Wednesday May 13, 2020
Serving the Rio Hondo Community
Volume 60 Issue 11
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DAVID MEDINA/EPM
NEWS
2
What A Time To Be A Nurse: Norwalk ICU Nurse Responds To Global Pandemic quarantine themselves there for 14 days, monitor their symptoms, and drink plenty of fluids. Medications may be prescribed, but I’m not 100% sure since all of the cases I’ve been treating are the more aggressive cases. These routes of treatment are being taken since there isn’t a cure or vaccine for this virus at the moment.”
David Medina
Editor-In-Chief
david.medina7987@my.riohondo.edu
Janine Ruiz is a nurse in the intensive care unit in Norwalk, California. She has recently graduated in the Spring of 2019 from Grand Canyon University and is now a Registered Nurse in the middle of a global pandemic. The first year on the job is often the toughest transition for new nursing graduates. Despite the high risk situation, Janine’s passion and perseverance is what drives her to continue to help those with COVID-19. She answered questions about her transition from recent graduate to a RN, What is involved with treating a patient with Coronavirus, and What keeps her motivated to continue to work. 1) You risk your life everyday doing what you do to help which is inspirational to all of us during this pandemic, so what keeps you motivated to continue your work? Janine replied, “I pursued nursing simply bc I value being a support system to others during their times of vulnerability. Being able to at least do whatever I can regardless of the situation is essentially my driving factor. Yeah, I may not be an expert yet but if I can at least do something to help during this time I am more than willing to safely put myself out there for others regardless of the presence of absence of a pandemic.” 2) So how are you taking the trransition from a recent graduate to a RN during this pandemic? Janine replied , “For new grads, it’s already tough to transition to practice without a pandemic in the picture. As a new grad working during a pandemic, it’s twice as hard in my opinion - especially in the ICU setting. All your patients are in critical condition with or without a diagnosis of Covid. I find it a little difficult during this time because I feel like I’m having a “rushed orientation” rather than taking in how to do certain things at the usual pace. It’s also hard because my preceptors are sometimes too busy due to poor staffing (lots went on leave because they’re scared) that they give me a rushed explanation about certain questions I ask. They give me the “how” but often skip the “why” since we are
SCREENSHOT ILLUSTRATION PHOTO BY DAVID MEDINA/EPM April 25, 2020 ICU Nurse Janine Ruiz shares some of her thoughts on her Instagram Post in regards to the Global Pandemic. short staffed and in a bind w time. I feel bad for not really knowing a whole lot whenever I show up to work. I feel like I add to their stress when they precept next because I don’t work as fast as them. But I’ve been lucky enough to have patient preceptors especially during this time. They do apologize if they brush off a few explanations here and there. And I honestly don’t take it to heart either
if I don’t get to learn whatever I had in mind for the day because I understand the situation at hand. And I do understand that precepting a new grad in a specialty unit is not an easy task either.” 3) What is involved in treating a patient with Coronavirus? Janine replied, “Treating them is honestly a supportive care approach. Some get
hit hard with the virus more than others though, so the supportive care can be even more aggressive. Supportive care in aggressive cases would be providing supplemental oxygen, fluids, and utilizing medicine that is typically used for pneumonia patients. If an individual tests positive but does not show any signs of difficulty in breathing, they are simply sent home and told to
4) How does your family take your situation? Are they proud? Worried? Janine replied , “Both of my parents are nurses actually! My dad stays home while this is going on so he can keep my little sister company. My mom on the other hand is an ER nurse. Both my mom and I are very high risk in terms of being exposed. The ER is typically where a patient will get tested for the virus, so you won’t know who actually has it until they get results. With the ICU, you have more prolonged exposure since you are providing longer care there. They say they are proud that I haven’t backed away, especially during this time. I would also assume they would be worried too, but they just don’t show it. Being thrown into this without any experience really isn’t for the faint of heart. I can easily see how someone could feel overwhelmed if they weren’t mentally prepared for very high stress scenarios.” While on the frontline of a virus outbreak, nurses and other other healthcare workers know the risk of contracting the disease. When caring for sick patients, they can be exposed to the virus even when following all safety guidelines and procedures. When you see a nurse in the coming weeks, be sure to thank this unsung hero for his or her everyday efforts to promote optimal patient outcomes. They truly make a difference in the lives they touch every day. They are the ones that define selfless and are truly the backbone of our healthcare system. Despite the struggles, frustrations, and risks associated with their jobs, nurses around the world have remained strong and maintained the grit in the face of this overwhelming pandemic. Nurses will have good days and bad days but their care is consistent for the well being of everyone. Although the world has changed, the core of our nurses have not. To all the nurses, Thank you for being our heroes!
NEWS
3
Los Angeles County Expected to Extend “Safer at Home” Restriction and Reopen Beaches
SAMUEL GARCIA/EPM
Since mid-March, Los Angeles County residents have been under a stay-at-home mandate by county officials. While that order was set to expire after May 15, county offciials may extend this restriction throughout the summer. SAMUEL GARCIA News Editor
samuel.garcia8465@my.riohondo.edu
While Los Angeles County’s stay-at home order technically ends on Friday, residents can expect these restrictions to last through the summer.County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer acknowledged as much during a Board of Directors meeting yesterday. “We are being guided by science and data that will safely move us forward along the road to recovery in a measured way - one that allows us to ensure that effective distancing and infection con-
trol measures are in place,” she said, via The Los Angeles Times. She also stated that though these restrictions will be implemented, the goal is to “slowly lid restrictions” over these next few months. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger also expresses her desire to reopen parts of L.A. County “as soon as it’s safe to do so.” “I’m confident that the more our communities continue to comply, the sooner we can resume normalcy,” she said. L.A. County has become the epicenter of COVID-19 cases in California, leading the way with
more than 33,000 confirmed cases and over 1,600 deaths, according to the CDC. Only Riverside County comes close to matching these numbers, with over 5,200 confirmed cases and 200 deaths. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti shared Barger’s optimism, saying that the county will continue to adjust stay-at-home orders to allow people to engage in more activities. “We’re not moving past COVID-19, we’re learning to live with it - and we will keep taking measured steps toward a new, safer reality in the days and weeks
ahead,” he said. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom released a series of benchmarks for each county to meet before reopening more of the economy. Two of the criteria are as follows: no COVID-19 related deaths within the last two weeks, and no more than one case per 1,000 residents within that same time frame. The Los Angeles Times found that no county in Southern California or the San Francisco Bay Area met those two criteria. Yesterday, L.A. County announced 961 new cases, along with 45 deaths. In addition, beach-
es in the L.A. County will reopen starting today. In a Twitter post, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced that while beaches will be reopened, residents must “wear a mask when not in the water,” as well as maintain six feet of distance between different groups. Activities like picnicking and sunbathing will not be allowed, but surfing, jogging, and walking will be. Boardwalks, piers, beach parking lots, and bike paths will remain closed. Group sports like volleyball are not allowed, as well as biking.
Woman Falls Into Yellowstone Hot Spring, Park Set to Reopen Monday
SAMUEL GARCIA/EPM The Old Faithul geyser at Yellowtone National Park erupts every 90 minutes. The water inside the geyser reaches temperatures over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, while the steam has been measured at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. SAMUEL GARCIA News Editor
samuel.garcia8465@my.riohondo.edu
A woman illegally entered Yellowstone National Park and fell into a hot spring. The incident happened yesterday, according to NBC. Park officials said that the woman was backing up to take photos when she fell into a hot spring, near the Old Faithful geyser.
Even though she was burned, the woman was still able to drive 50 miles before park rangers pulled her over. She was taken by helicopter to the burn center at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for treatment. The woman’s name and her current condition have not yet been released. “Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other
natural feature,” states the park’s website. It also tells visitors to stay on boardwalks and paths in these thermal areas. Last fall, a man walked off a boardwalk near Old Faithful and fell into a hot spring, similar to this incident. In June 2016, 23-yearold Colin Scott fell into a superheated, acidic mud pot and died, according to USA TODAY. His remains could
not be found Yellowstone National Park has been closed to the public since March 24 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic According to The Hill, the park will partially reopen next Monday. Visitors will be limited to visiting the park’s “lower loop’ and will be able to visit Old Faithful, along with other parts of the area. To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the park will
implement protective barriers, encourage the use of face coverings, and will monitor visitor access in certain places. “The park’s goal is to open safely and conservatively, ensure we take the right actions to reduce risks to our employees and visitors, and help local economies begin to recover,” said Yellowstone Superintendent Cam Sholly, via The Hill.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
4
Meet Kari Faux, the Self-Proclaimed ‘Lowkey Superstar’
JONATHAN FLORES /EPM
Kari Faux performing to a sold out crowd in Los Angeles at the El Rey Theater on January 11, 2019. The rapper has been in the industry since 2012 and her track, ‘No Small Talk,’ was remixed by Childish Gambino and featured on the HBO series ‘Insecure.’ JONATHAN FLORES Reporter
jonathan.flores9687@my.riohondo.edu
Kari Faux is an under the radar independent artist, in terms of the mainstream music scene, but the 27-yearold has come a long way since her early mixtape days in 2012. Faux, who was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, had the odds stacked against her when it came to making it out of the southern state, not to mention actually making it out as a musician. Fast forward to the present, Faux is now an international touring and recording artist that continues to create her own lane. With her latest release, a mixtape titled “Lowkey Superstar,” Faux delivers eight new tracks that are all fun and upbeat.
For her core fans, the new mixtape may come as a pleasant surprise since Faux released her “Cry 4 Help EP” just last year, which was her most personal project to date. For new listeners, this project is a good introduction to the genre blending artist as it showcases her true self. As Faux recently told Office Magazine in an interview about the new project, “This new music is really fun and I’m a fun person, so I feel like I’m kind of going back to the essence of like who I am in my core. I’m not a sad girl.” The first track, “While God Was Sleepin’...,” immediately sets the tone as unique music from it’s booming beat, loud chorus and one soft rap verse. Faux also sprinkles in factual anecdotes of her life,
rapping “my momma took my birthday money when I was ten years old, you’re damn right I’m standoffish I don’t trust a soul.” Her real life raps are alongside metaphorical bars like “try to facetime god he declined I said oh well, he hit me back with a text and said save yourself.” From the introductory track alone, the listener does not know what direction Faux is going to next due it’s complex layers from the beat and lyrics. The high energy is maintained throughout the duration of the short project for the most part, from songs about robbing someone who owed you money in “StickUp!” to leaving a love triangle with “McGrady.” The only dip in energy on the tape is towards the middle with the
song, “Actors, Rappers & Wrestlers,” where Faux sustains an angelic tone in her vocal delivery that matches perfectly with the soothing production. Through the entirety of the song, she rhymes and sings about a past relationship she had with a rapper, and how it was not for her due to the fact they were inconsiderate of her needs. With this being the first collaborative release between Faux and London producer Danio, “Lowkey Superstar” is remarkable due to the comfortability displayed by Faux on the project. Faux usually works on her music fully on her own or with other musicians she has a history with. Danio fits right into Faux’s musical style which has always been a mixture
of R&B, soul, rap and funk. “Lowkey Superstar” is just the beginning from the two music makers as Faux has announced they have an album already made together that she may release later this summer. Going based on what they have created so far, fans of Faux should be extremely pleased. This mixtape is short, clocking in at just a few seconds shy of 17 minutes, but it is worth a listen for those unaware of Faux as all the records here are simply fun. Faux does not take herself too seriously, but the music she makes is nothing to scoff at. Have a listen to “Lowkey Superstar” on all digital streaming platforms from Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify to free ones like Audiomack and Soundcloud.
‘Adventure Time’ Creator Pendleton Ward and Comedian Duncan Trussell Team-Up for New Netflix Series, ‘The Midnight Gospel’ JONATHAN FLORES Reporter
jonathan.flores9687@my.riohondo.edu
The Midnight Gospel is a new show streaming on Netflix with some familiar creators in the mix of it. Adventure Time creator Pendleton Ward and comedian Duncan Trussell come together to create a very magical and intricate animated delight. The series is so whimsical, and interesting because Ward’s stunning animations are being displayed continuously from beginning to the end. How could one possibly explain a mind manifesting, mind boggling, psychedelic trip? The show displays its
brilliance with the usage of Ward’s animation while including sound clips from Trussell’s podcast, The Duncan Trussell’s Family Hour. Clips from the podcast are interesting philosophical conversations that Trussell and his guests discuss. Clips of the most interesting topics are showered by psychedelic graphics that will surely have you watching parts over and over again. In the series we are introduced to the main character, voiced by Trussell, “Clancy.” Clancy is an alien lifeform who is interested in a futuristic podcast in the far future that is streamed through the galaxy for everyone to hear. Clancy has a magical,
all powerful and all knowing computer that allows him to travel to any planet in the simulator. This gives a range of infinite creativity to who, what and where he conducts his interviews, from a zombie infested world, to an inmate that relives the same day every time he dies. The animation is endlessand is definitely worth watching the series. Keep in mind, though, the series does tend to speak on very interesting, yet sort of sensitive subjects. Topics such as death and the afterlife are discussed, in addition to philosophies that speak upon religion, human communication and even the harshness and reality of human diseases.
This animated show is in no way the same as others you may have seen in the past. The ability to take an intellectual conversation from two humans and create it into a majestic form of art is completely authentic and was executed beautifly. Something that the show can bring into perspective for everyone is balance, balance in everything that we could possibly think about. In the show many lessons can be found if you want to hear for them, but visuals can also be very inspiring to any artist.The Midnight Gospel is a show that will enlighten anyone who gives the series a chance, for instance as said by a guest on the show Dr. Drew Pinsky,
“Here are three principles we can at least check out, first one silence giving you room to listen, second one stillness giving you room to feel and the third one spaciousness , just giving you room.” Through the series there are many things that one can take from the show and feel that the information was enough to enlighten you in some way, and even if you’re not one for interesting topics, Trussell’s humor alongside Ward’s astonishing visuals do the show just as much justice. With all that being said, The Midnight Gospel is receiving five out of five stars due the authenticity and the ability to cater to any type of mature audience.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
5
YouTube to Host Graduation Livestream for Class of 2020 EMILY DE LUNA Reporter
emily.deluna2549@my.riohondo.edu
Youtube will be holding their own graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. Since the COVID-19 pandemic came around, large gatherings can’t be held and we’re all told to keep our distance from each other. This caused the cancellation of an important moment for the class of 2020, graduation. Youtube has decided to honor and appreciate the class of 2020’s hard work by rewarding them with the graduation ceremony. The platform took to Facebook on May 5 saying they will be hosting a multi hour live virtual graduation ceremony, set to stream live June 6th at 3pm ET on the YouTube Originals channel. Named “Dear Class Of 2020,” the show will kick off with a commencement
speech given by former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama. The celebration will be a mix of traditional graduation talks and musical performances. Noble personalities such as former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Google CEO Sundar Pichai will make an appearance along with musical celebrities like Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, and Zendaya. YouTube fellow creators Jackie Aina, AsapSCIENCE, Dude Perfect, Mr. Kate, and The Try Guys will also be joining. Ending the stream, Kpop group BTS will be hosting an after party. The full schedule of the commencement event will be announced on the Learn@ Home site (https://learnathome.withyoutube.com/) beginning May 17. Graduates can also set a reminder for the show so they don’t miss the ceremony. Students will
ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN DE LARA /EPM also be given that chance to be featured and sign their name on the Dear Class of 2020 Shout Out Board at yt.be/dearclassof2020. YouTube will be partnering with Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative, Born This Way Foundation, Malala Fund, NBC’s “Today,” and Ideas United to showcase different students and graduates stories around the world along with an audience
One for the Boxing Fans: Biographical Film‘Bleed for This’ Still Worth a Watch JONATHAN FLORES Reporter
jonathan.flores9687@my.riohondo.edu
This Drama/Sport film directed by Ben Younger dives deep into the life of Vinny Pazienza, a two time world boxing champion. The film takes place in the early and mid 80s as the boxer is faced with the option to continue to fight for his life, or risk losing it in the ring. Miles Teller’s lead role as Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza continues to show the film industry his ability to change roles and execute them with outstanding results for years, and in this film it’s no different. Alongside Vinny on his quest to gain control on things in life and his boxing career he is partnered up with a new coach Kevin Rooney played by supporting actor Aaron Eckhart. Both Vinny and his coach Rooney are being tested in the boxing world, both coming off fight losing streaks and only have one shot to prove to the world that Vinny is not ready to hang up his
gloves. The emotions that are displayed by both Miles Teller and Aaron Eckhart are outstanding. The passion, love and determination both for the love of boxing and the ability to fight for what you believe in is displayed in full effect. Although this film does have many great lessons that one could be taught. It does have the use for some strong language and because it is based on the life of a world champion boxer the lifestyle may contain some scenes and show a little too much for a younger audience. It does also contain many fights and its occasional bloody fights because it still is indeed a boxing film. In the film Vinny is tested with a life changing incident, not knowing if he’s going to be able to continue his fighting career or even let alone doing things way simpler than that. Both Vinny Pazienza and his new coach Kevin Rooney both must put things behind them, to fight for something bigger than themselves.
There are many films that try to catch the passion behind athletes that have a struggle to maintain their perfection. But that is what the story contains to make it worth a watch. These characters must face their imperfections and work together to create something worth living for. The display of determination, passion and the unwillingness to give up definitely added an extra stepping stone for following the sport/dramas genre for years to come. From the very beginning of the film to the end of the film you can see how much the story of Vinny Pazienza and Kevin Rooney can be related to many people’s lives and stories. The lessons that the film gives are very diverse and pack a heavy punch to those who watch it. The film Bleed for This is sure to give any sport or non sport lover that extra bit of strength to not give up and fight for what they truly believe in, and for that the film receives four out of five stars and truly is a lesson for anyone that gives it a chance.
sourced commencement speech. The special is being produced by Done and Dusted. Overseeing the project for YouTube are Nadine Zylstra, head of learning for YouTube Originals along with Danny Zaccagnino, Laurel Stier, Lauren Vrazilek, and Zoe Di Stefano on the learning development team. “Graduation is a tradition that students and families look forward to and with the
current state of the world, YouTube is lending some inspiration in the form of a virtual commencement,” said Susanne Daniels, global head of content for YouTube. “We hope bringing together noteworthy, influential speakers along with performances from some of their favorite artists will provide encouragement for the students who have worked so hard to get here.”
‘Tiger King’ Series Starring Nicolas Cage in the Works MICHAEL MARTINEZ Reporter
michael.martinez5980@my.riohondo.edu
The popular Netflix docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” was watched by 34.3 million viewers and might be coming to a different screen soon. The series focuses on the small but deeply interconnected society of big cat conservationists Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue, and collectors such of exotic animals, whom Baskin accused of abusing and exploiting. Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known as Joe Exotic, is a former zoo operator who is the subject of Netflix’s true-crime docuseries. After popularity there seems to be a new tv series that is being produced by Imagine Television Studios and CBS Television Studios. Nicolas Cages will be stepping into the role of Joseph Maldonado-Passage a.k.a. Joe Exotic. This will be Cage’s first time stepping into a television series, it is also set to star Kate McKinnon as Carole Baskin.
The full details have not been published on when the television series will be released, what is certain is that it will include an eight-episode series will reportedly be based on Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild.” The Netflix series centers around the exotic zookeeper in Oklahoma who fights to keep his park, the chaos between Carole and Joe feud over each other park while trying to shut one of them down. It is unsure if the new tv series will be identical or if the story will be adjusted. Currently Joe Exotic is sentenced to 22 years for his role in murder for hire plot and killing tigers. For Nicolas Cage this role seems very fitting for him who is also seemingly unmoved by respectability politics who has had his own mini-collection of exotic animals, including a pair of king cobras and pet octopus. The makers of the series are hoping to get a high rating as the original Tiger King and possibly get controversial talks about the film.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
6
The Clone Wars: Season Seven Review
MEGAN DE LARA /EPM
A video still of Padawan learner Ashoka Tano, voiced by actress Ashley Eckstein, from an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. ESTEVAN MACIAS Reporter
estevan.macias6303@my.riohondo.edu
Star Wars: The Clone Wars started in 2008 as a way to catch people up between Episode 2: Attack Of The Clones and Episode 3: Revenge of The Sith. While this was considered a kids show when it first came out, it slowly began to gain a cult following. The show is developed by George Lucas and written by Dave Filoni, which concluded abruptly on its sixth season. A lot of parts of the story had not been resolved by season 6, which left fans to wonder what would happen to their favorite characters.
In between, this Star Wars released another animation in 2014 known as “Star Wars: Rebels.” While fans weren’t too happy about this replacing Clones, it still did what it could to tie some endings up from the Clone Wars series. Fans still hoped for a return to the original animated series though and got that wish when it was announced that on February 21, 2020 people would get a new final season streaming exclusively on Disney Plus streaming service. The series is now complete and without spoiling anything the final season definitely did its job to help close out the story. The final seventh season
included 12 episodes with three different arcs of stories with the characters everyone remembers from past seasons like Ashoka Tona, Darth Maul and new ones alike. The first arc felt like a return to form as it gave us the feeling of great arcs from the past, like the Mandalore trilogy as we saw a new team of renegade Clone Troopers fight alongside Anakin and Obi-Wan, which overall appeased fans. While the second arc of the season told a story on Ashoka and two smuggling sisters did not have a lot of appeal and felt two or three episodes too long, it kept fans wondering if it was worth the show coming back if this was the result.
That speculation soon ended as the last arc blew everyone away as it took place during the events of Revenge of the Sith and follows Ashoka’s journey after she left the Jedi Order. The fan response to the last four episodes were ecstatic and it was an overall great send off to the series. As for review of the final season, it is not perfect as the middle portion does drag on, and since this season was released on a week to week basis, this made those episodes drag out even more. Another issue was what the Rebels series showed as that show takes place a good amount of years after the Clone Wars. This reveals the
fates of a lot of characters and takes away some of the stakes in the show as we know what happens to these characters in the future. That being said, the last arc in the season brings great material that would make any Star Wars fan happy and can be so good at times that it makes you forget about what happens in the future of this show. Now that the show has concluded and no news for the series to be rebooted is in sight people who enjoyed the movies should definitely give Clone Wars a chance as even though it can feel like a child’s show sometimes it also brings some of the best stories that Star Wars has to offer.
JONATHAN FLORES Reporter
jonathan.flores9687@my.riohondo.edu
Review: ‘Shot Caller’ Takes a Different Angle on Prison Rehabilitation
WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD: Shot Caller directed by Ric Roman Waugh, is an R-rated film released by Lionsgate in 2017. The film is very intricate by diving down and personal into the system of the prisons,giving viewers a personal look into the system of the prisons. “Jacob Harlon,” played by swedish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, drinks too much at a dinner party and is then convicted of manslaughter for taking the life of his friend Tom (Max Greenfeild in a fatal drunk driving incident. The movie gets into the grittiness of rehabilitation in the prison, and how the system seems to fail in rehabilitating these inmates. Making prisoners have to rely on crucial decisions that can make the difference of losing their own life if they do not go through with it. Harlon is a white collared man with a very normal, kind life, but all of that is soon tested. After his conviction, he is sent into prison with many of these inmates being the most dangerous. The film takes us through the perspective of Jacob as he has to become adaptive of his
ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN DE LARA /EPM
A shot of Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays the lead role of Jacob Harlon. surroundings to save himself, and ultimately to save his wife Kate harlon (Lake Bell) and his son Joshua (Jonathan McClendon). Jacob soon finds himself in the thick of everything as soon as he is brought into the system. Being in the midst of it means seeing and doing a lot of graphic stuff. Because it is a R-rated film that takes place in a prison for half of its screen time, people can expect a lot of graphic scenes: drugs, guns and numerous graphic stabbing scenes. While Jacob is trying to reinvent himself in order to
stay alive himself, along the way all he is introduced to many characters in the white supremacy gang. Although the graphics scenes and stories make this film worth watching alone, the supporting characters give as much authenticity to the film with only limited screen time. Characters such as Frank, also known as “Shotgun,” played by well known actor John Bernthal plays a huge role in the stories lining being the first gang member we’re introduced to in the white supremacy gang. As well as
“ The Beast '' leader of th white supremacy gang gives a memorable performance as conflict arises between Jacob “Money” Harlon. However this movie offers things to all types of audience backgrounds. Before ending up in prison for DUI and manslaughter, Jacob was an intelligent lawyer who had a loving wife and son. Not necessarily the background of a prison gangster. Many of these characters have their own situations within the movie that offer a lot of relatable situations, and that only makes watching the film
all more exciting. Shot Caller is another prison drama, but it brings so much to the table. With the use of an amazing director in Ric Roman Waugh this gritty movie was able to capture how the prison system fails to rehabilitate our inmates. Acting by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jacob Harlon and the rest of the cast gives a tremendous and memorable effort into creating what this film has been made to be. Shot Caller is going to receive a four out of five stars, and is recommended for a film not be missed.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
7
Bats’ Super Immunity May Explain How It Carries The Coronavirus
JAIME APARICIO/EPM Despite this new virus coming from a species of bat, practitioners in selling and cooking exotic foods should look closer into the dangers and uncertainties of selling such goods in the open market. EVELYN VARGAS Reporter
evelyn.vargas3749@my.riohondo.edu
A research team from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has uncovered how bats can carry the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus without getting sick. Research that could shed light on how coronaviruses make the jump to humans and onto other animals. Coronaviruses such as MERS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and recently the COVID-19 causing SARSCoV-2 virus, because they are thought to have originated in bats. “The bats don’t get rid of the virus and yet don’t get sick. We wanted to understand why the MERS virus doesn’t shut down the bat immune responses as it
does in humans,” said USask microbiologist Vikram Misra. While the many viruses are causing serious and often fatal disease in people, for reasons not previously well understood, bats seem unharmed. Research published in “Scientific Reports,” the team has shown for the first time that cells from an insect-eating brown bat can be persistently infected with MERS coronavirus for months. This is due to important adaptations from both the bat and the virus working together. The research was carried out at USask’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization International Vaccine Centre (VIDOInterVac), one of the world’s largest containment level 3 research facilities, by a team of researchers from USask’s
T-Mobile Sees Subscriber Gain After Absorbing Sprint Amid Pandemic EVELYN VARGAS Reporter
evelyn.vargas3749@my.riohondo.edu
T-Mobile has spent two years working to seal its acquisition of Sprint. Finally, now that the deal is closed, we get to see the first look of what the combined company looks like. Even if Sprint’s losses will weigh down the un-carrier and how it’s dealing with the global pandemic. This past Wednesday, T-Mobile reported the first earnings since ending its
prolonged merger with Sprint. The now brand new expanded carrier revealed where it stands as it gears up to challenge U.S. leaders Verizon and AT&T. Just in the first quarter, the earnings self-proclaimed un-carrier added 777,000 subscribers, 452,000 of which were postpaid phone additions. These results reflect the period before the Sprint deal closed back on April 1. These results marked the 25th straight quarter, the company boasted, T-mobile
Western College of Veterinary Medicine and VIDO-InterVac. “We see that the MERS coronavirus can very quickly adapt itself to a particular niche, and although we do not completely understand what is going on, this demonstrates how coronaviruses are able to jump from species to species so effortlessly,” said VIDOInterVac scientist Darryl Falzarano, who co-led the bat study, developed the first potential treatment for MERS-CoV, and is leading VIDO-InterVac’s efforts to develop a vaccine against COVID-19. The coronavirus has infected more than 3.5 million people worldwide and killed seven percent of those who were infected. In contrast, the MERS virus infected about 2,500 people back in 2012 but killed
one in every three people infected by it. Sadly there is no vaccine for either SARSCoV-2 or MERS. Camels are known to be the intermediate hosts of MERS-CoV, bats are suspected to be the ancestral host. When the coronavirus attacks it very rapidly adapts to the species they infect, Misra said,just a bit of information is known on the molecular interactions of these viruses with their natural bat hosts. A 2017 USask-led study showed that bat coronaviruses can persist in their natural bat host for at least four months of hibernation. When it was exposed to the MERS virus, the bat cells adapted not by producing inflammation causing proteins that are hallmarks of getting sick, but instead maintaining a natural
led the industry in postpaid phone additions. Subscribers, who pay at the end of the month and are said to be valued more highly by the investment community as a key metric for success, noticed an increase despite the coronavirus pandemic. As the pandemic continues the earnings also carry along, but the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the US economy, which eventually forces Americans to stay at home and the carriers to shut down their retail stores. COVID-19 has already infected more than 3.7 million people, worldwide, and it has led to more than 260,000 deaths. T-Mobile’s leadership, with longtime executive Mike Sievert taking over the CEO position from firebrand leader John Legere. Legere, who was originally expected to stay on until May 1 but passed the baton over when the Sprint deal closed, also stepped down last month from T-Mobile’s board. The
US came in at $11.11 billion, lower than the $11.4 billion analysts polled by Yahoo Finance estimated. Earnings per share were $1.10, higher than the $1.03 analysts estimated. T-Mobile also plans to complete its divestiture of Sprint’s Boost Mobile prepaid offering to satellite TV provider Dish Network, one of the requirements imposed by the Department of Justice to get the merger approved, during the quarter. Braxton Carter, T-Mobile’s chief financial officer, tells CNET that the company is planning to close the transaction “hopefully in June” adding that “everything appears to be completely on track.” As Sprint is now on the field, T-Mobile has started to turn more attention towards improving its G network, starting the deployment of mid band spectrum it acquired past the deal in Philadelphia. The carrier on Tuesday officially turned on
antiviral response, a function that shuts down in other species, including humans. Together these adaptations result in the virus remaining long-term in the bat but being rendered harmless until something for example like a disease or other stressors upsets this delicate equilibrium. “This information may be critical for predicting the next bat virus that will cause a pandemic,” said Misra. Lead researchers on the paper were Misra’s former PhD students Arinjay Banerjee and Sonu Subudhi who are now at McMaster University and Massachusetts General Hospital respectively. Other team members included researchers Noreen Rapin and Jocelyne Lew, as well as summer student Richa Jain.
JAIME APARICIO/EPM the spectrum in New York, with Neville Ray, T-Mobile’s president of technology, who told CNET that the company is currently working on building the new network “across most major metros right now in one form or another.” As is T-Mobile fashion, Ray took a shot at Verizon and its focus on using millimeter-wave, which has faster speeds but severely limited range compared to mid-band spectrum, for its current 5G network.
SPORTS
8
MLB Draft to be Shortened, 2020 Season Proposal to Come this Week ENRIQUE MEDINA Co-Sports Editor
enrique.medina4922@my.riohondo.edu
Major League Baseball announced recently that its draft will be moved to only five rounds for the 2020 Major League Baseball Season. The MLB draft typically consists of 40 rounds, but due to the complications of the spread of COVID-19, the draft has been pushed back 35 rounds. A key reason for this decision is the amount of money organizations are not attaining due to the season not starting at this point and with all the money being lost by teams due to the effects of COVID-19. According to MLB Inside Reporter Jeff Passan, there was a divide between organizations in the league when it came to the team side of the draft. According to Passan, “A majority of front offices were pushing for a longer draft,” but also the “Pushback to keep the draft as short as possible from some owners was strong.” In the talks between organizations and Major League Baseball, a 10 round proposal was talked about where there would essentially be two fiveround drafts. In this proposal, teams could not use money to pay players from rounds 6-10 to pay players drafted in the first five rounds. This proposal was thwarted and ultimately the draft was set-
tled at five rounds. In the decision set by MLB, all players who were to go undrafted still would have the possibility to sign for a team, but only for the maximum of up to $20,000. The decision to shorten the draft to five rounds does have some very immense effects. Most notably it has an immense effect on the amateur players looking to get drafted. The players looking to get drafted and who were projected to go on the later rounds of the draft now have a tough decision. For some, it could mean the end of their baseball careers if they go undrafted, for others who had the chance to go possibly mid-draft may give the tough decision on whether to go pro or to continue their careers at the college level, especially for those who are high school senior baseball players. For those who go undrafted, they may have a tough choice on attempting to go pro and sign a smaller salary of $20,000 at most or sticking out in college or the league they are playing in. Going one way or the other could be a life-changing decision. It could mean glory for some or pain for others. Some may decide to go back to school and may get injured when perhaps they could have flourished if they became pro, the different scenarios are endless. As for big league ballclubs, they are losing out on the opportunity to potentially draft their
ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM With the owners proposal for a potential 2020 Major League Baseball season, there can potentially be a universal Designated Hitter for the first time in the game’s history. As for the lowering to five rounds for the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft, approximately 1,050 players are losing the opportunity to join professional baseball. The draft is typically 40 rounds and was shortened down to five for 2020. next superstar or their next franchise icon. In other baseball news, according to MLB Inside Reporter Ken Rosenthal, Major League Baseball owners have already approved a proposal for a way to start the 2020 season. The proposal will be shared with the Major League Baseball Players Union on
Tuesday, May 12th. Within the proposal, it is rumored that the proposal will bring about a universal designated hitter for all teams and would bring along an 82 game season with an expanded playoff structure/ format. According to MLB columnist Bob Nightengale, the proposal would bring 14
playoff teams to the expanded playoff structure. With the proposal, there still would be many things to consider as many states have different guidelines. A decision could come very soon and very soon the sports world may find out if there will be a 2020 Major League Baseball Season.
The Return of Soccer is Here BRYAN CHAVEZ Reporter
bryan.chavez5634@my.riohondo.edu
PHOTO COURTESY OF BUNDESLIGA.COM ENRIQUE MEDINA/EPM Highly talented club Borussia Dortmund will face off against Schalke 04 on Saturday May, 16th in the first official weekend back for the Bundesliga German Soccer League. The world will be on watch as highly talented players Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho will be back on the pitch for Dortmund after the long layoff due to COVID-19.
Slowly but surely we are seeing the return of soccer coming closer and closer as we begin to see teams around Europe beginning to prepare for the return of their respected league. Teams in England are delighted with the news, the league is set to return for June 1st. Even though the Spanish league doesn’t have a set return date most teams are beginning to begin training sessions with restricted rules. Most notably FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have begun training sessions. The North Korean league has already started to play it’s games again last week. This weekend we will
see the return of the Bundesliga. Many viewers around the world will be tuning in to see the return of the beautiful game back in action. The league will continue where it left off. We will be rewarded with our patience with a great match between Borussia Dortmund vs Schalke 04 as they play in the Reveir derby. Dortmund are just 4 points behind leaders Bayern for the top spot, and Schalke are one point ahead of Wolfsburg and are not yet qualified for next season’s Europa league. The games will be played behind closed doors which means that no fans are allowed in the stadium, the teams ultras were told to stay home and not to go anywhere near the stadium.
SPORTS
9
Condolences for Coach Don Shula, Who Dies at Age 90 LESLIE LOPEZ Reporter
leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu
Don Shula, the National Football League’s winningest coach, who led the Miami Dolphins for 50 years, died on Monday morning, May 4th, at his home at age 90. There were no details provided on Shula’s death. Shula was born on January 4th, 1930, and raised in Painesville, Ohio. The coach played multiple roles throughout his life. Shula spent most of his career coaching the Dolphins for about four decades. Throughout his career, he led the team to two Super Bowl championships and retired in January 1996, with a 328–156 record. Shula won the National Football League with a record of 347 games, and this also included the playoff games. By the time Shula resigned as Dolphins’ coach after 1995 season, Shula was the National Football League head coach for 33 seasons, and 26 seasons with Miami. He coached three Hall of Fame quarterbacks which a person may recognize. It was Johnny Unitas, Dan Marino, and Bob Griese. Shula played running back in college and cornerback for seven sea-
sons in the pros. He entered coaching as an assistant at Virginia in the year 1958.For Shula’s active retirement, it had plenty of travel and social events. He wanted to do what he enjoyed and to spend more time with his family. After he retired, Shula wanted to face different experiences. The Don Shula Foundation, which was formed to help support breast cancer research, which was established as a tribute to his late wife, Dorothy. They were married for 32 years and raised five children before she died in the year 1991. Then, Shula married Mary Anne Stephens in 1993.Before Shula died, Hall of Fame fullback, Larry Csonka, who was with the 1972 Dolphins, threw a surprise party for Shula for his birthday in December to celebrate his 90th year. Csonka indicated how it was probably the first time in the entire life that he has known him, was surprised and looked so happy. Dolphins’ president, Tom Garfinkel said that coach Shula was a man who showed real greatness in every part of his life and will be missed. Sending our condolences to go out to Mary Anne and his children Dave, Sharon, Donna, Anne, and Mike.
STEPHINIE PHAN/EPM A picture off the internet of Coach Don Shula doing what he does best, repping the Dolphins team with pride. R.I.P.
NFL Star, Earl Thomas, Held at Gunpoint By His Wife
STEPHINIE PHAN/EPM
A picture off the internet of Earl Thomas before his little run in with his wife. The face says it all. A lawyer who is representing April 13th after she argued LESLIE LOPEZ Nina Thomas, claims that she with her husband. Reporter leslie.lopez3339@my.riohondo.edu is innocent and was wrongShe was charged with fully arrested. Earl was not first-degree felony burglary Nina Thomas, who arrested. of residence with the intent is the wife of Raven’s safety, The Austin Police to commit aggravated asEarl Thomas, was arrested on sault with a deadly weapon. Department received a call
disturbance from home in Austin, Texas, around 3:41 AM. When the police arrived at the scene, the police mentioned how they saw a black female wearing an orange sweater with a weapon in her hand chasing a shirtless black male. This occurred because according to Nina, she suspected that her husband Earl was cheating on her with another woman. Nina wanted to take matters into her own hands and confirm this. She checked on Earl’s Snapchat and found a video of Earl with another woman. By using Earl’s Snapchat account, she managed to track down his location to a nearby Airbnb rental home and called two other women to help her confront Earl. According to Nina, she claimed that she only grabbed Earl’s pistol, a 9mm Berreta, to scare him. When the women arrived at the house, the three women found Earl naked in bed with another female. That was when Nina pulled out the gun and put it to Earl’s head and stated that she took out the magazine and thought that the gun may not fire, but the police say Nina was unaware that the gun had a round in the chamber supposedly. The police stated
that one of the women in the house filmed a cell phone video of the incident, which showed Nina pointing the gun at her husband’s head from about less than a foot away. It can be seen that Nina’s finger was on the trigger and the safety is disengaged. Earl saw the gun pointed at his head and flinched his head down. Not only that, but Nina struck Earl in the nose before that situation ended. The woman who Earl was cheating with, says that one of Nina’s other friends was carrying a knife and swinging it aggressively during the scene too. Thomas mentioned how it is not anybody’s business and pisses him off how this information got out to the public, but it is how we live in this world today. He also mentioned how instead of a person talking about his situation, that everyone should be keeping them in their prayers instead because situations like this happen. After the police spoke with everyone, they arrested Nina and the other two women she brought along. Nina was booked for burglary of a residence with the intent to commit an assault with a deadly weapon, violence, and later bonded out for $25,00