July 14 by The O'Colly

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

OSU Announces Opening of Pet Therapy Center This Fall Kaleb Tadpole Staff Reporter This summer OSU announced the opening of the nation’s largest university-based pet therapy center coming this fall. The center will be an evolution of Pete’s Pet Posse and will be home to both Pete’s Pet Posse and the Ruff Riders, the group of student volunteers in the program. The center will be based out of the Student Union; However, furry friends will continue to be active on campus. “Our mission is still to go out and serve students around campus.” Kendria Cost, Director of OSU Center for Pet Therapy said. With the opening of the pet therapy center, it will provide a place where people can come in and ask questions about the program, but it will not always serve as a home for the dogs. After OSU opened back up campus last year while still following guidelines by the CDC, students were hit with various problems regarding mental health. It was an extremely challenging Zach Hake/O’Colly Roscoe, one of the therapy dogs in Pete’s Pet Posse, enjoys a head scratch from an attendee Tuesday at the Bow Wow Film Festival at the Student Union Theater.

See Pet Therapy on pg.3

Are COVID-19 symptoms different if I’m infected with the delta variant? Kaleb Tadpole Staff Reporter As public health officials continue to urge Americans to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccines, coronavirus infections have been on the rise in areas where vaccination rates remain low. That’s due in no small part to the delta variant, which has become the dominant strain in the United States. delta has taken over in an alarmingly short time. Based on genomic testing, the Centers for See COVID-19 on pg.2

Courtesy of ghanabusinessnews.com.

Page 2 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

News COVID-19... Continued from pg.1 Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the variant first identified in India accounted for 10% of cases during the twoweek period ending June 5. Four weeks later, delta’s share had swelled to nearly 52%. And it shows little sign of stopping: Coronavirus infections that had been dramatically reduced in the United States, thanks to COVID-19 vaccinations, are on the rise once again. Both these facts serve as a testament to the ease with which delta spreads: It’s estimated to be 40% to 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant from the United Kingdom, which itself was about 50% more transmissible than earlier versions of the virus. That means delta spreads more than twice as readily as the coronavirus that initiated the global pandemic. But what does a delta variant actually do to those it infects? The Times spoke with two infectious disease experts — Dr. Robert Bollinger of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Otto Yang of UCLA — about what we know so far. The interviews have been edited for length and clarity. What sets the delta variant apart from earlier versions of the coronavirus? Dr. Robert Bollinger: For lack of a better term, it’s a little stickier. That’s why you’re seeing higher transmissions and outbreaks. Even in places like Britain and Israel, where they have a lot of people vaccinated, those who aren’t vaccinated are at even higher risk of getting infected when you have a more infectious variant. So that’s been the main issue. Does the delta variant cause different COVID-19 symptoms? Dr. Otto Yang: It can look more like a runny nose, which is not as common previously. There are mild differences like that, but overall it’s very, very similar. The most important symptoms of course are still cough, shortness of breath and fever. Are the symptoms more severe? Yang: It’s hard to tell, because you’re dealing with a disease where the natural degree of severity is so widely variable — it ranges from completely asymptomatic to severe illness and death. The variability is so high at the baseline that you would need a really large number of people to be compared to tell. So it’s not clear if it is more deadly or not. We just don’t know. Bollinger: I think the jury’s still out on that. One of the things that you have to keep in mind is the difference in symptoms could be a difference in the virus — but more likely it’s a difference in the person that’s infected. What do you mean? Bollinger: People getting infected now are a lot younger

than they were with the earlier variants, because the older people are vaccinated at a much higher rate. So are some of the differences that are being reported related to the virus, or just the fact that it’s younger people getting infected? I don’t think we really know that yet. Yang: Exactly. There are multiple moving parts, so it’s hard to make a clear comparison. A lot of people said COVID is becoming less and less deadly because mortality rates are going down. That’s not necessarily the case. The demographics have changed. If younger, healthier people are now the ones mostly getting infected, it’s not surprising the mortality is lower. It doesn’t mean the disease has changed. This means the people getting infected have changed. Is the delta variant more likely to cause breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated? Bollinger: We haven’t seen evidence of that just yet. Breakthrough infections can occur for a couple of different reasons. If your antibody levels decline over time, you might be susceptible to breakthrough infections. The other type of breakthrough infection scenario is where the virus itself has mutated, so that the immune response you have doesn’t work as well. So those are two different potential scenarios, and both of those are being monitored. delta has already spun off a similar variant known as deltaplus. Is there a chance it could spin off another, more troubling variant? Yang: Absolutely. Mutations happen when the virus is replicating — copying itself in a person. The mutations happen as the virus makes genetic copies of itself for new viruses. The more people are infected, the more chance there is for mutations to come up. In each person that gets infected, it’s like a lottery ticket for the virus to make a new mutation that’s beneficial to itself. So the more people, the more lottery tickets, basically. What’s the takeaway for people worried about being infected with the delta variant? Yang: The takeaway is that we can’t rely entirely on the vaccines, because they are probably not going to be as effective in preventing the virus from spreading around. We can’t just jump back to “normal life.” We have to realize this virus is still a threat. And we have to take reasonable precautions to protect ourselves from getting infected even if we’re vaccinated. Even though the vaccine may make it so that illness is milder and that we may be personally protected, we have to keep in mind that there are many people who aren’t vaccinated who are vulnerable. There are also people in whom the vaccine doesn’t work who are vulnerable. As a society, we need to be responsible about protecting everybody. news.ed@ocolly.com

Joshua Cleary Oklahoma is now distributing vaccines to virtually all individuals. So far, 619,062 people have been fully vaccinated in Oklahoma.

RUNNING TO WIN!

The Olympic games; every 4 years. Young men and women train and train to participate and hopefully win a medal. It is a great honor to win. However, it really counts only for this life. The Apostle makes it clear that believers are in a race for a crown that is eternal. The value of crown will never end. He challenges us to run to win!

A faithful Christian leader is promised “the crown of glory that will never fade away.” (1 Pet.5:4 NIV) The person who perseveres under trial “will receive the crown of life that the Lord promised to them who love him.” (Ja.1:12, Rev.2:10) This is a person that does not give up. The Apostle said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim.4:78) Therefore a crown of righteousness will be given to him at that final judgment. Yet, not only to him but to all who long for Christ’s coming. Dear ones in Christ, whether young or older, let’s run with Christ. Let’s not give up! Let’s fulfil God’s plan for our lives.. Let’s be faithful to the end. The end will be glorious!

ALTERATIONS BY APPOINTMENT

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run...Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games (athletics) goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No. I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (I Co. 9:2427 NIV)

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News Pet Therapy... Continued from pg.1 time for some students and utilizing Pete’s Pet Posse is oneway students could help relieve some stress during these emotional times. “I can speak to what I see on a daily basis, these animals break down barriers and reach students and staff in ways that humans cannot necessarily reach.” Cost said. After what started as a vision of wellness from former First Cowgirl Ann Hargis, Pete’s Pet Posse has only continued to grow. Now home to over 130 Ruff Riders and 60 teams of dogs, it is safe to say that pet therapy at OSU has been a tremendous success and provided yet another resource to

help students on campus adjust to college life. Students will be able to continue to utilize the resource to help break down those barriers and get help in the areas that they need. “I think that pet therapy is really important to so many groups of people, it really helps to get that stigma that surrounds therapy broken down in order for students to open up.” Summer Long, a sophomore at OSU said. With the opening of the center this fall, it provides an opportunity for Pete’s Pet Posse and pet therapy at OSU to not only continue to impact students and faculty, but also continue to grow itself. Pet therapy at OSU is here to stay and will only continue to provide more opportunities for students on campus.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Page 4 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

sports Encarnacion-Strand selected in MLB draft

Austin Eckroat will be the next in the long list of Cowboys to play in the Walker Cup.

Alicia Young/O’Colly OSU third baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand strikes out during the Oklahoma State vs. New Orleans baseball game on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at O’Brate Stadium in Stillwater.

liday.

Chris Becker Assistant Sports Editor Christian Encarnacion-Strand will head from Stillwater to Minnesota. Oklahoma State’s third baseman was selected in the fourth round by the Minnesota Twins with the 128th overall pick. He is the 47th Cowboy selected under coach Josh Hol-

In just one season in Stillwater, Encarnacion-Strand earned All-American honors and led the team in all Triple Crown categories. He posted a .361 batting average to go along with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs. He also led the Cowboys with 82 hits, 17 doubles, 150 total bases and a .661 slugging percentage. He ranked sixth in the country in RBIs and was 10th in total bases in the NCAA. OSU signee Alex Ulloa was selected 11 picks before Encarnacion. The Houston As-

tros selected Ulloa, a shortstop out of Cutler Bay, Florida. Ulloa is ranked as the 65th best recruit in the 2021 class. He ranks as the 17th best shortstop in the class and the ninth best overall recruit in the state of Florida. Ulloa runs a 6.76 60-yard dash and has an exit velocity of 103 miles per hour. Ulloa has not announced if he’ll surpass college and sign with the Astros or if he’ll stick to his commitment to the Cowboys. sports.ed@ocolly.com

OSU Athletics

Chacarra, Jin, Eckroat earn All-American honors

Dean Ruhl Assistant Sports Editor More accomplishments for Oklahoma State’s men’s golf team roll in. On Monday, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced the PING All-America teams, with three Cowboys earning honors. Eugenio Chacarra earned first-team status after finishing

the season ranked third by Golfstat and ninth by Golfweek/Sagarin. Chacarra, the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, had two runner-up finishes and came in third three times this season. Bo Jin earned a second-team nod after completing a decorated freshman campaign, which saw him place second in the Big 12 Championship, NCAA Stillwater Regional and NCAA Championship. A native of Beijing, China, Jin was ranked seventh by Golfstat and 18th by Golfweek/Sagarin Ranking. He adds the accomplishment to a season where he earned

a spot on the All-Big 12 first-team and a GCAA All-Freshman. Austin Eckroat earned a third-team honor, and is now the 14th Cowboy all-time with four All-American awards during his career. Eckroat finished the season with four top five finishes and was ranked 16th by Golfstat and 25th by Golfweek/Sagarin Ranking. This is the sixth time in eight seasons the Cowboys have had three or more golfers earn All-American honors under coach Alan Bratton. sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 6 Wednesday, July 14, 2021

sports

Cowgirls release soccer schedule 2021-22 Soccer Schedule 8/13 - vs. Missouri 8/19 - vs. UTSA 8/22 - vs. Pittsburgh 8/26 - @ Oklahoma 8/29 - vs. Wright State 9/2 - vs. Stephen F. Austin 9/5 - @ Brown 9/9 - @ SMU 9/12 - vs. Texas A&M 9/17 - vs. Omaha 9/19 - vs. Weber State Alicia Young/O’Colly OSU forward Gabriella Coleman passes during the Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma Bedlam soccer match on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at John Crain Field in Norman, Ok.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter After a shortened, disjointed soccer season last year, Oklahoma State announced its 2021 slate of games starting in August.

The Cowgirls will open up their 20-game season at home on Aug. 21 against the University of Texas-San Antonio. That season-opener will come after an exhibition match against Missouri on Aug. 13. OSU will play nine non-conference opponents to start the season with a game against Oklahoma in Norman mixed in on Aug. 26. The furthest road trip of the non-confer-

ence schedule will be when the Cowgirls travel to. Providence, Rhode Island for a game against Brown on Sept. 5. Besides OU, Big 12 play starts for OSU on Sept. 23 against Baylor. That game will be the fourth of a five-game OSU homestand. The Cowgirls will face TCU, the defending conference champions, in Fort Worth on Oct. 10. One week later, OSU will have a Bedlam

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rematch at home in Neal Patterson Stadium. OSU plays its last two regular season games against Texas and West Virginia on the road. The Big 12 Championship will start play on Oct. 31 in Round Rock, Texas. If the Cowgirls qualify, postseason play continues with the NCAA tournament starting in early November. sports.ed@ocolly.com

9/23 - vs. Baylor 9/26 - vs. Kansas 9/30 - @ Iowa State 10/7 - @ Texas Tech 10/10 - @ TCU 10/14 - vs. Kansas State 10/21 - vs. Oklahoma 10/24 - @ Texas 10/28 - @ West Virginia

FOR RELEASE JULY 12, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Jigsaw puzzle unit di __ Ripken 15 Whirlybird part 17 The orange one is often called a yam 19 Court of __ 20 Beach souvenirs 21 Golf ball position 22 Complete 24 Words with mode or carte 26 Stylish suits 27 Hidden Hogwarts corridor 32 Many a stray pooch 33 Nonetheless 34 Art class subjects 37 “T” on a test 39 Blunted fencing By George Jasper blades 41 Carpet thickness DOWN 42 “There you have 1 Attention-getting it!” hiss Cara 46 World Cup cheer 47 Behind-thescenes investor 50 Business event using Zoom, perhaps 52 La Brea goo 53 Trouser measure 54 D.C. fundraising group 56 Like much tea in summer 60 Cry from Homer 61 Group looking for a missing person 64 MSNBC co-anchor __ Velshi 65 German industrial city 66 Words of defeat 67 Syrup source 68 Tremble 69 Annual athletic achievement awards, and a phonetic hint to 17-, 27-, 47- and 61-Across

7/12/21

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

state 3 Starter home for Adam and Eve? 4 Salad variety 5 Superlative ending counselor 7 Mechanical learning method 8 LAX posting 9 People filling out ballots 10 Ripken nickname based on his durability 11 Canadian-born singer with the 2019 album “Courage” 12 Gaming pioneer 13 The Home Depot competitor 18 Nebraska river 23 Prepare to score from third, say 26 Out for the night 27 Old Canadian skit show

28 Italian money 29 Vacation vessel 30 __ hot: steaming 31 On the lookout monthly 36 Visionary 38 Cream of the crop 40 Grab quickly 43 Assumed names 48 Catch in a net

7/12/21

49 “All Rise” procedures 50 Golden-touch king 51 __ Gay: WWII bomber 54 Educ. for tots 58 Craftsy etailer 59 Hair salon colors 62 Clean __ whistle 63 Dessert pastry

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes

Level 1

Today’s Birthday (07/12/21). Harvest lucrative gains together this year. Coordinatreveal opportunities with community changes this autumn. Healthy routines build for high performance this winter, propelling your crew to spring prizes. Partnership makes a powerful difference. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Relax and have fun. Romance is a distinct possibility. Handle responsibilities before running out to play. Conversation reveals exciting potential. Share dreams and passions. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 7 — Talk about domestic dreams and envisioned upgrades with your household. Research and compare for best value. Grab an opportunity. Solutions arise in conversation. vision. Use your persuasive charms. Negotiate terms. Sign papers. Make optimistic plans and set them in motion. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 9 — Resources can be found. Stick to tested techniques. Don’t push against a brick wall. Find another door. Communication connects you with what you need. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Follow a personal passion. Dig deeper and discover a brilliant idea worth developing. Polish your own appearance with a new style. Pamper yourself. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 6 — Find a private space to organize and plot. Update plans to realize a dream. Envision desired results already accomplished, and then take necessary steps. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Teamwork can handle a big job. Solufor it when needed. Connect for shared gain. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Reinforce structural elements to Ask for more and get it. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Keep it simple as you explore. Stick to tested avenues and techniques. Avoid crowds, controversy or expense. Discover hidden beauty around the corner. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Discover another way to save tions or leaks. Discuss shared dreams. Count your blessings. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Link arms and you can tackle anything. Deepen bonds with your partner. Talk about dreams, passions and crazy ideas. One thing leads to another. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Get your heart pumping. Enjoy a walk or ride outside. Nature gives your spirit a lift. Movement gets your blood

7/12/21 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk