By Mayibel Ruiz California's air quality is ranked the lowest in the country because of the lack of policies protecting its residents from air pollutants, exposing residents to detrimental health risks. The air pollution in cities such as Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino is consistently ranked the lowest in the country because of warehouses and frequent trucking traffic. A reason air pollution is a problem in these cities is the lack of local government support for these cities' residents. The city's local government officials do not take sufficient action to create restrictions on warehouses in the area that can improve air quality over time. When comparing states, … [Read more...] about Looking at California’s low air quality from a health and advocacy perspective
Health
Food insecurity affects those closer to home than you think
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the effects of food insecurity in America, demonstrating that when resources are shut down in an emergency, people will struggle in many ways. With no access to groceries stores and restaurants and convenience stores minimizing hours, food insecurity becomes more prevalent. Although this issue of food insecurity is not new, it is a social injustice that a large amount of the population is struggling for enough food to provide a healthy lifestyle, while the other half has the privilege to pick and choose their diets based on how they are feeling at a certain point. Food insecurity is an international, national, and local problem that affects 9% … [Read more...] about Food insecurity affects those closer to home than you think
Wellness Center promotes outside yoga for flexibility and spiritual benefits
The CSUSB Wellness Center hosted a free yoga class for students on Wednesday evening at SU East Amphitheater, where yoga can be described as a fitness routine and also a spiritual practice. Over ten students attended the outside yoga event. Some yoga students brought their own yoga mats, while others relied on the yoga mats that were provided by the CSUSB Wellness Center employees. All yoga students were given a yoga prop to assist them in their yoga practice. Due to weather conditions, previous yoga classes were held inside the CSUSB Wellness Center. However, for this yoga event, students were fortunate enough to have been able to set up their mats outside the SU East … [Read more...] about Wellness Center promotes outside yoga for flexibility and spiritual benefits
The importance of physical activity for self care
By Sally Lloyd When people think of self-care, they think of relaxing, sleeping, maybe applying a face mask, and de-stressing. One thing to consider is shaping your self-care routine to include physical activity. All around, physical activity proves to be beneficial to our health and well-being; there are obvious benefits such as weight loss, combating diseases, and improved body image but it can actually help you relax. Physical activity, such as walking or going to the gym, can improve your mood, which in turn helps alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which are prevalent in college students. The prioritization of physical activity is important and not all … [Read more...] about The importance of physical activity for self care
American handwashing hygiene decreases two years into the pandemic
By Jessica Franco A 2022 poll of Americans shows that COVID-19 fears have begun to dwindle, leading to decreased handwashing hygiene. According to the United States Center for Disease Control (“CDC”), handwashing with soap reduces respiratory illnesses, like the cold or COVID, in the general population by 16-21%. handwashing with soap is low-cost, easy, and only takes 20 seconds. The CDC has found that nearly 1.8 million children under the age of 5 tragically lose their lives each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which can both be prevented by regular handwashing using soap. In fact, handwashing with soap can protect nearly 1 in 3 children under 5 who get sick with … [Read more...] about American handwashing hygiene decreases two years into the pandemic
Just the tips: Protect your health (and have fun) by using condoms correctly
By Amy Streavel, M.P.H., MCHES, Senior Director of Education ProgramsPlanned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties Everyone deserves a healthy, safe, and fun sex life with consenting partners. Using condoms is a good way to lower stress around sex, increase pleasure, and show your partner that you care about your health and theirs. Condoms and other barrier methods are an effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. But many people are still confused about condoms and how they work. Because February is National Condom Awareness Month, we at Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties are here to clear … [Read more...] about Just the tips: Protect your health (and have fun) by using condoms correctly
Staff shortage causes conflict in healthcare industry
By John Malapitan and Ricardo Martinez (Contributing Writers) With the rise in omicron variant cases, the California Department of Public Healthcare is now allowing COVID positive nurses to work, as long as they are asymptomatic or meet the criteria needed to go back to work. “Health care professionals (HCP) who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without isolation and without testing, and HCPs who have been exposed and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without quarantine and without testing” the department stated. The department also recognizes the problems that may come with this by ensuring that HCPs must … [Read more...] about Staff shortage causes conflict in healthcare industry
California reissues COVID-19 paid leave
By Jessica Franco (Contributing Writer) Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed on Tuesday January 25 that COVID-19 paid leave was approved for people who tested positive or who have family members who tested positive. Small businesses that employ 26 or more employees, may be significantly impacted. “By extending sick leave to front-line workers with COVID and providing support for California businesses, we can help protect the health of our workforce, while also ensuring that businesses and our economy are able to thrive,” said Newsom in a joint statement with Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Under the agreement, California’s COVID-19 … [Read more...] about California reissues COVID-19 paid leave
San Bernardino takes action to fight COVID-19 outbreak
By Catherine Orellana and Breana Owens The county of San Bernardino has become one of the first to provide and deliver free at-home COVID-19 testing kits to individuals that live, work, or attend school in the county. Information from the collected data can give the administration and president of the university the tools to determine continuation or cancellation of in-person attendance. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, students all over the state have needed to adapt quickly to virtual learning. Now, three years into the pandemic, nothing has changed, especially for university students. Here at CSUSB, constant change is occurring, and as of recently, the majority of … [Read more...] about San Bernardino takes action to fight COVID-19 outbreak
Booster shot mandate sparks mixed reactions among CSUSB students
By Kenya Johnson and Yussif Kanbar (Contributing Writers) Three students share their perspectives on the recent mandate President Morales issued to prevent an outbreak in cases at CSUSB. In regards to the mandatory booster shot, one student, who wished to remain anonymous, responded, “I definitely see the purpose and want for every student to be safe, but I also believe that if someone does not want to get the booster shot, they should be held to taking classes only online. This may be harsh, but if they want to use school facilities they should follow the mandate or not be enrolled. Personally, I like being on campus for classes, but I completely understand why we are … [Read more...] about Booster shot mandate sparks mixed reactions among CSUSB students