To vaccinate or not to vaccinate Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Jennifer Maupin Vaccines historically cured many disease outbreaks, but the details of a COVID-19 vaccine are still very much in the air. Depending on the expert, predictions for a vaccine release date range from before the end of the year to within the next
several years. A twitter poll by The O’Colly asked; If a COVID-19 vaccine was released this year, would you want to receive it? 54% of the 378 respondents said no, with the other 46% saying yes. In a Faculty Council meeting, an attendee asked OSU President Burns Hargis if the university would require students and staff to get the vaccine, given it was available during the spring semester. “We will cross that bridge when we get there,” Hargis said.
Psychology major, Layne Turner, said he thinks it depends on what the clinical trials of a vaccine show. “If it shows a significant correlation with a decrease in cases, then I think OSU should encourage getting the vaccine,” Turner said. “I think it would still be too early to mandate.” Much is to be considered with the release of any new disease treatment. Some decisions governments must make include how to release the vaccine, who to give it to first and how to fund the process. Citizens must
consider issues such as when or if they feel comfortable getting the vaccine and how much they are willing to pay. OSU alumna JD McCoy said, as a fully immunized adult, if she was a student with the option to be online, she would wait. “I want people more at risk than me getting it first,” McCoy said. “I’m also a little uncomfortable with how rushed the vaccines are and really want to wait a while before I get it.” news.ed@ocolly.com
Tuba Girls Rule the World
Ivan Sitohang
The Cowboy Marching Band present an electrifying performance before walking into the stadium.
By Robert Owens
Meet Georgia Milham and Mikaila Vaughn: two nationally recognized, energetic Oklahoma State University tuba performers changing the world one note at a time. Milham and Vaughn are the only Division I female tuba players in Oklahoma. Since that’s the case, these young women use their gift to inspire the next wave of female excellence and have already received national attention. “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something because you’re a girl,” Vaughn said. Playing this monster of an instrument isn’t cut out for everyone. With the average tuba
weighing 30 pounds and a sousaphone, or a marching tuba, at 25 pounds, only the fiercely determined can handle this instrument. Milham says the key ingredient is air. Both women note that many people look past the tuba to more popular instruments, but for Milham and Vaughn they couldn’t imagine it any other way. The tuba fits them and showcases who they are, Milham and Vaughn said. Vaughn especially loves the tuba’s large build and sound and the energy it brings to the table. Everyone knows the distinct sound of a tuba, whether you’re in the stands or playing in the band. But how did they end up playing the tuba? From a young age, both women knew the tuba
was their calling. Ignoring any backlash or negative thoughts from themselves or others, they decided the tuba is their ride-ordie instrument. Milham remembers her sixth-grade band tryouts. For her, playing the tuba was meant to be. “I was there for two hours trying out instruments,” Milham said. “I got low scores on everything, but when I played the tuba, everyone got silent. They said, ‘We need to set you up for the tuba. That was the best we’ve heard.’” Vaughn had a similar experience with the tuba calling to her. “My dad was the band instructor at the time, and we already bought a saxophone,” Vaughn said. “but when I tried
out the tuba, we sold it that day.” Practicing two hours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday before game days, Milham and Vaughn’s bandmates also take notice. Having a big presence among the band, they’ve earned respect from everyone. “Yeah, they’re living proof that gender stereotypes in the band don’t matter,” Associate Director of Bands, Douglas S. Henderson said. “These girls work hard and we love having them.” Former trombone player Bryan Pizana said, “ I’ll always remember them when we practiced. I remembered hearing them play behind us. They were super friendly and tried to talk with everyone” See Tuba on page 3