April 7, 2020

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April 7, 2020

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2020

opinions

PAGE 2 April 7, 2020

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The power of journalism should not be forgotten, especially during times of crisis

J

Throughout history, journalism has delivered the truth to the public in times of crisis.

ournalism is very well known as an indispensable fact-checker and guardian which puts accountability on powerful figures. Without this field, it would be very difficult for many in the general populace to learn about important global events. However, with the rise of the internet and misinformation campaigns one must ask: does journalism still hold its former integrity? Looking at the history of journalism and its modern rendition will shed light on its role in expressing and protecting speech. This is especially important during this time of crisis, as having a reliable source of information is crucial for battling COVID-19.

Modern journalism is said to have begun around the 16th century, with one of the first major pieces published being on the Great Storm of 1703 in Britain.

Journalism is notable for being the unofficial “fourth estate,” monitoring the other estates of government. It has pushed many boundaries here in the U.S., too, showing willingness to break away from convention. An example of this is one of the first anti-slavery newspapers, which was heavily criticized, yet showed it was willing to sacrifice mainstream beliefs at the time for the greater good. While we like to think that the media keeps our government in check, one does not have to look far back to see where it has failed.

Some may remember that during the Vietnam War, the press was censored from revealing the gruesome details of the U.S. military campaign. Americans didn’t even know why our soldiers were fighting there, as revealed by Walter Cronkite and the Pentagon Papers. This purposeful

misinformation shook the U.S. civilian population’s confidence in Washington and the news outlets to this day. Some political scientists, such as Paul H. Weaver, think that journalism and politics have

taking proper sanitary measures. Many of us have already seen how to flatten the coronavirus curve, with new information coming out of Italy on decreasing cases.

Mark Zuckerburg has said small outlets

“Journalism has served as a faithful

medium to disseminate information that affects us as citizens, so it is our duty that we ensure its continued reliability and expression. “become ensnared in a symbiotic web of lies that misleads the public.” It can seem like journalism has become corrupted beyond hope nowadays, with our 18.5year war in Afghanistan proving equally as fruitless and deceptive as Vietnam.

However, I feel that in most respects we still need journalism to inform us, if only with some extra caution, and that we must start proving its worth from the bottom up, beginning with local journalism.

“Journalism’s change in format does not diminish its relevance in the modern era,” said Jen Mackay, an assistant professor in the communications department.

The fourth estate’s work on the local level through police departments, city council and tax spending give the common person an idea of what’s going on. One can see this through how much journalism has aided and detracted from the battle against the coronavirus. On the one hand, local journalism has been very helpful in getting people to socially isolate themselves in the U.S., along with

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the norm. This includes providing accurate coverage on the virus without breaking things down in terms of political motivations and garnering headlines.

Journalism has served as a faithful medium to disseminate information that affects us as citizens, so it is our duty that we ensure its continued reliability and expression.

”

are an “incredibly important” source of information, which is why he committed $100 million to support struggling outlets through the crisis. On the other hand, disinformation and news outlets choosing to play down the threat of the virus has led to numerous people becoming ill, along with a decline in trust of the government and certain broadcasting networks.

If we are to get through this crisis, we must prepare to make sacrifices beyond

ADAM JAAFAR • freshman • mechanical engineering

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April 7, 2020 PAGE 3

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Drive-thru testing now available at Blacksburg High School in response to COVID-19 pandemic The testing, taking place at Blacksburg High School, gives those who may not be tested in hospitals a chance to get a diagnosis.

KEVIN SANDLER news reporter

The Montgomery County Public Health Task Force has now opened its first drive-thru testing, assessment and referral site at Blacksburg High School as of March 31, 2020. This action comes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to access the site and its services, it is required that one has an appointment and a letter of authorization from the Virginia Department of Health’s New River Health District.

Jason Deese, district epidemiologist for New River Health District, explains that testing is important as a means of diagnosing patients who would otherwise not receive testing in a hospital setting.

“When someone goes to a hospital for COVID-19, they must be very ill to get tested,” Deese said.

Alternatively, with the opening of the testing center, this allows more individuals to get tested, including people with lighter symptoms, people who have come in contact with confirmed cases, high risk groups such as first responders,

as well as a limited number of travelers.

According to Deese, if one is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 they are urged to speak with or make an appointment in advance with their public health provider. For students at Virginia Tech this includes Schiffert Health Center.

To reduce the likelihood of contracting COVID-19, it is suggested to maintain good hygiene and continue to practice social distancing.

“Keep social mixing small and maintain appropriate distance between people.” Deese said, “but go out and

exercise; we strongly recommend it.”

For more information, call the New River Health District’s COVID-19 public health call center at 540-267-8240. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. After hours, leave a message.

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Less than 10% of on-campus residents stay as Tech enters new ‘essential operations’ status More students are expected to leave campus after President Sands released his “essential operations” order last week.

BEN WALLS

news staff writer

Residence life at Virginia Tech has changed dramatically in recent weeks.

As of March 31, 2020, nearly 9,000 Hokies who lived on campus since August have decided to return home, and 805 have decided to stay, according to Mark Owczarski, Virginia Tech’s assistant vice president for University Relations.

The survey data collected are self-reported answers from various on-campus students about living arrangements for the remainder of spring 2020 after the extended spring break. The answers will help the university understand the students’ plans as public officials have urged everyone to stay healthy and safe following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The survey will also help the university understand which off-campus students have decided to stay in Blacksburg, and how many have decided to return home.

President Sands released a message to the Virginia Tech community on March 31 that claimed 40% of off-campus students

have decided to stay on campus, most of which are international students.

More students are expected to move away from on-campus living as Virginia Tech transitioned to the “essential operations” by Sands’ order on April 3, 2020, in which on-campus housing and dining services will only be open to students whose health, safety and access to food and shelter is only available on campus.

Students who would lose health care benefits if they were not housed on campus and students who may only access online learning via the university internet service may stay on campus as well.

“I decided to stay on campus because I (felt) I could be safer, considering my dad travels a lot,” said engineering student Zach Clopton, who has now decided to leave campus for his home in Richmond.

“They are kicking me out (of Lee Hall), and either I move dorms or move out, so I’m going back home.”

As of April 3, all of Virginia Tech’s resources will be focused on life safety that protects public health and crucial university infrastructure like campus

technological capabilities, student services and research. These university services and buildings that support Virginia Tech administratively and operationally will remain open and protect the university as it plans its future reopening.

Face-to-face interactions will be reduced during the essential operations phase, however, and proper social distancing practices are expected to be followed, as Gov. Northam orders.

Sands indicated in his March 30 message that Vice President of Student Affairs Frank Shushok and Blacksburg Chief of Police Anthony Wilson will monitor social distancing practices and other CDC guidelines in Blacksburg.

Also beginning on April 3, any responsibilities that may be performed remotely via email or telephone will be expected to be performed off campus.

“This action was taken to minimize the number of employees required to work on site at any university location,” Sands said, indicating that Virginia Tech will honor Gov. Northam’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“Non-essential functions and services will be suspended. Reducing the number of people living and working on site will better enable the university to monitor and protect the employees and students who must remain on site.”

Previously, Virginia Tech was under “reduced operations,” announced March 11, which extended spring break, implemented online coursework and closed university-wide events for the semester, including commencement.

If Virginia Tech chooses, “closure” may be initiated which closes all on-site facilities, and essential services, like housing and dining, may be further reduced.

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PAGE 4 April 7, 2020

BEST

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BLACKSBURG

of

2020 winners

Best Place for Breakfast

Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea

Darts

Barnes & Noble

Best Bakery

Sugar Magnolia

Best Place to See a Movie

Blacksburg Farmers Market & Market Square Park

Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro Carol Lee Donut Shop

Best Burgers

Blacksburg Taphouse

Best International Fare Cabo Fish Taco

Best Vegetarian Fare

Best Sweets

Champs

Best Dining on Campus West End Market

Paragon First & Main + IMAX Theaters

Cabo Fish Taco

Sharkey’s

Best Happy Hour

Best Overall Restaurant

Best Cocktail - TIE

Best Overall Bar Best Festival

Hokie House Restaurant Top of the Stairs

Best Hiking Trail

Nail Bar Blacksburg

Top of the Stairs

Gillie’s Inc

Best Mexican Fare

Best Salon or Spa

Steppin’ Out

Cabo Fish Taco

Best Subs

Best Pizza

Best Golf Course and Driving Range

Best Sushi

Best Date Spot

Sub Station II Restaurant Benny Marzano’s

Best Gym

Cascades National Rec Trail

Blacksburg Boxing and Fitness

Best Place to Get Tattooed Ancient Art Tattoo Studio

Blacksburg Municipal Golf Course

Green’s Grill & Sushi Bar

Best Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings

Best Delivery Service

The Beast of Blacksburg

Best Late-night Food Benny Marzano’s

Best Karaoke

Best Beer Selection

Best Place to Watch Sports on TV

Best Ski and Snowboarding Slopes Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Best Clothing Store Plato’s Closet

Best Place to Get VT Gear Campus Emporium

Best Apartment Complex Best Law Firm

Best Place to Get a Car or Car Serviced South Main Auto Service

The Cellar Restaurant

Buffalo Wild Wings

Best Coffee

DICK’S Sporting Goods

Montgomery Law Office

Blacksburg Wine Lab

Moss Arts Center

Best Place to Buy Sporting Goods

Best Grocery Store Best Wine Selection

Best Live Music

Capone’s Jewelry

Best Place to Get Copies Made Kroger

Top of the Stairs

Best Jewelry Store

Foxridge Collegiate Apartment Homes

Newman Library

Blacksburg Wine Lab

Best Place for Flowers

lifestyles Best Bookstore

Best Place to Play Pool or Shoot

collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles

Best of Blacksburg: Unbe-leaf-able hiking spots

Blacksburg has plenty of local trails to cure your boredom while abiding by the new state stay-at-home regulations.

CAREY OAKES

lifestyles staff writer

Amid the coronavirus-induced social distancing orders, most are struggling to find activities with which to keep themselves active besides the obvious: homework or TikTok. Remaining 6 feet apart from one another doesn’t mean we have to avoid the great outdoors. It’s no secret that Blacksburg’s surrounding geography is gifted with numerous hiking trails on which one may encounter beautiful

waterfalls, various mountain ranges or the very Mountain Lake Lodge where “Dirty Dancing” (1987) was filmed. So, given the current pandemic and the fact that some may not have left their house in while, here are some of the best hiking spots the region has to offer.

until you reach your final destination. The peak has a magnificent view as you look between two rock structures that look eerily similar to a pair of teeth, hence the name.

The views beyond the geography of the hike are relative to those from the peak of McAfee Knob.

Dragon’s Tooth Roughly a three-hour hike, the Dragon’s Tooth trailhead takes hikers on a relatively steady uphill climb until the last 1/2 mile that requires some careful rock scrambling

Sharp Top Mountain If you’re willing to make the hour-anda-half drive from Blacksburg, Sharp Top Mountain is a hike for those who yearn to be challenged. Brittany Donnelly, a hiking

blogger based in Roanoke, said, “This one had amazing views, (but was) hard though!”

This hike is worth the challenge with a 360-degree view once reaching the summit.

McAfee Knob Donnelly recommends this hike as well.

Located in Catawba on the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob is about an 8-mile hike round trip that leads to an overlook point that gives you a breathtaking panoramic view of the Catawba Valley.

HIKING / page 8

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Best of Blacksburg: Sugar Magnolia takes the cake for the best sweets in town With endless ice cream flavors, chocolates and birthday cards, it’s no question why Sugar Magnolia won Best Sweets in Blacksburg.

KYLE BASSETT

lifestyles staff writer

Going around Blacksburg, there are many different shops to consider visiting.

Whether it be for food, gifts or other interests, Blacksburg isn’t an area shy of options. For those who enjoy sweet treats and crave a bit of sugar in their life, look no further than Sugar Magnolia: downtown Blacksburg’s go-to spot for all your confectionery needs.

Located on North Main Street between the London Underground Pub and the National Bank of Blacksburg, the shop opened here in 2018, after the owner of T.R. Collection, a gift shop also located in downtown Blacksburg, decided to expand by opening a second store. The second store was made to be an extension of the concept of the first, a gift shop, but one that also catered to other interests. The end result was Sugar Magnolia, a gift and sweets shop hybrid that made the best of both worlds.

In addition to being one of the newer

options downtown for a bite to eat, it’s one of the more unique offerings in the area.

As you enter, you’re greeted with a view of the sweets side of the shop, surrounded by tables that lead up to the main counter where you can place your order. To the right, there’s the gift shop side of the store, where you can find many unique and exciting gifts to buy.

The menu consists of staple goods that one would expect from a sweets shop, as well as other options that cater to all types of patrons. With a hot cocoa bar that lets you customize your drink, an ice cream counter that carries over 15 different flavors to choose from and a confectionaries section that offers sweets like chocolate truffles, cookies and hand-crafted popcorn, the options are endless.

One thing that makes Sugar Magnolia unique from other places in the area that offer sweets is that the shop is a big supporter of Virginia small businesses. Its ice cream is sourced from Homestead Creamery, a dairy business based in Franklin County, Virginia, while

The outside of Sugar Magnolia in downtown Blacksburg, April 5, 2018.

a selection of its candy comes from Red Rocker Candy, based out in Troy, Virginia.

“Sugar Magnolia is the best place for ice cream in my opinion,” said Mohammed Humadi, a sophomore studying electrical engineering. “Their prices are also pretty low for how high quality their ice cream is. Whenever I have friends visiting, I try to take them there. The atmosphere is also really nice, and I really like how they’ll have a lot of smaller stores sell their products there!”

As for the gift shop side of the store, customers of all kinds are presented with a number of products from a variety of brands such as Kate Spade, Caspan, Sugarfina and more. Stationery kits, birthday cards, books and other offerings that one might expect from a gift shop are among the many different selections to be discovered.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sugar Magnolia has changed from its normal store hours to its current daily hours being from noon to 7 p.m. The shop is currently not allowing for walk-in orders to be made.

Customers ca n ca l l and place an order for curbside pickup, and a delivery service is also available to those who live in Blacksburg or Christiansburg.

For those who live in Blacksburg, Uber Eats and Grubhub are also options to place orders from.

Sugar Magnolia is a must-stop shop for those who want to truly experience what downtown Blacksburg has to offer.

Whether you’ve got a taste for something sugary or you’re looking for something unique to buy, Sugar Magnolia is the place to visit.

@CollegiateTimes

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

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April 7, 2020 PAGE 7

Best of Blacksburg: From PK’s to Next Door Bake Shop, here are the best comfort food destinations in town During this time of crisis, we all could use some tasty carry-out to cure our flood of emotions. Thankfully, in Blacksburg, the options are endless.

BRYCE NOLAN

lifestyles staff writer

In the midst of this global pandemic, most people have been attempting to drastically alter their daily lives, and with this must come a certain loss of normality. People lose social connections, work experiences, even things as meaningful to them as a graduation ceremony.

One significant aspect of this loss is the new reality of food. People all around the country are accumulating their social distancing stockpiles and burrowing into their abodes for the foreseeable future.

However, that does not mean people are without their favorite comfort foods, and luckily, Blacksburg is rife with eating establishments just perfect for the kind of high-calorie smorgasbords that can help

one process and persevere through this time of crisis.

The natural place to start would be D.P. Dough, located at 215 N. Main St. in Blacksburg. This restaurant specializes in calzones, a dish that’s essentially a pizza folded over itself. D.P. Dough offers a wide variety of calzones at fair prices, so no matter what filling you prefer, D.P. Dough has you covered. That being said, there is one important caveat to D.P. Dough: They keep unusual hours, often opening in the late afternoon and only closing in the wee hours of the morning in order to cater to the late night crowd. Of course, with Blacksburg being a college town, those hours might just be more convenient than a typical work cycle.

For more typical college comfort food, head on over to PK’s Bar & Grill, at 432 N. Main St., and order a few slices of pizza and a side of hot wings. PK’s pizza is a

gourmet treat, enormously enjoyable so long as you don’t have any particular hang ups about square pizza. It may be rectangular, but it will be the most satisfyingly cheesy and saucy rectangle you have ever eaten.

For something just a bit more exotic, Cabo Fish Taco has you covered, offering a wide range of Mexican and seafood dishes to satisfy that particular craving.

It’s a great place to go with friends and thus is also a good place to keep in mind once it becomes safer to go out in groups.

Find them at 117 S. North Main St., right across from where the off-campus bookstore used to be.

Next Door Bake Shop is right next to campus at 460 Turner St. NW, which is much more than just a coffee shop, offering a number of delectable breakfast bagel dishes at more than generous prices. A bite into one of

these overstuffed delicacies will all but assuredly bring one’s stress levels down like good food is supposed to.

And of course, how could one forget Benny Marzano’s at 110 Draper Rd. NW? Five bucks for a massive slice of pizza.

Drinks optional. Enough said. Walk in, grab what you want, pay for it, walk out.

Eating food that makes you happy is an essential practice during any kind of prolonged crisis. Having a meal to look forward to adds order to what’s now likely a scattered daily schedule. Keeping oneself situated around pleasant things and healthy behavior, like having favorite foods, can go a long way toward making the current crisis seem bearable.

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For voting Newman Library as the

BEST PLACE TO PRINT in the NRV!

PAGE 8 April 7, 2020

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HIKING: One step closer to finding your perfect hike is an accessible 3-mile hike perfect for all levels of hikers and is child friendly.

This destination draws a crowd during the summer months as the water becomes warm enough to swim. Unfortunately, this trail is temporarily closed as a result of the coronavirus. Once the trail reopens, however, the falls are worth the visit.

In light of the recent developments regarding COVID-19, it’s difficult to remain positive in such times of uncertainty, but spending time in the outdoors is proven to have a positive impact on one’s mental health. Blacksburg and the New River Valley are lucky to have such wonderful scenery, especially now. So, go out and take in the scenery, while staying 6 feet apart of course.

from page 4

Considering this trek’s popularity, it is among the more crowded trails in the region. As you sit upon the lookout point you can see the mountains and rolling hills for miles.

Mountain Lake Lodge Trail This trail is among the shortest in the area and is located behind the famous Mountain Lake Lodge. Not only do you get to trek toward a peak with multiple lookout points upon the valley, but you get to explore the lodge where Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze acted in “Dirty Dancing” as well. Throughout the lodge grounds, notable settings from the film are marked with plaques detailing specific scenes and behind-the-scenes information. Unfortunately, the famous lake where Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Gray practiced the famous lift has since been drained.

Pandapas Pond While this trail is not a true “hike,” anyone looking to get out of the house can take advantage of the Pandapas Pond route on which visitors can walk on quaint forest trails and along the vast

JUN YU / COLLEGIATE TIMES View of the water by the hike to Cascade Falls, Feb. 24, 2017.

pond. Throughout the trails are various picnic tables and benches to sit and take in the surrounding nature. Currently, the Pandapas Pond trail remains open, but the public restrooms are closed.

Cascade Falls This trailhead is a rather scenic one as you walk toward the stunning falls that are deceivingly larger than the photos on Instagram give them credit for. The hike

sports

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Tech basketball acquires Cartier Diarra on the same day Isaiah Wilkins leaves the program Mike Young and the Hokies added transfer guard Cartier Diarra to the roster on the same day that forward Isaiah Wilkins announced that he is leaving the program.

AMBER WILLIAMS sports staff writer

Cartier Diarra, a guard who has proven to be an asset to his former team at Kansas State, chose Virginia Tech on March 31 as the school at which he will play his final season.

The 6-foot-4-inch, 185-pound junior scored a total of 424 points for the Wildcats in the 2019-20 season,

averaging 13.3 points per game.

Diarra had an average of 4.2 assists per game and a 3-point field goal percentage of 30.5.

The athletic guard will add a dynamic playing style to an already solid back court in Blacksburg.

Diarra was welcomed into Hokie Nation almost immediately after it was announced that current Virginia Tech guard Isaiah Wilkins would

be entering the transfer portal. The sophomore from North Carolina played for the Hokies the last two seasons. Wilkins has a career average with the Hokies of 4.5 points per game and played in all 32 games in the 2019-20 season, starting in five matches.

The Tech men’s basketball team looks forward to a promising future for the upcoming season in Mike

Young’s second year as head coach.

These moves will hopefully add the needed depth and ability Tech needs to make a NCAA tournament run in the near future.

@CTSportsTalk