies continue to be in high demand; not only for health care workers, but for people everywhere.

At home, materials like toilet paper, packaged food, and other household items are becoming increasingly harder to find in stores. So, why are we experiencing all of these shortages and what can we do about it?

According to Vox, there are many reasons fr these shortages. Many are caused by major problems in the supply chain. Demand for these products is up, but suppliers have experienced many disruptions. Many American companies rely on overseas suppliers for materials and finished products. Any delay in overseas shipping can create a “domino effect” in regards to product availability.

Another major problem in the supply chain is caused by the amount of people out of work. With more people home sick, less of these products are being made, shipped, stocked and delivered.

So, what are companies doing to help meet the needs given such high demand for supplies? According to Johns Hopkins University, manufacturers and retailers have been working to improve things for consumers, even if it may not be immediately beneficial for business. For example, grocery stores have established dedicated shopping times for the elderly and other high risk individuals to allow access without exposure to others. Stores have also been imposing limits on the number of people allowed in the building to shop at a given time. Some stores are also rationing high-demand products by putting a limit on how much a customer can buy.

However, not all of this is on the manufacturers. We consumers need to take responsibility and realize that our actions have impacts on others. Avoid stockpiling and be aware that others may be in more need of a product than you.

And most importantly, stay home and social distance. The more we all do this, the sooner things will be able to get back to normal. 

Science/Nature

Animal cloning in recent years

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I know cloning sounds like a fictional plot from a sci-fi movie, but in 2020, this is a real practice.

There are ways we can help animals to become healthier through this. An example of this is when goats were cloned to produce more of a protein called antithrombin. The protein antithrombin goes through the bloodstream and reduces blood clots. They were bred now having more quantities of this protein. The research can be found by clicking this link.

Image taken from: https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Cloning-Fact-Sheet

When an organism is cloned, cells from that organism are harvested. They are then placed into the reproductive system of another, in attempt to grow the cells. Here is a more specific glance into the process of cloning.

A somatic cell is taken from the being that is going to be cloned. Then the nucleus of that cell is extracted. Why do we need to remove the nucleus? Well because that is what holds the organism’s DNA, which is what we need in order to clone it. The rest of the cell is discarded. After that, the nucleus of an egg cell is taken out from a donor organism, and replaced with the somatic cell nucleus. In hopes of the transfer working, they stimulate cell division in the new egg. With success, the egg divides. After division, the egg will be fertilized and transferred to a surrogate animal, which will carry the egg to term. The transfer has a high chance of failure, which is what makes the process an expensive one.

Human cloning is not yet possible. There is no federal US law that strictly prohibits it, though in 13 states it isn’t permitted.

Scientists are working on better ways of animal cloning. Animals that are cloned are known to have problems and mutations. There are health risks as well. The focus is to adjust the cloning process in order to produce healthy animals. Pushing forward in these sciences gives us hope that in the future we will have healthy animal clones, and we will continue to advance forward.

COVID-19, Local

Businesses staying open during COVID-19 quarantine

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Image taken from: https://www.pymnts.com/coronavirus/2020/facebook-funds-100m-in-grants-for-smbs/

From staying cautious, to a full quarantine shutdown, the coronavirus has affected many things as it has escalated quickly. Recently, nonessential stores were closed to slow the curve of its spread. But as many stores fight to stay open and argue to be an essential, what remains open during this time? 

One place that has to stay open is, of course, grocery stores and places that carry items that people need to replenish frequently as an important, or essential item. That includes large companies like Target, Walmart, Costco, and Cub Foods, as well as some smaller businesses like Lunds and Byerlys.

Fortunately, they have remained cautious and found ways to keep a six foot distance between customer and employees sometimes by using certain markers to stand on or even plexiglass divides.

Pet stores are also deemed necessary as they carry food for animals and pets that people own. From the standard dog food, available at any stores that carries groceries, to feeder insects for more unique animals, like reptiles. 

First responders are also expected to remain present at their jobs. These jobs include police officers, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other trained members of important organizations. Though they have taken precautions and provided masks to some workers, a few first responders have become the patients after being tested and quarantined for coronavirus. 

As for restaurants and fast food places, many have stayed open and found ways to work around the suggested guidelines, or distances, of the coronavirus. Many places have limited the number of people allowed inside a store at one time or even switched to delivery or drive thus. But this raises the question, do places like Dairy Queen or Starbucks “need” to be open?

There are still many flaws that stem from stores being closed depending on how important they are. Many different businesses have argued and manipulated the system to remain open. Some of these places include Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, Joann Fabrics, and many more. Though it may seem pointless to keep them open from an outsider’s view, businesses risk closing because of the lack of human traffic and income. This also means that many employees would be laid off, making it especially difficult for those who live paycheck to paycheck. 

But, as many companies lose business, Amazon and online shops become the safer and better option for many people. Though it may seem like a good idea, be careful how dependent you are when ordering from these sites as deliveries have become significantly slower to arrive as people turn to this no contact, quarantine friendly, way of buying goods.