The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 15

November 17, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 3 News News Briefs get the scoop on events happening on campus Computer camp: Shopping online safely OnNov. 17, from1 - 1:45p.m., theAlvinSherman Library will hold a class on measures that can be taken to shop online safely. The event is open to the public, but requires registration prior to the event and a Zoom link for the discussion will be sent out the day before. Those interested can log into Sharkhub to register for this event o r follow this link. Pita and Parsha Chabad at NSU, a Jewish organization, will host an event to give students the opportunity to ask questions and learn fromNSU’s rabbi and rebbetzin while enjoying kosher pita, falafel, salads and treats. This event will be held on Nov. 17, from 12 - 1:15 p.m., in the Library Quad by the cabanas. Black art showcase The Black Student Union and Open Expressions will host a virtual art showcase on Nov. 18 from 6 - 7 p.m. This event is open to all art forms and creative outlets that NSU students may express. To register as an artist, click here or to attend the event, click here. The event will be held online and prior registration is required to attend. Roll call On Nov. 18, the Unified Greek Council (UGC) will host a roll call event in the University Center Spine from 12 - 1 p.m. to learnmoreaboutgreeklifeorganizations.Visit the UGC Instagram, @unifiedgreekcouncil_ nsu, for more information regarding this and other UGCWeek Events. Career development workshop On Nov. 19, Collegiate DECAwill host a developmental workshop on the “Ability to Make Decisions: Career Development,” featuring key speaker Talia Winfrey. This event will take place in the DeSantis building as well as over Zoom. The workshop runs from 12 - 1:30 p.m. and those interested ca n RSVP on Sharkhub. Thanksgiving food drive NSU’s Unified Greek Council will host a Thanksgiving food drive on Nov. 19, from 12 - 2 p.m., in the University Center Spine. Canned foods and non-perishables are accepted and donations will enter the student in a chance to win NSU swag. Baskets for a cause On Nov. 20, Locks for Cause will host an on-campus event to create baskets to give to the children at the Joe Dimaggio Hospital. The event will take place in the University Center Spine from 10 - 11 a.m. Global news, courtesy of the current New discovery hiding in plain sight Myanmar, a south Asian nation, made leaps and bounds in the scientific community on Nov. 11 by discovering a new species of primate with dark brown to black back fur with a whitish abdomen and named it the Popa Langur after the extinct volcano Mount Popa. Scientists discovered the primate by using 100-year- old tissue samples from numerous global museums. However, while the species has been discovered in plain sight, they are considered to be critically endangered, with scientists believing that there is a living population of 250. Typhoon Vamco causes destruction The north-eastern Philippine region braces for yet another week of uncertainty from Typhoon Vamco with winds of up to 84 mph. Roughly 12,000 villagers have been evacuated. Vamco is devastating communities that are still trying to recover from the super-typhoon Goni, which struck earlier this month. Despite these circumstances, Philippine Military Chief Gilbert Gapa said, “This typhoon will test once more our spirit, bruised but not broken.” Darkest Day According to pro-democracy legislator Fernando Cheung, Nov. 11 is now known as the “Darkest day in Hong Kong, so far” because of the resignation of 15 lawmakers in protest of the disqualification of four legislators. The protest occurred as the top law-making body in Beijing banned lawmakers they deem “unpatriotic.” The country is currently facing a power struggle between democracy and communism. COVID-19 aboard Caribbean cruise Nov. 12 marks the first five positive cases of COVID-19 on the Caribbean cruise ship, The SeaDream, which set sail on Nov. 7, was the first ship to resume sailing in the Caribbean. There were roughly 50 passengers and 66 crew members on board. One passenger became sick, requiring the ship to turn back to Barbados after departing on Nov. 8. Sudan safe haven Sudan has seen an influx of up to 200,000 refugees fleeingwar tornNorth Ethiopian Tigray region, experiencing conflicts as of Nov. 12. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed refused negotiations with the regional government after he announced military intervention on an attack conducted by regional forces. This attack and conflict have left communications severed, people hungry and supply trucks stranded. COVID-19 update: Looking back at this semester and ahead to the future Between the new BlendFlex model, classroom capacities, limited gathering sizes and masks covering the faces of every Shark, it’s hard to miss the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on NSU. As of Nov. 16, there were no active cases of COVID-19 among residential students, although two cases resolved over the weekend on Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14. Off campus, there are three undergraduate students who have reported active positive cases, but these students do not live in the residence halls. Additionally, there are 12 students in quarantine -- 10 of which live off campus and the other two live in Rolling Hills and The Commons. The two self quarantines on campus were related to exposures to COVID-19, although both of these cases will be resolved, or no longer active, after Nov. 16. Neither student developed symptoms or cases of COVID-19. As many students travel home for winter break or for the transition to online learning after Nov. 20, Beth Welmaker, the executive director of environmental health and safety for NSU, stressed the importance of remaining diligent and proactive to lower the risk of infecting family and friends. “We all now know what it takes to stop the spread of COVID-19 and it’s not expensive. It doesn’t require special equipment. It requires us being smart about keeping our distance from others and wearing a face covering,” said Welmaker. Additionally, Welmaker encouraged students to remain vigilant as far as paying attention to any potential symptoms due to the high community spread of COVID-19. After traveling, whether that be home in the coming weeks or back to campus as planned in January, it is recommended that individuals avoid being around others and make decisions that will stop and prevent further spreading of COVID-19. “We’re very social people and I think we’re really tired of living this way. It’s hard, but when we’re around others, we can’t pretend we don’t knowwe’re rolling the dice and putting each other at risk for potentially getting or spreading [COVID-19],” said Welmaker. This semester has, in general, been considered very successful, in terms of stopping and slowing the spread of COVID-19 at NSU. Despite some cases of COVID-19 among students, the university has not had any reported large outbreaks during the fall 2020 term. If the NSU community stays this course, Welmaker said that she expects the same success next semester. “We are exceptionally proud of our students who are doing the right thing. I would also like to point out that I do recognize that the majority of our students are doing the right thing. [While] we have a couple that haven’t done the right thing, I don’t allow that to cloud my perspective or appreciation for all the students that are committed and have demonstrated their commitment to containing the spread of this virus,” said Welmaker. Currently, the plans for COVID-19- related rules and recommendations remain unwavering for the winter 2021 semester with guidance from the Department of Health and the CDC. NSU does not plan to make any changes to distancing and face covering guidelines at this time, unless public health guidance is modified. To help facilitate providing up to date information, the university has also developed a new website, www.nova.edu/coronavirus, where members of the university community can easily access safety guidelines, fast facts on COVID-19 and a variety of resources relating to clinics, coping with stress, prevention tips and more. If a student is having any symptoms, they are advised to reach out to NSU’s Telehealth line at (954) 262-4100, where they will be connected to a physician who will review their symptoms and, if needed, schedule a COVID-19 test on campus. Additionally, students can email COVIDcase@nova.edu to provide updates on their symptoms and test results, even if the results are still pending, and to get assigned a COVID-19 case manager to oversee the situation and offer assistance, if necessary. Emailing COVIDcasewill also immediatelyprovide students with the Telehealth number, as well as links to employee and graduate/ professional student report forms, the undergraduate student form and the form to report exposures. Students, staff and faculty can visit NSU’s dedicated website, www.nova.edu/coronavirus , for up to date information regarding COVID-19 at the university. By: Madelyn Rinka Co-Editor-in-Chief