Throughout the Coachella Valley area, restaurant managers and employees are struggling to maintain structure at work, as COVID-19 continuously spreads. The coronavirus has affected nearly the entire country with 13 million Americans infected and 265 thousand lives lost since its initial outbreak in February. The virus also proven to be the silent killer of most essential businesses, causing local restaurants significant financial decline and loss of employees. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 150,000 businesses have indicated that they have closed due to COVID-19, 20,000 of which are restaurants in California. Many of these restaurants are large corporation … [Read more...] about Restaurants and bars in Coachella Valley adjust to COVID-19 protocols
COVID-19
Small businesses struggle to survive in pandemic-oriented film industry
Jennie Cook wipes the sweat off her brow. She has had to let almost half of her staff go, and she’s been working long days and even longer weeks in order to compensate for it. Though she’s had to power through exhaustion, she considers herself lucky. Her business is surviving, which is more than can be said for many of her peers. Cook owns Jennie Cook’s Catering, a Los Angeles-based company that derives almost all of its business from Hollywood productions. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in all film productions stopping, causing Jennie Cook’s, and thousands of businesses like them, to struggle to survive. “It’s been devastating,” said Cook. “Our business has taken such a hit. I’m … [Read more...] about Small businesses struggle to survive in pandemic-oriented film industry
Opinion: Benefits to wearing masks
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the United States, we are continuing to adapt to our new normal to further slow the spread of the virus. California Governor Gavin Newsom re-initiated curfew hours for many counties that forbids get-togethers from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. Continuing to stay 6-feet apart, avoid large gatherings, sanitize all our surroundings, and wear face masks are still highly encouraged to practice. However, many Americans are becoming selfish and refusing to wear face masks because they do not believe they are beneficial. Wearing a face mask or any sort of cloth covering the nose and mouth is proven to prevent those who are infected with the virus and reduce the spread … [Read more...] about Opinion: Benefits to wearing masks
Essential workers discuss the dangers and fears of everyday life
Workers worry about the lack of insurance and insufficient safety practices as they continue to work, fearing they may catch COVID-19. Kalee Atkins, an employee for Marshall's, expresses her concerns about customers not following safety guidelines. “There are people who do not want to follow the rules because there aren’t laws that require them to do so, but I explain to them that these rules are necessary for us to stay open,” said Atkins. Jocelyn Villalobos is a 27-year-old Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) at St. Bernadine’s Medical Center, she had this to say about healthcare, “My parents pay for and afford the healthcare I need. There are a lot of components to why many people … [Read more...] about Essential workers discuss the dangers and fears of everyday life
Opinion: Positive vaccine updates don’t mean we are out of the woods yet
While Pfizer Inc. states the COVID-19 vaccine is said to be 90% effective, pharmaceutical company Moderna also published preliminary results claiming 94.5% efficacy of their vaccine against COVID-19. Moderna's vaccine does not require minus 70-degree Celsius for storage, thus, it can be stored and moved in a more affordable way. With this news definitely being worth celebrating, it is not the time to take COVID lightly, but time to buckle down and wait for the vaccine. The virus has already killed over 1.3 million people globally, and cases are still continuing to rise. While the feeling of living alongside COVID is still there, we must also get through flu season and winter without … [Read more...] about Opinion: Positive vaccine updates don’t mean we are out of the woods yet
Opinion: Pondering the effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine
On Monday, November 9, Pfizer Inc., a company which has been working on the COVID-19 vaccine, released a statement saying that their new vaccine could be as much as 90% effective. It was based on early and incomplete testing. Regardless of the testing being in the early stages, this news is monumental simply because we can finally say that we might have a viable cure on the way. Now if you’re like me, you instantly thought, “Does this mean that life will go back to normal soon?" But then I also wondered, “What is normal? Will our lives ever be the same? Will we continue to have a heightened sense of concern for human life and health? Or will things in 6 months look like COVID was just a … [Read more...] about Opinion: Pondering the effectiveness of a COVID-19 vaccine
Career Center offers virtual opportunities to prepare students for the workforce
The Career Center utilizes technology to provide resources, career opportunities, and events online to the campus community. While the transition to virtual space did have concerns from employer partners, they have been innovative in implementing virtual programming and services. According to Jon Paul Hernandez, the Employer Relations Specialist for the Career Center since March 2020, the center has adjusted several of its services to adapt to the new normal. "When campus operations began to move virtually in March, the Career Center pivoted to ensure all resources, career opportunities, and events would be available utilizing the latest technology. Within a month's time, we hosted our … [Read more...] about Career Center offers virtual opportunities to prepare students for the workforce
Freshmen adapt to college in the midst of a pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the lives of people around the world and, aside from its negative impacts on our health, has also affected the way students receive higher education by having to adapt to the new virtual learning environment. A lot of people are not fond of change because it can be nerve-wracking, stressful, and overwhelming. However, for most college freshmen, the transition from high school to university is what they have been waiting for, for years. Although they’re still able to attend classes online, COVID-19 has been a roadblock in their ability to achieve a college experience. For Thomas Napolitano, a freshman marketing major and baseball player, the … [Read more...] about Freshmen adapt to college in the midst of a pandemic
Advice: What not to overlook when wearing a mask
With masks becoming a very normal routine in our lives, it's important to know some very important tips when wearing them. Sometimes, the simplest things that can make a huge difference are overlooked. Two things that are overlooked when wearing a mask is washing the mask and contouring the wire at the top of disposable masks to your nose. You Need to Wash or Replace Your Mask Just like your underwear, you should be constantly washing and replacing your mask. You wouldn't wear your underwear continuously without washing it, right? The same thing applies to your mask. Remember, your mask should be treated like underwear because if it gets dirty and smells bad, your face will be very … [Read more...] about Advice: What not to overlook when wearing a mask
Independent construction contractors continue to face challenges with pandemic regulations
With COVID-19 cases surging, independent construction contractors continue to face challenges and obstacles in adapting to COVID-19 regulations in the workforce. The construction industry was excluded from the shutdown of non-essential businesses in California, that Governor Newsom issued. When the regulations of The California Department of Industrial Relations came into effect, construction sites had to immediately implement safety and health guidelines to specifically combat COVID-19. “When modifying work stations for my 15 employees, it was difficult to come up with a plan that would reduce the amount of workers in enclosed and confined areas. At the moment, only about three … [Read more...] about Independent construction contractors continue to face challenges with pandemic regulations