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DVC faculty and alumni nonfiction art gallery. See Page 4.
inquirer Volume VIII, No 1
Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018
Smoking at DVC could lead to disciplinary action and a fine COURTNEY DONAHOE Staff member
Anyone at Diablo Valley College who walks by the Business and Foreign Language building from the parking lots on the north side of campus knows about the spot where people gather to smoke cigarettes and other tobacco products. Well, to start the spring 2018 semester DVC has taken a step to eliminate that cloud of smoke from campus altogether by implementing a new smoking policy. California Assembly Bill 846 already prohibits smoking within 20 feet of all doorways and windows and before the change smoking was allowed in the parking lots and on the sidewalks right next to the buildings at DVC. Now however, no smoking, tobacco or vaping products of any kind are allowed on campus. This includes playing fields, walkways, roadways, parking lots or smoking inside vehicles while on DVC property. Interestingly, the smoking policy for the San Ramon Campus is that smoking is allowed but only in the student parking lots. Walking while smoking pollutes the air which can make it hard for non-smokers to walk near the smoking section. According to DVC’s website, this new smoking policy was implemented because, “DVC recognizes the health hazards associated with tobacco addiction. DVC also recognizes the challenges faced by those addicted to tobacco products and therefore supports efforts of employees and students to quit using tobacco products.” DVC’s policy also states that, “adherence to our tobaccofree policy relies, in large part, on the initiative of students and staff to politely request that smokers comply and on the courtesy of smokers to acknowledge and observe the restrictions.” The people who don’t follow these rules are violating the Student Code of Conduct and could be punished with disciplinary action. The Inquirer contacted DVC Police Services to see if cit-
Flu season hits DVC hard CATHERINE STITES Staff member
Seven deaths and counting for Contra Costa County alone are making this flu season one to keep an eye on. Influenza A H3N2 is the name of the game this season and its swing is far and wide. DVC is no exception. This particular sub-type of the flu is “particularly virulent,”and because of it the county has “a lot sicker people,” said Sue Farley who works as a public health nurse program manager for the communicable disease program at the Contra Costa Public Health organization. The flu shot is the number one way to prevent or minimize symptoms according to Deputy Health Officer, Dr. Louise McNitt.
Julia Kelly, 19, having a cigarette break near parking lot 7. ing smokers is something they will be focused on but so far has received no response. When asked about the new policy Deya Awad a 19-yearold business major said, “I don’t agree with it, we’re adults, we should be able to do what we want.” Awad felt there should not be constrictions saying, “as long as you’re careful with what you’re doing, you should be allowed to smoke it, there should be a smoking section for smokers.” Monica IIda-Costanzo, 25, a Allied health in physical science major said, “I think its cool, I don’t like the smell of it
COURTNEY DONAHOE / The Inquirer
(cigarettes).” Victoria Stewart, 22, undecided, agreed with this policy saying, “to be fair I am biased, I don’t like cigarette smoke, I don’t like the smell of it, even e-cigs.” Stewart was happy that there was something done about it adding, “I appreciate it for the health of non-smokers.”
Contact COURTNEY DONAHOE at CDonahoe@DVCInquirer.com
The flu shot effectiveness has come into question, but Far- to have empathy, as the the flu “disrupts the whole family ley said, “The b-component of the vaccine is not necessarily rhythm.” what’s circulating.” Knowing when to stay home and rest or to make the trek The vaccine is created by looking at what flu strain circu- to the hospital is important. Anyone with “severe weakness, lated in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season an uncontrollable fever, really severe shortness of breath and which is our summertime, according unable to keep food or fluids down” to Farley. “There is some misconcep- “There is some misconception should get a hold of their doctor tion of how effective the vaccine is according to Farley. of how effective the vaccine because it is based on Australia’s flu Anyone with underlying health experience. Here’s the difference, in conditions, like being diabetic, is.” Australia they do not vaccinate all pregnant, having asthma or beage groups.” ing an oncology patient should be ~SUE FARLEY Farley said, “(Children), when extra careful this flu season as well Public health nurse program manager they are sick put out a lot of virus according to Farley. into the community.” If you vacci“To protect yourself, your family nate children, it helps eliminate a lot if disease transmission. and your community from the flu,” Dr. McNitt said that Emailing professors and letting them know that you are washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and stayill and are keeping up with the material “lets the professor ing home when sick are good preventive measures. know that you are engaged and committed to the class (even if you are ill),” said English professor Anne Kingsley. Professor Keith Mikolavich said that students are missing Contact CATHERINE STITES at “big chunks of time” because of the flu and that he tries CStites@DVCInquirer.com Copyright © 2018 The Inquirer - www.dvcinquirer.com