Some students at CSUSB are new to online schooling and therefore still adapting to this difficult transition. How can we make the most of it, you may ask? Think about it this way: if you have made it this far in online schooling, you will get through it next semester, too. 2020 has been a very weird year. I confess I did not expect it to be as bad and strange as it currently is. It is difficult to stay attentive in a virtual school, especially with all of the available and easily-accessible distractions in a house. Some of the best pieces of advice I can give is to stay disciplined and motivated. One way to do this is to take about four or five hours a day and dedicate it … [Read more...] about Advice: How to combat virtual spring semester
health
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
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
Advice: Killer time crunch workout
With gyms being open again across Southern California, people are rushing back to their workout routines. Some of these workouts include supersets, drop sets, and burnouts. However, if you are getting tired of the same exercises and want to try something new in a short amount of time, there is one called Accelerated Results 7 (AR-7). AR-7 is a full body, circuit style workout that uses low reps, low weight, and, most importantly, low rest. The goal of AR-7 is to use the short rest period to stimulate the muscles and make them feel like the weight that you are lifting is heavier than it really is. When doing AR-7, you will be doing only three basic lifts and one body weight … [Read more...] about Advice: Killer time crunch workout
Thinking about the irony in society
Why do we perpetuate and normalize some things that we know are detrimental to our health and are directly linked to death, yet we race to fight COVID? As we live and breathe in the days of COVID-19, a few things have become apparent: that COVID kills, that people are concerned and cautious, and finally, that some will shame and alienate an individual if they don’t agree or comply to the same degree in regards to the first two points. The perplexing bit about all of this, from an outside perspective, would be how we’ve arrived at what seems like a rather backward point in time. The number one killers in the United States are cancer and heart disease, as stated by the CDC, yet we … [Read more...] about Thinking about the irony in society
Healthy alternatives to daily meals
This quarantine has given people more free time and the ability to eat whenever one wants. Because of social distancing practices, some people find it harder to keep a healthy diet at home. While the temptation to eat can be higher, reaching for healthy food instead of junk food is the goal. According to Samantha Byers, who is a PhD student in Biomedical Sciences, her food choices have slightly changed since she moved back home with her parents. "My breakfast has remained the same (oatmeal) but my lunches and dinner differ a lot," Byers says. Byers used to meal prep for her lunches, whereas now she has either leftovers or tries to heat up a quick meal. Before she moved back, she … [Read more...] about Healthy alternatives to daily meals
Ways to practice wellness at home
Self-care routines can be beneficial to have in this time of a pandemic. Since social distancing practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 has left many with uneasiness, wellness practices have become a part of people's routines. There are many ways to take care of your mind and body all while still social distancing at home. Having structure in your day allows you to feel productive and allows you to get what you need to get done. Adding structure in your day can also help relieve feelings of anxiety. "When quarantine first started I was sleeping late and waking up even later, there was no structure in my day," said Bianca Ruvalcaba, a Senior on campus. "I noticed that about two … [Read more...] about Ways to practice wellness at home