TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2019
Snow Go Tuberculosis outbreak contained, How the MNSU shutdown investigation ongoing After TB outbreak, students and staff are worried, but officials say it’s under control
MICHAEL MCSHANE STAFF WRITER Students and faculty are still worried over the outbreak of tuberculosis that hit Blue Earth County last year. But there’s both, good and bad news. Last year, eight Blue Earth County residents contracted tuberculosis, six of those individuals being current or former Minnesota State University, Mankato students. International students as well as Minnesota residents were affected by the disease. Tuberculosis, a bacterial infection, is spread from one person to another through coughing, sneezing, and even talking. Symptoms of TB can range from fever and chest pain to coughing up blood. The first case of active tuberculosis occurred in January 2018. Once it was found, an immediate and thorough investigation was undertaken by Blue Earth County health officials. Associates of those afflicted were contacted and screened for the disease. All eight individuals diagnosed with TB have been
treated for the disease and are now no longer infectious. President Richard Davenport released an update to all students and faculty about the TB outbreak late January this year, where he revealed that health officials have identified new cases of TB, though none of
screenings. An FAQ released by the Student Health Services a few days later reiterated much of what was in the email and mainly answered questions many students might have about both the outbreak and tuberculosis in general. Speaking to the Reporter
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them infectious. President Davenport stated in the email that those not contacted by Blue Earth County officials do not have to do anything. Those that have been contacted, or those who believe they may have been in contact with the disease, should contact their primary health provider for
directly, SHS Director Wendy Schuh talked about the ongoing investigation, and what both, the school and Blue Earth County, are doing to ensure all residents are safe from infection.
OUTBREAK PAGE 3
IN THIS ISSUE: The epidemic of fake news & how to spot it ..... Page 3 My birthday gift: a “Sweet retreat” experience Page 5 Mavericks defeat Dragons, fall to Wolves ........ Page 10 Mankato native snags Oscar nomination ......... Page 13
affected faculty
JOSHUA SCHUETZ STAFF WRITER Numerous educational institutions, including Minnesota State University, Mankato, were shut down last week as a consequence of the severe, record breaking cold. Morning classes were cancelled Monday, Jan. 28, and then the entirety of the campus was closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 29-30. They were right to shut down, as under conditions observed during those days, frostbite on exposed skin could set in less than five minutes. For professors, the effects of the shutdown ranged from modest to severe, with some losing an entire week’s worth of instruction time in some classes. “It was a big deal,” Dr. Frederick Slocum said. “I’ve been here for 21 years and I’ve never had a weatherrelated situation like this.” Dr. Slocum, a professor of political science, lost classes on all three days of cancellation. “In my Southern Politics and Executive Politics courses, I lost an entire week of classes,” said Dr. Slocum.
“The last time Minnesota had temperatures this cold was in 1996,” he added. Not all professors were as badly affected, largely due to differences in class scheduling. “I lost half of my week,” Dr. Christopher Corley, a professor of history, said. He added that some professors had to move classes online for the week. For Dr. Corley, the weather and subsequent closure didn’t have as dire an effect. “I don’t see it as a long term issue for my classes this semester.” However, Dr. Corley added that the loss of instruction time could be more severe if the weather is especially bad in the near future. “If two weeks from now, you have a foot of snow, and you lose a class, then you start to get concerned that students are missing some things.” Some professors collaborate with faculty and students at other universities, the already complex logistics of which were worsened by the extreme weather, dangerous roads, and closures. Dr. Chelsea Mead, a professor of anthropology and American Indigenous Studies said, “I work with Bemidji State University, we offer Ojibwe language classes here at the university.”
FACULTY PAGE 2
WEATHER OUTLOOK: TUESDAY (2/5)
H: 14 L: 12 Cloudy; a little snow.
WEDNESDAY (2/6)
H: 23 L: 15 Cloudy; snow late P.M.
THURSDAY (2/7)
H: 14 L: -15 On-Off Snow, 4-8”; colder.
FRIDAY (2/8)
H: -3 L: -14 Sunny; bitterly cold.
SATURDAY (2/9)
H: 18 L: 14 Clouds/sun; not as cold.
Have a story idea? Email News Editor Madison Diemert madison.diemert @mnsu.edu