CWU’S STUDENT-RUN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2020
SAY THEIR S NAME
NO JUSTIC E NO PEACE
BLACK LIVES MATTER
United t agains hate
LIVING IN THE YEAR 2020 SUMMER 2020
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what’s INSIDE
O N T H E C OV E R
CWU’S STUDENT-RUN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2020
SAY THEIR NAMES
NO JUSTIC E NO PEACE
BLACK LIVES MATTER
Living in the Year 2020 Design & Illustration by Sara Roach
United against hate
LIVING IN THE YEAR 2020
Back Cover by Kassandra Eller
OUR TOWN 1 0 Swimming in Kittitas County 1 4 Wine Tasting in Leavenworth 1 8 Life on an Oyster Farm
LIFE HACKS 2 3 Just in Case: Car Emergencies 2 4 Airport Etiquette in a Pandemic
SPOTLIGHT - LIVING IN THE YEAR 2020 2 8 PULSE Perspectives 3 0 Ellensburg Opens Post-Quarantine 3 4 Who CARES? 3 8 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds that Sparked a Rebellion 4 2 Being Black in the PNW
MIND & BODY 4 4 Masks On! 4 6 Plants to Help Your Anxiety 4 8 How to Keto in College
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 5 0 Lost in Translation: Foreign Films and TV Shows Worth Watching
Photo by Jayce Kadoun
SUMMER 2020 STAFF wearing their masks!
Samantha Cabeza
Mercedes Andrews
Jayce Kadoun
Itzel Montoya
Sara Roach
Kassandra Eller
Jessica Perez
David Snyder
SUMMER
STAFF
CONTRIBUTORS
ADVERTISING
Mercedes Andrews Peighton Bortle Samantha Cabeza Kassandra Eller Rey Green Taylor Johnson Jayce Kadoun Itzel Montoya Jessica Perez Sara Roach David Snyder Nick Tucker
business manager Cait Dalton 509-963-1026 cait.dalton@cwu.edu
ADVISING faculty adviser Jennifer Green 509-963-3216 jennifer.green@cwu.edu
for more exclusive content, visit us at
PULSE magazine is a student-run lifestyle magazine, both in print and online at www.cwupulsemagazine.com. PULSE produces two issues an academic quarter. Student editors make policy and content decisions for the magazine, which serves as a public forum for student expression. PULSE serves the Central Washington University community with informative, engaging and interactive content covering campus and community life, trends and issues, and providing practical magazine and multimedia training.
BEHIND THE
SCENES Intro by Jayce Kadoun Design by Itzel Montoya
The limited staff at PULSE this summer contributed stories, photos, designs and edits to make a summer issue happen. From their own workspaces across the state, they all helped each other balance the workload in a collaborative way to pull together a summer edition of the magazine.
PULSE POLLS:
THIS OR THAT?
OUR TOWN
SWIMMING IN
KITTITAS COUNTY Story & Photos by Jayce Kadoun | Design by Itzel Montoya | Edited by Jessica Perez It’s a Friday afternoon. The temperature outside just peaked at 85 degrees. All your work is done for the week and now it’s time for some fun. You need a place to cool off and luckily, there are a number of swimming spots close by that fit the bill. Kittitas County is home to many great places to swim and they are scattered around the area. So, no matter which city you live in, a lake or river can be found right around the corner. CLE ELUM LAKE Cle Elum Lake is one of the most popular spots around. Deborah Kelly, a public affairs specialist with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, says the lake has several beaches and access points for swimmers. Most of them are only a short drive from downtown Cle Elum. “A good location to go for swimming on the lake is Speelyi Beach located at the southeast end of the lake,” Kelly says. “People can also park to enjoy the beach and water; a high clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive capability is highly advised. Cle Elum Lake and Speelyi Beach are located about 7.5 miles from Cle Elum.” According to Kelly, a day-use permit is not required at Speelyi Beach. Folks just need to pack out whatever they pack in to the beach, mind the speed limit and avoid mudding or motorized play along the shore. Speelyi Beach has finer pebbly sands, as well as areas that are a bit rockier. The water levels in Cle Elum Lake fluctuate at times, so the terrain may change as water levels go down throughout the summer. Kelly says the water temperatures in the lake this time of year is roughly 55 to 60 degrees, making it a great place to cool off on hot summer days. With lower temperatures like these, Kelly says swimmers should be mindful and stay safe out there because there’s no lifeguards at the beaches. “The waters and rivers running into these la10
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kes are coming from snow melt, so you’ll find them to be very cold at this time of year,” Kelly says. “If you’re swimming with children, keep a close eye on them for getting too cold too quickly. Always remain with children at all times.” According to Kelly, swimmers should check with the local ranger district to make sure conditions in the area haven’t changed due to the county’s phased reopening status. Updated information can be found on their website or by calling ahead. “Our other tip is we recommend people become familiar with ‘Tread Lightly’ approaches to utilizing the national forest, pack out what you pack in, take only photos leave only footprints,” says Kelly. Madison Colbenson is a West Side resident from Shelton, Washington but she comes to Kittitas County with her family in the summer to enjoy the diverse bodies of water and the hot weather. She says the lake is a great place to swim and get in the water. “Cle Elum Lake is by far my favorite waterway on this side of the mountain,” Colbenson says. “The views are amazing and it’s such a cool place to explore. The water is always so clear and refreshing, so swimming here is a really great experience.” THE YAKIMA Colbenson says the Yakima River is another one of her go-to swimming spots in the area. She says the location of the river and the different opportunities it provides swimmers are some of the best aspects about it. “The Yakima is super cool because it’s away from the city and there’s so many ways to get on the water there,” Colbenson says. “Most of the time, me and my family will float the river with tubes and stop along the way to swim in the deep spots or jump off rocks.” There are a number of cool swimming spots
Cle Elum Lake
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The Yakima
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People’s Pond
along the river as you make your way from Ellensburg up Canyon Road. Along with boat launches, parks and vehicle access sites, there are a number of small turn-offs on the side of the roadway that allow people to swim in unique portions of the river. Tall and small rocks to jump from, river eddies and shallow areas to wade can all be found on the Yakima River. Inexperienced swimmers should be cautious here, though. There are cold waters, areas with swift current and sharp rocks in many parts of the river. PEOPLE’S POND (CAREY LAKE) People’s Pond draws in many Ellensburg residents. Though it’s a popular spot for college students, families often swim there as well. Some of the lake’s best features are its grassy shoreline and easy access to water. It’s also in close proximity to town. This is a great place to visit with friends. Along with warm waters to swim in, there are a number of amenities in the park at People’s Pond. Barbeques, beach volleyball courts, restrooms and access to electricity are all available here. People’s Pond can be found just beyond Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park in Ellensburg. There is ample parking and although it sometimes gets crowded on hot days, access to the beach and the water is not hard to find.
VANTAGE Vantage is an exceptional place for swimmers on the Columbia River. The vast, sandy beaches along the banks at the Wanapum Recreation Area offer swimmers different options when it comes to their swimming experience. Alyx Ziegler, a senior Elementary Education major, grew up on the Columbia River. She says swimming and boating with her family and friends at Vantage is her favorite summertime activity. “The beaches are pretty nice,” Ziegler says. “It’s mostly just sand and rocks. They get kind of busy occasionally, but I’ve never had a problem with finding a place along the beach to put my stuff. My favorite thing to do down at the beach is setting up my lawn chair halfway in the sand and half in the water, that way I don’t get too hot while sitting out in the sun.” Located closer to the park, there is a dedicated swimming area with picnic tables and restrooms. Swimmers can also venture down the beaches in either direction to find their own spots. There is a small fee to park there, but if you visit with friends, the fee can be easily split up.
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OUR TOWN
Wine Tasting in
Leavenworth Story & Photos by Jessica Perez | Design & Illustration by Sara Roach Edited by Jayce Kadoun
Wine Tasting Allowed Wine bottles hang on the walls of Plain Cellars, along with new signage indicating customers must wear masks and stay six feet apart. There are hand sanitizer stations placed by each door. Tables are spread six feet apart allowing customers to keep their distance. One couple walks in and asks for a tasting. They make their way to the table closest to the bar. In order to keep the servers safe, no one is allowed to stand or sit at the bar. The wine room associate pours them each a glass of red and walks it over to their table. This is what wine tasting in Leavenworth looks like in the COVID-19 era. Wineries and cellars reopened and began
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tastings again when Leavenworth, located in Chelan County, entered the modified Phase 1 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan. This happened at the beginning of June. According to an article published by Seattle PI called “COVID-19 Cases Rising in Washington Counties that Moved to Phase 2,” as of July 7, Chelan County is one of the few counties who has not entered Phase 2. This is due to their high number of COVID-19 cases. On July 9, the county had seven new cases, making for a total of 554 confirmed cases as of press time. While not every place has been able to reopen, a few of the places that are open include Plain Cellars, Bergdorf Cellars and Woohoo Winery.
Plain Cellars Plain Cellars opened last month and they are staying busy. “We’ve been very fortunate to be very busy overall,” Wine Room Associate Christina Forchemer says. “We’ve developed quite the following. We've been in business for about 15 years.” The wine they offer at Plain Cellars is from Plain, Wash. They’ve been in their current location for about five years and are located below the Leavenworth bookstore. The cellar is family and dog friendly. They offer five tastings for $10, but they waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle of wine. You can choose which five wines you’d like to try off their tasting sheet or the server can choose for you based off what you tell them you like. They have a selection of wines which includes a dessert wine that has hints of raspberry, cherry, chocolate, almond and orange peel. It’s called Winter Solstice 2016. They release new wines every so often or when their most popular run out.
Forchemer says she expects business to increase throughout the summer, however, she thinks there will be less business than in previous years due to the pandemic. In order to keep customers and employees safe, the business is following the state’s requirements which include not serving anyone without a mask, keeping tables six feet apart, not allowing anyone in the bar area and using disposable tasting sheets, which list their selection of wine. “We also have some wonderful Clorox wipes that we use to wipe down all the tables after everybody’s used them,” Forechemer says. “We also have this.” She holds up a bottle of hand sanitizer then laughs. Forechemer says the best thing about being able to give tastings again is the experience it gives people. “It gives them the chance to compare and contrast the different nuances of different types of wine.”
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OUR TOWN
Bergdorf Cellars Bergdorf Cellars stayed open during the shutdown by offering bottles to go Saturdays in May. They began serving people again on June 1. Since they’re only allowed to serve at 25 percent capacity and the serving capacity depends on the square feet of the business, Bergdorf Cellars is only allowed to serve four people at a time. They are also required to follow the other restrictions, such as wearing masks and keeping their distance. “I’m happy to be able to serve again,” Taster and Associate Sarah Buhler says. “We’re pretty limited, because our tasting room is so small, but serving four people is better than serving none.” Bergdorf Cellars offers eight tastings for $10 and they also waive the tasting fee if you purchase a bottle. According to Buhler, people come from far and wide to their cellar because it’s known for selling a traditional German wine called Gluhwein. “It’s a hot, spiced, German wine that’s served warm and so people seek us out to locate that,” Buhler says.
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They sell the Gluhwein in a large brown jug for $24. It tastes almost like spiced apple cider with hints of citrus. The cellar has a large variety of wine for people to taste from. In addition to this popular wine, they also have a sparkling rose that many people like with the strong hints of strawberry. They also have a few smokey wines that would probably taste better alongside steak and Syvah, which is a wine with hints of coffee, blackberry and pepper. The cellar’s wine selection remains the same until they run out of a wine. Then the winemaker creates a new one. According to Buhler, there’s been a normal amount of people in town June and July but she believes her service limitations will cause a decrease in their sales. “Customers in town and the amount of business I’m allowed to do are not going to correlate unfortunately,” Buhler says.
Woohoo Winery Woohoo Winery also reopened their wine tasting room last month. However that place was closed on this particular day. “It’s a small business and we took our time setting up the place to maintain six foot away, so we could accommodate the flow for the customers,” Person in Charge Bobby Mai says. Woohoo Winery is also following the state requirements and even added a few regulations of their own. The business has single use menus and they limited bathroom use only to customers. While their business hasn’t been super busy since they reopened, Mai believes business will increase. “The weather is getting warmer and people are realizing coronavirus isn’t going away, so they are just making the best of it,” Mai says. Woohoo offers three heavy-pour tastings for $10. They also waive the tasting fee if you buy a bottle. They are well-known for their Woohoo Berry Sangria. The taste is very sweet as Sangria should be. They also have an apple-cranberry wine, which would pair well with ribs according to wine club member Kelly Malsam. “It would be great to drink like Kool-Aid when it’s hot outside,” Malsam says. “Although that would be very dangerous.” Mai says the best thing about Woohoo is that they’re not as snobby as some of the other wineries in town.
“I take pride that we aren’t too pretentious,” Mai says. “You know the wine industry can get kind of caught up in that pretentiousness and we want to have fun.” They’re Back for More Since wine tasting was unavailable for several months, customers and tourists are happy to try different wines again and enjoy the experience. “It’s just fun to come here and taste Washington wine, made with Washington grapes,” Seattle Resident Kathy Botê says. Botê drove from Seattle to Leavenworth to visit her friend Malsam and go wine tasting. Malsam is a member of the wine club so she gets free tastings at some places and slightly lower prices on bottles she purchases. Botê and Malsam visited a number of wineries and cellars in addition to visiting Woohoo. They visited Goose Ridge, Kestrel and Celvara. They also mentioned they enjoy Icicle Ridge for the live music they have. However, that place was closed. Botê says she missed wine tasting because she likes to experience the wine tasting culture. “It creates an atmosphere that’s fun and cultural,” Botê says. “Lots of tastes and smells you get to indulge in which are out of the ordinary.”
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The author, Jayce Kadoun, builds an oyster bag. 18 SUMMER 2020
Life on an
oyster farm Story & Photos by Jayce Kadoun | Design by Itzel Montoya | Edited by Mercedes Andrews
The alarm clock blares at three in the morning. It’s the middle of a cold winter night and not a single cloud blocks the view of the stars. I step into damp boots and off my front porch to start the short walk down to the muddy beach where the waters of Hammersley Inlet slowly retreat. Night tides give the only opportunity to reach the farm this time of year, and they are few and far between. There is no time to waste. Oyster farming in Washington is an ever changing job. The tide cycles and the time of year determine the work schedule and it varies constantly. Between growing and selling, there is always work to be done. The company I work for is JDK Shellfish in Shelton, Washington. My dad, Jared, started the company from our house back in 1996 and has been farming clams and oysters there ever since. As I got older and he ramped up production, we started to work together on the farm. Farming Style There are a number of different kinds of farms and techniques used by other companies throughout the inlet, but ours is what’s known as a tumble farm. We grow our oysters in round bags suspended on racks above the beach that float up and down with the tide. The action of the bags morphs the oysters into a specific shape as they grow, and that shape deems them a Sea Nymph or a Sea Cow. We sell to a company called Hamma Hamma on Hood Canal, and they put our oysters in restaurants all over the United States. Through a long process of trial and error, my dad and I designed the materials we use to build the bags. What started as a project in the garage on a rainy day turned into a mass production of plastic rings and foam end caps that make up the homes for our oysters. Where the Work is Maintaining equipment is a major aspect of my job on the farm. Any materials left in the water for an extended period of time gather hindering hitchhikers. Seaweed, mud and especially barnacles are some of the clingy organisms that weigh down oyster bags and put their crucial movement to a halt. Cutting, scraping, bashing and breaking down old gear is what I spend much of my time
doing. It smells terrible, and it’s by far the grossest part of the job. Once the bags become too weighed down underwater, I phase out old ones and let them dry out for months at a time before cleaning them off to be used again. In the meantime, I build new bags to replace those that need it. In the late summer months, we purchase oyster seed and distribute it across the farm. When it first arrives, the seed is about a half inch in length. They grow to a market-ready size of two and a half to three inches long in nine to 11 months. When the oysters reach the right size, the process of counting, sorting, and preparing to ship out orders begins. The busiest time of year for the farm begins in June and ends as September approaches. This portion of the year is when we sell out most of our existing product and put out the seed. A Typical Day An average work day during the summer months doesn’t start quite as early as they do in the winter. Thankfully, the lowest tides fall during the middle of the day rather than the night this time of year. However, there is a lot of preparation work to be done before the tidal clock starts ticking. As the remaining adult oysters dwindle, it’s SUMMER 2020
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time to plant more seed that will grow through the rest of the summer and throughout the coming winter. The day begins with building bags to house the incoming seed that will need to be placed on the beach later in the afternoon. When the tide starts to drop and the racks come out of the water, they need to be cleaned off and cleared of obstructions so that the bags can be properly attached and can move freely up and down. This involves scraping barnacles with a chisel type tool. The seed is dropped off by the supplier from a skiff when the tide is about halfway down. From there, I haul it up the beach and start to distribute it into the new bags I have laid out. Over the years, we have played around a lot with the number of oysters in each bag. The number has gotten smaller and smaller due to the increased quality and mortality of the oysters in a more spacious growing area, so 500 in each seems to work best. Speed is an extremely important aspect of the next step, which involves securing the bags to the racks before the tide switches and comes back in. This part is much easier with a second pair of hands, as I have been run out by the tide in the past and had to swim to get the last of the job done. After evenly spacing out the bags, a crisscross zip tie technique is the best way to secure 20
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them. The last step is to double check that none of the sets were missed and that each bag can roll properly. If everything is done right, the seed will grow perfectly until next summer when we’ll sell it and start the process all over again. COVID-19 Impact on Oyster Farms Things don’t always go smoothly on the farm and there have definitely been challenges along the way. COVID-19 had a major impact on the shellfish industry and hit our company pretty hard, but we have always rolled with the punches and this time around was no different. By improvising and anticipating the worst, we managed to transport oysters to different areas around the state to ensure they would be healthy and ready to sell when it was all over. We managed to save much of what would have been lost and are making our way back to the top in spite of coronavirus. Though being away at college has limited my time and ability to help out on the farm, summer gives that opportunity back and allows me to take some of the weight off my dad’s shoulders. Between the farm and working another full-time job, he hardly gets a break, so I try to be there for him as much as I can. But no matter what, we plan to be oyster farmers together for years to come.
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LIFE HACKS
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Just in Case:
CAR EMERGENCIES Story by Mercedes Andrews | Illustrations by Sara Roach Design & Edit by Itzel Montoya
Jack, first aid kit, knife, jumper cables; those are the most common items people keep in their cars. Let’s think outside the box! In a PULSE poll done through Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook, 48 drivers shared some items they keep in their cars. Here is a list of 5 non-ordinary items you should keep in your car: “just in case.” Toilet Paper This is always good to have in case you are on the road, camping or fishing in the middle of nowhere and need to go to the restroom. This is also a good alternative for when you do not have tissues in your car. Seat Belt Cutter/Glass Breaker This is useful if you are ever in a car accident and need to break your car window or need assistance cutting your seat belt because it wont unbuckle normally. You can also use this item if you are ever in a situation where you witness a car accident and the victims need help to getting out of their car. Dental Floss This is one of the most overlooked items. But when you need it, your gums will thank you. Whether a piece of meat or a popcorn kernel gets stuck between your gums, floss is there to save the day. Some restaurants offer toothpicks, but those do not always pick the food out of your gums or between your teeth. When it comes to a survival situation, you can use it as fishing line or to tie something together. Emergency Cash This is always useful in case you are at a place that only takes cash; like the movie theater. If you are are running late to the movies, instead of getting money out of the ATM located at the movie theater, use the cash stored in your car and avoid the fees. It’s also useful in a worst case-scenario situation where you lose your bank card or wallet. Blanket Good in case you get cold in your car, use it as a pillow, or use it as a cushion when sitting. Picnic anyone?
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LIFE HACKS
A I R P O R T
E T I Q U E T T E
DURING A PANDEMIC Story & Photo by David Snyder | Design by Sara Roach | Edited by Samantha Cabeza
In spring, at the height of COVID-19, often congested American airports like Seattle-Tacoma International (Sea-Tac) resembled ghost towns. According to data collected by the Civil Aviation Organization (CAO), the average daily departures from North America and Caribbean airports dropped from over 5,000 too less than 600 by the middle of April. And yet, summer traveling season stops for no one, and those departure numbers are starting to climb again. Over the Fourth of July weekend, Sea-Tac saw its highest daily average number (15,500) of passengers since the outbreak began – as reflected by Transport Security Administration (TSA) screening data. According to CWU Professor of Biological Sciences Holly C. Pinkart, who has a background in virology, the risk of getting coronavirus while air traveling doesn't come from being packed inside a plane. “On airplanes themselves, they’ve got decent air handling systems, so your risk catching COVID-19 is minimal. Not zero, but smaller than eating at say a restaurant,” Pinkart says. "Airports typically have good air handling systems, too…although you're certainly at greater risk due to the number of people." Something which encapsulates that higher risk is the over 1,000 TSA employees reported having contracted the virus. Nearly all of those positive tests reported by TSA are security officers, who, on a typical day, would conduct hundreds of screenings on travelers. As of July 10, six employees are said to have died as a result of the virus. You won’t find holes in the logic of passing on this year’s summer beach trip in Florida; however, the opportunity to go on the cheap is available right now. If you accept the risks associated with going to the airport during a pandemic, you must arrive at the terminal equipped with the proper protections and knowledge to safely get to your destination (while also not being a part of the problem). 24
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THE DOS AND THE DON’TS: DO – BRING A MASK (FACE COVERING) AND WEAR IT
Unless you have a medical reason not to or you’re a toddler, you should be wearing a mask in public spaces, per Washington state mandate. At Sea-Tac (along with every other airport in the U.S.), face masks are especially necessary and should be worn at all times, except when eating or drinking. Here’s the reasons why: You won’t be able to board your flight without one. Most domestic and international
airlines mandate face coverings on their flights. If you don't show up with something covering your mouth and nose, good luck getting on the plane. The airport can make you leave. Sea-Tac Airport Media Relations Manager Perry Cooper says the airport reserves the right to enforce masking. If someone chooses to be testy about the issue, they can mark the person up for a trespassing violation and send them packing. “We haven’t gotten to that kind of situation yet… We’ve been trying to be very positive about it and encouraging,” he says. The vast majority of people show up to Sea-Tac with a face covering, but for those who don’t, Cooper says, the airport deploys a group of employees called the “Mask Street Team,” which ride around on carts handing out masks. “We find that people accept that much more easily.” They offer the best protection from non-contact spreading. You have to keep in
mind that you're protecting yourself and a multitude of people who could carry the disease to different parts of the country (or world). According to Pinkart, respiratory viruses like COVID generally spread as droplets or aerosols, both of which are passed via the mouth and can be
blocked by a face covering. “At this point, since we don't [always] know who is infected but asymptomatic, it's crucial that everyone wears face coverings," she says. Aerosols are germ particles that remain suspended in the air after being expelled. Pinkart says that highly infectious germs can live as an aerosol for around two hours. While the World Health Organization (WHO) hasn’t confirmed that COVID could spread as an aerosol in non-generated conditions, the organization said in a July report that evidence suggests it does. In the case that COVID can be airborne, facemasks prevent those particles from entering the air and floating to some unlucky person at the airport.
DON’T – TOUCH YOUR FACE It won’t be easy (especially with a piece of cloth slightly rubbing up against your face) but try to refrain. At some point, the uncomfortable urge to itch will be too much to handle, and you’ll give in. Before you do, think: “How clean are my hands? What have I touched since I washed my hands or sanitized?”
DO –
KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF SURFACES (BUT IF YOU DO TOUCH STUFF -- WASH AND SANITIZE)
It would be best if you didn't touch your face because you can possibly pick up the virus from a fomite – a surface covered with infectious particles. That's why it's smart to refrain from touching high-contact surfaces like counters, handrails, and buttons at the airport. "We don't automatically think about all the things we touch," Pinkart says. “I think it’s a useful exercise to think about what you're doing as you go about your day.” Airports are trying to do their part to keep things sterile. At Sea-Tac, Cooper says custodial services try to sanitize everything within every 20 minutes to two hours. Typically, high-contact surfaces and bathrooms get the most frequent attention. That being said, you should remain cautious when interacting with surfaces. One item you're not going to be able to avoid touching is a TSA screening bin, which is used to usher your carry-on items through security checks. According to Cooper, TSA thoroughly cleans these bins
nightly, but they are recycled between passengers for much of the day. If you have to touch something, make sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before touching your face and personal items (like cell phones). TSA is currently allowing one bottle of liquid hand sanitizer (12 ounces or less) per passenger. Still, if you leave yours at home, Sea-Tac has over 250 dispensers scattered throughout the terminal.
DON’T –
SHOW UP SICK
If you're showing any inclination of a respiratory infection, cancel your flight. The airport doesn’t want you there. Health experts don’t want you there. Nobody wants you there. If you want to be a hero, take the loss and quarantine.
DO –
BE COGNIZANT AND KEEP YOUR SPACE
As airports continue to get busier, the more vital the need is for social distancing. Sea-Tac will make it easy for you to remember with its abundance of signage and floor stamps. However, it can also be easy to forget while racing to get to your gate. Try not to be in too much of a rush while waiting in line to get screened, get a coffee, or get on the plane, so you're fully aware of your proximity to other people.
DON’T –
IMMEDIATELY SEE GRANNY AFTER FLYING
Pinkart recommends avoiding high-risk individuals (like your grandmother) for up to two weeks after air traveling. "In the grand scheme of things, if it's someone you could kill by [giving them the virus], waiting two weeks isn't that big of a deal," she says. For those returning international travel, the U.S. government recommends similar actions. Domestically, the government has no self-quarantine requirement. Some states, such as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, advise travelers coming from COVID hit areas to self-quarantine for two weeks.
DO –
BE RESPECTFUL TO AIRPORT EMPLOYEES AND FELLOW TRAVELERS
Simple as that. Be compliant with the guidelines so that you and everyone else can fly safely.
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SPOTLIGHT
2020 LIVING IN THE YEAR
27 PULSE Perspectives 30 Ellensburg Opens Post-Quarantine 34 Who CARES? 38 8 Minutes and 46 Seconds that Sparked a Rebellion 42 Being Black in the PNW
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PULSE
Perspectives Intro by David Snyder | Design & Illustration by Sara Roach
The year of our lore, 2020, has been eventful to say the least. But all across Washington, our staff worked remotely to keep PULSE going through the turbulent times. Our writers chose to share their perspectives on the year it’s been.
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SPOTLIGHT
There are few positive words that could describe the year 2020 so far, but hopefully, the one historians will use a century from now is "change." Certainly, it's the word I will be using looking back at this period of my life. In April, I lost my grandfather. While this came as no surprise – the man was 90 years old after all and had already fought two bouts with leukemia – I had no concept of what life would be like without him in it, and that was terrifying. Just as reality became easier to swallow a month and a half later, I nearly lost my father to a freak ladder accident. There were so many uncertainties ricocheting throughout my mind both about his safety and my family’s future as doctors worked to stabilize his crushed body. He fell 12 feet. It was a watershed moment, sitting there pondering life without the two people who instilled everything in me. Thankfully, he pulled through. And while he suffered mild head trauma and is now held together by metal plates, it's far better than the alternative. I've struggled relatively little compared to many people impacted by the past seven months. Still, through my recent experiences, I feel like I've gained a new appreciation for the value of life as well as an acceptance for its unpredictability. If collectively society gains anything from the hell that's been 2020, I hope it's that.
-DAVID SNYDER
Personally, I don't think 2020 had been that bad of a year. While everything closed and we were forced to stay home a few months, I feel like some good came out of it. People were able to remodel their businesses, find new hobbies, and everything being closed forced people to go outside to walk. People also had more time to spend with their families. The world also became as clean as it should've been in the first place. While it was sad that people weren't able to do things like have their proms, graduation ceremonies, etc. I think it's important to focus on the bigger picture. In order to keep others safe, we have to avoid gathering. The only thing that really gets me down, is that at this point in the pandemic people are tired of doing their part when others aren't. Cases are beginning to rise again, so while Washington isn't the epicenter anymore, it's still concerning. I hope people continue to stay home as much as possible so that the shutdown wasn't for nothing.
2020 has been an interesting chapter in the book of my life. This year has been wavy. The ups have been some of the best moments of my life so far, and the downs have forced me to face challenges that I never saw coming. As a whole, the good has far outweighed the bad. I am so grateful and lucky to have had time to spend with family and friends and to do the things I love. The problems in the world are some of the worst I’ve seen, but by staying positive and focusing on the good in life, they all seem small in comparison to what really matters most.
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-JESSICA PEREZ
-JAYCE KADOUN
2020 is having its ups and downs all thanks (no thanks) to COVID causing a huge pandemic all across the world affecting everyone. Memorable is one word that I can describe how my experience of 2020 is going. Let’s start with the negative memories: my graduation being cancelled, the death of family members, the stress and anxiety of my family getting COVID, my study abroad trip being cancelled, getting sent to the ER twice (getting surgery on one of the visits), not being able to travel or go to any yearly events that I look forward to. With the bad came the good. Some positive memories I have is that I spent more time with my family, playing Animal Crossing, made some DIY’s, did a puzzle, played board games, watched new TV shows/movies, discovered I have an online shopping problem, and went on a few hikes. Some honorable memories are that everyone around the world standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter protests, getting (hunting down) toilet paper was a struggle, wearing a mask being mandatory in the state of WA, Dan Snyder working on changing the NFL Washington Redskins team name to something else, and a group of people protesting at Mount Rushmore a day before July 4. Who knows when this pandemic will slow down or when we could all do things safely outside of our homes again but when that day comes, I hope things are better than they were before.
When I look back at photos from Jan 1, I have to chuckle a little bit. My family and I were gathered around the couch, reminiscing over 2019 and talking about what we were excited for for 2020. I think back at how clueless we were about how the year would go. A pandemic is something we never would have guessed would happen. My family, my boyfriend and I have been spending our time out on Lake Cushman, where we live now during the summer. It’s been amazing being out there, pretending that there isn’t a pandemic since we are so isolated. Living on a lake has been perfect for us, being able to swim, surf and bond has been great for us as a family. Spring quarter was tough, especially since I had to stay in Ellensburg until I had the okay to come home. I missed my family very much and was counting down the days until I could see them. I played Animal Crossing, did Chloe Ting workouts and watched movies to pass the time. This year has definitely been memorable, and I can only imagine the movies that will be made about this year. I am not sure when this pandemic will end, but I am going to do my part to flatten the curve by staying home and wearing a mask.
-SAMANTHA CABEZA
-MERCEDES ANDREWS
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SPOTLIGHT
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Downtown was empty; empty streets lit by snowflake shaped lights that should have been removed shortly after Christmas. Some businesses were completely shut down, while others had large signs plastered on their windows that read “curbside pickup” or “taking delivery orders.” That is what Downtown Ellensburg looked like a few months ago. Today, people are clinking glasses on the patio at BRIX, walking in for their tattoo appointments at The Roost and taking advantage of Hayday Bakery and Brewery’s quiet atmosphere to study or work while they sip some beer. Now that Kittitas County has entered Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan, things are starting to look almost normal.
Story & Photos by Jessica Perez Design by Itzel Montoya Edited by Jayce Kadoun
Where We Are Now (Phase 3) Kittitas County entered Phase 3 on June 23. This phase allows for restaurants to be at 75 percentcapacity, bars at 25 percent, gyms at 50 percent, movie theaters at 50 percent and gatherings up to 50 people. Even though the county has moved into the next phase, regulation-wise, not much has changed from Phase 2. Phase 2 allowed retail stores, hair salons, real estate and restaurants, among other services to reopen at less capacity. However, many of the businesses in downtown Ellensburg didn’t reopen until June, even though Phase 2 was approved May 27. This was due to all the preparation that went into reopening during the pandemic. The Roost Tattoo Studio did not open until on June 2 because they had to reschedule all the appointments they cancelled during the shutdown. “Everyone’s getting moved around right now for appointments because we’ve missed a lot of them over these past few months,” Shop Manager Trevor Worcestor says. The Roost is prioritizing all cancelled appointments during the first three months of their reopening. All the tattoo artists in the shop are booked until the end of August. After that, they will start filling their logs with new appointments. Alenté Spa also opened on June 2. The spa had to change the way their customers check in for appointments in order to minimize contact with other clients. To check in for appointments, customers receive a text message 15 minutes before their appointment. They must respond to let their technician know they’re outside. Once their stylist, nail technician or masseur is ready for them, they will SUMMER 2020
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text them to come inside. Partitions were also installed between each station and the spa’s staff numbers have changed. “We had about 50 percent of our staff come back, so we have limited it in that way,” General Manager Leah Henson says. A smaller staff has helped limit the number of clients that can go into the spa each day. Other businesses stayed open throughout the worst parts of the pandemic by offering curbside pick-up or delivery services. Hayday Bakery and Brewery offered pickup food services. However, they reopened sit-in dining the day variance for Phase 2 was approved. To minimize contact between customers, they’ve added outdoor seating and pushed tables six feet apart. “Well, you know, we are going to follow whatever the rules are,” Owner Waquar Sheik says. Sheikh is also asking that customers wear masks when they’re not eating and not mingle with other customers. Parties bigger than 10 are also not allowed. If customers do not follow these guidelines, they will be asked to leave. CWU student Leslie Allen visited Ellensburg when it was in its first week of Phase 2 and says the only real difference was wearing a mask. Allen also says she has mixed feelings about businesses reopening. “I believe the pandemic should still be taken seriously and precautions should still be taken,” Allen says. “But Kittitas hasn’t had as many COVID cases as larger counties. So, it’s a little bit exciting but scary.” How We Got Here Kittitas County was granted variance on May 27, 2020. This allowed the county to move into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan faster than other counties. According to a press release issued by Kittitas County Public Health, even though there were still a number of COVID-19 cases in the county when it was approved, the state deemed the county’s response to the outbreak good enough to contain the spread. The press release outlined Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman’s response to Kittitas County handling the COVID-19 outbreak at Twin City Foods. “In his letter, Secretary Wiesman stated, ‘Based on your reports and our conversations, I find that your health department’s response to the outbreak was quick, well thought out, and well implemented. I appreciate all the work you, 32
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your team, management at Twin City Foods, and your community are doing to contain this outbreak. I have confidence in your approach to containing this outbreak.’” Since then, businesses in town have focused on reopening. The Ellensburg Downtown Association (EDA) has tried to help businesses through the reopening process. “They have to come up with a safety plan, they have to have all this PPE, it’s definitely a lot,” Public Relations Coordinator at the EDA Taylor Villwock says. “It’s stressful for a business that hasn’t been open for so long, to now have all these guidelines to be able to open up.” According to Villwock, most of the businesses downtown were eligible to open in Phase 2. “They all can open up in some capacity,” Villwock says. “It’s really up to them, with whatthey’re comfortable with, what they can afford to do right now.” On June 23, Kittitas County was granted variance to move to Phase 3 of the reopening plan. While people are allowed to gather again, Public Health still recommends people continue to socially distance and wear face masks. On July 3, Governor Jay Inslee set a statewide mask requirement in place. This requires everyone in Washington State, no matter what phase their county is in, to wear a mask in public indoor spaces. During a press conference, Inslee said it was
necessary as things reopen and people begin to go out more. “It is imperative that we adopt further measures to protect all of us,” Inslee says. “Until a vaccine or cure is developed, this is going to be one of our best defenses.” Where We Go From Here (Phase 4) On June 27, Gov. Inslee announced a pause on counties moving into Phase 4 of reopening. That means no county will be eligible to move on to the last phase until there is further notice from the governor’s office. During a press conference in June, Inslee said Phase 4 has virtually no requirements and the state is not ready for that yet. “Phase 4 would mean a return to normal activity and we can’t do that now due to the continued rise in cases across the state,” Inslee says. In addition to this, Inslee put out an order on July 7 requiring businesses to refuse service to anyone who refuses to wear a mask. If the person cannot wear a mask due to a disability or due to another approved exception, they can be offered an alternative form of service - like curbside service. There’s also been talk of possibly closing down larger counties - like King or Pierce - with a large number of COVID-19 cases or requiring them to go back to Phase 1. Kittitas County has seen a rise in cases since moving into Phase 3. According to a Public Health press release published on July 1, the inc-
rease is not related to a specific outbreak. The release also said the increase in cases was expected to happen in Phase 3. “In Phase 3, we can and will continue to see people getting together with other people. We are not surprised by COVID-activity increasing. This is not a scare tactic, only public notification of increased COVID-activity.” A press release issued by Public Health on July 20, said social gatherings would now be limited to 10 people instead of 50 due to the increase in cases. As of July 22, five COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Kittitas County at the long-term care facility known as Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center. Since cases have continued to increase, Gov. Inslee announced new rollbacks across the state for gyms, restaurants, and entertainment centers. The rollbacks will require some businesses to reduce their service capacity to 20 percent. The rollback also requires game areas to close. These new regulations will start on July 30. With regulations changing so frequently, people feel the future of businesses is uncertain. “Everything at this point is going to be a trial run you know,” Villwock said. “You never know how it’s going to go, you don’t know how many people are going to come downtown as soon as it opens back up. It’s kind of scary having to be the first businesses to open up.” SUMMER 2020
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Who CARES? Unemployed CWU students assisted by the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Story by Peighton Bortle | Contributions by Joseph Stanger Design by Itzel Montoya | Edited by David Snyder Brooke Sandoval didn’t know she would be ripped away from the place she called home for the last four years. In the midst of finals week, the start of a global pandemic, and the abrupt end of her senior year, she had to leave without properly saying goodbye. “I knew everything going on was serious, but I didn’t think it was going to be this bad,” she says. Sandoval is a senior Biology major at CWU, specializing in Biomedicine. She is one of many that lost her job because of COVID-19 and was left with no choice but to rely on unemployment. “I remember my first year was crazy, but I wasn’t even dealing with a pandemic then,” she says. “I was telling my dad at the time I didn’t know how I did it because they were the hardest quarters of my life.”
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The CARES Act CWU sent out a campus-wide email to inform students about the CARES Act, hoping it could benefit those who lost their jobs and were concerned about their finances. The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is a law that was signed by President Trump on March 27. It is a $2 trillion financial aid package providing support to those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19. Many students have a hard time qualifying for unemployment benefits, but this Act makes it possible for anyone who has lost their job because of coronavirus. The U.S. Department of the Treasury claims that Americans are seeing fast and direct relief in the wake of the pandemic. Many students have taken advantage of filing for unemployment under both the CARES Act and the PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance) claim. The Washington Tax Foundation, responsible for research studies representing U.S. tax policies both federally and state-wide, says that 43 percent of undergrad students are employed in some way, and full-time students are rarely eligible for unemployment benefits. The CARES Act is a positive step forward because it covers the high percentage of working students becoming unemployed due to COVID-19. Confusion and COVID Chaos After the campus closure and all classes going online, Sandoval had to move home. She immediately spiraled into a state of stress after suddenly losing her job, which helped her cover basic needs while living on her own. She feared becoming a financial burden to her parents -who had also lost their jobs -- especially knowing her two older sisters and two nieces had to come back home too. Sandoval suffers from an autoimmune disease that hinders her ability to apply for other jobs to replace the financial support she lost -- a requirement to be eligible for unemployment.
“They didn’t want me out because I am more susceptible to get the virus,” Sandoval says. “I lived [away] in Ellensburg the whole time, so I felt like I still needed some sort of income to pull my own weight.” She misses working at the Panda Express on Central’s campus because it was where she met her closest friends at school and had the most laughs. “I was definitely really sad. I spent four years here, and to see everyone this time of year getting all of their caps and gowns, but not being able to go on campus has made me really sad,” she says. What’s the Use? Having a job enables fewer financial obligations, including living expenses, as many students use their paychecks to cover their rent. For some students and their parents, The CARES Act has provided such great support that it’s difficult for them to imagine what they would do without it. Christina Le, a junior Healthcare Leadership major, feels this exact way after losing her job at a restaurant. Now she has to rely on her parents, as her main income is unemployment. “We don’t know if we can financially stabilize our family incomes, so we have to watch our spending,” she says. “Seeing everyone held up inside really made them stressed, and their jobs are in jeopardy too, so it just adds onto the stress.” Le qualifies for the CARES Act and receives a chunk of money every week, ranging around $1,000. She uses the money for basic needs and helping out her parents. “If they can’t afford to pay for things, I don’t want them to spend money because paying for actual stuff right now is more important than paying for my college tuition, to be honest,” Le says. She hasn’t held back using the money she receives to give it to her parents. Her household consists of her, two younger siblings, a few cousins, and her parents. Le thinks deeply about how she can’t imagine what her parents feel after their jobs were put on hold. Le’s family fears not knowing when they will be able to reopen their salon from the shutdown. SUMMER 2020
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SPOTLIGHT
Desperate Times Call for Desperate Money Junior Law and Justice major Kassandra Bender faced unemployment and being pushed out of campus early in only her first year living on her own. However, Bender has extra financial help from her mom while living away. Bender uses her weekly unemployment money to pay rent -- which she wouldn’t be able to pay without her campus job -- and stock up on food and toiletries for quarantine. “With that money, I was able to pay off a few bills… and I’m able to buy books. I was able to buy a printer that I needed for schoolwork, too,” Bender says. “Because of the CARES Act, it went up $600, before that, I was only getting about $180 [of unemployment benefits], and now I get around $700,” she says. She receives this chunk of money, knowing that if she isn’t going to save it, she will use it to help herself in the meantime. “I am expecting to deal with college debt for a long period of time in my life. Mental states have gone down a bit during quarantine… relieving that pressure of money I owe helps a lot,” she says. With three more entire years of education to go, Bender feels enormous pressure. How the CARES Act Cares for CWU Community CWU’s Financial Aid Director Adrian Naranjo says as a part of the original CARES Act, money was given to schools around the country to be distributed to students who did not receive stimulus checks, and who are still in need of financial support. Nearly $3 million was allocated to CWU from the grant. “We know that a lot of students reached out to ask for financial assistance,” Naranjo says. “My assumption would be that the stimulus they were receiving was doing not enough to help them cover their expenses, and that’s why they had to request additional assistance through the CARES grant.” According to Naranjo, Congress issued money to schools because they realized many students
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would not be receiving checks. “If they hadn’t put money in there, a lot of students would’ve had nowhere to go,” he says. Naranjo says over 2,000 student employees were let go when the pandemic put the campus on lockdown. Some students had trouble finding financial support from their parents, who also lost their jobs. “In general, students can reach out to parents and say, ‘Hey can you help me for a month or something,’” Naranjo says. “But when parents are in the same situation, that’s a tough financial bind to be in.” A Look Into the Future The CARES Act has improved the issue of unemployment due to COVID-19 for not only students, but families, businesses, and companies. The stress that the pandemic has caused the world financially is still lingering as many businesses still face restrictions in different parts of the country. The Act will continue to be beneficial for many more months to come, or at least until things are back to normal. If students come back to campus in the fall, Naranjo says he hopes that some of the money given to CWU from the CARES Act will be able to help fund unemployment again. “Right now, we don’t know what coming back on campus in the fall looks like yet,” Naranjo said in the Spring. “We’re trying to figure out how we can use [CARES Act] funds to get students working again.” The Act expires at the end of July unless Congress comes to an agreement on a new relief package. According to a July article in Forbes magazine online, Senate Democrats want CARES Act benefits to last until the job market recovers, but Republicans are pushing back with the argument that more insurance will discourage people from returning to work. For some Republican legislators, instead of more unemployment benefits, cash bonuses are preferred for those returning to their jobs.
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SPOTLIGHT
8 Minutes and 46 Seconds that Sparked a Rebellion Story by Samantha Cabeza | Photos & Edit by Jessica Perez Design by Itzel Montoya Kayla Jarvis, a 20-year-old African American woman, attended the Seattle protest with peaceful intentions and a cloth mask on her face. Jarvis was with her sister for six hours at the first protest on May 30, just a few hours before a police car on 5th and Pine Street in Seattle was set ablaze and the protest turned violent. “We went to peacefully protest police brutality and the inequality that black people face, and we did not want anything to do with the violence,” Jarvis says. “We took a break to use the bathroom, and then we heard three flash bangs.” Jarvis and her sister say that was the moment they decided to leave, knowing that it could probably turn violent. According to Jarvis, the whole intent of the siblings going to the demonstration was to protest George Floyd’s wrongful death and police brutality, not to spread hate. “I am a black woman in America, and I have the right to protest because of my rights, but I should not have had to,” Jarvis said. A black man sat in a blue SUV on the May 25 after allegedly buying cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 bill. About 17 minutes later, he laid motionless on the ground with an American police officer’s knee on his neck. George Floyd was the man who died, and his death has sparked rage across the nation. The eight minutes and 46 seconds that George Floyd spent with a knee on his neck, he cried out numerous times for help. Including the infamous words “I can’t breathe,” which are written on many protesters’ signs at demonstrations across the United States to denounce police violence. Protesting During a Pandemic The protests began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which according to the CDC, has caused thousands of deaths worldwide and appr38
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oximately 2 million infected. Because of the virus, people were told by local and federal government representatives to stay inside and quarantine until Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home phase plan concludes. Other regulations have included social distancing, with many people wearing protective face masks and not gather with more than a few people. Protesters have not let the pandemic or socially distancing stop them from demonstrating. Thousands of people have gathered together to protest, many of which wear face masks and gloves to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. The CDC released new guidelines a few days after the Minneapolis demonstrations to “adjust” to the large gatherings, requesting that all individuals who go to events with “shouting, chanting or singing” to wear face masks to reduce the spread of the virus. Many states and counties are reopening their doors, meaning restaurants, salons and stores are opening up again to the public. The concern of a significant second wave happening is feared by the CDC due to the substantial number of individuals attending the protests. Seattle had a total of 60,000 people march on June 13. Protestors have been seen hugging, holding hands and chanting together, which could cause the virus to spread if someone is infected. In an interview with WGBH News, Dr. Cassandra Pierre, an infectious disease specialist at Boston Medical Center and assistant professor at the Boston University School of Medicine, said that COVID-19 has taken a “disproportionate” toll on the black and brown communities, and right now is an appropriate time for the demonstrations. Pierre is an African American woman herself, and believes that people should be out demonstrating.
The article “George Floyd tested positive for coronavirus, but it had nothing to do with his death, autopsy shows,” from CNN, reported on June 4 that George Floyd’s autopsy report said that the African American man had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Floyd was an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, and it did not affect his death. In CNN article, “Black communities account for disproportionate number of Covid-19 deaths in the US, study finds,” it states that counties with more black and brown populations have more cases of coronavirus, about 50% of cases and 60% of deaths. This means that more African Americans than any other race has died due to the virus. In an interview with Vanessa Williams at the Washington Post, Gregorio Millett, vice president of Amfar, the Foundation for Aids Research said black people in low-income and lesser fortunate communities could be more susceptible and more “vulnerable” when the country begins to reopen. An Environmental Performance Index report recorded on their website that back in 2018, the median household income was 70% higher than for blacks. This means that black communities are suffering the consequences of unemployment, the virus and the riots more than white communities.
Being Black in America Amongst the protests, there are certain cases where rioters and looters are involved, inciting violence and destruction of public property and businesses. This could affect low-income communities a lot more heavily than other communities due to the amount of damage that is done to property. Many of these rioters are the cause of the police to react violently and suddenly. At a Seattle protest, Alexis Leilani, an 18-year-old white woman, stood in the street, milk pouring down her face after being hit with a cloud of tear gas. Her cloth mask protected her face, but her eyes were burning for the remainder of the night as she stood in solidarity as an ally for the black community. Leilani in a Facebook post said that the police instigated the violence, not the protestors. “I as a white woman had to shield the black community and take the police violence firsthand to protect the people behind me who were only letting a cry out for justice, peacefully.” Leilani said in her Facebook post. “People had to pour milk down my eyes just for me to march back up to the front so another black life didn’t get killed last night.” Leilani’s frustration is felt by many across the country and the globe. SUMMER 2020
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Leilani says, “the protestors have every right to be angry, cars, buildings, and windows can all be replaced and covered by insurance, but black lives lost cannot be replaced,” Leilani said. In an Imperfect World In many recent photographs and videos, they show police officers covered in military-grade gear, and plastic face masks that protect them from any possible carriers of the virus, as well as tear gas. Many protesters are frustrated at how militarized police forces are and how much more “prepared” they are for the riots and protests. Recently, the Trump administration pledged to “force of the government” to “protect” federal property by sending out agents from the Special Response Team. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan have refused help from the SRT. The SRT would “subdue” street protests but city officials have decided that they don’t want the federal agents to “target”, according to New York Times article “Feds Sending Tactical Team to Seattle, Expanding Presence Beyond Portland”. Protestors are fighting to defund police forces, which could mean that the local government could put the money towards other programs, such as mental health services and social service programs. Protestors are not trying to abolish police forces but want to limit the amount of funds police receive yearly that could be going towards more “important” services, such as public health and public schooling. Many are protesting that defunding the police could be a bad idea, since police forces are the ones who respond to a citizens call for help, or ci-
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vil unrest in neighborhoods and populated areas. Defunding the police could also put more money towards doctors and nurses who need proper gear to serve those who are sick with the coronavirus, as many have had to reuse their masks or not wear any at all. This situation could endanger healthcare workers since N95 masks are single use only, and could cause them to become infected with the virus if not reapplied carefully. One nurse in California has had to place her mask in a plastic tub and stick her face in to put it on. There have also been complaints of police not wearing masks at protests, which means they are not following important guidelines that the CDC put into place specifically for the protests. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo spoke on the subj-
Contributed by Reynauld Green
ect in a news conference in Manhattan, saying that he is frustrated with police officers not wearing masks and the situation has to be fixed. Although Gov. Cuomo is frustrated by it, he said that it is not a consistent recurrence. It is unknown whether police are not wearing the masks to hear themselves better in loud noises, better communication or if they do not want to wear them. Many protestors are even mentioning that they could just not want to wear them to increase the amount of COVID-19 cases in protestors. This could stop any future demonstrations if there is a rise in cases. Risks and Regulations As long as protesters continue to wear face masks, and follow CDC guidelines, the peaceful protests could continue into police reform and h-
ave been introduced into the US government. Many police departments have, including the one in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have banned chokeholds on arrested individuals. Demonstrators have also protested the use of rubber bullets and tear gas. States like California consider the evidence taken from body cams on police officers is public data and could be shown to the public after 45 days of the incident, according to the Electronic Privacy Information Center. Even though there are risks and regulations, protestors are still going out and demonstrating what they believe in. Amidst the pandemic, the George Floyd protests continue to captivate the nation with no current end in sight in many places. SUMMER 2020
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BEING BLACK IN THE PNW: My Perspective
Story & Photos by Reynauld Green | Design by Itzel Montoya | Edited by Samantha Cabeza Growing up, most young kids don’t worry about the color of their skin and don’t see color. As a black kid, you’re made well aware. Across the street from my elementary school, a Confederate flag waved every day. We went to class and learned about black history, and it opened the eyes of many students. It made them realize my skin color was different from theirs. My classmates began to notice that I looked similar to those being beaten, enslaved, hung and discriminated against. After learning this in school, a lot of kids started to racially profile me. After a while, it began to make me lose my identity. I felt like being black didn’t matter, I felt like fitting in was more important. I found myself trying to fit into white culture and adapting to what white people found acceptable behavior. If I tried to be myself, I was always labeled, ghetto, rachet, uneducated or anything degrading to my culture. I was in seventh grade when I first got called the “N” word. I’ve never felt so much hate from a single word in my life. It triggered me, and my only response was to be violent. Even though I was wrong in letting someone get under my skin from calling me a name, I had so much built up anger from over the years, I just let it loose on him because that was the last straw for me. Ever since that day, I have been unapologetically black. I have called out people, friends and
teachers if they have been discriminating or tried to discourage black culture or black people. In my high school years, I noticed that I was being shielded from a lot of racism in my area. Not completely, but just enough to get by. A lot of my black friends wouldn’t get much lenience from teachers or people of authority because they weren’t an athlete of some sort. I was mostly accepted by a white majority because I was a good football player for my school. In school, teachers wouldn’t give extra help unless I told them I was a football player and I needed to pass the test in order to play in the upcoming big game. That’s what my identity was for a long time: just another black athlete. I never had a black teacher, principal or counselor to look up to or relate to. My athletic director didn’t know how it felt to play a game in Kelso or Battleground or other predominately white areas and be called the “N” word. No one could truly feel my pain and hurt. I masked it for so long and never spoke out about what I truly had to go through as a black man. Thanks to football, I have a platform and I can speak my voice and break barriers for all kinds of people of color. I can no long be silent and sit behind my shield of being an athlete. Because once I’m done playing football, I’m still a black man. I’m a black man that matters.
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MASKS ON!
MIND & BODY
Story by Mercedes Andrews | Design by Itzel Montoya | Edited by David Snyder Whether it be a store, a restaurant, or a post office, anywhere you go outside your house these days, you’re bound to see a sign plastered on a door that reads “mask required.” Because of COVID-19, medical masks have become a part of our daily wardrobe. Comparable to the naked feeling of leaving your phone or wallet at home, realizing you forgot your mask while arriving at a public space can make your stomach churn. Using those boring disposable masks found in bulk at the store can get old quick -- not to mention expensive if you have to keep buying them. So why not make your own masks? With all the different fabric types, you can put a personal spin on it and show this socially distant world what you’re all about. Here are a few different ways to make one:
The Hand-Sewn Mask This mask is great if you want to be more creative with fabrics and do not have access to a sewing machine. These instructions are provided by Jaren Wallulatum, senior Economics and Public Policy major at CWU, who just recently started hand sewing. He says he loves to make masks for fun. So far, he’s made 46 hand-sewn masks and gifted them to friends and family.
Materials Two pieces of fabric (9 x 8-inch), four ties of fabric (17 inches), scissors, needle, thread, and a sharpie (or pen) Step 1: Place the fabric inside-out and measure a half-inch seam and a 3-inch opening on the bottom. (Try tracing it, so when you are sewing, you can follow the outlines). Step 2: You will start sewing, following the outline (If you are new to sewing, you can do up-down stitching. It’s okay if the stitching is not the best -- it’s on the inside of the mask, so no one will see it). Step 3: When you get to the corners, sew one of the ties for each corner of the fabric -- sandwich the tie between the two pieces of fabric. Place the ties on the inside of the fabric and then sew until it’s secure. Continue with the sewing until you get to the opening on the bottom. Be careful not to sew the ties to parts of the mask other than the fabric’s corners. Step 4: When you are done sewing the outline you drew, turn the mask right-side-up using the opening on the bottom. Step 5: Fold fabric into three pleats and sew them down on each side. Step 6: Put the mask on and tie the ties.
The No-Sew Mask This mask is quick and easy to make, especially if you don’t have access to a sewing machine or simply don’t have a clue how to sew. These instructions are provided by Vance LaDeaux, senior at White Swan High School, who saw this method on TikTok and now shares it with others: 44
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Materials Two rubber bands (or hair ties) or four smaller rubber bands, and one bandana. Step 1: On a clear, flat surface, fold the bandana over on itself to the desired width (enough to cover nose and mouth). Step 2: Place rubber bands on each end of the bandana -- with the bandana going through the rubber bands. Step 3: Fold the bandana ends over at the desired length so that the rubber bands will fit comfortably over your ears.
The Machine-Sewn Mask This method is for people who have access to a sewing machine and are more experienced with making or designing fabrics. These instructions are provided by Katelyn Villegas, Auditor at Legends Casino Hotel, who has sewed around 100 masks, which she sells on her Facebook page.
Materials Two 7 x 9-inch pieces of cotton fabric, two pieces of 6-inch elastic, sewing machine, and scissors. Step 1: Fold the print sides of the fabric together -- make sure the print is facing inward. Step 2: Start by sewing in the middle of the fabric, sew a few stitches, and backstitch to secure with a quarter-inch seam allowance. Step 3: When reaching the corner, stop. Lift the presser foot and place elastic in the corner between fabrics, lower presser feet, sew over elastic, backstitch, and continue sewing. Continue this all the way around. Step 4: When reaching the top, leave a 1.5-inch gap to flip fabrics right side out. Step 5: Start in the center of fabrics sew a few stitches and then backstitch. Continue sewing all the way around. Step 6: Be sure to pleat your fabric by folding two sections upwards on each end. Step 7: Continue sewing around fabric, being sure to backstitch once you reach the top to close and secure your opening.
Jaren Wallulatum
Vance LaDeaux
Katelyn Villegas SUMMER 2020
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MIND & BODY
PLANTS FOR ANXIETY Contributions & Photos by Kassandra Eller | Design by Itzel Montoya
Another day, stuck in quarantine, with the stress of life still hanging over you. It seems as though the anxiety that surrounds you will never end, but then suddenly you look over at your desk. All your plants are illuminated in the bright sun and the stress you feel seems to float away. From flowery and small, to large and leafy, there are a variety of plants that can have a calming effect on people and help reduce anxiety. Each of these plants has their own specific element that puts us in a better mindset. Take a look and see if any of them could be your next plant baby!
FLAMINGO LILY With this plant in the room it will seem as though you’ve taken a trip to the tropics! Flamingo Lilies can grow to be quite a big plant and produce large glossy leaves and red, vibrant flowers. It is not the easiest flower to take care of as it prefers humidity, but the benefits make it worth the hard work. This beauty purifies the air by removing toxins which can negatively affect our mental and physical health as stated by Akeena Legall, a writer at HGTV.com.
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IVY This climbing plant will soon take over your home with its sprawling leaves. According to mindfulsearching.com ivy is an easy plant to take care of, only needing water approximately once a week. A fast-growing plant, ivy rids the space of mold, that can create feelings of irritability and depression.
LAVENDER While the other plants rid feeling of anxiety by purifying the air, lavender permeates the air with its lovely scent. The smell of lavender is commonly used to alleviate feelings of stress and is often used in aromatherapy. By growing your own little sprigs of lavender, you can calm your anxiety and create a beautiful smelling space!
SUCCULENTS Do you seem to kill each one of your plants, no matter how hard you try to keep them alive? Have no fear! Succulents are perfect for new plant owners because they need so little water. These plants come in a variety of shapes and colors and need very little attention to do their job. Each succulent releases oxygen into the air that can aid in decreasing tension and stress and lifting your mood. Add a fun planter, like this llama pot and start your own little plant sanctuary!
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MIND & BODY
HOW TO KETO IN COLLEGE Story by Samantha Cabeza | Photos by Kassandra Eller Design by Itzel Montoya | Edited by Mercedes Andrews
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College is a new environment for incoming students and can be taxing on their mental, physical and emotional health. Most students have heard of the infamous “Freshman 15,” where a freshman gains that amount of unwanted weight from abrupt eating and lifestyle changes. Emily Shaw, MD and lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences at CWU, says that weight gain and weight loss is hard on a person’s body. Oftentimes, people will resort to diets such as the Ketogenic diet, Paleo diet and the Atkins diet to lose the unwelcome extra weight. Shaw warns that these fad diets are not backed by any sort of scientific research and should be done carefully. “I typically always tell my clients I will support them in whatever [weight loss] endeavor they decide upon, the fad diet industry is a multi-million dollar industry (really only out to make money) and there are thousands of different diets out there,” Shaw says. What is a Ketogenic Diet? The ketogenic diet, known as “Keto,” is a lowcarb diet that is high in fat and protein. The lack of carbs puts the human body in “ketosis” which means that the body begins to break down fat in ketones, according to Barbara Gordon, RDN, LD at eatright.org. “Keto is a fairly new (weight loss) diet and there are limited long term (over 5 years) studies showing health effects but also ability to keep off weight,” Shaw explains. Keto can be a sustainable diet for some. With a decreased or limited amount of consumed carbs, people will lose the weight they have gained. The main reason people gain the weight back, according to Shaw, is because they do not stick to the diet after they reach their goal weight.
KETO RECIPES Jalapeño Poppers: https://thatlowcarblife.com/keto-jalapeno-poppers/
Keto Fat Bombs: https://thatlowcarblife.com/keto-peanut-butter-balls/
Rice Crispies: https://www.gnomgnom.com/keto-rice-krispie-treats/
New Changes College is a time where lifestyle changes come into play and students begin preparing for life outside of the academic environment. This means they’re often looking to change their habits and routines that they might have originally had at home with their families before they moved to college. Shaw suggests that students who want to make healthy lifestyle changes should look at their daily activity or lack thereof. She adds that losing weight is leaving the old way of your unhealthy eating habits behind and moving forward in life with good and positive habits. One good habit to losing weight and is also a good and positive habit is exercising. “Exercise is such a useful tool when it comes to weight loss, not to mention the mass of research into the positive health effects,” Shaw says. “Losing weight is extremely individualized, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for someone else.” Shaw says that everyone is dealing with their own issues – be they financial, emotional, body image, or maybe even an eating disorder, and they don’t think that weight and health always go hand in hand. Working out and getting exercise are essential ways to not only lose weight, but to stay healthy and maintain or lose weight. Some of those healthy changes include eating whole foods, fruits and veggies, something the Keto diet does incorporate, and practicing moderation with less healthy foods. “The tried and true way to stick with a healthy lifestyle is just that, make healthy changes that are something you are able to stick with for the rest of your life,” Shaw says. SUMMER 2020
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
LOST IN TRANSLATION:
10 Foreign-Language Films Worth Watching Story by David Snyder | Design by Itzel Montoya Last year was a monumental year in cinema as the South Korean comedy-thriller Parasite became the first non-English Best Picture winner at the Oscars. Along with its critical acclaim, writer/director Bong Joon-ho’s film raked in a considerable amount of cash at American cinemas (over $53 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo. com), validating many film buffs who think subtitled foreign content should be more mainstream with American audiences. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who enjoys reading subtitles while watching films and television – if you want to read, why not pick up a book instead, right? But when seeking something to watch, viewers have set expectations for video entertainment, whether it be an engaging story, eye-popping visuals, dynamic characters, and so on. Parasite is not an outlier; there is plenty of recently-released foreign content that could interest an average English-speaking American viewer. “Since theaters are closed, I think it’s a perfect time right now to immerse yourself and find films outside your comfort zone,” says Todd Maetani, lecturer for the CWU Film Program. “Watching international films is another way to destroy stereotypes... there’s nothing more important th-
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an that with what’s going on right now.” Maetani says the added investment viewers have to give to foreign content can be rewarding, especially with how it commonly diverts from the cookie-cutter Hollywood formula. Where studio-produced content in America tends to prioritize spectacle to appeal to the bottom line, foreign filmmakers are often provided more creative freedom over their stories. Senior lecturer for the CWU Film Program Jason Tucholke says that some (more recent) foreign movies are reminiscent of early American cinema. “I think now, the way our filmmaking has changed, it is a little more about spectacle,” he said. “[Some foreign movies] just require a different approach; it’s more of an experience where you need to be engaged.” With the recent prevalence of streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, Maetani says American audiences have never had more access to foreign content before. For those interested in expanding their filmography during the COVID downtimes, here are a few non-spoiler recommendations available on these services:
Burning (버닝, “Beoning”) -- South Korea -- Netflix Drama, Mystery-thriller Rated: R
Synopsis: Jong-su (Yoo Ah-In) starts to fall in love with childhood neighbor and classmate Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo). However, things get complicated when she returns from a trip with a handsome and mysteriously wealthy new friend, Ben (Steven Yeun, aka Glenn from The Walking Dead). Cue the love triangle. Why You Should Watch: This film has more layers than a wedding cake, but that won’t be apparent right off the bat. What appears to be a directionless romantic drama morphs subtly into a haunting mystery midway through its second act. Writer/director Chang-dong Lee will not spoon-feed you the answers to that mystery before the credits roll. But if you enjoy being challenged by movies, this one has a lot to offer; you just have to be willing to put the puzzle pieces together. 50
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Shoplifters (万引き家族, “Manbiki Kazoku”) -- Japan -- Hulu Drama Rated: R
Synopsis: An impoverished family living in a dilapidated Tokyo home often feed themselves by shoplifting. After taking in a neglected neighborhood girl, Yuri, the family’s connection, motives, and struggles reveal themselves. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film puts into question what constitutes a family. Why You Should Watch: Fans of this film often describe it as a “gut punch,” which is accurate. It doesn’t take melodramatic dialogue, or a swell of emotional music for this film to shatter your heart. Instead, it does it through the realism of its narrative and characters. If you enjoy films that peel back the curtain on humanity, then you will gravitate towards this one.
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Look Who’s Back -- (Er ist Wieder da, “He’s Here Again”) -- Germany -- Netflix
Comedy, Mockumentary, Drama Rated: No rating
Synopsis: Adolf Hitler (Oliver Masucci) time travels to modern-day Berlin with no memory of what happened. He stumbles around perplexed and angered by what became of his beloved Germany. An aspiring filmmaker, Sawatski, who believes Hitler is a deranged impressionist, takes him across the county to film him interacting with ordinary people. After achieving meme celebrity, Hitler starts to charm his way back into favor with the German public, again. Why You Should Watch: While it walks a very tight rope being a comedy about Hitler, it pulls it off masterfully. From a concept perspective, there’s nothing else like it. The film is part buddy-road-trip adventure, part fish-out-of-water gag, part Borat-style mockumentary (as there are parts where Hitler is out interacting with real-life people), and part social commentary. There’s a lot to laugh at -- especially if you have knowledge about Hitler and have a grasp of modern politics -- but it uses its subject matter to make a serious point.
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Dark -- German -- Netflix Science Fiction, Thriller, Drama Rated: TV-MA
Synopsis: Four small-town German families share secrets and a supernatural connection. In the hunt for a missing child, members of each family discover the cosmic bond they have shared for generations while also going missing themselves. Why You Should Watch: The less you know about this series going into it, the better. If it were a rollercoaster ride, it would be named “The Vomit Comet” with all the twists and turns it pulls without losing a shred of momentum. On a service like Netflix, which has a plethora of excellent science fiction content, Dark ranks atop the hierarchy for its originality, story structure, and aesthetic. It will require your attention, but if you enjoy great science fiction, this one should be on your watchlist. SUMMER 2020
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The Night Comes for Us -- Indonesia -- Netflix Action, Thriller Rated: R
Synopsis: Ito (Joe Taslim), a bruising enforcer for a southeast Asian crime syndicate, betrays his group to save a young girl. When the crime boss sends his best killers to take them down, Ito relies on his former comrades to escape abroad, but things get bloody. Why You Should Watch: You’re not here for the story, you’re here for the action. While the story isn’t so bad that it’s distracting, it takes a major backseat to the incredible displays of choreography and special effects helmed by director Timo Tjahjanto. Indonesian cinema has become synonymous with mega-violent action flicks -- most notably The Raid series -- that combine different types of weaponized and non-weaponized fighting. This film takes it to the next level with every set piece. If you’re not a fan of the brutality of currently popular John Wick films, you should probably pass on this. By comparison, this film makes John Wick look like the Karate Kid.
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I Lost My Body (J’ai perdu mon corps) -- French -- Netflix Animated Drama-fantasy Rated: R
Synopsis: A severed hand crawls around Paris like a crab looking for its body: a young man named Naoufel. The hand moves from place to place, triggering the memories that lead to their separation. It’s a story of life, loss, and love. Why You Should Watch: As bizarre of a concept an anthropomorphic hand might seem, it’s one of those films that requires you to suspend disbelief for the sake of symbolism. The main selling point of this film is its animation, which is vibrant and harkens to a time when the majority of animated features were hand-drawn -- each frame looks like a painting you could hang on a wall. But part of what really makes this film work is how the animation compliments the story, allowing its bizarre concept to evoke a deeply powerful message. Not a whole lot of animated content caters to adult audiences these days, so if you’re looking a little different, this is one to check out.
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Goodnight Mommy (Ich seh ich seh, “I see, I see”) -Austria -- Amazon Prime Mystery, Horror Rated: R
Synopsis: A woman (Susanne Wuest) and her two twin sons Elias and Lukas (Elias and Lukas Schwarz) live in an isolated lake-side home. When the woman returns home from facial surgery with an unsettling appearance, the boys notice that she’s acting strange, almost like she’s not the same person. Why You Should Watch: There are zero jump scares throughout this entire film. Instead, it preys on people’s natural tendency to look at a situation through a single lens. Details are hidden in plain sight throughout the film, and whether or not you pay attention, you’ll still be sideswiped by how it ends. 52
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Monos -- Columbia -- Hulu Survival war drama Rated: R
Synopsis: A ragtag group of teenage soldiers camps on a remote mountain top with an American hostage. For one commando, the groups’ barbaric ideologies are too much to handle, so he tries to hatch an escape. However, his fellow soldiers won’t let him get away quickly. Why You Should Watch: Cinematographer Jasper Wolf captured magic with this film, contrasting the ugly and surreal aspects of the narrative are these shots of the picturesque Colombian scenery. For someone who enjoys the visual elements of movies, there are many beautiful images to observe. That’s not to ignore the narrative, which is brilliant in its own right for how it handles suspense. It’s a very different take on the war genre, but it maintains the same dynamic that makes films like Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket so great.
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Money Heist (La casa de papel, “The Paper House”) -Spain -- Netflix
Action, Crime, Thriller Rated: TV-MA
Synopsis: A man going simply by “The Professor” (Álvaro Morte) assembles a team of professional criminals to pull off a major heist -- robbing the Royal Mint of Spain for 2.4 billion euros. The team’s plan involves taking hostages to confuse law enforcement so that they can buy time to escape. But not everything goes according to plan, as the team lets their personal issues get in the way. Why You Should Watch: It’s far from perfect, with its plot holes and clichés, but it’s a good time if you don’t take it too seriously. The show is the mostwatched non-English television series on Netflix for a reason. It’s a high-stakes drama, so it prioritizes upping the ante with each episode, and for a lot of people, it works because of the strong character dynamics. If you’re looking for content that has the spectacle of Hollywood and pairs it with the drama of a telenovela, here’s your fix.
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Roma -- Mexico -- Netflix Historical Drama Rated: R
Synopsis: We follow a year in the life of Cleodegaria “Cleo” Gutierrez (Yalitza Aparicio), a housemaid for a family residing in Mexico City (circa 1970). As the possible father of her child abandons her, there is also turmoil in the house she serves. Why You Should Watch: It’s an intensely personal film that will tug at your heartstrings if you can survive its snail-like pace. The appeal comes from its ability to make you feel like you’re walking side-by-side with its main character, Cleo, as she deals with unexpected life challenges. This film is a front-row seat into the life of a have-not, and while it probably won’t keep you on the edge of your seat, it will give you some valuable perspective. SUMMER 2020
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AFTER DARK
cwupulsemagazine.com
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SPRING 2020 | ISSUE ONE