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LIBRARIES COMMITTEE MAGAZINE
YOU Up in NO. 12 // $6.99
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Air Moving Under Lockdown
by Fionuala McCarron
Taunting Windows
by Sharath Nambiar
What’s really up in the air? AC and BC. by Francisca Matias
Welcome
What is UP IN THE AIR readers?! Lots for most of us I presume.
My name is Francisca, mostly known for having many nicknames from Fran to Kika to Francis or any other combinations derived from the letters that make up my name. I am the new Editor-In-Chief of the G-YOU magazine (exciting!!) and am so excited to bring you some relatable and most of all, amusing, content. I love commas and using dashes so get ready for loads of those whenever I write. My new normal is being home in Portugal for the time being, figuring the ins and outs of InDesign and Illustrator to bring to you a fun read for times of boredom and undeniably, for times of procrastination. This edition is really about what’s up in the air right now which I have decided to leave unnamed in this welcome for the overuse of the word. Our contributors have been thinking ‘in-between-the-lines’ about the good, the bad and the ugly of times like these. Big thank you to the editorial team which will leave this as their last G-You edition. And a huge welcome to the new G-You team - you’ll be hearing A LOTTA from them onwards so pop in to our instagram @gyoumagazine or Facebook page. :D Lots of love <3
Welfare Corner G-YOU MAGAZINE | MAY 2020 | 1
To all our readers,
As we enter into a season of revision and examination quite unlike any other following both the introduction of social distancing in our everyday lives and the unique challenges posed by online examination for many our students it can be easy to forget in the midst of revision and isolation the importance of looking after oneself, both mentally and physically. To this end, the G-You Team have pulled together a list of resources from across campus that we hope can help support you in your revision and your life in the following weeks. Look out through the magazine for purply boxes for some wholesome signposting! Thinking of you all as you approach your exams,
Ewan Galbraith, current Sports editor & Welfare columnist
Contents
Welcome! Welfare Corner Formalities Editorial From the Board Politics Politics of Covid-19 Lifestyle Moving Under Lockdown ‘Feel Good’ - A review 10 Alternative Things to do to Curb the Boredom During Quarantine Current Threads Change: For Good, and For The Good Showcase Taunting Windows Sports The Name Games: Toyko 2020 Environment What’s really up in the air? BC and AC.
Editorial Team
Lifestyle Politics Current Threads Sports & Environment Showcase Production Artwork & Graphics
Magazine Design
Francisca Matias Olivia Swarthout Skye Galloway
Y O U
Contributors Duncan Henderson Fionuala McCarron Robyn Lawrence Amy Mackenzie Smith Amélie Davidson Sharath Nambiar Ewan Galbraith Niko Single-Liertz
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Beth Leishman Gwendolen de Sousa Blair Cunningham Francisca Matias Scott Norval Olivia Swarthout Skye Galloway
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From the Board “Stay positive” is a phrase I keep hearing, with little or no mention of how to do it. At times like this it seems nearly impossible to see any silver linings or achieve lasting enthusiasm. This pandemic has highlighted the importance of the smallest things in our day to day lives, the things we take for granted and overlook. Something as brief as a hug from a friend, or as menial as using your student card to get a free sausage roll in the meal deal from Gregg’s. But it is the simple act of attempting to make the best out of the situation that is the most essential ingredient to coping through this crisis. There is no single solution to achieve happiness, however, the simple act of creating small moments of joy each day is the best we can do with the little we have. Take the time to reach out to people, everyone is in the same boat and you would be surprised how happy someone can be after receiving a message from an old friend. For those of you who have exams, or who have been unable to see their families and loved ones, it is important to acknowledge and find solace in the fact that the current climate we find ourselves in is temporary. You will finish your exams. You will be able to enjoy the spring, the summer, and the sun. You will be reunited with loved ones and friends soon. But most importantly, you will be able enjoy a pint (IN BEER BAR) eventually. Although the GUU building might be shut, the board has been working to ensure engagement with our members offers some form of escapism. The Games Committee has organized a successful online pub-quiz that had over 93 teams and will continue to run events throughout the summer. The Entertainments Committee will be running online open-mic and open-deck events. And although we have missed some of the Union’s most treasured and anticipated events like St Paddy’s and the Beach Party, rest assured these have not been forgotten. We intend to make the first weeks back to Glasgow the best on record. Plans for Fresher’s Week are well underway, we are in the process of selecting our green-shirted helpers so that come September we are ready to provide 10 days of non-stop action and extravaganza. For the returning students we are in the process of organizing a GUU Alternative Fringe Festival. The event will run from the 23rd to the 25th of September and will be open to all societies and people both at university and independent so keep your eyes peeled for more information on that! Remember to open up to people around you and allow them to be open with you. Keep your head up! all the plans or wishes you have for future have not disappeared. Lastly, I would like to say on behalf of the board we wish you, your family and friends all the best for the coming months and we eagerly await the next semester we get to spend with you! G-YOU MAGAZINE | MAY 2020 | 3
-Niko Single-Liertz, Present Student Member
UofG Sport - Fitness and Wellbeing Regularly updated video content and guides with ideas to help you eat well, sleep well and exercise. From those among us missing their time in the Stevie to the students interested in using their time in isolation to improve their general fitness, this site is full of tailor made content produced for all of us at the University of Glasgow. Additionally follow the University of Glasgow Sport and Instagram pages to join in with their online workouts : https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/sport/wellbeing/
Politics
Politics of Covid-19 Duncan Henderson
It is often said that a week is a long time in politics, and that is definitely true in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic. In just a few weeks our lives have been completely transformed on a scale that has not been seen in living memory. Obviously, the current priority for us all is responding to the virus in whatever way we can - be that out on the front lines as a key worker, or simply following the Government’s advice about social distancing. Eventually though, society will return to normal, and so it is important that we consider the impacts that coronavirus is having on society, and what kind of world we’ll come back to in its aftermath.
a quick economic recovery once we return to normal to ensure that the cost can be recovered through taxation. These issues - along with many more smaller issues - are challenges which will impact our society and politics for years to come. For some people their life will be permanently and irreversibly impacted by this pandemic - and supporting them in the aftermath of this will be our next challenge. However, there is some hope that we may be able to use this challenging experience to build a better society for when the virus is defeated. One of the changes we are already seeing is a revival of a community spirit in many areas, with people coming together to help their vulnerable neighbours in the midst of this pandemic. These have largely been simple acts such as picking up a few extra bits at the shop, but have brought people together as we collectively live through these uncertain times. If we are to build a better society, this revitalisation of community spirit may be one of the improvements we see at a time when ‘Social Distancing’ is our generation’s ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.
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Regrettably, one of the most immediate issues we have seen is a rise in racism. Even before coronavirus had spread to any major extent in the UK, we saw repeated reports of racism towards our Chinese community. Sadly, it seems that this racism will remain rooted in some people’s minds throughout the pandemic - as one quick look at the comments on social media posts reveal. For some, a virus that has killed people of all races and nationalities indiscriminately is the chance to spread bigotry. We can take comfort in the fact that this As mentioned, the Government has taken an unprecis a small minority of people, but we must remain edented role in the economy as a result of this, paying willing to challenge such racism when it is seen. the vast majority of some employee salaries due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak. While It is now inevitable that we’ll see significant eco- the Chancellor was very clear that this programme is nomic challenges across the globe due to the temporary, it’s not a stretch to say that this outbreak measures taken to protect the public from the vi- and the economic challenges it presents may result rus, which has included a cessation of most eco- in some asking themselves how the safety net can be nomic activity. The impacts of this will potentially updated to better support people in times of economic last for years and will hit people deeply - particu- uncertainty, as people across the UK and the world larly those in the United Kingdom and around the realise how close they may be to unemployment. world who have sadly lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus. It seems that relatively swift action Of course, the situation is still rapidly changing from the Government may have presented the and evolving every day, and it is impossible to pretype of mass unemployment we see in the Unit- dict all the challenges and changes that COVID-19 ed States (where over six million people declared may bring. It is however clear that the impacts of themselves unemployed in just one week), but the virus will trigger long-lasting social, economic, the cost of these measures will be enormous and and political challenges that we will have to battle now place pressure on businesses and people for throughout the coming weeks, months, and years.
Lifestyle
Moving Under Lockdown Fionuala McCarron
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It’s always sunny when I move house. Every year it seems to be unseasonably warm and I end up moving bursting suitcases during sweltering heat. This year was no different. Though of course everything is different. It’s currently week three of lockdown as I’m writing this and I’ve just moved into my new flat. The first step was the same as ever, I packed up my huge suitcase (the one I brought with me from England three years ago) on the very night lockdown was first announced, sadly taking down my map of home which - as Boris Johnson explained in sombre tones - I won’t be allowed to return to for the foreseeable future. Fortunately for me, I knew where I was moving into: a flat we had inherited from mutual friends, who had inherited it from mutual friends. I wanted to be moved in before the third week of lockdown in case it got any stricter and it became harder to move in. The other factor which sped up the moving process was the fact that our washing machine broke down and was unable to be fixed as no contractors were available under lockdown. The day after the lockdown, my first port of call for coronavirus news - the BBC Coronavirus Newscast - explained that one of the few reasons it was still legal to leave the house was moving house. We started moving in when the previous tenants sent us their keys via post so we could get in. This followed roughly the pattern of previous move-ins; I packed up everything into suitcases, rucksacks, boxes and bags, and finished up with my worldly possessions in a sad corner of my living room. I began to move in with the only member of my household still about. We planned to move most things on the subway because our old place was a minute from one stop and the new place would be about three minutes from another. When we got to the subway, only the outer circle was running, so we pulled our
bags and suitcases on, and had to go through all but three stops to get to our destination. It was eerily quiet and I’d never seen the subway so empty. At one stop, another person came on and cleaned the carriage, before getting off at the next stop and stepping into the next carriage to continue cleaning. Everyone on the subway wore masks. Once we got to the new flat I realised something crucial - I had forgotten the keys. I ran back while Maddie waited with the bags at the door, buzzing any of the other flats to try and get into the building. Having got the keys and another huge box (containing household items and my flatmate’s collection of worryingly expensive drinks), we managed to get into the flat and started to move things in. For the heaviest suitcase we used an Uber, because we didn’t want to have to manoeuvre the purple monstrosity through the subway system. The driver wore a mask and had a screen of bubble wrap taped up between him and us. It seemed a world away from last year, where I wheeled and carried things down the road in the sunshine before going to Kelvingrove to hang out with friends. We’re organising Zoom drinks; it’s not the same. There’s still some hurdles to climb, like getting the bills sorted and the wifi set up without being able to use the library wifi, but we’re now largely settled. New flats are always awash with new promise, now more than ever in a world where a change of scenery seems like a forbidden indulgence. My new room overlooks an empty street, but it’s always sunny when I move, and right now the sunlight is beautiful and it feels like everything is going to be all right.
Lifestyle
FEEL GOOD - a review.
Robyn Lawrence
Mae Martin’s outrageous new comedy series is the perfect remedy to your lockdown blues. The day Feel Good came out on Netflix was the first day I remember of the Lockdown. It was March 19th - my girlfriend’s birthday - and one by one, all of the plans that we had made in the months leading up to the big day had been closed off to us. Hoping to salvage the situation, I had gone a few days prior to M&S to get her a Colin the Caterpillar and a bottle of Champagne. An unconventional outing for my last day of freedom, in retrospect. I made her breakfast in bed, and for the evening we decided to order in and watch a show we’d both been really excited for - Feel Good. Suffice to say, our evening was more than saved. We have since watched the show a few times over each!
Much of my appreciation for the show stems from its nuanced portrayal of the relationship between two women. Of course, such portrayals have existed before, and increasingly do - this year’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire being a particular personal highlight - but Feel Good hits differently. It is a show which foregrounds the women at the centre of its narrative, as opposed to sidelining them. As a show created by LGBTQ+ creators, it sidesteps many tropes associated with such relationships as they are typically portrayed in the media. They are neither superhuman nor removed from everyday life, they are simply two people living their lives. There is a lot to commend in such representation. The fact that many of the nonLGBTQ+ characters in the show are portrayed as naked stereotypes - particularly George’s male friends Jared and Hugh - is a fun nod to the subversion of the show’s truthful storytelling. We are living in strange and disquieting times and Feel Good is a show which will meet you where you are throughout all this. It is by turns hilarious, anxious, and reassuring. It may not always live up to its name, but it does more than enough to make up for it. Put it on your watch list, if you haven’t already.
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Feel Good is a new British drama written by and starring Canadian comedian Mae Martin, and offers a witty, intimate examination of the highs and lows of a new romantic relationship. It is a wonderful show, filled with levity and joy. It is outrageously funny at its best, and it is often at its best. Despite this, it is by no means simple light relief. It will take you on a whirlwind tour of joy, despair, and everything that lies in between. Mae Martin is an adept comedian, and the show drips with wit, however it is equally skilful in its depictions of difficult subjects such as drug abuse and emotional dependency. Much of the show draws from Mae Martin’s own experiences, being semi-autobiographical in nature, and its representation of sensitive issues manages to remain nuanced without verging on didactic. The best moments of the show are those where its darkness and its light interact. A particular highlight comes in episode 5 when Mae finds her comedic voice railing against societal expectations of gender and sexuality in a blistering standup set, unaware her girlfriend can hear the unflattering things she says about her -
‘I have a straight girlfriend’, the set begins. It is difficult to watch, it is raw, and it is honest. The show pulls no punches in its exploration of Mae’s life, and it is all the more compelling for it.
10 Alternative Things to do to Curb the Boredom During Quarantine Amy McKenzie Smith
WRITE A LIST OF ALL YOUR FAVOURITE THINGS
Simply grab a pen and paper and you have the most wholesome activity. Try and make the list as long as you can- ‘fluffy cats, chocolate buttons, drunk scran, your favourite song coming on in Beer Bar, rain on your window, swimming pools’. It’s all the little things in life. So, have a good think, write them down and watch the list grow. You can even compare lists with friends if you want to.
BLANKET FORT
Is this not just the most class activity ever? Although it requires a surprisingly serious amount of engineering, grab all the items you need- sheets, blankets, bobbles and tall items (clothes driers, ladders etc) for your structure. It’s a couple of hours of fun getting creative and, when you’re done, take your laptop under there, get the Netflix on and get all cosy.
WRITE LETTERS
There is nothing better than receiving a full, hand-written letter. Write a big letter to one of your favourite uni friends- write them a list of your favourite memories from the semester or just tell them why you love them. You’ll make their day and it’s a super wholesome activity for you.
GET DIGGING ON SPOTIFY/NETFLIX
Now is the perfect time to try out some funky new material in film, TV or music. Watch a film you wouldn’t normally pick, dive into a new series (my personal recommendation on Netflix is currently Money Heist- it’s SUPER addictive), follow your friends’ playlists on Spotify or just try a new music genre. Take some time to diverge into some new material and expand your horizons.
WRITE A CV
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I know this is quite a boring and unexciting one, but you’ll thank yourself for this post-lockdown. Bring your CV up to date with everything that is great about you and all the experience you’ve gathered over uni. The semester leaves no time for life admin like this, so spend some time doing it now.
LEARN A NEW SKILL
You wouldn’t believe the variety of content available on YouTube - endless tutorials and video lessons on how to do the splits, rap, learn sign language, calligraphy, magic tricks, juggling, origami - honestly, you name it, there’s a video out there for it. Impress your friends post-lockdown by taking the time to work on having something to show for your time, even if it’s just a fun party trick!
PSYCH
This is my personal recommendation- my favourite app you can play online with friends, wherever they are in the world. It’s a bit like Cards Against Humanity, but instead, you personalise your own cards. It’s the perfect opportunity to roast your friends- guaranteed laughs and 10/10 evening activity.
ZOOMY ZOOMY
Zoom is an obvious staple of quarantine activities. Get all your friends on a video call and the potential for fun is literally massive. Call people you haven’t spoken to in a while. Dress up, have a themed call and put a funky green screen on your background. Make a pub quiz on powerpoint (for one quiz round, go through old cringey 2010 Facebook statuses of your friends and play ‘who said it’- an activity for guaranteed hilarity). Have a DMC, a chat, a laugh, play your favourite drinking games- seeing your friends’ faces is just guaranteed joy.
SPA DAY !!!
Lockdown is the most ideal opportunity to take the longest, most boujee bath of your dreams- long showers are also class. Whilst the semester is too busy for such activities, you can now soak for hours. Grab a good book, your favourite beverageenie and the Radox. If you want to go as far as making your own face mask, g for it.
GOOGLE DOC
Open a mighty good doc and share it with all your friends: turn it into a logbook and all share photos, songs, stray thoughts, uni memories or anything you feel. Build it up and when lockdown is over, you’ll all have a copy of this big wholesome online scrapbook.
Lockdown is suuuuper tough and it’s okay not to be thriving - the vast majority aren’t, despite what social media sometimes leads us to believe. But just keep remembering, this situation is temporary and one day it WILL be over. Keep smiling and stay strong x
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GUSRC - “De-Stress At A Distance” Although the Student Unions may not be open in the manner that we at Glasgow University are used to Exam De-Stress week is scheduled to continue virtually to support each of our students in the coming week. From The Virtual Converation Café and UofG Mindfulness Drawing to Zoomba Sessions the De-stress at a Distance is the place to stay connected with other students throughout exam time. Follow their website and their facebook event where they will be sharing and collating each of the destress events being put on by our Student Unions during exam season: https://www.glasgowstudent.net/ events/exam-destress/
Current Threads
Coronavirus Will Change Us: For Good, And For The Good Amélie Davidson
They say that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. The truth is, you knew what you had, you just thought you would never lose it. The mundane moments in life which seem so insignificant at the time but when taken away from us, we miss them dearly - hugs, holding hands, handshakes, kisses, going for a cup of coffee, dining out, visiting family, petting random dogs in the streets, playing sports, getting the subway. But I hope that we will emerge stronger, more compassionate and appreciative of the things in life which we had taken for granted. That we will focus on the simple pleasures All over the world, we see people going out of their which surround us everyday, instead of sweating way to offer help and support to the vulnerable, from about the small stuff; worrying, complaining, gosgoing grocery shopping to sewing masks to raising siping and waiting for something better. This panmoney for charity. These acts of kindness illustrate demic has highlighted to us how life is too short how humans are able to come together in times of and unpredictable to let self-doubt hold us back. need. A little kindness goes a long way and creates a ripple effect for everyone involved. The impact Under the immense stress and fear, good is risyou can make to someone by extending a helping ing to the top. Let us utilise this time to put aside hand can make all the difference. Kindness is easy. our differences and build the future world that we It doesn’t cost anything and it goes a long way. If you want to live in - a kinder, more humanitarian world. can add even a small amount of joy to someone’s This pandemic will change the world forever and day, you are doing it right. In the powerful words of provide us with a whole new outlook on life. In the Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget rush to return to normal, let us use this time to conwhat you said, people will forget what you did, but sider which parts of normal are worth rushing back people will never forget how you made them feel”. to. We can use this time to reflect on our own lives:
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As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the world, it is a period of uncertainty and worry for us all. It may feel easier to focus on the negatives - the rising death and the empty supermarket shelves as inconsiderate people leave the most vulnerable in our community unable to access the most basic of necessities. However, the pandemic which has shut universities, cancelled flights and turned people into teleworkers is also bringing out the best in people and proving that even in dark times, kindness prevails.
The Coronavirus outbreak will inevitably have an impact on people’s mental health too; anxiety about the unknowns, loneliness, job insecurity, unstable housing, and difficulty sleeping. The worst feeling is being lonely in a situation like this, but I promise you that social distancing and self-isolation doesn’t mean that you are on your own. Though we may feel further away from each other than ever before, our ability to reach out and help each other has become more meaningful than ever, showing us that we are able to be strong, united and most importantly, kind to each other and to ourselves. We are in this together – and we will get through this, together.
What drives and motivates me? What are my aspirations? What do I value? Who is important to me? How we choose to respond to the virus which has divided us will have the power to bring us closer together. If there is a silver lining to be found, it is that the value of our kindness and compassion has become more apparent than ever.
Showcase
Taunting Windows Sharath Nambiar
I keep finding myself looking outside the window. I’ve lived here for seven months now and I genuinely haven’t looked outside my window this much before. Every day I wake up, the first thing I notice is if the flowers outside are bigger than they were yesterday; if the sky is maybe a tad more orange than it was yesterday; weren’t the birds louder yesterday? I see dogs with their owners walk by and everything seems so perfect behind these glass panels that are open just a crack to let the morning air in. This might seem all “raindrops and roses” but in its own way it feels like every day the world is taunting me on what I’m missing and what is just out of reach.
ine living in a dollhouse not knowing that you’re a doll but then every night your owner opens the roof up just to tell you that everything you ever thought was a lie. A bit existential, I know, and at this point, I think everyone in the own way is questioning who they were, who they are, and who they want to be. Not in life career wise, lets be real, the world is ending and so is the job market. I mean, as a person. I find myself in this dollhouse everyday and every night I try and find a way to console myself and make myself realise that pandemic or not, isolation or not, the one thing that can stay constant is my sanity. A real Sisyphus lifestyle.
My journey began with denial like almost everyone on the planet. I refused to believe that a virus from halfway across the world could affect my small little life in any way. And then it all came crashing down when I could not go home because borders closing posed a minor obstacle for flights to let me get on them. It’s been almost a month now and things have panned out into a sort of hermitic existence, one only a crab could relate to. I leave for food once a week and peek out of my shell sparingly to check if the world still exits.
Beat - Beat Eating Disorders Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity that seeks to be a champion, a guide and a friend to anyone affected by eating disorders. They aim to provide a place for individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered. They are providing regularly updated blogs, articles and resources to support individuals affected by eating disorders throughout isolation. https:// www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/supporting-someone/worried-about-friend
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Now rolling a boulder up a hill without end is maybe not something I would do voluntarily considering I’m an extreme homebody. As a person I tend to be a little bit of an introvert, and as everyone has been saying ever since social distancing was introduced, ‘introverts must be having a hell of a time’. I don’t know about others but there’s a huge difference between wanting to stay in and being forced to stay in. Ever since I wasn’t allowed to go back home to Dubai, I’ve had this unshakeable of feeling of being locked in. Sure, government mandated daily exercise of an hour could be considered Putting aside my uncanny connection to crusta- a comfort, but I see that as more chains weighceans, I think I have a very unique way of looking ing me down. The keys thrown away and I’m left at this world of social distancing and self-isolation. to my demons. It isn’t fun being tied up to a spot I wake up in the morning, I make tea if I’m feeling and left for days on end — it sounds like a dog’s frisky, and then go on with my day but by the end nightmare. Yes, sure, I have internet and devices of it I almost feel like I am being filmed and this but what are they if not more windows, existing whole experience has been this sick joke. Imag- solely to taunt me and make me more miserable.
On a lighter note, I read somewhere recently that this inexplicable anguish we all seem to be collectively feeling could just be grief. I agree. In a very profound way, we’re all grieving our social lives, the life that included meeting and interacting with other humans. Like every self-help book out there would tell you, there are many ways you can deal with grief. Personally, I choose denial and wallowing, but to each their own.
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Although, in my own weird way, I think I am coping quite well. I wake up, be it day or night (my sleep schedule is absolutely off-course), and I try to look outside the window. I listen to the birds chirping. I look for a dog to walk by. And I wait. I wait for
the sun to rise another day, I wait for the day I can walk out and not be restricted by the world, I wait for this feeling of existential dread to lessen (let’s be real, that never fully goes away). Let’s just hope my sanity still exists at the end of all this.
Sports
The Name Games: Tokyo 2020 in the Time of Pandemic Ewan Galbraith
Sport was put on pause at the University of Glasgow on the sixteenth of March with the temporary closure of the much beloved Stevenson building. From our own rugby varsity to Wimbledon itself, sport has shut down nationally and the pressure is growing for all international sport to be postponed or cancelled outright. This has forced governing bodies and event organisers to make unprecedented decisions; decisions and precautions necessary to protect the wellbeing and safety of their own staff, athletes and the members of the public for whom sport was going to be the centrepiece of their summer. As the world’s eyes turn to Tokyo to witness what will be the first ever postponed Olympic games it is worth considering Japan’s commitment to continuity and the implications of isolation on the truly global games.
of emergency providing a much needed respite from the ever increasing list of cancellations and closures of events. For the Tokyo Olympics not only are the stakes higher for an event 8 years in the planning, but with international travel bans and the imposition of social isolation strategies, the prospects that the world would see it’s top athletes compete on the global stage this year grew increasingly slim.
The 24th of March saw these concerns addressed by the International Olympic Committee, with the decision to postpone Tokyo. This came with an additional acknowledgement that the games could be delayed by up to a year. Such a decision was met with a mixed response, and in particular there was a tangible sense of disappointment from the athletes for whom the 2020 games was the culmination of Round 4 of the Six Nations was interrupted by the four years’ of conditioning, competing and qualifying. postponement of the Ireland and Italy game in a Although the specifics of the postponement were weekend that saw England see off Wales in a nail not clarified, one detail is certain, that regardless of biting series and Scotland triumph over France in whether the games eventually go ahead next year Murrayfield. The final round of the tournament, due they will retain the Tokyo 2020 branding and name. to be played just one week later, was called off and the games that could decide the winner are resched- What’s in a name, or at least in this case, what’s uled for October. Similarly, football has remained no- the significance in keeping a date that may prove ticeably present in the headlines despite the cancel- to be incorrect come the opening ceremony. For lation of all premier league games with the reporting the pragmatists amongst us the issue may pureon the 70% pay cuts taken voluntary by Barcelona’s ly be one of practicality. The work gone into the first team players to guarantee that club staff contin- branding and merchandising of the event will not ue to take home their full salary during Spain’s state go to waste and there will be no additional costs G-YOU MAGAZINE | MAY 2020 | 12
SAMH - Scottish Association for Mental Health SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity and publish blogs and resources online to help support the mental wellbeing of all adults and young people across Scotland. Recently SAMH have been publishing guides and information about how best to look after your mental health in these challenging times and how best to support the people that we care about in our everyday lives. Form more information about looking after our personal mental health and starting conversations about mental wellbeing take a look at their website, blogs, and reports: https://www.samh.org.uk
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imposed on competing nations to fund or develop sportswear emblazoned with the correct date. On a deeper level the retention of 2020 reveals a resoluteness on the part of Tokyo and the IOJ; an acknowledgement that although the dates may be disrupted, the spirit of the games will remain the same and that there will be no compromise to the sense of unity that is so central to the modern day Olympics. In our newly isolated society the game’s core value of friendship is now more important than ever and it is only right that Tokyo shall retain the Olympic torch until the eventual lighting of the Olympic flame. This year’s torch relay slogan was “Hope Lights our Way” and it is with this perspective that we must view the games, a symbol of international solidarity and also a beacon of hope to look to should one feel lost amongst the disruption and disturbance of the last month.
Samaritans UK Helpline Samaritans provide a free confidential helpline that connects you to one of their trained volunteers should you ever feel like you need someone to talk to. They can be contacted at any time by bothphone and by email and commit to the statement that ‘Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you’. Providing support to all during isolation Samaritans can be contacted for free at 116 123. For more information consult their website at: https:// www.samaritans.org/?nation=scotland
In a world in which everything seems to be ‘up in the air’ the Tokyo Games promises to competitors and consumers alike that pandemic will not take away the combination of celebration and community unique to the Olympic Games. In a summer marked both by the cessation of sport and the closure of borders, the Tokyo Games are set to be the reintroduction of elite sport to the masses but more importantly will showcase the global society that we all belong to. To borrow from the Olympic creed, “ the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle” and such a sentiment is perhaps more important forever. For all the postponements and cancellations, the Tokyo Games have promised that there will be no forgetting 2020 - and the struggle of out frontline workers and medical staff alongside our athletes will be rightfully celebrated at the biggest show on the planet.
GUU QUIZ ELECTIONS PINT OF FUN CHIPS BEER BAR SUBWAY ST. PADDY’S REEF THURSDAY DEBATES HOOCH OPEN MIC WELL HIVE BILLIARDS
Environment
What’s really up in the air? BC and AC. Francisca Matias
Coronavirus has affected almost every as- Apart from humans, other living things such as pect of life on earth, the environment included. plants will have a huge boost. Air pollution hinders the growth of plants, and therefore the productivAs the nitrogen dioxide produced from industrial ity of agriculture. If the air pollution keeps on deactivity, the biggest air pollutant, come to a tem- creasing as it is, each country will be more able to porary close so does the air pollution in the air. provide for its nation and actually promote nationThe Guardian explored this phenomenon in an al products. This is a phenomenon happening in article which quoted Paul Monks, a professor of cities who have implemented lockdown measures, air pollution at the University of Leicester and for- according to the European Environment Agency mer chairman of the UK’s science advisory com- (EEA). Even so, these effects are temporary unless mittee, claiming that the situation at hand might we turn to more sustainable policies and behavactually “give some hope for something terrible”. ior in the long term. If we get out of lockdown and go back to what we deemed as ‘normal’ routines, It is widely known and proven that asthma is the the environmentally good that has been occurmost affected respiratory disease by air pollution ring will rapidly return to the environmentally bad. and the current reduction is a huge benefit for those who suffer from it. Indeed, nitrogen dioxide can be It is now more evident than ever that we can a prime carrier for pathogens. In light of the ongo- change the route climate change has been taking ing COVID-19 situation, this is a fairly significant for the better. If the transition from lockdown to a consideration, where the World Health Organisa- new ‘normal’ is well managed, we will be on the tion is presently investigating if this pandemic can path to a more resilient society. In a time where actually spread via airborne pollution particles. environmental issues are at the forefront of our awareness, perhaps we can use the change in China was the first nation to be heavily affected by momentum Coronavirus has caused to bring about Coronavirus and is the nation with the highest lev- long-term societal change. It is undeniable that els of air pollution due to its status as a core site the death toll, unemployment and mental health for huge multinational companies’ factories as well issues are intensifying in such a crisis and those as its extensive transportation links. Reports from are huge, heartbreaking impacts. Nevertheless, NASA claim that nitrogen dioxide levels across if there is any positivity to be found in this caChina have decreased 10-30% in the first three tastrophe, it is that we may be on a trajectory to months of 2020 from what is deemed as average. a more sustainable Earth AC (after coronavirus). G-YOU MAGAZINE | MAY 2020 | 14
Italy, the second most heavily affected country, had decreased its air pollution in the North by at least 40% (Jan-March) - an area which acts as the heart of air pollution entrapment from Italy’s industrial activity. This phenomenon happened in other European cities that have been marked as COVID-19 hotspots in the first months of 2020 – Lisbon decreased by 51% compared to the same date last year; Madrid reduced by 56% from one week to another; or Barcelona had a 55% decrease comparing the same week with last year.
Astrology
MAY MISSIONS
Approved by your zodiac. Since I’ve been low on alliterations (or so I think) this month will be dedicated to missions. Remember that spy you’ve always wanted to be when you were younger? Your time is now, in real life. OMG. Aaaand just a heads up, three retrogrades this month with big missions. As pages are small and horoscopes are divinely massive, here’s a sneak peek of your May Mission - check gyoumagazine.com for the full juice.
ARIES Your mission is stability.
CANCER Mission to be a boss butt witch.
References to weekly rhthyms and routines, space, Halloween HIVE, praise sandwiches, vulnerability, humility, men, friendships, and hope for cancelled plans. You’ll probably want to read it by now (I hope?).
I’m a boss ___________ (finish the lyrics if you are so inclined). Well this month’s highlights: company, creativity, zoomy zoomy, fantasies, grievances, pages, yourself, self-reliance, and AHA! moments. Come on, you know you want to read some more...
TAURUS Mission to be practical and eat
LEO Mission is goalz and goalz only.
Talks on you, yourself & you, commitment(s), friendship audits, your career boat, men, summer, motivation and prosperity. And all that jazz! Ready for a read?
Right here are the headlines for MAY: marrying a Libra (aka me), structure, clearing air, boundaries, platonic & romantic, mustdos, peace, part-times, planting seeds and productive collabs. Go online for much more....!
GEMINI Mission to unwind. (*in a robot
VIRGO Mission to be serious(ly) curi-
voice*)
ous. (I really wanted to make that rhyme)
Gemi gem gem: healing, body-mind-spirit, communication, pivoting (bball anyone?), impulses, MIKA, intentions, and Bieber fever are the talks in the astrotown. Come and read on further...
Highlights this month contain: expansion, shizzle, zoomy, mind & nature, say stuff, brainstorm, Phum Viphurit, commitments, retrograde-mania and intentions <3 Sold? Get your browser onto the magazine’s website.
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some b-day cake.
LIBRA Your mission motto is quality over quantity.
Dearest Libra, this is your month of May: fwends, shirts, quality, scenes, scissors, curiosity, resilience, corona-conflict, mobility and world changers. Go have a read you just hooman.
SCORPIO Mission: fortalece tus lazos. From the classic 0 to 100, this is a summary of May: full moon in your sign, goalz, compassion, bonds, intimacy, habits, projects & alliances. Curious yet? Check the online version for some more juice.
SAGITTARIUS Mission is to reflect on the silver linings and while you’re at it some self-care too.
(cheesy I know).
Here’s what’s up sea goat: exams, fairytales, passions, ‘Bad Blood’ by NAO, reciprocity, dust, DISGUSTEN, allergies, 2047, wellbeing & organisation, and brain cells! Sounds random but it’ll all make sense once you read the full dets online. So go check it out!
AQUARIUS Mission is to relax take it eeeeeasy.
Hello so this is what’s in store for your month of May: distance, reunion, emotions & other foregrounds, LT plans, cheers, healthy roots, creativity, exes, patience, fairytales, pessimist, expressions and fruits from a new moon. Confusing? You might want to give the full thing a read in our website.
PISCES Mission to miiiingle like a(n) (original) pringle.
Your mission this month is really actually about: communication, Facetime, documentaries (Absurd Planet on Netflix is great), travel (?), staycation, sighs, emotions & practicalities, frustrations, friendship, domesticity, females and a new moon. Interesting? Maybe strange. Find out more online.
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Sagi, here’s what the stars have forecasted for May for ya: boredom, support & healing, ‘apparently kid’, boundaries, communication & community, Miss Rona, and ‘the start of something new’. Head to our website for more dets.
CAPRICORN Your mission is to love