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THURSDAY, SEPT. 10, 2020 VOLUME 95 ■ ISSUE 4

LA VIDA

SPORTS

OPINIONS

ONLINE

Professors explain mask policies, class accommodations.

Tech set for home opener against Houston Baptist.

Mental health crisis grows amid pandemic.

Watch the latest episode of The Raider Rundown on our Instagram @dailytoreador.

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PG 6

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ONLINE

INDEX LA VIDA SPORTS OPINIONS CROSSWORD CLASSIFIEDS SUDOKU

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FOOTBALL

Go for Game Day FILE PHOTO/The Daily Toreador

A Texas Tech cheerleader waves the Double T flag during the game against the University of Texas at El Paso on Sept., 7 2019, at Jones AT&T Stadium. Fans will see some changes to the pre-game activities prior to Tech’s season opener against Houston Baptist.

Guidelines updated for home opener

By ZACH RICHARDS Sports Editor

When Texas Tech takes on Houston Baptist on Saturday, it will mark 288 days since the Red Raiders have taken the field and 294 since they last played at home. Now, Tech will return to Jones AT&T Stadium to begin the 2020 season.

In line with all of the irregularities during the offseason for the Red Raiders, there also are some new implementations for fans. Here is a game day guide with everything you need to know:

Tickets Prior to the season, Tech implemented a mobile ticketing system to make ticket pickup quicker, more effective and to promote social distancing. For fans that purchased tickets in advance and requested they be picked up in-person, Tech will have a Will Call on Saturday that will open three hours prior to kickoff and close at halftime. The main ticket office also will open three hours prior and will close during the third quarter.

There are multiple pickup locations for in-person requested

tickets: The main athletics ticket office on the East Side of the stadium or at the ticket booths near Gate 1 and Gate 3, according to Tech Athletics. To promote social distancing, the main ticket office will only allow three people in the lobby at a time, and masks will be required for pickup.

Seasons tickets are to be picked up at the main ticket office.

Although, tickets were sold in advance and online, tickets still can be purchased on game day, unless sold out, at Gate 1, Gate 3 and the main athletics ticket

office until halftime, according to Tech Athletics.

All tickets will be electronically scanned for entry in order to verify authenticity, according to Tech Athletics. For all ticket related issues, visit one of the aforementioned ticket office locations around the stadium. For ticket pickup, a valid photo ID will be required.

The ticket pickup location for Tech player-guests is located at Gate 4A at the northeast corner of the stadium, according to Tech Athletics. Visiting team pickup is at Gate 3A in the northwest corner.

These locations will open one-anda-half hours prior to kickoff.

Parking General parking will be available on game day for $55 per car, according to Tech Athletics. The only parking available for purchase on game day is located at The Raider Park garage, which is located just north of the stadium. Payment at Raider Park is card only. Tech has encouraged the purchase of parking passes prior to game day, and that can be done by calling the Tech Ticket Office or by online purchase.

Free public parking, however, will be available on the main campus of Tech in the lots south and west of the Administration building, according to Tech Athletics. They will be marked on game day for ease of access. Residence hall parking is only for students with valid Tech parking permits, they are labeled “Z” and parking there without a valid permit could lead to a citation and/or towing.

ADA parking is located north of the Tech Health Sciences Center in the lots between 4th and 5th Street, according to Tech Athletics.

A valid ADA placard or hang tag is required, and a $5 charge is given to all. There will be a shuttle provided that will run from the stadium to the ADA parking lot. It will drop off and pick up at Gate 3.

RVs, buses and vehicles with trailers still are permitted at the games. However, tailgating is not permitted in order to promote social distancing and decrease large gatherings, according to Tech Athletics.

RVs and buses are prohibited from parking in the designated automobile parking locations.

Tech has designated the lots north of the John Walker Soccer Complex (Tech Parkway and 10th Street) for RVs, buses and vehicles with trailers.

SEE GAME DAY, PG. 6

WEATHER

Tech group recounts Hurricane Laura field research

Photo courtesy of Brian Hirth

The Texas Tech Hurricane Research Team deployed mobile Doppler trucks along the coast of Port Arthur.

By ADÁN RUBIO News Editor

While most tried to evade Hurricane Laura as it traveled along the southern coast of the United States, one group of Red Raiders traveled to the coast to learn more about the hurricane’s features.

The Texas Tech Hurricane Research Team (TTUHRT) traveled to different points along Hurricane Laura’s expected path to record data regarding the hurricane’s wind speed.

Brian Hirth, research professor with the Tech National Wind Institute (NWI), said the program has different equipment that is deployed in hurricane environments.

For the Hurricane Laura field research, Hirth said 48 StickNet platforms, which are portable weather stations, were deployed along the coastal area from the east side of Galveston Bay to southeast of Lafayette, Louisiana.

The group also utilized two mobile

Doppler radars.

During the drive, which started when the team left Lubbock on Aug. 24, the TTUHRT members tried to identify different deployment areas, Hirth said. It is nonstop work until deployment.

When doing hurricane field research, the team will depart Lubbock days before the hurricane’s landfall because of the drive it takes to get to a certain coast and due to the fact that it takes two full days to deploy the StickNet equipment, Hirth said.

The team deployed the equipment on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26, with a concentration of the StickNet platforms being placed from the Texas state line east towards Lake Charles, Louisiana where the highest impact was expected, Hirth said.

When not in the field, team members stayed at a hotel in Baytown.

“And yes, we get up very early to start the deployment, usually before the sun’s up, so that we can arrive at the first deployment

sites at about the time first light happens,” he said.

Getting up early helps maximize the time to work during the day and makes the deployment easier when most of the general public is not yet awake, Hirth said.

“When these major storms make landfall, obviously these people are evacuating or at least out and about trying to buy supplies, gas, whatever the case may be,” he said.

“So, you tend to run into a lot of added congestion that can slow up the work that we’re trying to do.”

The storm made landfall the night of the second day of deployment, Hirth said. The team later picked up the deployed equipment the following Thursday and Friday and drove back to Lubbock on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Even though the StickNet platforms were deployed near the coast, Hirth said the position of the radar trucks had to be in a different location.

Because the team was expect-

ing high wind speeds with the core of the hurricane and because the radar trucks are required to be manned in order to operate, Hirth said the radar trucks were deployed elsewhere as a safety concern.

“So, we ended up deploying them on the west side of the strongest part of the wind field,” he said, “and those were deployed in Port Arthur.”

When conducting this research, Hirth said there were multiple goals.

“The first was to document the breadth of the wind field and understand what the distribution of the wind field was across the entire storm circulation,” he said. “So, that’s why we deployed 48 platforms spanning from Galveston Bay all the way to east of Lafayette. Of course we’re interested in the highest wind speeds experienced right near the center of the hurricane. We also wanted to better understand what the full distribution of the wind field looked like.”

The results of this research helps

provide a better understanding of general hurricane structures, Hirth said. With the radars deployed together, the team was able to develop dual-Doppler wind fields, which allows one to map the full wind fields at different heights.

It is important to know the power and the variability of the wind to understand how buildings can withstand hurricanes, Hirth said. Also, with this information, the insurance industry can know where the strongest winds occur and how to handle different insurance claims related to natural disasters.

“With this trip, there were several firsts for us,” he said. “This was the most equipment we ever deployed into a hurricane. Taking 48 StickNet platforms and both radars. This trip, also, represented the highest wind speeds we ever measured with the StickNet platforms, so we’re still sorting through the data to get the numbers right because some of the platforms were impacted by debris.”

SEE HURRICANE, PG. 5

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NEWS

SEPT. 10, 2020

WWW.DAILYTOREADOR.COM

HEALTH

Poor mask hygiene prompts maskne, other skin issues

By ADÁN RUBIO News Editor

Facial hygiene is not an issue some people thought about before the pandemic. But understanding the problems that come from a lack of skin care may now be pertinent.

Having to attend class multiple days in the week can prompt a person to wear masks more often and maybe reuse masks that have yet to be cleaned.

How one’s face reacts to the constant wearing of face coverings now is a factor people may need to understand to keep his or her skin clean.

Dr. Michelle Tarbox, associate professor of dermatology at the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, said the pandemic poses a situation where people are wearing a face covering most of the time and where there is not a large supply of disposable masks.

“So, we have to be thoughtful about how we use the masks and how we prepare and care for our skin to prevent what we call maskne,” she said. “Maskne is sort of the new, popular word for the breakouts that a lot of people are getting from having to wear masks all the time.”

In the medical community, Tarbox said maskne is referred to as acne mechanica, which is when breakouts arise from physical factors.

One example of acne mechanica is when football players get breakouts because of wearing helmets and their physical exertion on the field.

“The most important things are really common sense,” she said regarding acne prevention. “But I think it kind of helps to lay out a good foundation.”

Before cleaning a mask, Tarbox said one first needs a clean face that is gently moisturized. Wearing a mask while one’s face is unclean will hold the dirt and bacteria on the skin.

A fragrance-free moisturizer that will not spark one’s allergies is a good first step to having a clean face, Tarbox said.

“If you do have any sensitivities, having a mask on top of whatever you put on your skin can do something called occluding it,” she said. “If you want to kind of oversimplify it, in a way, think about having saran wrap placed on top of something on your skin. It makes your skin absorb it more, and if that’s something that is irritating to you or you’re allergic to, that could

worsen the side-effects of that, so you want to use a gentle moisturizer that’s fragrance-free and oil-free.”

Look for products that have the words non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic, Tarbox said.

So, we have to be thoughtful about how we use the masks and how we prepare and care for our skin to prevent what we call maskne.

MICHELLE TARBOX DERMATOLOGIST Simplifying one’s beauty routine by not wearing make-up under the mask is another good step, Tarbox said. Make-up is designed to be the outermost layer, not a layer placed under another layer.

“A lot of the make-ups will have extra ingredients, like sunscreens or antiaging ingredients,” Tarbox said, “and the strength of the interaction between the chemicals and the skin is increased when the mask is covering the skin.”

The next step in preventing maskne is to have a clean mask, Tarbox said.

Tiffany Edwards, a registered nurse and founder of Face Masks for Lubbock, said her nonprofit organization works to provide masks for those in the medical community and Lubbock County residents. She said cleaning masks is important.

“I know the majority of people probably only have one or two masks now and are not washing them every day,” Edwards said. “It’s important that we do wash them. Part of wearing a face mask involves washing a mask to get rid of all the germs and bacteria.”

People should be creating a healthy habit of washing masks regularly to prevent germ transmission, Edwards said. People also should have clean masks on hand to rotate with worn masks.

Regardless, cleaning a mask may warrant someone to think about the cleaning products that are used.

“Whenever you’re cleansing the mask, you want to remember that the mask is

going to sit on your face all day,” Tarbox said.

There may be different ways the type of cleaning product could affect a person’s skin to react.

“Because it’s going to be on your face all day long, and you’re going to be breathing through it, I also recommend that people use a fragrance-free detergent, so they’re not irritating their skin,” Tarbox said, “and also so they’re not irritating their nasal passages and exacerbating any allergies they might have.”

In addition to using a fragrance-free detergent when cleaning the mask in the washing machine, Tarbox said one can rinse the mask in the sink and let it air-dry.

“To do that, you could just use the same cleanser that you might use for your face, or you could use a small amount of your hypoallergenic detergent to rinse it that way,” she said.

The best kind of face coverings are clean 100-percent cotton masks that have two or more layers, as they filter air sufficiently, they are made of a natural fabric and they are washable, Tarbox said.

Since it is important to wash masks regularly, Edwards said one should take advantage of the reusable cloth masks.

“The cotton material is best to withstand the regular washing and drying of the face masks,” she said, “and one thing that a lot of people don’t think about is whenever we touch our masks or set our masks down, the germs, bacteria, viruses are gathering on that mask.”

Amid the pandemic, especially in the medical field, Tarbox said one may not have enough masks to have a new one each day.

If a person has to reuse a mask, it is best to put the mask on a rotation, Tarbox said. Some people may have a certain quantity of masks that can be used within a specific time span.

“It’s a good idea to just rotate the masks, so they have time to dry out in between use,” she said.

“Because the disposable masks can actually get some of the moisture from your breath in them, and then that moisture can allow for things to grow and also worsen the accumulation of

debris, dirt, sweat.”

Regardless of the preparations needed to prevent maskne, knowing how to clear breakouts and other skin issues as they arise may be the next step a person needs to learn.

When faced with a breakout, Tarbox said people will try to find the strongest acne medicine they can find.

Although, when one uses this stronger product with irritation already under a mask, the product’s power might increase and cause one’s skin to get irritated more quickly to certain antiacne ingredients.

For places, such as school and work, where one typically wears a mask throughout most of the day, keeping a maskne breakout under control may require different measures.

Gently moisturizing the skin before putting the mask on is important for these people, Tarbox said.

For people who have to take their mask off and put it on multiple times each day, it would be helpful to have something portable to cleanse one’s face, such as a face wipe.

There may be other reasons why a person might take their mask off during the day.

“There’s different ways people deal with the mask thing when they’re eating and can’t wear the mask,” Tarbox said regarding one example of people needing to remove masks.

While staying socially distant from others, Tarbox said she suggested people

wash their hands, take the mask off, eat or do whatever activity is needed, wash their hands again and put the mask on.

“That would kind of help decrease some of that irritation,” she said.

It is a good idea to be mindful or how one takes off their mask, Tarbox said.

Because friction of the mask rubbing against the skin can cause irritation, pulling out the mask slightly and then pulling it down would help limit that friction on the skin Regardless of how one takes off his or her mask, Tarbox said one’s hands should be clean before taking it off.

Being mindful of what a person has touched or who they have interacted with is important for some people amid the pandemic.

Washing masks can be beneficial in eliminating the germs one comes in contact with, Edwards said.

“We don’t know what germs we’re coming in contact with or how long the germs have been sitting on other surfaces or what germs are even on the cloth fibers of the face masks,” she said. “So, it’s crucial to regularly wash them.”

For those who are in need of masks, whether it be an individual or group, Edwards said people should visit the Face Masks for Lubbock information page on the Volunteer Center of Lubbock website. One can request masks, make a donation or volunteer. @AdanRubioDT

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

CAMPUS

LA VIDA

Page 3 Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020

Professors explain mask policies, class accommodations

By EMMA SPOON Staff Writer

With the updated enforced mask policy at Texas Tech, professors are trying to accommodate their students.

Not only have students had to adapt to this new change, but many professors had to make modifications during this time.

Although there are extensive rules in place for students and faculty to abide by many are going the extra mile to ensure safety.

“I’m trying to be careful to not complicate things. I know this semester is chaotic, not just because of COVID-19, but I think because people are handling it in their own ways,” Nick Bowman, professor of journalism and creative media industries, said.

Bowman has ensured various ways to follow the mask mandated policy, he said. He reminds students by trying to make it a part of the conversation.

“I just mention it in passing and remind people whenever I send my normal campus reminders out,” Bowman said. “I just try to make it a part of the conversation, so that it’s just a very normal and natural part of the campus culture.”

Alex Olshansky, instructor of record and research assistant, said he sent an email to all of his students prior to the semester reminding them this would be the policy.

“I opened up the class talking about the COVID-19 guidelines and what to expect, and that masks were going to be enforced,” Olshansky said. “If anyone does not want to wear a mask or refuses to wear one, I am well within my rights to ask them to leave.”

Sukhbir Singh, assistant professor of vegetable production systems, said he stated the policies on the first day of class to abide by in his classroom throughout the semester. Singh said he reiterates these important guidelines often to help remind students.

“I have put in the syllabus that students are required to wear a mask,” he said.”Either they are in the class or outside the class, they are required to wear masks,” Singh said.

While Bowman is teaching in class, he said. he is adamant about wearing his mask and encourages his students to do the same. Not only is he sure to follow the mask policy, but he has made sure to find other ways to stay safe in the classroom as well.

Before classes resumed this fall, Bowman said he assigned everybody their own designated seat via Blackboard. Whether students choose to come to class inperson or via Zoom, Bowman gives them the opportunity to remain at a safe distance in class.

“I reminded students via email that while we’re doing the class in person, I am willing to live-stream it to where I can’t promise that technology will work, but they don’t need to come to the classroom,” Bowman said. “I am happy to livestream and record. That seems to have encouraged about 60 to 75 students to not come to class, and that was intentional.”

With Olshansky teaching a rather large class compared to most classes, he said has resorted to marking the seats on where students can and cannot sit.

“Each seat is marked accordingly for students to distance. We also have signs on the door and we are trying to get students to go out the

right side of the theatre as the next class is coming in on the left side,” Olshansky said.

While Singh is lecturing during his class time, he said he has found other ways to help students remain their distance from each other. Not only is he sure to wear a face covering, but he has also designed a seating chart for students to maintain their distance.

“Students are wearing masks in my class and I am wearing a face shield while delivering the lecture. After the lecture, I remove the shield and if students are approaching me I make sure that their masks are on, and I also wear a mask when I communicate with them,” Singh said. “Of course all the students have access to cleaning wipes and sanitizers for their cleanliness. Some students are using the wipes to clean their seats before exiting the class as well.”

Bowman mentioned he realizes this semester is hard, so he tries to make things easier for the students as much as possible. He said he knows and understands students want to be here on campus just as much as everyone else does. Bowman is trying to be super helpful by being an aid to students.

“I told students they do not need to keep me posted. I am not taking attendance, I am teaching a class,” Bowman said. “Rather than putting in rules and policies that go above and beyond the university protocols, it’s just been a matter of reinforcing what students have already heard and then actively finding ways to help them follow those guidelines.”

To help accommodate his students, Olshansky said he thought it would be a good idea to host Zoom calls for students who are unable to attend class due to COVID-19 circumstances.

“I wasn’t sure if we should start using Zoom calls or not, but I got the OK from Dr. (Todd) Chambers so a few classes in we started doing Zoom sessions for the students who can’t make it,”

Olshansky said.

With these trying times in full effect, Singh said he is consistently trying to help his students in any way he can.

If any of his students possibly test positive for COVID-19, he is ensuring they successful in his class by giving them the correct materials. He wants to help students by giving them options and also provide with extra help and assistance if they may need it.

“I am accommodating to my students by offering them options. I am providing them all of the lecture materials and if they need to meet me over Zoom, then I am giving them that option as well,” Singh said.

Some of Olshanky’s biggest guidelines this semester is for students to keep their masks on. He understands the class is very big so keeping their masks on, especially while talking, is very essential Olshansky said.

Keeping the mask on in class is not only essential for oneself, but for others he said.

“I think wearing a mask is vital because we’ve already had many students who have tested positive,” Olshansky said.

The biggest advice Bowman could give to his fellow colleagues and other professors on campus is to check down, he said. These are trying times for everyone on campus, it’s easy for many students and faculty to lose perspective. Bowman’s biggest concern is to make sure students have the ability to ask questions.

“The advice I’ve given my colleagues is to give your students space to ask questions. Give them space to be wrong,” Bowman said.

“You have to be more available now than you used to be. Students are going to have questions and they are meaningful, relevant, and important questions. We’re all in a massive learning event together. I want to look back on 2020, and I want to be able to say I helped.” @EmmaSpoonDT

RILEY MUMME/The Daily Toreador

TOP: A Student rides her bike toward the Student Union Building on 15th Street while wearing her mask on Aug. 30, 2020. BOTTOM: A student wears his mask while reading and walking in front of the College of Media and Communication on Aug. 30, 2020.

OPINIONS

Page 4 Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020

COLUMN

@DailyToreador www.dailytoreador.com

Mental health crisis grows amid pandemic M

ental health has been a topic most people avoid, but now more than ever, it’s a topic that needs to be addressed. This month is known as Nation Suicide Prevention and Awareness month, and it’s the perfect time to address the topic and to end the stigma of mental health. In my opinion, we need a complete overhaul of our mental health system, but first we need to address the stigma.

Mental health is a conversation that is starting to gain momentum both in society and in politics. New organizations and activist groups are popping up to help calm down the stigma of mental health, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness also known as NAMI. NAMI helps communities offer better resources to help educate the community and advocate for better resources. They are giving a voice to the people that have long been stigmatized just for not being okay.

NAMI compiled a 2016 report made by the Substance Abuse and Mental

Mateo Rosiles is a junior journalism major from Lubbock.

Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Justice into statistical facts. According to these reports, 50.6 percent of U.S. youth, aged 6-17, received medical help pertaining to mental health.

Suicide is also the second leading cause of death in U.S. citizens aged 10-34.

The facts show mental health illness is on the rise, and the CDC just released their report on mental health amid the pandemic entitled “Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020.” The basics of the reports state there has been an increase of mental health conditions.

The report states 40 percent of adults have reported to be struggling with mental

health or substance abuse.

Of that 40 percent, 31 percent reported dealing with anxiety or depression symptom, 26 percent are dealing with trauma symptoms and 11 percent are dealing with serious thoughts of suicide.

The report suggests a link to trauma symptoms stemming from COVID-19 and 74.9 percent of the participants are between the ages of 18 to 24 years old.

Now here is the real question, are college student’s mental health actually being looked after? If you were to ask me a year ago, I would have said no. I am a very strong advocate for mental health awareness, and I have read several peer reviewed journals and articles, and all I saw was the stigma society placed onto people who came out as having a mental health condition or being a survivor of mental health.

The stigma went deep, so deep, it seeped into our legal system. The stigma turns ordinary human beings into ones who have no rights to a certain extent, to something other than human.

This has to be the first thing society has to address to help the mental health system. By ending the stigma, more people will be more willing to ask for help. More people will be more willing to talk about mental health.

Talk to them as normal people and stop using words that put people down. They are survivors and warriors; their battle is harder than most people will ever understand. Treat them as such, not as someone who is weak or a victim.

Now let’s look at mental health on Tech campus.

When it comes to mental health, Texas Tech offers a handful of resources for its students. As always, please check the resources websites or call the facilities to learn how they are operating during this time.

Tech has the Student Wellness center, the most widely known and used facility to help with mental health. On the second floor we have a hidden gem that Tech students rarely use, The MindSpa, which offers message chairs and a place

to relax and recharge for students. They also have videos and resources to help with meditation and breathing exercises.

The next best thing is the Counseling Center on the second floor of the Student Wellness Center, which is free. This is a great resource to use because they are overseen by staff who have studied or are studying the field of counseling. Sounds great, right?

They offer walk-in appointments that may last an hour or two but if you want another scheduled appointment, you may have to wait three to six weeks. During that time, a student’s mental health can go from being stable to critical. To supplement the wait, Tech offers counselors in the Human Science buildings at a low cost.

Now with COVID-19 and everything moving to a virtual platform, Student Wellness has done the same thing. They now offer virtual mental health visits and an online application to help with anxiety called TAO. Looking at all the resources available to stu-

dents on campus, it is my opinion, that Texas Tech is doing the best they can, but there are still areas it could improve upon. There are not enough resources for students going through this rough journey in their lives, especially with the fears of COVID-19 looming over them.

I urge all students to please reach out to the resources available to you.

Here is also the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800273-8255 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Chat: 800-799-4889.

Asking for help does not mean you are weak, it means you realize you just need a little help to get through a tough time. You are valued, and you are needed.

Students are living in an unprecedented time of uncertainty. Now is the time for Tech and the rest of the world to address mental health and revamp the system to better accommodate the rise of mental health conditions in adults and children. @MateoRosilesDT

COLUMN

NBA-style bubble provides potential season precedent On March 12, 2020, Texas Tech Basketball was set to open the Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinals against the Texas Longhorns. The Red Raiders were quickly interrupted during their warm-up to be told there was no longer a Big 12 tournament. Later that day, the NCAA would

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Ryan Mainville is a sophomore marketing major from Plano.

also cancel it’s annual March Madness tournament.

Today, nearly six months after the tournament’s cancellation, there are still plenty of questions facing the feasibility of the upcoming college basketball season.

Luckily, the NCAA has used the time to their advantage.

In late August, the NCAA filed an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark office to trademark the phrase “Battle in the Bubble”. The ‘bubble’ the NCAA is referring to is the campus-style environment that leagues like the NBA and WNBA have implemented to play their seasons in.

The NBA’s bubble has been a massive success.

There has not been a single player who tested positive since the league began testing in early July. To ensure the league would be able to finish the season safely, they implemented strict regulations.

NBA players are not allowed to leave the campus aside from family emergencies, and a quarantine period is required if they return. The players also must be tested every single day. Family members of the players were recently permitted to come onto the campus, nearly two months after NBA teams entered the bubble.

With the NBA having access to many resources and generating billions of dollars in revenue each year, it’s clear how they were able to pull off such a technical process. But the NCAA has many more moving parts to manage before a bubble can be implemented.

The most obvious obstacle

to college basketball being able to create a bubble environment is with students and their classes. Many universities, including Texas Tech, are still having in-person classes. Student athletes would simply be unable to leave their campuses to stay in a bubble environment for up to multiple weeks.

The NCAA also has to consider how much setting up bubbles would cost. Providing living spaces, food and the playing venue itself is not cheap. The NBA’s bubble reportedly cost an upwards of $150 million.

The NCAA is still feeling the effects of not being able to play a tournament last March, an event that generated $933 million in 2019.

The 600 employees who work in the NCAA’s Indianapolis headquarters are currently furloughed for an upwards of eight weeks.

The NBA had responsibility to accommodate for only 22

teams, while there are 357 Division I Basketball programs.

The NCAA would likely have to provide multiple miniature bubbles, hosting only a dozen or so schools at a time.

This would mean schools would likely be placed in bubbles with their conference opponents. Texas — home of four of the Big 12’s 10 members — seems like it would be a potential location. But a conference-only bubble removes a critical part of the season: non-conference games.

Non-conference opponents are not always competitive, but they give teams critical amounts of sample size before conference play begins. This part of the schedule allows coaches to try different rotations, gauge a players health and experiment with their playbook. Sending programs directly into conference play would likely mean much more oddities and upsets.

In a year full of unknowns, the NCAA will pull out all the

stops to make sure it can have a tournament. The organization cannot afford another March Madness size hit to it’s earnings.

With over two months until the season tips off, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports is reporting that the plans for a bubble are still “tentative at best right now”. There are many logistics the NCAA must continue evaluating if they want to give programs their best chance at playing a full season, whether that’s in a bubble or not.

If push comes to shove, don’t expect the NCAA to shy away from a bubble situation.

Texas Tech’s own head coach Chris Beard touched on the possibility in late August during a virtual panel.

“I remain very optimistic, I think there is going to be college basketball,” Beard said.

“I think there will be some type of bubble system.” @RyanMainvilleDT

COLUMN

Freshman reflects on self-isolation period On Sept. 2, one of my close friends tested positive for COVID-19, and since I had been with her the day before she tested positive, I went and got myself tested as well. I tested negative, but was still required to self-quarantine for the standard 14 days.

I already had plans to go home to Wichita Falls for Labor Day weekend, and after I received my test results, I decided to simply extend my plans for the necessary two weeks. I decided it was a good idea for me to spend that time with my family, and I didn’t want to be by myself in the dorms.

My isolation experience has been both really comforting and nice, and also really challenging and boring. I’ve had to adjust to doing all my classes online, and had to figure out how I could stay up-to-date and successful in them. I’ve also had to figure out how to maintain my job with The Daily Toreador three hours from campus.

Having to do all my schoolwork online hasn’t been too challenging. It’s nice being able to go at my own pace, as only a couple of my classes actually meet via Zoom, and the rest are simply reading PowerPoints and doing the assignments by their due dates.

I’ve also been able to complete my assignments from the comfort of my home, and my pets keep me company. I have had to deal with the occasional cat lying

MULTIMEDIA

Walking to Class Playlist

Emily Strenski is a freshman journalism major from Wichita Falls.

LETTERS The Daily Toreador welcomes letters from readers. Letters must be no longer than 300 words and must include the author’s name,

Mallory Rosetta is a junior advertising and media strategies major from Lubbock

Driving Playlist

signature, phone number, student ID number and a description of university affiliation. Students should include year in school, major and hometown. We reserve the right to edit letters. Anonymous letters will not be accepted for publication. All letters will be verified before they are published. Letters can be emailed to dailytoreador@ ttu.edu or brought to 180 Media and Communication. Letters should be sent in before 3 p.m. to ensure the editors have enough time to verify and edit the submission.

on my keyboard, however.

It has been a bit difficult figuring out how to stay successful in doing my job.

I’ve had to contact sources via email or phone call, and it can be a bit annoying having to wait for the responses. That part has been stressful, but it hasn’t been impossible thanks to my coworkers, who are willing to help out with anything I need.

My family is also available to help me with anything I need, which has been a really nice advantage. Because I’ve been isolating, they’ve been setting me up with all the necessities, and have been helping me keep track of my health to make sure I don’t develop any COVID-19 symptoms.

It’s also been nice just to see them again and spend some time with my family again.

My isolation experience

has also taught me that I’ve really come to like Lubbock, and I really want to be back. I miss the city, and the Texas Tech campus.

I miss all my friends, and even though we’re in constant communication with each other, I can’t wait to be back in person with them. Having to take my classes online has also made me miss actually being in class, and I can’t wait to see all my professors in person once more.

Having to be back home has also forced me to take a break from the Goin’ Band from Raiderland, an organization I’ve really come to love. I miss being a part of it, and I’m so thankful I’m not going to miss the first game. The band is another reason why I’m so excited to come back to Lubbock.

I’m ready to be a part of it again.

Episode 1: Back to School

Executive Producer and Hosted by: Mateo Rosiles Senior Producer: Autumn Bippert Guest: Natalie Cervantes

@MateoRosilesDT @AutumnBippertDT @NCervantesDT

GUEST COLUMNS The Daily Toreador accepts submissions of unsolicited guest columns. While we cannot acknowledge receipt of all columns, the authors of those selected for publication will be notified. Guest columns should be no longer than 650 words in length and on a topic of relevance to the university community. Guest columns are also edited and follow the same guidelines for letters as far as identification and submittal.

I’m also weirdly excited to be back in my dorm room. It’s become my home away from home, and I don’t have any concerns about living in them again. I just hope that Housing is doing what they can to keep its residents safe, and that it’ll all work out.

Overall, having to selfquarantine hasn’t been the worst experience. It’s been a bit boring, and a little challenging, but I’m thankful I’m not sick, and that I’m not spreading the disease to others.

I’m glad I got to spend some extra time with my family, but I’m ready to be back in Lubbock, back in my classes, back with the band, back in The Daily Toreador newsroom and back with my friends. @EmilyStrenskiDT

Hosted by: Madeline Diffee New episode every Monday on Instagram. @MDiffeeDT IG: dailytoreador

EDITORIALS Unsigned editorials appearing on this page represent the opinion of The DailyToreador. All other columns, letters and artwork represent the opinions of their authors and are not necessarily representative of the editorial board, Texas Tech University, its employees, its student body or the Board of Regents. The DailyToreador is independent of the College of Media and Communication. Responsibility for the editorial content of the newspaper lies with the student editors.

NEWS

WWW.DAILYTOREADOR.COM

SEPT. 10, 2020

5

QUARANTINE

Quarantine develops hobbies, businesses for many

By MADELINE DIFFEE

Digital Content Manager With citizens being in quarantine for several months due to COVID-19, many have found new interests, and even side hustles during their free time.

Michael Lowery, a senior journalism major from Austin, said he developed a side hustle using the food delivery company, DoorDash.

“It’s food delivery,” Lowery said. “Whenever you’re super bored it’s a way during quarantine to go out and safely make money.”

Lowery said he was inspired by an advertisement to begin his side hustle.

“Honestly, I saw a commercial,” Lowery said. “One of my friends was doing it, and it only took him like five minutes to sign up, get to job and start making money.”

HURRICANE

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 Seven platforms failed after being hit by debris, Hirth said. This was unique, as there were such high wind speeds that allowed for a lot of flying debris.

Several platforms recorded wind speeds of more than 120 miles per hour, Hirth said. Those are the strongest winds that have been experienced during field research within the program.

“But all-in-all, we deployed 48 platforms, and all 48 platforms recorded data up until either they failed due to debris impact or otherwise they reported throughout the storm,” he said. “So, we had a really good deployment where all the equipment functioned correctly, and so that made it a very successful deployment for us.”

Along with these successes, Hirth said the radars collected nearly 10

With COVID-19 affecting the economy, it was an easy decision to make, Lowery said.

“With having people being laid off and there not being a lot of jobs, I was like, ‘that sounds like a great way to make money really easily,’” Lowery said.

Lowery said it has been successful for him since he started at DoorDash.

“It’s super successful,” Lowery said. “You get to do your own hours, so you can work all day if you really wanted to, and depending on where you are, you get to make a lot of money.”

Lowery said he will continue to do this in the future.

“I’m actually back in Lubbock now,” Lowery said, “and I’ve already done it for a couple days. I mean there’s not a whole lot of things to do in Lubbock especially when you add quarantine to it, so yeah

I’d keep going.”

Duane Threatt, a senior music education major from Mesquite, said he grew his interest in competitive bowling during quarantine.

“The centers got shut down March 13, and there was no bowling for about two months,” Threatt said, “and then we were allowed 25 percent capacity, but at the time I only wanted to go practice because for one hour of bowling it was like $60.”

Threatt said he didn’t start tournaments at first because he had another job.

“I really didn’t get into tournaments and stuff until like mid-June because I was working for FedEx at the time,” Threatt said, “but once I started getting into tournaments and winning, I was like ‘man I’m making more money from tournament bowling than from FedEx’, so I kind of used

hours of uninterrupted data, which is important for future research.

Anna Thomas, director of operations at the NWI and research assistant professor, said, as one of the three team leaders participating in the field research, the experience is important from a scientific perspective.

“A lot of the forecasts, especially with Hurricane Laura, they were spot on,” she said.

“But if you look at previous storms, especially if you look at [Hurricane Irma] or [Hurricane Dorian], there were big changes that happened to where exactly they hit.”

The field research helps to improve modeling and forecasts, Thomas said.

“I think also if you look at some of the different forecasting and weather channels as they’re broadcasting during a hurricane, a lot of the people in the areas that are more prone and susceptible to storms, in a lot of ways, they hear the forecasting where

we’re crying wolf over and over,” she said.

In the event a hurricane was not as devastating as stated in a certain forecast, Thomas said people will stop trusting that forecasting system.

“For us, we’re really trying to marry the truth and the actual data with the forecast, so that we can provide, as close as possible, correct information to the public that we can get out there.”

Regardless of the potential data that was collected from this research, the experience one gains from participating in the research could add other benefits.

Matthew Asel, a first-year master’s student in the atmospheric science field from South Bend, Indiana, said this field research experience was his first regarding the study of hurricanes. He said the experience was beneficial, as he is a visual learner.

“By actually getting to see something helps me learn

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You get to do your own hours, so you can work all day if you really wanted to, and depending on where you are, you get to make a lot of money.”

MICHAEL LOWERY JOURNALISM STUDENT During high school and his first two years of college, Threatt said he wasn’t as focused on bowling.

“I haven’t bowled like this in two years,” Threatt said.

“I haven’t bowled this consistently with tournaments maybe since I was like 16, and I wasn’t really expecting much, better,” he said. “So, by actually getting to witness and then also feel the power of the wind, it actually helped make me realize what a hurricane is; how strong it can be.”

When out in the field, Asel said his adrenaline was running at certain times. There was a point where the truck he was in started to rock due to the peak wind speeds, which led to them undeploying the truck to move it to a safer location.

“Even though it was sort of a scary experience, I wouldn’t trade it in for anything,” he said. “It was still really really fun and really interesting to be there.

You don’t really realize the power of those winds and destructive forces until you can actually feel them and experience them.”

When it comes to dealing with hurricanes, safety precautions may be a top priority when conducting field research.

With the pandemic being

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but God made a way.”

Threatt said he has been successful since he started bowling again during quarantine.

“I’ve probably made in earning during quarantine, give or take, about $4,000,” Threatt said. “I just won $300 yesterday.”

Threatt said he will continue to do this through the year, but he will prioritize school over bowling.

Kiana Vasquez, a senior accounting major from Crosbyton, said she started her own car freshener business during quarantine.

“I lost my job as a medical assistant to COVID-19 in March,” Vasquez said. “I needed some extra money, and nobody was hiring at that time because everyone was losing jobs.”

Vasquez said that she had seen an ad for car fresheners

on Facebook.

“I just YouTubed how to make them, and it was so easy,” Vasquez said. “Within an hour I had ordered all of the supplies that I needed, so I just started making car fresheners and selling them.”

Vasquez said she has had success in her business since she started.

“So I have actually been pretty successful,” Vasquez said. “I now have like two business logos. I have 1,500 customers, and I sell to like nine different states now. It grew so fast."

With her second job, Vasquez said she will make time for her car freshener business.

“I am going to school online full-time,” Vasquez said. “I work a full-time job, and I do my car freshener business in the evenings.”

an issue, Hirth said the team also implemented different health precautions.

Whether it be wiping

“We spent a lot of time in the vehicles during this trip, so we just tried to make sure that our environment in the vehicles was as clean as possible,” he said.

Despite the different risks present during this field research experience, the trip can be fulfilling in a variety of ways for those involved.

“We’re doing stuff that really no one else in the country is doing,” Hirth said. “So, it’s really a unique experience, especially for the graduate students.”

It was neat to be a part of this field research and represent the university, Hirth said.

“Texas Tech is one of only a few universities in the country that does this kind of field work in hurricanes,” he said, “and Texas Tech, by far, brings the most equipment to the field of any other university that does this kind of work.”

A lot of the forecasts, especially with Hurricane Laura, they were spot on.”

ANNA THOMAS

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT NWI touch points with disinfectant or not making a lot of stops at restaurants and other places, Hirth said there were different precautions that were taken.

At least two people are r e q u i r e d to be in each vehicle for s a f e t y p u rposes, Hirth said. Team members had to make sure to not to jump around from vehicle to vehicle to avoid a spread of germs.

@MDiffeeDT

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Tech set for home opener against Houston Baptist

By ZACH RICHARDS Sports Editor

Saturday’s game will mark over 290 days since Tech’s last football game. Now, after an unusual offseason, the Red Raiders will return to action against Houston Baptist at 7 p.m. kickoff at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Tech will host Houston Baptist on Saturday to begin the newly implemented “nine-plus-one” scheduling system as part of the Big 12’s new policies. The Huskies are Tech’s lone non-conference game before beginning conference play.

This will be the first time the Red Raiders have ever played against Houston Baptist, however, Tech has a history against teams in the Southland Conference. In 2018, the Red Raiders pushed a 77-0 victory over Lamar as their most recent Southland Conference victory. In total, Tech has a 23-1 record against

GAME DAY

CONTINUED FROM PG. 1 For vehicles with trailers, passes must be purchased for both the vehicle and the trailer, and the trailer must be able to fit inside of an individual parking spot.

For more information about RV, bus and vehicle with trailer parking, contact the Red Raider Club at 806-742-1196. For parking maps and information, visit texastech.com There will be a Citibus shuttle service that starts three hours prior to kickoff and lasts until one hour after the game has concluded, according to Tech Athletics.

It costs $5 per person, cash

TEXAS TECH VS. HOUSTON BAPTIST • • • • •

WHERE: Jones AT&T Stadium WHEN: 7 p.m.

Saturday TV: ESPN+ RADIO: 97.3 FM TICKETS: TexasTech.com

FCS opponents, according to Tech Athletics.

Tech will welcome its sophomore quarterback Alan Bowman back into the rotation after missing the majority of the 2019 season with a shoulder injury.

Bowman will be making his 11th start for the Red Raiders.

There will also be a host of new faces on the field for Tech, as head coach Matt Wells and his staff have brought in six graduate transfers who are expected to take the field immedionly, and will pick up at the lot north of the John Walker Soccer Complex. Drop-off will be on the north side of the stadium by Gates 3 and 4.

Arrival Tech has asked that all fans maintain social distancing while entering and being within the stadium. There will be lines and ground signs to stand on or by to promote social distancing as well, according to Tech Athletics. Entry instructions will be on your ticket, and stadium seating is in line with distancing protocol.

In conjunction with both Tech and City of Lubbock policy, face coverings will be required for all fans and

FILE PHOTO/ The Daily Toreador

Alan Bowman, who redshirted last year following an injury, looks to lead the Red Raiders to a successful 2020 football season. Bowman and the Red Raiders will take the field Saturday against Houston Baptist at Jones AT&T Stadium. The game will start at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on ESPN+. ately. Junior running back Chadarius Townsend from Alabama and senior defensive back Eric Monroe from LSU are looking to provide a new look on both sides of the ball for the Red Raiders.

On Saturday, Tech will look to continue its success in home openers. According to Tech Athletics, the Red

Raiders have won 16 of their last 17 season openers. Before the loss in 2018 that broke their streak, Tech had the third-longest season-opening victory streak nationally.

Houston Baptist already has begun its 2020 season with a match against North Texas. In a high-scoring affair, the Huskies took a loss

31-57.

Despite the loss, the Huskies’ quarterback Bailey Zappe threw for 480 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, according to ESPN. The Red Raiders will look to stop the aerial attack of Houston Baptist on Saturday.

Last season, The Huskies ended the year secondto-last in their conference with a 2-6 record in league play and a 5-7 record overall. In similar fashion, Tech

staff ages 10 and above that completely covers both the mouth and face.

For Club/Suite and student ticket holders, the gates will open two hours prior to game time. All other gates will open an hour and a half before kickoff, according to Tech Athletics.

There will be no re-entry allowed at the stadium.

Tech will be following its typical clear bag policy for the upcoming season.

Clear bags must not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”, per Tech Athletics. Guests may bring a clear plastic freezer bag, but it must not exceed onegallon. Small clutch bags will be permitted alongside a clear plastic bag, but it should not exceed 4.5” x

6.5”. Certain items will be exempt for medical needs upon inspection.

No other bags will be permitted, and all bags are subject to search.

No outside food or beverages are allowed into the stadium. However, a single, unopened 20 oz. or less bottle of water may be brought in. Containers, coolers, bottles, glasses and other beverage containers are prohibited in accordance w i t h Te c h p o l i c y. U p o n entry, there will be express lanes at all gates for fans without inspectable items.

Concessions Tech has implemented new concession policies to promote social distancing and a clean environment.

There is a mobile ordering option via texastech. ordernext.com, which will have eight mobile ordering pickup locations around the stadium, according to Tech Athletics. There will be four locations on the west side concourse and four on the east side concourse.

Each pickup location has its own respective menu, and the menu can be found at texastech.ordernext.com.

Emergency Situations In case of lost children, contact a police officer or Event Staff. Lost children will be taken to the stadium security offices which reside on the west and east sides of the stadium.

The lost and found will be at the TTPD Stadium

finished second-tolast in its respective conference with a 2-7 record and a 4-8 overall record.

The game will be broadcast nationally on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and on the Texas Tech Sports Network.

Both teams are looking to improve their conference and overall standings from last season, and it begins for Tech on Saturday against Houston Baptist. @ZachRichardsDT

Security Office, according to Tech Athletics. All articles found within the stadium, if turned over, will be taken there. Post game, they will be taken to the TTPD offices located at 2901 Fourth St. Tech has put in place heat-management stations.

These will be located at Gate 3 and Gate 6, according to Tech Athletics.

These stations will provide water refills and cold towels. There will also be First Aid stations on game day located on the west and east side concourse.

The Red Raiders will begin their season at home against Houston Baptist on at 7 p.m. on Saturday. @ZachRichardsDT