Opinions: Protect the Necks - wear your mask
Sports: Lionel Messi terminates contract
WesternCourier.com
Friday, August 28, 2020 - Vol. 121 Issue 3
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COVID outbreak strikes on campus
By Rachel Greene editor-in-chief As the first week of classes concludes, there is another new beginning on campus: the start of the Western Illinois University COVID-19 outbreak. As students flooded back to campus for the start of the fall semester, there was no indication of mandatory testing to come. No announcement had been made by the University and students settled into on-campus housing without ever needing to acquire a test. Soon after students arrived on campus and began to congregate with their peers, however, optional, but highly recommended free saliva kits became avail-
able to all students. Results of cases on campus remained fairly stagnant until Tuesday, when positive test results rose from two to 16. On Wednesday, that number rose again to 18. Currently 1,098 students have tested negative, 90 tests are pending results, 18 have tested positive, two have recovered and 16 cases remain active. "The safety and health of our University community are of the utmost importance. We are working closely with our local health department to ensure others who may have been in contact are notified so they can take the proper precautions, face coverings, social distancing, frequent and proper handwashing and staying away from large gatherings are essential
to minimize the spread of this virus. These precautions are essential measures that will reduce the spread of Coronavirus," said Western Illinois University Interim President Martin Abraham. The protocol when students receive a positive COVID-19 result is that they go into the campus Quarantine/Isolation center, which has been designated as Bayliss Hall. According to the Western Illinois University website, “Each student testing positive is assigned a case manager from staff of the Student Development and Success Center and Beu Health Center. Case managers will perform daily wellness checks, ensure meal delivery and work directly with faculty to assist students in continuing
their courses. Faculty will be contacted for needed course materials. Federal health privacy laws prohibit sharing any other information.” Currently, 21 students are residing in the quarantine facility, which is 11.8 percent of the capacity. 157 spots remain open for students who test positive. If a student is wondering if a test is imperative for them, the University website reads, “Individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms should get tested and then isolate until test results are returned. An updated list of symptoms reported among patients with COVID-19 includes mild to severe respiratory illness with fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body
aches, headache, new loss of sense of taste and/or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. According to medical professionals, most people who contract coronavirus will be able to shelter in place at home, and recover uneventfully without hospitalization. This is especially true of traditional college age patients without underlying health conditions. If you develop severe symptoms such as struggling to breathe, blue lips, passing out or confusion, please seek immediate medical care.” Updates will continue to be posted daily on http:// www.wiu.edu/covid-dashboard/ and in upcoming issues of our publication.
WIU.EDU The University is providing daily data regarding COVID-19 test results.
Sports on Page 7: Lionel Messi announces termination of contract FOLLOW US ONLINE @WESTERNCOURIER
Opinions on Page 5: Protect the Necks wear your mask OPINIONS 4 | SPORTS BACK PAGE
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Friday, August 28, 2020
NEWS
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Food Pantry reopening with regular hours and new policies
By Rachel Greene editor-in-chief The Western Illinois University Food Pantry, which has been operating under very restricted hours due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened with its normal hours of noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Over the summer, the Food Pantry was forced to operate under irregular hours that were posted weekly on various social media pages. In accordance with University policies, the Food Pantry will
continue to require social distancing and masks as well as implementing proper cleaning protocols. “We are working hard to make sure all who are in need on campus can get food and other resources that we offer. These are unprecedented times, and many are in need more than ever. We will be open to serve regardless of the situation, and will do so in a safe way and maintain a clean and healthy environment for our patrons and volunteers,” said Western Illinois University Food Pantry Student President
The Food Pantry opened Thursday and will remain open with regular hours.
Casey Hendrickson. The Food Pantry, which provides free food to any student and operates under the motto “Students Feeding Students,” is located in what was formerly the ticket booth at the South entrance of Hanson Field, down the hill from the University Union. In addition to mandated social distancing and masks, the pantry is also limiting the amount of volunteers who are present at any given time. All volunteers will also be required to wear gloves. Patrons of the pantry, as well as volunteers, will
SARA REMAR / PHOTO EDITOR
have hand sanitizer available to them. In an effort to reduce any chance of health risks or spread of the virus, “We have also implemented a ‘Contactless Experience’ while visiting the Pantry. The volunteers will hand the food out through the windows that the patrons choose from a list posted outside the pantry, and will not have any contact with the patrons outside. The windows also provide extra protection for our patrons and volunteers,” said Hendrickson.
A whiteboard provides a menu to assist with contactless pickup.
The Food Pantry is located at Hanson Field.
WC Located on the third floor of the Heating Plant Annex on the south end of campus across from Sherman Hall. Mail: 1 University Circle, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455 Phone: 309-298-1876 Fax: 309-298-2309 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays E-mail: micour@wiu.edu Member: Illinois College Press Association, National Association College Press
PUBLISHING AND CIRCULATION editor-in-chief Rachel Greene
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news editor Rachel Greene
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opinions editor Allison Young
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Students must present a valid Western Illinois University Student Identification Card in order to take advantage of the Food Pantry. For more information, contact Casey Hendrickson at CV-Hendrickson@wiu.edu or Emily Shupe at ER-Shupe@wiu.edu.
SARA REMAR / PHOTO EDITOR
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Friday, August 28, 2020
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NEWS
School of music hires new director
MACOMB, IL -- Western Illinois University Professor Jeffrey Brown has been named director of the University's School of Music, effective July 1, according to College of Fine Arts and Communication Interim Dean, William Hoon. Brown has served as interim director of the school since 2019. "Since serving as interim director, Dr. Brown has provided the School of Music with excellent leadership in a positive and professional manner," said Hoon. "Dr.
Brown is a wonderful combination of talented musician, experienced professor and creative administrator. I look forward to his continued service in this important role for the School of Music and the college." Brown joined Western Illinois University's SOM faculty in 2009 as an assistant professor of piano. Brown has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a solo recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestras. Performance highlights in-
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clude appearances at the Dame Myra Hess Series in Chicago, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., recital tours in the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces of China and summer festivals in France, Germany, Italy, Austria and China. Brown studied with Natalya Antonova and served as her teaching assistant, and he studied accompanying with Jean Barr. His early training was with Jane Allen at the University of Missouri. He has been a prizewinner in the Kos-
ciuszko Chopin Competition, the Iowa International Piano Competition, the Eastman Concerto Competition and the Kneisel German Lieder Competition, and he was a recipient of the Artist Presentation Society Award of St. Louis. He is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association and other organizations committed to community engagement and education, and he has presented masterclasses and lectures at universities and conservatories
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throughout the United States. He currently serves as the national coordinator for the MTNA Chamber Music Competitions. Brown is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he earned the Performer's Certificate, the Master of Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. For more information about the Western Illinois University School of Music, visit wiu.edu/music. Courtesy of University Relations
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OPINIONS
Friday, August 28, 2020
In reviewing some of the articles from last year, I found one I had written about the Coronavirus before it was a global pandemic, back when it was first starting off. In the article, the question of is the coronavirus the plague of 2020 was entertained. Looking back now, it’s crazy how much we did not know and did not realize about this virus as it was starting to pick up news coverage, back before it was in the
United States. However, six months later, we have much more understanding of the virus than we did then. Since February 2020, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been deemed a world pandemic. While the virus may not be up to the standards that we hold the term “plague” to, it has certainly changed our lives as we know it. Six months ago, we did not need nor even know what
masks were, aside from the ones that superheroes wore on television and movies. Now, we need to wear them wherever we go in order to protect ourselves and others. Over 800,000 individuals worldwide have passed from COVID-19, 182,000 of which were from the United States. As summer comes to a close and schools pick back up, an influx of cases around the U.S. can be seen. School’s contributions to the spread of COVID-19 has been a hot topic in news media and also among friends. Seeing the news reports of events at other institutions and around the United States, where individuals are gathering in mass groups, recklessly without
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masks, it is hard to deny that our actions have an effect on the spread of the virus. Our campus is not exempt from the consequences that come with these activities. Any large gathering without masks cannot be happening right now. The excitement to be back on campus with friends and organizations that we all love so much is valid, but we also must do everything we can to preserve our on-campus experience for the year. While young people were not at first identified as a high-risk category for COVID-19, that does not mean that young people are immune to the effects of this virus. Even young people have
faced serious outcomes from this illness, and that is nothing we want any individual on campus to have to face. That is nothing that we want our community to mourn. As a Staff Editorial from the Daily Eastern News wrote, “ Please don’t make us write a story from the perspective of a student who is bedstricken due to COVID-19. Please don’t make us write a story about how all classes are online because too many students went out for a night and made the positive test numbers spike. Please don’t make us write your obituary this Fall.” Please wear your mask, avoid large gatherings and do all you can to protect
Introducing the Staff Hi! My name is Sara and I am the Photo Editor for the Western Courier. I have worked here for the past five semesters. I am a nursing major with a Spanish minor. I am a part of the Delta Zeta sorority and involved in the Newman Center on campus. Working for the Courier helps me to take time for some of my hobbies. Photography, along with travel, are two things that I am most passionate about. Although the recent pandemic has put a hold on travel, I am still able to capture beautiful places locally. A picture speaks a thousand words, and that fascinates me! A fun fact about me is that I have been fortunate enough to travel to nine countries includ-
ing Mexico, Egypt, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Iceland, Dominica Island, Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Maarten. My favorite thing to do when I travel is explore the city streets and ask the locals about their recommended activities and restaurants. I am a firm believer that the best way to learn is to immerse yourself in other cultures! The last time I traveled was over spring break. I was on a Carribean Cruise, which, yes, meant that I was stuck an extra two days on the ship (no complaints!). After I graduate I hope to work as an ER nurse near my home in Chicago and soon after become a travel nurse!
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OPINIONS 5
Friday, August 28, 2020
Now is the time to manage your life  As we all try to return to some form of normalcy during the first week back at school, it is important to remember to follow protocols and social distance. So, with that in mind, how do we manage our time with some events, social gatherings and classes transitioning to an online format? Well that is the million-dollar question, but the best way to find an answer is to try a combination of things. The first way you can manage your time better is to share the responsibility with your peers so that you all can hold each other accountable. You can do this by starting group chats with one another, creating similar schedules or setting reminders for the other person. Sometimes a little help is needed and whether you are providing that help or receiving it, it ends up working out. Managing your leisure time is also important. Now, this
may seem weird because leisure is meant to be just that: leisure, but the goal of managing your leisure time is to avoid sitting at your desk or in bed for hours on end and promote movement around your living space. Also, if you want to take it a step further, you can block off a couple of hours for you to do anything you want that is not work related so that you can ensure you will get a break. Either way, creating a break for yourself is important. An assignment may take longer than anticipated or something may pop up that you were not expecting, and that is when you have to make adjustments to your schedule. Typically the first thing to cut down on is leisure time, but challenge yourself to take time on the weekend for an hour or two to make up for that time that was lost during the week. That way you
can still relax a little bit during the week but still get the amount of work you need to complete done. Most people spend most of the weekend catching up on sleep or just trying to forget the week they just finished, which is understandable. If you have a schedule that is tailored well for you then you can avoid a lot of stress that is created from just doing things as a deadline approaches or piling things up to do at the last minute. Preparation allows you to focus on the positive and negative outcomes you may face in the future. When you make the effort to shape your life in a way that you see fit, then you begin to see your life flow in a way that makes sense to you. Everyone does not have to take on a similar plan, but making one should be on your list eventually. If you aren’t busy now you will be later because responsibilities get to be more important as you continue to move on with life. College is about learning, but it doesn’t always come in the form of a textbook.
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Managing your lifestyle can help save you from being stressed out about your day.
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It's not time to allow fans back in stadiums
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) announced in a press release on Aug. 20 that limited tickets were on sale for the wrestling promotions weekly live show DYNAMITE on Thursday. AEW hosted live fans at the open-air Daily’s Place amphitheater in Jacksonville, Fla. The live episode marked the first time ticket-paying customers were in attendance since early March. The company’s goal for last night’s episode was “to safely bring back the energy of a live audience to AEW’s shows — in compliance with state and local regulations and CDC guidelines…” Fans were socially distanced in seating pods that consisted of no more than six attendees of the same
party, with each member wearing a face covering and having their temperatures taken upon entry. Thursday night’s episode of Dynamite marks the second major sporting promotion since the COVID pandemic began to play host to live fans in attendance (the first being MLS with the Aug. 12 matchup between FC Dallas and Nashville SC). While this is a major step in the sports world and great for fans who have been longing to attend a live event, a major question still stands: is now the time to allow fans (even at limited capacity) to attend live shows? The answer? No.
While every fan, broadcaster, reporter, columnist, and even owners, coaches and players want to have fans attend events in person, the global pandemic we are living in doesn’t seem to be any closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. All it takes is one fan to be asymptomatic or one employee to make a misstep and let in a fan with a high temperature and now everyone in attendance is at risk of contracting the virus. For a promotion like AEW, whose company headquarters and live events are located in Jacksonville, there is even more risk in allowing fans to attend. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website, Florida has the second most total cases of COVID-19 in the United States (602,113 as of 12:16 p.m. on Thursday). Again, while the wrestling promotion is taking all of the necessary precautions (facial coverings, hand sanitizing sta-
tions, socially distanced pods, taking temperatures, etc.) it is still quite an unnecessary risk to take that may lead to an even longer absence of live fans in the future. Wo r l d Wr e s t l i n g Entertainment (WWE), who just a few months ago were under scrutiny after positive COVID cases were contracted by enhancement talent serving as an audience at television tapings, recently debuted the WWE Thunderdome on the Aug. 21 episode of Friday Night Smackdown. Thunderdome is very similar to the NBA’s virtual fans, as members of the WWE Universe can be virtually placed into a crowd that surrounds the ring as WWE Superstars perform, simulating a live audience. WWE’s debut of the Thunderdome is a step in the right direction, as any fan around the world can come and sign up online to be in attendance of their favorite weekly shows and pay-per-
views while still being safe and socially distanced from the comfort of their own home. While it may not be the same atmosphere that comes from the roar of a live audience, it’s the safest choice for the world we are currently living in. In the statement released by AEW, President and CEO Tony Khan went on record saying, “We’ve missed the incredible energy of our fans at shows, and from what we’ve heard from them, they’ve missed being with us… The health and safety of our AEW family and our fans remains our highest priority.” While all of that may be true, hosting a live wrestling show in the world we are still living in shouldn’t be the company’s top priority right now. WWE and the NBA have nailed it on the head with their virtual fans concepts and for right now, if any other league is thinking about hosting fans, it should be in digital format for the near future.
as if Barca's golden days are over and it's time for Messi to say goodbye. With that being said, here are some of my own picks and the most popular rumors of where Messi will call home next season. At the moment, the team leading the race to sign Messi is none other than Manchester City. You either love City or you hate them, but you can't deny their success as of late and they love to spend their money on key name players. It's a rumor that Man City is willing to offer a long-term contract where Messi can finish his playing career in the MLS (Major League Soccer) with Man City's partner club New York City F.C. This would only happen after he played the first three seasons with the English Giants in hopes to bring home their first ever Champions League trophy. Manchester City has never made it to a Champions League final, only making it as far as the semi's in the 201516 season. I think this contract makes a lot of sense, and it's one that not a lot of other clubs can make. It's essentially the best
of both worlds. Messi could be the missing link needed to have more European success and would fit in perfectly upfront with fellow Argentine striker Sergio Agüero. And, if all goes well in Manchester for a few years and he still wants to play, he can bring his game over to the United States and play for NYCFC. It's an appealing deal no matter how much money City throws at him, it's just whether or not Messi feels it's the right move. If he is going to make the move to the English Premier League, then I think it will definitely be at City. But, they aren't the only club in the running to sign him. He is the greatest player of alltime after all, so there's going to be a long list of clubs ready to welcome him in. French side Paris Saint Germain have recently stated their interest in him, but I don't think this one makes a lot of sense. I mean, it kind of does, but I just don't know how they'd be able to afford Messi. They already have two of the most expensive contracts in the sport with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar up front. If Messi did join the club, he'd be reunited with his old teammate Neymar as well as Angel Di Maria from the Argentina squad. If this happens it might be the greatest attacking trio of all-time and one that would definitely be fun to watch. I don't think this
one's likely at all, but it sure would be awesome. Another team that could be interested is Juventus over in Italy. Christiano Ronaldo has stated that he would like to leave the club to play somewhere else, so Messi could come right in and take his place. This one probably isn't very likely either, nor do I even want to see this, but it is still a possibility. Ronaldo has interestingly enough said that he'd be interested in playing for PSG as well after leaving Juve. Both Messi and Ronaldo have said that they'd love to play together before they retire. Could PSG or Juventus have enough money to offer them both contracts? Something that I don't see a lot of people talking about is, what if he decides to go back and play for a club in his home nation Argentina? Step up to the plate Boca Juniors. This club is consistently winning the Argentinian Primera Division and would be a good fit for him. However, the major drawback is that Messi would no longer have a chance to win the Champions League, which I'm sure he'd love to do one more time before he retires. Boca Juniors really don't have the money to snag a player of Messi's stature anyway, but it would be fitting to see him finish his career in his home country. I'll end it with this, the thing
I want to see most. He could always change his mind and re-sign at Barcelona. Nothing's official yet and he still does have some time to be persuaded into staying. Barca's sporting director Ramon Planes sure thinks so. "As we have said many times, we're still thinking of Messi as a Barca player," Planes said at the presentation of the club's newest signee Francisco Trincao. "Barca have rebuilt themselves many times throughout history and have always bounced back stronger. Our idea is to rebuild around the best player in the world." This is a good mindset. I've already said it, Messi is the greatest player of all time, so yeah, Barcelona is going to do everything they can to see that he re-signs with the club. I think this is what a lot of people want to see. No one really wants Messi to leave Barcelona. I don't really care where he goes as long as he's happy, but if he's not feeling that way right now at Barcelona then maybe it is time for a change. No matter where he lands, (most likely Manchester City) it will still be entertaining to watch him play. Matter of fact, we are privileged to watch Messi play, and if he makes his way over to the MLS where he will eventually retire, I can't really complain about that.
Lionel Messi announces termination of contract
Tuesday afternoon, long-time F.C. Barcelona player Lionel Messi broke the news that he plans to terminate his contract that runs through the summer of 2021 with the Spanish club. The news comes after a shocking 8-2 loss to F.C. Bayern in the UEFA Champions League quarter finals back on Aug. 14. Barca was one of the favorites to win the tournament but instead came crashing out in embarrassing fashion. On top of failing at the biggest stage of them all, Messi's club couldn't even fend off arch rivals Real Madrid to win the La Liga. Instead, Madrid finished first with 87 points while Barcelona came in second with 82. Barca didn't win a single trophy this season which hadn't happened since the 2007-08 season. Typically Barcelona equals success, but that was just not the case this year. Take into consideration Messi's ability to play the beautiful game for a moment. He deserves to play at a club that is consistently winning trophies, and he was for a very long time, but it seems