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News Editor: Heather Bair – zzzx@iup.edu
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(The Penn Archives/Facebook) North Dining Hall is offering a Thanksgiving meal for students Nov. 18 consisting of turkey, ham, stuffing, corn and more, with CRU’s Thanksgiving meal being offered in the Hadley Union Building (HUB).
Students debate going home, staying in town for holidays
MEGAN DONNY Staff Writer bbcx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
With Thanksgiving break quickly approaching, students are scrambling to make decisions about whether or not they plan to return to campus for the last week of classes and finals, or to stay home.
Thanksgiving might look a little different this year for most families. Many students have already heard about the push for a virtual Thanksgiving to limit the spread of COVID-19. With case numbers on the rise, students have to decide if going home and seeing extended family members is really the best idea.
“I go home for break every year,” Olivia Tavoletti (senior, marketing) said, “but this year, it is especially easy to go home because all of my classes are online.”
Tavoletti plans to return to her off-campus residence after the Thanksgiving break. She believes she will be able to focus better on (Facebook) IUP’s CRU organization is offering a virtual Friendsgiving Nov. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a free, homemade Thanksgiving meal available for pickup in the HUB. finals and the last of her school- stay home after the break to begin work from her apartment. working during the holiday season.
“I’m going home for break to Both Tavoletti and Zdrale plan to visit with my family for the hol- attend small gatherings for the idays,” Danielle Zdrale (senior, holiday with only family members. marketing) said. “We’ve all been keeping our
Unlike Tavoletti, Zdrale plans to circles small and have been seeing each other frequently already,” Tavoletti said.
For some students, they see break as a short escape from school.
“I want to be with my family for break, and it will be a nice break to be in a different environment than school,” Thea McCollough (senior, fashion merchandising) said.
McCollough said that she plans to stay home after Thanksgiving break as well.
“I live four hours away from IUP,” she said. “It’s not worth it to go back out to school for only two weeks when all my classes will be online.”
McCollough plans to also attend a Thanksgiving event with her mother’s side of the family.
Virtual Thanksgiving is a new option this year for students to gather with their families without risking the spread of COVID-19. While this idea might sound smart in theory, many students disagree with the idea.
“I don’t like the idea of a virtual Thanksgiving at all,” Tavoletti said. “It would be the first time ever that I’m not with all of my family for the holiday, and I don’t think the day would be as exciting without everyone there.”
Zdrale agrees with Tavoletti in that “the holidays are a time where families are supposed to be together.” She also understands though that with COVID-19, it is no longer easy to get together with friends and family.
“I haven’t seen my extended family in almost a year,” McCollough said. “So, I would like to actually see them in-person.”
All the students did agree though that a virtual Thanksgiving would be safer overall, just not the same.
“This year has already been bad enough,” Tavoletti said. “I couldn’t imagine not spending the holidays together on top of it.”
McCollough responded similarly.
“Life has been stressful for everyone,” she said. “I think it would be nice for people to have a little taste of ‘normal’ again.”
News
Holiday breaks concern professors, changes happen for finals week
EMILY LOOSE Staff Writer e.d.loose@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
Last minute changes are happening in many places, including in the classroom.
People all over the country have had to change the way things are done. Aside from stores switching from Black Friday to a month of sales, universities have had to change the way classes are taught.
As Thanksgiving break approaches, professors at IUP have had to make choices on how to finish the semester.
Some in-person classes have decided that it may be too dangerous right after the holiday break.
One of these professors is an assistant professor in the biology department and asked not to be named.
In an email sent to their Principles of Ecology and Evolution students, they said that after Thanksgiving break, the class would not have any more labs in-person.
“As you know, the number of BETHANY BAILEY Staff Writer zgdy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
The Master of Arts in Human Resources (HR) and Employment Relations program at IUP has become affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)’s “HR Curriculum and Templates.”
In a press release Nov. 9, IUP’s HR Department said, “IUP’s Master of Arts in Human Resources and Employment Relations is a multidisciplinary, graduate-degree program designed to prepare professional practitioners in the field of employment and labor relations and human resources in public and private management, unions, government agencies, and neutral and service organizations. Students can complete the program in one year through multiple learning modalities.”
Out of nine universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, IUP is one out of two schools with a program acknowledged by a SHRM certification. SHRM was founded in 1948 and is the biggest human resource membership organization in the world.
On the SHRM official website, it IUP has a total of 419 COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday. (Facebook)
COVID-19 cases has been spiking around the country and at IUP in the last two weeks,” the professor said. “Thus, I no longer feel that it is safe to have students attend face-to-face for the last two weeks of lab.”
As of Tuesday, IUP reported 62 new positive COVID-19 cases. This makes for a total of 419 cases all semester. So far, 359 have recovered.
“I planned my labs so that the says that the purpose of the organization is to elevate the HR profession and empower not only people but workplaces as well. There are 300,000 HR and businesspersons located in 165 countries associated with SHRM.
There has been a SHRM student chapter at IUP since 2003.
“Joining SHRM was the best decision I’ve made here at IUP,” Vice President of SHRM Shannon Urich said. “The club has allowed me to expand my knowledge in the field and helped me to grow into an aspiring young HR professional. Not only am I able to network, volunteer, and go on company tours, I am able to connect with other aspiring HR managers.”
She said the club is not only professional, but also “very fun.”
In 2019, the Indiana County SHRM chapter collaborated with the IUP chapter. These SHRM chapters join forces to develop professional and networking opportunities. Sometimes alumni are invited to speak about their experiences as HR professionals and provide helpful insight to the students that attend the meetings.
The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were created to have human resource content studied. most important hands-on skills were covered earlier in the semester, and labs that could better translate to remote learning are later in the semester,” the professor said.
Their class will attend its final weeks through Zoom to finish the semester. They also encouraged their students to continue to social distance during their break.
As for next semester, they said Since 2006, these guidelines are created and revamped every couple of years. This heightens HR education throughout universities and business schools to establish degrees that reflect that caliber of education.
“This certification from the Society of Human Resource Management confirms that our program aligns with the standards set by this agency as an approved Human Resource Graduate program,” Dr. David Piper, chair of the IUP HR department, said. “This is like being an accredited program. So now potential graduate students looking for a quality program in HR can assured our program meets the standards of the professional association they will likely join.”
According to the press release, IUP’s goal is to make this accessible to every student, whether that be in-person or online instruction. If students are having a difficult time financially, IUP offers assistantships that can help defer the cost to students.
“The program can be taken through face-to-face instruction, online instruction and distance education using Zoom technology that allows students to remotely attend class.” they will continue with the hybrid model, but does have a backup plan.
“I am prepared to go entirely online if the situation does not improve.”
Another professor who had to make changes to their class is Dr. Randy Jesick of the journalism department.
In his class, introduction to public relations, Jesick’s students were not able to attend a professional visit due to many organizations not being fully open.
Now, his class will also not be having a final quiz or test either. Their final will be turning in their semester project instead.
Brianna Lockard (senior, communications media) said she was happy with the change.
“Not only does it give me more time, but it’s one less test I have to worry about to study for,” she said.
To make up for there being no professional visits, Jesick has brought in alumni to act as class speakers for his students.
These include people who have worked for IBM and Hershey as well as people who have their own public relations firms and organizations.
Lockard found this change useful, as well.
“I learn a lot about the fields of journalism, public relations and communications,” she said. “I also can connect with them so I can have future connections along with great advice received.”
Overall, most classes will remain the same and complete the semester as per their syllabi.
“All of my finals are the same, just online and after Thanksgiving,” Elizabeth Stash (sophomore, kinesiology) said.
This was the same for Ann Gamble (sophomore, geography).
“All of my finals are after Thanksgiving, too,” she said. “I have tests for three of them, a paper for one, and a combo of paper and a multiple-choice question test for my last class.”
Due to IUP using the same hybrid model for learning next semester, similar last-minute changes may be a possibility for
IUP one of two schools to be SHRM certified
finals then, too.
Pittsburgh mental health clinic offers free services
OLIVIA CARBONE Staff Writer kxxw@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
There is a new mental health facility in Pittsburgh that provides free services to teens and young adults ages 12 to 22 to stay connected and receive both therapy and advice.
UpStreet is a non-profit organization located at 5743 Bartlett St. in Pittsburgh. You can chat, schedule an appointment and seek mentoring remotely. Additionally, you can check out their blog posts on their website at upstreetpgh.org.
“This was my idea four years ago,” founder of UpStreet Dana Gold said. “I grew up with a lot of family issues and worked at a lot of nonprofits. I realized that there weren't a lot of options for people that were quick and easy. People will direct you to services to get them wealthy.
“Youth can walk into UpStreet and get a coffee and have support such as ‘my mom’s mad, I’m upset I can't go home.’”
UpStreet has been up and running for about two months now, and it is help run by a board of youth.
“We are not here to sell you anything, but to make mental health easier and for people to get relief,” Gold said.
She has many goals and aspirations on how she plans to help UpStreet grow.
“We hope to be a walk-in/dropin center, not only therapy, but creative expression groups. Also, we plan to start other activities to help with mental health wellness.”
She said they offer text-based peer mentoring.
“These are people who have been through hard times and can now help someone younger than them trying to get through their journey. In the new year, we want parent-to-parent text based as well. Sometimes fear can create conflicts that are life changing to youth. Parent’s need help, too.”
Additionally, Gold hopes to implement wellness activities like drawing or yoga.
“Many of our ideas are new and innovative from programs in Israel, Australia and Canada for youth to self-initiate,” she said.
Gold then went on to describe how the pandemic has affected UpStreet and how they plan to keep it going throughout the next few months.
“We provide drop-in hours for all over the world in the form of a chat box. If someone wants more service, students can just make an appointment through chats which have no waiting time and are immediate.”
Good news, especially for teens and young adults who don’t have much money, is that these services can be free with no insurance.
“UpStreet is there to support people until they can get an appointment,” she said. The group that is impacted the most by the pandemic is 11- to 17-year-olds, and the second highest is 18- to 25-year-olds,” she said.
UpStreet is a great new and innovative program that is a blessing for the madness of 2020 and for years to come. Youths should be able to have a safe place where they aren’t judged when talking about how they feel and staying healthy.
UpStreet is and will save the lives of the youth not just from Pittsburgh, but from local counties as well. This will pave a new way for online support groups.
November 18, 2020 News Biden named president-elect does not mean fight is over
CAIO GOMES Staff Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
The 2020 U.S. Election’s drama continues as President Donald Trump refuses to concede.
Despite the Associate Press (AP) calling the 2020 presidential race in favor of President-elect Joe Biden, Trump and his supporters say the fight is not over.
“The states, not the media, determine election outcomes,” Tara Ross, author of ‘Why We Need the Electoral College,’ said.
Trump’s campaign has opened more than a half-dozen lawsuits against the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona and Georgia. Most of them allege voter fraud and question the legitimacy of the votes that were cast by mail.
“If you count the legal votes, I easily win,” Trump said. “If you count the illegal votes, they can try to steal the election from us.”
As of Tuesday, none of the lawsuits has brought good news to Trump.
Pennsylvania’s Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar (Democrat) called the lawsuits “a last gasp attempt to prevent legitimate votes from being counted.” Boockvar is backed by Senator Pat Toomey (Republican).
“I'm not aware of any widespread or systemic fraud or anything of the sort,” Toomey said.
Timothy Kenny, Wayne County chief judge, ruled against Trump’s lawsuit in Michigan saying that “[Trump’s] interpretation of events is incorrect and not credible."
The campaign backed off on their lawsuit in Arizona before any ruling has been made. They stated that a judicial ruling in the matter was unnecessary. The AP called the Arizona race in favor of Biden.
Apart from lawsuits, Trump’s campaign has also requested recounts in the states of Wisconsin and Georgia. While Wisconsin hasn’t decided yet, if a recount will be needed, Georgia’s Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (Republican) issued an order of recount. The order requires the recount to be made by hand.
Raffensperger’s decision is supported by Georgia’s governor (Facebook) President-elect Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris. Brian Kemp (Republican). the president.
“People just want to make sure Former President George we have integrity in our elec- W. Bush, the only living former tions,” Kemp said, “and I think Republican president, is the highthe steps that [Georgia is taking] est-ranked GOP member to pubis going to do that.” licly recognize Biden’s victory.
Kemp is one of the handful “Though we have political Republicans that have come out differences, I know Joe Biden to in favor of the president. Among be a good man,” he said. “The him are U.S. Attorney Gener- president-elect reiterated that al William Barr (Republican), while he ran as a Democrat, he Georgia State Rep. Vernon Jones will govern for all Americans.” (Republican) and Senator Lindsay “I offered him the same thing Graham (Republican). “If Republicans don't challenge and change the U.S. election system, there will never be another Republican president elected again," Graham said on an interview to Fox News. “President Trump should not concede.” Graham’s stance, however, might be shifting as Biden gets more support within the Grand Old Party (GOP) also known as the Republican Party. Merely four days after claiming that the president should not concede, Graham told CNN that Biden should get intelligence briefings that is daily I offered Presidents Trump and Obama: my prayers for his success,” he added. Former President Barack Obama, who Biden served as vice president from 2009 until 2017, has also congratulated the president-elect for his win. “I could not be prouder to congratulate our next president, Joe Biden, and our next First Lady, [Dr.] Jill Biden.” Obama said. “I also couldn’t be prouder to congratulate Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff for Kamala’s groundbreaking election as our given to the president. next vice president.”
Graham isn’t alone in the GOP. Biden and Harris have both Senators Chuck Grassley (Republi- made history in this election. can), James Lankford (Republican) While the former broke the and John Thune (Republican), as record of most voted presiwell as U.S. Rep. Rob Portman dent-elect in America’s history, (Republican) all have come out in the latter is the first female, black support of giving Biden the daily and Asian-American to hold the intel briefings that are given to position of vice president-elect.
(Heather Bair/The Penn)
Lucy Rae (left) and 7th St. Marketry (right) both participated in the Ladies Day Out shopping event Sunday.
Shop ‘til you drop in downtown Indiana
Small businesses prepare for holidays with first event of the season
HEATHER BAIR News Editor zzzx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
Downtown Indiana saw many customers out for the annual Ladies Day Out shopping event.
The event lasted from noon until 4 p.m. Nov. 15.
Thirteen businesses in downtown Indiana participated in the event: 7th St. Marketry Artisan Market, The 700 Shop, The Coney, Dan Smith Candies & Gifts, Europa Interiors & Gifts, The Finery for Men & Women, GC Wyant Jewelry, Holiday Beverages, Lucy Rae Gifts & More, Luxenberg Jewelers, Michael B. Shoes & Campus Corner, William and Mary Gift Shoppe and Woody Lodge Winery.
Most businesses participated in support of small businesses.
“We’re a retail store,” Josh Rosenberger, owner of The 700 Shop, said. “Anytime you can get a bunch of people out shopping, you want to be open and take advantage.
“We support downtown Indiana and incorporate its promotions. You want to be a part of that and help support the local economy.”
The 700 Shop sells men and women’s clothing and are located on Philadelphia Street.
“We appreciate people shopping downtown and coming into town to shop locally,” Jean Dennings, clerk at Dan Smith Candies & Gifts, said.
“There are very few businesses downtown, so we’re glad they come in and help us. It was a joy to see so many ladies out.”
Businesses also saw this as a great way to reach the community and as a fun day.
“It’s a great community event,” Hastie Kinter, owner of Lucy Rae Gifts & More, said.
“It’s a way for all the businesses downtown to get together and hold an event for the community. It’s a fun day.”
“We always participate in the event,” Michael Boiano, owner of Michael B. Shoes & Campus Corner, said.
“It’s a great event to get people out and have foods and beverages and a specialized opening. It kicks off our holiday season.”
It is also seen as a way to collectively come together as businesses to support each other and bring people into Indiana, Shelly Rosborough, owner of William and Mary Gift Shoppe, said.
Sunday was dark and rainy but that didn’t stop ladies from participating in the event.
“We’ve done the event for the past four years,” Gary C. Wyant, owner of GC Wyant Jewelry, said. “I was not disappointed. It was a well-attended event.”
Other businesses were not disappointed either, like Holiday Beverages, which sold alcoholic slushies during the event.
“The turnout was better than expected,” salesclerk Glenn Dean said. “Considering the cold weather and that we were promoting our alcoholic slushies.”
Woody Lodge Winery also participated in the event and thought it was “as best a time as any” for wine, associate Paulie McNealis said.
“We’re normally closed on Sundays,” Jeff Widdowson, owner of Luxenberg Jewelers, said. “It was an average turnout. Customer’s buying habits aren’t used to us being open on a Sunday, so we didn’t anticipate a lot of traffic.”
With the cold and rain, businesses were expecting less of a turnout for the event than what happened. Most were surprised at the turnout that happened.
“It went better than expected with everything going on,” Boiano said. “It was definitely a nice turnout. People were looking for something safe to do and every store was set up safely to ensure social distancing.”
Rosenberger was surprised, too.
“Given the weather, I was surprised how many people ventured out. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a good, steady flow of traffic throughout the day.”
Others, like Lucy Rae Gifts & More, weren’t sure what to expect.
“What with the weather, I didn’t know what would happen,” Kinter said. “I was very pleased with the turnout.”
“The Steelers were playing later,” Rosborough said, “so we weren’t sure what to expect. What with COVID-19, I thought the turnout would be less than in previous years, but it was very good.”
With the holiday season approaching, businesses are getting ready for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and other holiday sales.
“Downtown Indiana does a big promotion for Small Business Saturday,” Rosenberger said. “We’re hoping to remind people to shop small and, this year more than ever, it’s really important because we need to remember the little guys during the holiday shopping season.”
“We usually do a men’s night and promotions through the holiday,” Wyant said. “Sometimes we do a giveaway, but we haven’t decided anything on that yet.”
“We’re currently running a red-tag sale,” Widdowson said. “Merchandise is discounted from anywhere between 20 and 50 percent off throughout the entire store.”
Dan Smith Candies & Gifts aren’t sure of any holiday events, but they will be participating in Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Lucy Rae Gifts & More are having specials for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday as well as sales throughout the month of December, Kinter said.
For Michael B. Shoes & Campus Corner, Sunday is the festival kickoff for Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday.
“We participate in Small Business Saturday,” Rosborough said. “We’re also available to make an appointment to shop if folks aren’t comfortable with being in the store with other customers. We can open on days we’re closed or even afterhours.”
For Small Business Saturday in Indiana, for every $10 spent in a business, the customer recieves one Downtown Dollar, which can be used at any participating business through the end of December, similar to getting 10 percent back in purchases.
Woody Lodge Winery is holding a wine cork wreath-making event Sunday.
“You can purchase a glass of wine while doing the cork wreath,” McNelis said. “We’re only allowed a certain number of people, but we’re happy to help get people back out doing stuff again.”
This holiday season remember to shop locally and support local businesses, whether in downtown Indiana or in your own town.
Activism, a massacre, teddy bears changed history forever
HEATHER BAIR News Editor zzzx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
Nov. 18 holds significance in history as far as historical events go.
In 1872, activist Susan B. Anthony was arrested by a U.S. Deputy Marshal and charged with illegal voting.
In 1902, a British toymaker named the Teddy Bear after Theodore Roosevelt and, in 1978, the Jonestown Massacre in Guyana shocked the world.
In 1820, Susan B. Anthony was born to a Quaker family who fought for social equality from the time she was born. She became famous for her anti-slavery and woman’s suffrage movements and advocacy.
Women were not allowed to vote until 1920, and even then, women in minorities were not allowed.
On Election Day in 1872, Anthony and 14 other women attempted to vote after convincing the election inspectors to allow them to. She was arrested Nov. 18 and charged with illegally voting.
Anthony’s trial began June 17, 1873, seven months after she’d been arrested. The judge directed the jury to give a guilty verdict.
During the second day of the trial, the judge allowed Anthony to speak and, after repeatedly being told to “sit down and be quiet,” continued her protesting against the guilty verdict.
She was eventually ordered to pay a $100 fine, to which she refused. The judge threw the case out.
Anthony died in 1906, 14 years before women would be given the right to vote.
A few years before Anthony’s death, British toymaker Morris Michtom created the cuddly Teddy Bear, named after U.S. president Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt.
Roosevelt received the nickname “Teddy” in 1902 on a bear hunting trip in Mississippi.
A cartoon was drawn up by Clifford Berryman, a cartoonist for The Washington Post, to run in the Nov. 16, 1902, issue.
Michtom saw the cartoon and was inspired to create a soft, tiny bear cut and placed it in his shop window, calling it “Teddy’s Bear” after receiving written permission from Roosevelt to use his name.
The toy became an instant hit among customers, and Michtom and his wife, Rose, opened the “Ideal Novelty and Toy Company” in 1907.
Michtom passed away in 1938, but his legacy lives on in every teddy bear cuddled and loved.
In 1978, the Jonestown Massacre shocked the nation to its core.
Originally named “The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project,” Jonestown was a settlement that started in San Francisco and moved to Guyana.
Jonestown was started by Jim Jones, who became the leader and person in charge among those in the cult.
Jonestown was supposed to be a utopia among those who lived there, but when government and media attention started focusing on it, the utopia turned into a nightmare.
Members of the media had arrived in Jonestown, and Nov. 17, 1978, when they were headed back to the U.S., Jones called a meeting of those in the compound. He said that the pilot was going to be shot and the plane would go down. He was convinced they were taking the compound’s children with them, which Jones’ didn’t want.
He distributed a liquid mixture of grape Flavor Aid, chloral hydrate, cyanide, Phenergan (an antihistamine) and Valium. Children were to drink first, then parents, then the guards. Jones died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
All 909 members of Jonestown died Nov. 18, 1978. The massacre was constituted as the greatest single loss of American civilian life until Sept. 11, 2001.
The compound of Jonestown is still in Guyana, but a high vegetation rate has covered the ground and daisies are said to now grow where the bodies were found.
While November is mostknown for Thanksgiving, other historical events happened that are worth remembering.
Women’s rights, a massacre, teddy bears, oh my
Susan B. Anthony was arrested Nov. 18, 1872. The Susan B. Anthony Museum is in Rochester, New York.
Jim Jones, who was the leader of the Jonestown Massacre Nov. 18, 1978.
The cartoon that Michtom created the teddy bear from. Morris Michtom made the Teddy Bear Nov. 18, 1902 (Facebook) Susan B. Anthony (top left) fought for women’s rights. Her house (top middle) is now a museum located in Rochester, New York. Morris Michtom (top right) created the first teddy bear (bottom right) after seeing the cartoon (bottom middle) in The Washington Post about President Theodore Roosevelt. Jim Jones (bottom left) was the founder and leader of the cult, Jonestown, in Guyana, which was also the site of the Jonestown Massacre in 1978.
Opinion COVID-19 affects those with poor mental health
Surprise, surprise. COVID-19 is still here despite conspiracy theories claiming it would be gone after the election, and it is causing more health-related issues.
According to the New York Times database, as of Tuesday, “at least 623 new coronavirus deaths and 135,187 new cases were reported in the U.S.”
That means that over the past week, they said that there has been an average of 150,265 cases per day, which is an increase of 81 percent from the average two weeks ago.
There are memes spreading over social media saying, “The ‘China virus’ (as Trump calls it) is looking a lot more like the ‘U.S. virus.’”
This is partially due to what psychologist Dr. Carisa Parrish of John Hopkins Medicine calls “pandemic fatigue.”
Before the pandemic started, no one was wearing masks, which is an obvious bit of information. However, this contributes to why precautions have become exhausting, and many Americans are giving up. Also, this is probably why cases are going up, too.
“Trying to adhere to anything extra is always a challenge,” Parrish said in a Hopkins’ medical article. “You can add extra steps to your routine for a few days, but sustained behavior change is hard. Especially when no one around you is sick, and you just don’t feel like wearing a mask or saying no to things you like to do.”
Check your Snapchat, or if you are at IUP, check out frat row. Some people just are not afraid of the virus anymore, and they are continuing about their days as if the threat is not there anymore.
Ironically, too, it is not until someone they know is affected by COVID-19 that it feels real, which Parrish also mentions.
Shift gears, and other Americans feel the complete opposite. With threats beginning to spike again, mental health is suffering as well.
Those who have preexisting conditions of depression and anxiety have not only been afraid of what could happen if they contract the virus, but the isolation has forced them into a never-ending state of panic. Even worse, there are spikes in interpersonal violence, suicide and substance abuse.
Now, we have two types of people. Those who do not care, and those who are frustrated that others will not take this pandemic seriously and suffering as a result.
“When there is no end in sight, the duration of the crisis itself becomes a psychological stressor,” Dr. Daniele Fallin, chair of the Department of Mental Health at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said. “In terms of cumulative impact, that makes the COVID-19 pandemic more like the Great Depression or World War II.”
Now, I do not have the answers to how we can fix this, nor do I think anyone does. We can't just pretend COVID-19 isn’t a threat because it is. How do we solve the burden of deteriorating mental health?
We may very well go back into another lockdown since cases are increasing yet again. Perhaps this will slow the spread, and we will be able to get back to normal sooner than later.
Companies continue to work on a vaccine with two companies making breakthroughs. Those are Moderna and Pfizer.
The later announced last week that they were ready to start mass producing their vaccine. Through trials, it was around 90 percent effective. The one issue they are running into is how to keep it cold.
When they are distributed, they need to be kept at cold temperatures. Cold as in minus 100 degrees, which is colder than Antarctica in winter.
Moderna announced Monday their progress on a vaccine. The RNA-1273 vaccine, as they are calling it, was 94.5 percent affective during trials.
It also has to be kept at low temperatures. The good thing is it has to be at minus four degrees, which is a little easier to maintain.
The reason for the cold conditions is because they are using RNA in the vaccine. If it gets warm, then it will dissolve and will not work.
These companies are still waiting to gain approval through the Food and Drug Administration before widespread distribution.
For those struggling with mental health related issues, virtual therapy and crisis shelters are still here to help. Experts also recommend creating a list of hobbies to engage in, make a journal to reflect on your health and get organized. Take it one day at a time and stay in contact with friends and family to make sure both you and your loved ones are OK.
