March 24, 2020

MARCH 24 - MARCH 30, 2020

A&E

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE

OPINION

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UAA theater students push back against the College of Arts and Sciences’ deans’ and provosts’ recommended deletion of the program.

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

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Make the most of your time at home with tips on balancing work and recreation during Anchorage’s “hunker down” mandate.

New COVID-19 cases reported in Alaska bring tally to 21

By Christina Swayney features2@thenorthernlight.org

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Alaska increased to 21 total, as of March 22.‌ Seven new cases emerged on March 21. The new cases are in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Sterling and Soldotna, with three in Ketchikan. Overall, Anchorage has five confirmed cases, Fairbanks has seven, Ketchikan has six and Sterling, Soldotna and Seward have one each. ‌ On March 20, the State of Alaska released a “strong advisory,” recommending that all nonessential personal, business and medical travel stop immediately, including travel within and outside the state.‌ The first case of COVID-19 in Alaska was confirmed in a cargo pilot traveling through Anchorage on March 12. Two older males were confirmed to have the virus in Fairbanks. Both cases are believed to be travel related, according to Alaska’s chief medical officer Dr. Anne Zink. ‌ Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced a state-

GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS

wide mandate issued on March 17 that all bars and restaurants stop dine-in services on March 18. Order and drive-through services are still available. Other entertainment establishments are also temporarily closed down, including movie theaters, bingo halls and gyms. This mandate is also in effect until April 1. ‌

Some local department stores, such as both Target locations in Anchorage, are adapting to the mandate by offering the first hour of store operations exclusively to seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems. Every Wednesday, these citizens can shop from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. Carrs has also implemented senior hours

Service animals help students navigate life on campus

PHOTO BY JAMES EVANS

Tim Baker is greeted by Kiita as UAA’s Disability Support Services hosts therapy dogs during their Love on a Leash event in the lobby of Rasmuson Hall.

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Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m.–9 a.m. at all Anchorage locations, with presented identification.‌ Anchorage is offering drivethrough COVID-19 testing for individuals with compromised immune systems. Participants are required to obtain a doctor’s referral first, due to the limited amount of testing kits, accordBy Caleigh Jensen editor@thenorthernlight.org

The University of Alaska Anchorage follows federal and municipal laws regarding service animals on campus with no additional regulations of its own — it’s up to students to follow the rules.‌ “There’s no requirement for registration, a vest or to carry an ID card for the dog. [Students] do have to comply with municipal rules about dogs, like having the dog licensed and vaccinated, but under federal law, we can’t force students to register with us if they have a service animal,” Anne Lazenby, director of Disability Support Services at UAA, said. “It’s really about being on the honor system.”‌ While they are not required to register their service animal with DSS, many students choose to because they often need additional accommodations, Lazenby said. This allows DSS to notify professors and faculty that the student will be bringing their animal to class.‌ youtube.com/tnlnews

ing to Anchorage health officials.‌ These services are a collaboration between Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Native Medical Center, Alaska Regional Hospital and Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center.‌ Scientists, health researchers and doctors race to make a vaccine for COVID-19, with tests in Seattle using the first human volunteer. A vaccine is in the beginning stages of development, but the process is being accelerated with health and safety standards still in order, according to The National Institute of Allergy and Disease.‌ For up to date information about COVID-19 in Alaska, visit the Municipality of Anchorage site. Detailed information about the virus can be found on the Center for Disease Control at cdc.gov and the World Health Organization at who.int. Information about COVID-19 concerning UAA can be found at the UAA Coronavirus Information Site on the UA website. ‌ This is a developing story, and updates will be made regularly at The Northern Light.‌

Lazenby estimated that there are over a dozen students at UAA with service animals. Kelsy Tallant, a sophomore psychology major, has been working with her dog, who she introduces as Juno, since last July. Juno, a black lab, assists Tallant with mobility, such as targeting certain objects in a room, leading her to stairs and elevators and helping her avoid curbs while walking outside. Juno also provides companionship and boosts Tallant’s confidence, she said.‌ “The ability to close my eyes and let her go is amazing,” Tallant said. “With everything being white and snowy, it’s very easy to get lost with a cane, but with her, I have the confidence that even if we didn’t know where we were going, she wouldn’t walk me into a snowbank.”‌ The university follows the service animal guidelines put in place by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that

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FEATURES

THENORTHERNLIGHT.ORG TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020

UAA students adapt to new course delivery methods

By Christina Swayney features2@thenorthernlight.org

UAA students will resume the rest of the spring semester entirely online due to the threat of spreading COVID-19.

This announcement was issued

by UA President Jim Johnsen, Chancellor Sandeen and is also Alaska policy. Any communication between professors and students is limited to video conferences, emails and phone calls. ‌ Groups of 10 or more people are prohibited from meeting on the UAA campus, meaning that student clubs and organizations will face challenges convening for the rest of the semester.

Students and employees are also prohibited from returning to campus for 14 days after traveling outside of Alaska and are expected to self-quarantine at home during that time.‌ Masa Abaza is a natural science major at UAA and the president of the UAA Pre-Med Club.

She said that transitioning online at this time is unexpected, and will cause some students difficulty. ‌ “I think many students who have never done an online class before will be impacted most. It is quite a transition to have to do, and not to mention having to

do so in the middle of the semester when most students are already settled in their schedules,” Abaza said.‌ Tina Ndour, a sophomore majoring in business administration for management information systems, is already taking two online classes and says she is not too worried about adapting to the new format. However, Ndour is concerned about how some classes will reformat and how professors will handle such a sudden change in the course structure.‌ “One of my professors still has not emailed me about how we would be moving forward.

The class is a presentation class, so I am not sure how we would be doing it online. I’m just waiting for my professor for now,” Ndour said.‌ Even though this online transition is difficult for students, Abaza is confident that there are solutions. She is impressed with the alternative methods professors have found for students to still learn effectively. She also sees a few positives of online learning.‌ “My physics professor sent an email saying we’ll have virtual labs to do. This new online schedule also allows me to be more flexible with my schoolwork and simply do homework

and lectures whenever convenient for me. As a student who maintains a job and volunteering, this is very beneficial,” Abaza said.‌ Abaza thinks that the steps that UAA is taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are a necessity to keep the community safe.‌ “Although the death rate is relatively low, the fast transmission of this virus is very worrisome. We must take all necessary precautions to prevent overwhelming our hospital systems. Especially here in Alaska, where our population is far too large for the [number] of hospital beds we have available here,” Abaza said.‌ Anchorage hospitals, including Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital, have followed the state health department’s recommendation that elective surgeries be canceled or postponed to make room for potential COVID-19 patients. Alaska chief medical officer Dr. Anne Zink expects that hospitals will be stressed in the coming weeks in an ADN article from March 15.‌ “It is very likely that the U.S. health care infrastructure and resources, particularly as it relates to care of the most critically ill patients, are likely to

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PHOTO COURTESY OF MASA ABAZA

Masa Abaza, president of the UAA Pre-Med Club, thinks that the steps UAA is taking are a necessity to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

be strained over the coming weeks,” Dr. Zink said.‌ Alaska has 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of March 22.

Although uncertainty can take hold in a time like this, Abaza believes that Alaskans should not give up hope, but also has concerns as to how officials are handling this pandemic.‌ “As a student and resident of Alaska, I like to generally have a positive outlook. However, I feel that our senators and state representatives need to do a better job of taking care of our residents during such a difficult and sudden situation. Alaskans need all the federal help we can get, especially since we are only at the beginning of this crisis,” Abaza said.‌ Information Technology Services at UAA is working to

create wireless hotspots for students who need them in designated sites on and off-campus.

UAA also plans to pay for student and employee internet services, using GCI, ACS or MTA, according to an official email from UA President Jim Johnsen on March 20. ‌ Students can sign up for text alerts concerning UAA and COVID-19 by texting UACOVID19 to 22678. Clubs and organizations can continue to meet via free video conferencing programs, such as Zoom, Hangouts, Skype or Meet. More information on how to navigate video conference technology can be found at the UAA Coronavirus Resources page on the UA website. ‌

Local businesses adjust to COVID-19

By Christina Swayney

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA SWAYNEY

features2@thenorthernlight.org

Cases for COVID-19 in Alaska have risen to 21 as of March 22. Mandates for the state are continually updating as the case count increases. One mandate is the temporary closure of dine-in service at bars, restaurants and the closure of entertainment facilities including movie theatres, bingo halls and gyms issued on March 16 until April 1.‌ The city of Anchorage also received a “hunker down” order from Mayor Ethan Berkowitz on March 20 that went into effect on March 22 at 10 p.m. The order extends until March 31. The emergency order tells residents to stay in their homes as much as possible, and to only go out for necessary trips, like getting groceries or going to jobs that are considered essential, like healthcare workers, mail carriers or grocery store employees. A full list of essential workers can be found on page two of the emergency order on the Municipality of Anchorage website, muni.org.‌ Workers employed by these industries have already been affected. Layoffs have occurred and the businesses and their workers are faced with the stress of a pandemic. Depending on the business or company, paid time off or benefits may or may not be available. ‌ Alaska legislation aims to aid Alaskans who face financial hardship at this time with House Bill 308 introduced on March 18, which awaits approval by the Senate. The bill will “al-

F Street in downtown Anchorage is void of the normal weekend crowd on March 20 as municipal restrictions require foodservice venues to shut down in-house business and events until April 1 to limit personal contact and the spread of COVID-19.

low Alaskans who are unable to work or who are underemployed due to public health measures to become eligible for unemployment benefits to help prevent the spread of the disease, waive the one-week waiting period to start getting unemployment insurance and increase the weekly per-dependent benefit from $25 to $75 to offer help to parents who have lost both childcare and income.”‌ Maria Arroyo works as a front desk agent at the Westmark Hotel in downtown Anchorage. The hotel maintains a steady stream of guests in winter and is especially busy during summers due to cruise guests, Arroyo said. She believes that focusing on what can be done

to keep people safe rather than letting stress consume workers is the key to adapting to the circumstances.‌ “I try to stay positive during this time. There is not much we can do but wash our hands to keep everyone safe,” Arroyo said.‌ The Westmark continues to stay in operation as of March 20, among other hotels in Anchorage, including The Hotel Captain Cook. Other hotels such as the Sheraton, however, have laid off 85 workers due to foodservice closures, according to an update from KTUU on March 18. ‌ Tariq Winiavski is a front desk agent at the Sheraton and sees how the virus has changed

his workplace.‌ “It is literally like a ghost town in here,” Winiavski said.‌ He says that he is a little stressed about COVID-19, but is not ready to panic.‌ “I’m mostly stressed, just a little because some of my hours got cut. I am not going to overly worry about it, though,” Winiavski said.‌ Anchorage restaurants are finding other ways to keep their businesses open during this time. The Lucky Wishbone near downtown Anchorage has always offered take out service, but is now including curbside pickup. Bread and Brew on Tudor Road provides delivery, take-out and a special takehome item called a “quarantine

box,” which contains ingredients for the restaurant’s signature meals and sandwiches and instructions on how to assemble them. Kriner’s Diner on C Street is taking a more novel approach and providing a roll of toilet paper with every order.‌ Other businesses that rely on patrons coming in person for services have found other ways to cope. Studio One Pilates in Anchorage has a “Flatten the Curve, Flatten Your Abs” special. It is a virtual membership that is free for 14 days and $10 after. ‌ Since social distancing is required during this time, some retailers are providing alternative methods so shoppers do not have to enter their stores.

Walmart, Target, Fred Meyer and Carrs all offer store pick up and will bring store items to the customers in their cars. Orders are placed online.‌ There is also an Anchorage Facebook group that was created on March 16 called Anchorage to Go. It is a public group open that promotes local businesses in Anchorage that provide carryout and delivery services for restaurants. Group members provide information such as which restaurants are open and when.‌ Workers laid off due to COVID-19 can apply for state unemployment to make ends meet.

The cap for receiving unemployment benefits is $1,500 a month and is based on the worker’s monthly income. Applicants can apply at the State of Alaska website at my.alaska.gov.‌

FEATURES Service Animals: “prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life,” according to its official website, ada. gov. These guidelines include what defines a service animal, handler’s responsibilities and rights and transportation. ‌ A service animal is “any dog (and in certain circumstances, a miniature horse) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual

with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability,” according to the ADA. Handlers are responsible for the supervision and care of their service animal, which includes being in control of their animal with a harness, leash or voice control. A person traveling with a service animal must also be granted access to transportation, such as buses and airplanes, despite any “no

PHOTO COURTESY OF KELSY TALLANT

Kelsy Tallant, a sophomore psychology major, has been working with her guide dog, who she introduces as Juno, since last July.

pets” policies, as outlined in the ADA guidelines.‌ Tallant and Lauré MacConnell, office manager and fiscal technician for DSS, noted that there is a distinct difference between service animals, therapy animals and guide dogs.‌ “A service [or guide] dog is trained to perform specific tasks to meet the needs of an individual with a disability — they are focused on the person they serve. Therapy dogs are pets who team with their volunteer handlers to bring joy, healing and respite to others,” MacConnell said.‌ Therapy dogs follow different guidelines on campus than service animals or guide dogs. The Federal Fair Housing Act allows students to have therapy animals, such as cats, rabbits or guinea pigs, in the residence halls.

However, these guidelines differ from that of the rest of the campus, including the dining halls, outlined in the ADA. More information on UAA’s on-campus living assistance animal policy can be found in the Student Handbook on the UAA website.‌ Juno is a guide dog, a service animal trained specifically to help lead the blind. Juno went through extensive training through Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a nonprofit organization located in New York that raises guide dogs and matches them with their owners. Juno and Tallant also continue her training every day, working on obedience and general mobility.‌ “Juno is very well matched with me. I am a very social individual, so

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Continued from cover no wonder my dog is social too,” Tallant said. ‌ Tallant’s experience having a guide dog on campus has been a positive one, she said.‌ “UAA is definitely more aware of [the need for service animals], and tries to make it as accommodating as possible,” she said. “I haven’t had any access problems, and no one has said I can’t go somewhere with her.”‌ Tallant stresses the need for the UAA community to be educated on service animal etiquette. This goes beyond touching — individuals should not talk to the animals or acknowledge them in any way, as it can distract them from performing their tasks.‌ “It’s not just no pet, it’s no contact whatsoever,” Tallant said. “People don’t realize how much eye contact, body contact and even tone of voice when people are greeting me affect her. Even just having your body toward her, dogs pick up on that. It’s so huge.”‌ Many of her and Juno’s interactions with students on campus are brief, Tallant said, which creates an even bigger need for educating others that even a simple glance or facial expression can distract Juno from her work.‌ To better familiarize the campus community with service animal, therapy animal and guide dog etiquette, DSS hosted the first-ever Love on a Leash event during their annual Disability Awareness Week last October.

Therapy dog teams were invited to campus to bond with students, staff and faculty while spreading awareness of the benefits

PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURÉ MACCONNELL

UAA student Elizabeth Samson poses with therapy dog Kody.

of human-animal bonds.‌ DSS also hosts a variety of other events throughout the school year, including bringing therapy dogs to campus during finals week to help students ease their stress. However, with concerns about COVID-19 spreading on campus, the organization is canceling this event for the health and safety of both students and the animals. ‌ “Advocacy for both ends of the leash is always a priority and the safety of all parties is paramount.

Due to current events, we

will be giving our therapy dog teams a well-deserved break and reactivating teams when hand sanitizer is more readily available for visits,” MacConnell said. ‌ For more information about service dog etiquette, visit the Service Animals, Assistance Animals & Pets section of the Student Handbook on the UAA website, or contact Disability Support Services by phone at (907) 7864530 or stop by their office in Rasmuson Hall, Room 112.

PHOTO BY JAMES EVANS

DSS offered Love On A Leash during the Disability Awareness Week celebration last October, where over 250 students, staff, faculty and guests participated in therapeutic puppy love.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UAA WEBSITE

UAA’s theater program is unique because it focuses on the technical theater elements, allowing students to graduate with more job security.

Expedited program review recommends deleting theater program

By Gabby Vance arts1@thenorthernlight.org

Both the deans and the provosts of the College of Arts and Sciences have recommended UAA’s theater program for deletion in the process of the University of Alaska Anchorage’s expedited program review. In light of this decision, many theater students participated in student feedback testimonials, sharing their thoughts on the situation and attempting to change the administration’s decision.‌ “The issue [regarding enrollment in the theater program] is not an interest, it is awareness,” theater major Brighton Coggins said in an email. “I know that if we were given the chance to take [our] energy and redirect it towards

rejuvenating enrollment, we would be able not only to make up the deficit in funding, but also to keep talented young theater artists in Alaska rather than seeing them leave the state in a misguided belief that there is no valuable arts education here.”‌ Currently, UAA and UAF have the only university theater programs offered in Alaska. However, the UAF program only puts on one play a year and focuses more on film and acting. UAA’s program is “beautiful” because it focuses on the technical aspect of theater, Coggins said, and technical theater makes up the majority of the professions in the field.

UAA theater students graduate with a good understanding of technical theater and more job security for that reason, he

said.‌ “It’s frustrating to see that most of the cut programs are coming from the college of arts and sciences and that it’s not being equally spread across the board,” theatre major Matthew Meyer.‌ As well as affecting UAA’s theater community, deleting the program could have a large effect on Alaska’s theater community as a whole. Many UAA alumni and current students in the program work on plays throughout Alaska. Coggins recently designed costumes for Blue Chair Production’s Feb. 2020 “Ugly Lies the Bone,” which was directed by UAA graduate Ryan Buen and stage-managed

by Addie George, a current student. ‌ In addition, UAA junior dual English and the-

ater major Kat Banner is stage managing Alaska’s Theatre of Youth’s “Little House on the Prairie” and previously managed “Constance & Sinatra and the Cabinet of Screams” in October and November of last year. A UAA costume professor designed Anchorage Community Theatre’s March 2020 “Sh@med,” which UAA social work alumni Devan Hawkins starred in.

The theater department at UAA also has a large repertoire of props that the other theaters in Anchorage, for example, the Anchorage Opera, Anchorage Theater of Youth and Blue Chair Productions, utilize, Coggins said. ‌ According to the comments in the expedited program review, theater can seem like a narrow field, but for many UAA

theater students, it teaches them valuable skills that are useful in their future careers. ‌ “Theater is an incredibly valuable and transferable degree. It is true that many people who graduate with a theater degree do not work professionally full time in theater, however, they use their theater skills every day. An actor, for example, learns public speaking, textual analysis and how to work long, irregular hours. A sound or lighting electrician learns how to program, repair wiring, operate and troubleshoot complicated technology and distribute power safely,” Coggins said in an email. “I could continue for pages and pages, but the point is there is not a single skill in theater that I could not transfer to another field.”‌

Theater students have a few decisions to make about how they will complete their education given the circumstances. Students with more than a year left have been recommended by their professors to transfer out of state if they are able to, according to Meyer. For students with a year or so left, graduating is a viable option. ‌ “The community and passion I found in the UAA theater department is something that I know I would not have survived without,” Coggins said.‌ For more information and updates on the expedited program review process, visit the Expedited Program Review Status article or the AY20 Expedited Academic Program Review article, both on the UAA website.‌

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Defy boredom during the ‘hunker down’ period with a bounty of entertainment options

By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org

It can be easy to become bored when we stay indoors for an indefinite amount of time.

Thankfully, there’s plenty of entertainment to be found just a few mouse clicks away. Avoid becoming stir-crazy with a few recommended entertainment options, from TV shows to video games.

TV shows “Westworld” follows the story of a futuristic Wild West tourist park. Patrons come to the park to live out their fantasies and can be who they aren’t in the real world. What makes the park work are the robot “hosts.”

What does it mean when they start deviating from their programming?

“Westworld” just started its third season, so it’s the perfect time to get caught up. “Westworld” is available to stream on HBO. “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” explains what it takes to succeed as a driver in one of the biggest racing events in the world. See behind-the-scenes interviews with drivers as they push themselves to be the best in the 2018 and 2019 Formula One World Championships. Don’t let this seemingly niche series scare you off, though. It’s not so much about the rules and minutiae of Formula One, but about people striving to be the best in their field. “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” is available to stream on Netflix.

Comedy classics such as “The Office” and “Friends:” I find that it can be comforting to return to a show with familiar characters that I may have watched dozens of times. Whatever TV shows that are beloved or nostalgic to you could help during this uneasy time. The workplace comedy “The Office,” starring Steve Carell and John Krasinski, is an easy choice when I’m bored or just want to put something on in the background while I’m doing something else. All nine seasons of “The Office” are available to binge on Netflix.

“Friends” is a sitcom that aired from 1994-2004. As the name implies, it’s about a group of friends going through life and their antics. Some of the com-

GRAPHIC BY MICHAELINE COLLINS

edy hasn’t aged well, but there are still a few highlights to be found in the series, such as when they’re trying to help Ross move a new couch up his apartment building’s stairs. Ross desperately instructs everyone to “pivot” repeatedly when the couch becomes stuck between the railings. Tensions run high and Chandler, being the comedic relief, repeatedly exclaims “shut up, shut up, shut up!” “Friends” is available on YouTube TV and fuboTV. Both services require subscriptions.

Subreddits Reddit describes itself as “the front page of the internet.” It’s basically a giant forum where users submit content, such as pictures and videos, or create threads to discuss different topics. Users can leave comments on posts and submit their posts to subreddits, which are communities for anything you can imagine, from specific video games to the art of flying whales. Users can subscribe to these sub-

reddits to see all the submitted posts. Here are a couple of subreddits that I’ve spent countless hours scrolling through.

The ContagiousLaughter subreddit is filled with plenty of hilarious videos that will no doubt make you laugh along with the people in them. One of my favorite videos is titled “Ready for Impact.” It features a guy rolling down a long hallway on a scooter board. When he gets a couple of feet away from the entrance to his dorm room, his friends close the door and the guy hits his head. There are also plenty of wholesome videos, such as a toddler laughing at his dad’s accent.

ContagiousLaughter has something for everyone, regardless of their style of humor. I recommend sorting by the “top links from all time” and scrolling through the best of what the ContagiousLaughter subreddit has to offer. The ContagiousLaughter subreddit is best enjoyed late at night when reality is blurred and a case of the giggles is setting in.

The aww subreddit is a community for anything that makes you say “aww.” The posts are mainly GIFs and pictures of pets, but also includes other animals and people, such as a baby having a babbling conversation with their dad. The aww subreddit is a nice compliment to the hearty laughter you’ll enjoy from ContagiousLaughter.

Video games With the threat of COVID-19 keeping almost everyone indoors, what better time to play some video games? New or old, it doesn’t matter, as long as we can escape reality to fight hordes of virus-like demons and live on nearly abandoned islands.

Wait… that sounds familiar.

Doom Eternal is the sequel to the 2016 Doom reboot. It promises strategic, yet fast-paced first-person shooter combat and plenty of gore. Doom Eternal ups the ante with a heavy metal choir and the initial reviews sound like it improves on the first game in almost every

single way. At a time when we might be feeling a little helpless, Doom Eternal is there to give players the power to kick some demon butt. It’s available on PC on Steam and Bethesda. net, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for $59.99.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was recently released on March 20 and is the first Animal Crossing game to be released on the Nintendo Switch. The player travels to a deserted island with the help of Nook Inc., a company run by a business-savvy raccoon and his two sons. The player gradually builds a house for themselves on the island and can decorate it however they like.

Eventually, a few from a list of dozens of villagers will start to appear, such as Beau, the lazy deer.

There are plenty of activities to engage in, such as fishing, bug catching and digging up fossils. It’s kind of a life simulator, but if you lived on a deserted island with several sentient animals with unique personalities.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on Nintendo Switch for $59.99. You can buy a digital copy through the Nintendo eShop or choose between a physical or digital copy on the Nintendo Online Store website.

Backlog: There’s no better time to play those games that you’ve been meaning to get around to but just haven’t found that time. Now that we have nothing but time, it can be a good opportunity to finally get around to playing last year’s innovative detective murder-mystery computer-role-playing game Disco Elysium or Capcom’s Resident Evil 2 remake. Disco Elysium is available on PC on Steam and GOG for $29.99. Resident Evil 2 is available on PC on Steam, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for $59.99.

What now?

Hopefully, you found something that interested you in this list and can use it to occupy some time. There’s no shortage of great entertainment options to be found out there. So while there may be some delays in new content, there’s always a plethora of new favorites waiting to be found in the past.

OPINION

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Tips for working and studying from home

By John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org

All public and private Anchorage schools have been closed to students through May 1 by a health mandate issued by Gov. Dunleavy, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services commissioner Adam Crum and chief medical officer Dr. Anne Zink. Students will continue the school year through distance learning options, according to the mandate. ‌ In addition, in an emergency “hunker down” order, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz instructed businesses not defined as “critical” to close their premises and “utilize telecommuting or work from home procedures.”‌ it’s important to consider what this change in environment will mean.

This situation presents a very different working environment than what most of us may be used to. It can be challenging to focus on work when you’re in front of your TV or personal computer. It’s a different lifestyle that we’ll have

to get used to for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t also perks. ‌ If you’re struggling to adapt to working or taking classes from home, here are some tips to help stay focused.‌ Create a schedule‌ Creating a daily schedule can help you differentiate when it’s time to work and time to relax.

Even deciding a time to work on simple things like checking and responding to emails can energize you with a productive mindset.‌ Working from home can also be an opportunity to create your ideal work schedule around when you feel the most productive.

For example, getting all your important work done early if you feel more alert in the morning will make for a more productive day.‌ Once work is done for the day, however, it may be difficult to switch gears and relax. I suggest finding something that will take your mind off of work, like a good TV show. ‌ It’ll take a lot of willpower to stick to the

PHOTO COURTESY OF HELLO I’M NIK VIA UNSPLASH

Having a clear space without any clutter can help you stay organized and focused on the task at hand.

schedule while you’re surrounded by temptations at home, but combining this with the following tips will make it a little easier.‌ Stick to your morning routine‌ Going through a morning routine as if you were actually going to work can help mentally prepare you to start the day. Following a morning routine also includes getting dressed for the job. For some, that may be required for video conferencing, but it will also get you into a working mood. While lazing around in pajamas all day is comfy, it may not lead to the most productive outcome. At the very least, a routine can be something familiar in an unfamiliar situation.‌ Create separate areas for

working and relaxing‌ Having different spaces to work and relax will help you switch gears mentally.

It’ll also reduce the likelihood that you’ll be tempted to watch a funny video or look at social media when you should be working. For example, instead of working from the desktop computer that I play video games on, I’ll set up my laptop on the dinner table. Not only are the two areas far apart, but I also have more room for notes or a textbook than I would have at a desk. ‌ Set boundaries with family or roommates‌ If you’re not the only one at home all day, your family or roommates might pose a distraction from your work. A roommate using a blender re-

peatedly or deciding to practice an instrument could certainly affect your productivity. The same could be said for noisy family members. Do what you can to maintain a productive work environment, such as wearing noise-canceling headphones, but talking about boundaries may prove necessary. Sharing your new schedule with family or roommates may help them understand your needs. A quiet room with no interruptions, for example, can go a long way. ‌ Take a break every now and then‌ Even though it’s imperative to get all the work done that you normally would, remember to take a few breaks throughout the day. It’s not really feasible or likely that you can

maintain focus and productivity for eight hours straight. So, scheduling in a few short breaks can break up the monotony of the work and give you some time to breathe.

Then after 15 minutes or a lunch break, you’ll feel refreshed and can get back into working.‌ Most of all, try to enjoy the flexibility of working from home‌ Working from home isn’t all bad. It provides the flexibility to adapt to almost any lifestyle or personality type. However, with freedom comes the reliance on one’s own willpower to drive their productivity. It can be challenging, but while we get used to our new reality of social distancing, it’s at least worth a shot to maintain a positive attitude. ‌

Get ready to launch your health career!

Alaska Health Education Summit

Alaska’s source for state education loans and financial aid

Saturday, March 28, 2020

ACPE.Alaska.gov

STUDENT·LOANS

5.39-7.93% APR

This year’s Summit will be provided online

*The lowest possible rate requires participation in ACPE’s Auto-Pay discount program

RESERVE YOUR SPOT!

Great alternative to private loans and/or federal PLUS loans!

Ready to start your path to a health care career? Explore degrees in medicine, nursing, social work and other high-demand fields. Hear from advisors about what makes a winning application. Connect with local health care professionals. And get ready for a career making Alaska healthier!

Learn more and register for this FREE event at

uaa.alaska.edu/healthsummit Questions? Call 786-4737.

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

STAFF CONTACTS

A S S O C I AT E D CO L L E G I AT E P R ES S

3211 Providence Drive Student Union 113 Anchorage, AK 99508‌

Sports Reporter Ronan Klancher sports2@thenorthernlight.org‌

Executive Editor Caleigh Jensen (907) 786-1313 editor@thenorthernlight.org‌

Multimedia Editor Jennifer Lincoln multimedia@thenorthernlight.org

Managing Editor Mary Ryan content@thenorthernlight.org‌ Layout Editor Jason Herr layout@thenorthernlight.org Arts & Entertainment Editor John Novotny arts@thenorthernlight.org‌ Arts & Entertainment Reporter Gabby Vance arts1@thenorthernlight.org‌ Features Reporter Christina Swayney features2@thenorthernlight.org‌

PR & Events Coordinator Joey Carreon events@thenorthernlight.org Graphic Designer Michaeline Collins media@thenorthernlight.org‌ Advertising Manager Krizelle Solidum admanager@thenorthernlight.org Media Adviser Paola Banchero‌ Administrative Adviser Zac Clark‌

The Northern Light is a proud member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The Northern Light is a weekly UAA publication funded by student fees and advertising sales. The editors and writers of The Northern Light are solely responsible for its contents. Circulation is 1,500. The University of Alaska Anchorage provides equal education and employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, Vietnam-era or disabled-veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood. The views expressed in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of UAA or the Northern Light.­­­

N OT I C E O F N O N D I S C R I M I N AT I O N The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution.

The University of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or other legally protected status. The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, including against sex discrimination, applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA’s statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska.edu/ nondiscrimination.

L E T T E RS A N D CO R R E C T I O N S P O L I C Y The Northern Light encourages readers to express their views in the newspaper. The Northern Light reserves the right to reject or publish any submission, online or in print.

Letters to the editor can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length for a letter to the editor is 250 words, and 150 words for letters specifically endorsing candidates for federal, local, or university office. A letter to the editor is written by someone who does not have authoritative knowledge on the subject they are discussing. Contributors are restricted to one published letter to the editor per month.

Opinion pieces can be submitted to editor@thenorthernlight.org. The maximum length for a contributor’s opinion piece is 450 words. Contributors are restricted to one published opinion piece per month. Opinion pieces written by staff of The Northern Light are limited to 800 words. An opinion piece that is published in The Northern Light should be written by someone who has authoritative knowledge on the subject they are discussing.

Letters and opinion pieces are subject to editing for grammar, accuracy, length and clarity. All letters and opinion pieces must include names, major and/or group affiliation and contact information for verification purposes. The Northern Light will not publish anonymous letters or pseudonyms.

Requests for corrections can be sent to editor@thenorthernlight.org. Print publication is subject to accuracy and available space. All corrections are posted online with the original story at www.thenorthernlight.org.

The deadline for submissions is the Friday before publication at noon, no exceptions.

The Northern Light newsroom is located on the first floor of the Student Union Room 113.

Everyone off campus should get in on the census.

If you live off campus, responding to the 2020 Census is an important and easy way to shape your future. The census impacts federal funding that goes toward critical programs like Pell Grants and health care services.

Students who live on campus count too, with the help of campus housing officials.

2020CENSUS.GOV D-HP-HE-EN-026