Issue 10

Page 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Bankruptcy US Rugby files for bankruptcy amid COVID-19 pandemic. PAGE 11.

Lack of Masks

Trvia Via Zoom

Medical supplies are few and far between during the COVID-19 pandemic. PAGE 3.

Trivia Nights will still be taking place over zoom online to keep students entertained. PAGE 8.

SINCE 1979

VOLUME 84 // ISSUE 9 APRIL 7 - APRIL 13, 2020

THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT RUN NEWSPAPER

@SONOMASTATESTAR

Awaiting the peak TAYLOR HUMMEL

STAFF WRITER

T

hroughout the world, COVID-19 continues to filter its way through each country. The number of documented illnesses continues to climb as the total number across the globe has reached and surpassed its one-millionth case. However, 300,000 of these cases belong to the United States. This means the US is the epicenter of the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis. According to Worldometers’ statistical guide to the virus, the US has currently twice as many cases as its worldly counterparts. COVID-19 has continued to surge throughout the

US as it is gearing up for the assumed peak of the virus. The top of the curve will vary for different areas, and it is possible California is on the other side, but the largest hotspot in the nation is projected to peak within the next week, according to of Gov. Cuomo of New York, however, his timeline has changed repeatedly in the last three weeks.. Currently, New York is the epicenter of the virus in the United States. Statistics provided by Worldometers see CORONAVIRUS on pg. 4

COURTESY // NIAID

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-Cov-2.

Military maneuvers questioned TRAVIS GILLMORE NEWS EDITOR

W

hile the nation is bracing for what government officials and advisors call the most devastating period of the coronavirus pandemic, the military was catapulted into the narrative this week with a series of contentious actions and declarations. On April 1, President Trump began his daily press briefing by filling the small stage with military brass and addressing the public with a barrage of militaristic lingo. The president said, “America continues to wage all-out war to defeat the virus...we’re attacking the virus on every front... every American will do their patriotic duty and help us to achieve a total victory.” This came a day after Santa Rosa local Captain Brett Crozier wrote a memo requesting assistance as the ship he captained, the COURTESY // NAVY USS Theodore Roosevelt, was experiencing an Captain Brett Crozier tested positive for COVID-19. outbreak of COVID-19 and he was concerned When questioned about how the Navy would respond for the safety of sailors onboard. to the situation, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral MiCapt. Crozier requested permission to dock the ship chael Gilday intially said, “We’re not going to shoot the in Guam, maintain operations with a limited crew, and messenger,” but a day later Capt. Crozier was relieved quarantine the majority of personnel on land. He wrote, from duty on Thursday, April 2. “We are not at war. Sailors do not need to die. If we do not Crozier is lambasted by senior officials for not folact now, we are failing to properly take care of our most lowing the chain of command, however, acting U.S. Navy trusted asset — our Sailors.” Secretary Thomas Modly bypassed chain of command The letter was anonymously leaked to the San Franprotocols by firing Crozier in an act attributed to retribucisco Chronicle and published on March 31. tion by a number of active military members and elected Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he didn’t have representatives. time to read the letter in detail, and the president downVideos posted online show sailors aboard the vessel played the memo by describing it as “terrible” and “all showering Capt. Crozier with praise in a hero’s farewell over the place.”

Workers protesting

SALVADOR FERNANDEZ STAFF WRITER

W

ith more coronavirus cases rising, a number of workers in grocery stores, delivery services, and warehouse operations have participated in a strike to demand better working conditions during the coronavirus pandemic. Instacart, Amazon, and Whole Foods are gradually becoming essential resources by consumers due to the current situation. On March 30, Instacart workers conducted a national strike to demand hazard pay and better health protections. Warehouse employees at an Amazon facility in Staten Island, New York walked out because they claim Amazon is not doing enough to protect its workers.

see MILITARY ACTIONS on pg. 4

Food supplier brings the goods ATHENA FRANKLIN

STAFF WRITER

N

orcal Prime Foods is a small family run business in Concord, California. The business offers home delivery service, and they carry all organic meats, poultry, seafood, and organic vegetables. All their food is individually wrapped and can be delivered to your front door. NorCal Prime Foods distributes their homemade salsa, hummus, guacamole, and chips to the local grocery stores like Raley’s in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Rohnert Park. NorCal Prime Foods also supplies an online company called Farm Fresh To You with products that can be ordered online and delivered to your home the next day. The company has been in business for almost 18 years and is continuing to grow. Being a small business, they were worried when the coronavirus pandemic began about how their small business would hold up. Being an essential company, they continue to supply their customCOURTESY // pxfuel ers and grocery stores with their products. Having under 20 employees de- Bay Area business works to keep families well-fed. livering, packaging, and making their stock at all times to make sure there is product on the products, the last couple of weeks have been some of the shelves and our customers will never go without their esbusiest weeks they have had since being in business. With sential needs and product.” He continued, “Being a family the current shelter in place, business owner Mitchel Cam- run business our loyalty is to our customers and making pos said, “Many people don’t want to go to the grocery sure our local community is taken care of.” stores to get essential products, so the direct home drop The family and employees have come together and off that Norcal Prime Foods offers is a perfect way to get continue to work long hours to make sure they satisfy your essential needs without leaving your home.” their orders and take in the many new clients and grocery Staying open hasn’t been an easy thing for the stores that have requested their products over the last few small business, with the overwhelming amount of orders weeks. Their work brings nutrition to families’ tables durand shipments that are being placed daily. Being a small ing the crisis and strengthens the local supply chain. business, they have the machines and equipment that have Campos said, “In times like this it can get overhelped them produce what they typically distribute out, whelming and scary being an owner and knowing that my but now with the large orders they are receiving, they business can be shut down, and there would be no way don’t have the equipment to produce as fast and efficiently I could financially save it, but I am grateful to still be as they normally do. running and receiving many new customers and grocery Campos said, “As grocery stores are being emp- stores to supply is exciting and keeps small family busitied daily by shoppers, we are trying to keep produce in nesses prospering.”

COURTESY // Payton Chung

Workers at Whole Foods organized a sick out. Workers from Whole Foods Markets across the nation coordinated a plan to call-out from work this past March 31. Workers are in fear of contracting the coronavirus and are arguing with managers regarding supervisors taking the appropriate safety measures to protect themselves but not all employees. Whole Foods claims that the strikes did not negatively impact their operations. Instacart workers hold the company responsible for not providing hand sanitizer, masks, and disinfecting sprays during this outbreak. Instacart, however, announced that workers are now able to order hand sanitizer and the items will be shipped directly to them. It is still unclear how many people protested against Instacart. They also claim to have not experienced any impact from the strike. The company refused to respond to reporters from The Washington Post on whether any workers had been diagnosed with coronavirus. According to The Post, Whole Foods spokesperson Rachel Malish said, “So far today we have seen no changes to overall absenteeism and we continue to operate all of our stores without interruption. There is no higher priority for us than taking care of our Team Members.” A petition started by strike organizers circled around Whole Foods call, and it has received more than 10,000 signatures. The petition asks for paid leave for all workers who chose to isolate themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. Signers are also demanding health care coverage for part-time employees and funding to help cover the cost of coronavirus testing. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) tweeted her support by saying, “First Instacart, then Amazon, now Whole Foods: workers are withholding their labor and demanding dignity. When people work an hourly job, it’s suggested in many ways that you’re unimportant or expendable. Except you aren’t. Everyone deserves safe work, paid leave, & a living wage,” Amazon bought Whole Foods in June of 2017 for $13.7 billion. In January of this year, Whole Foods stopped providing health care benefits for part-time employees who work less than 30 hours a week. To compensate for this, the company decided to give out temporary $2 raises through the month of April as well as double pay for overtime. Employees are also now eligible for see PROTESTS on pg. 5


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